Dining with views of the Gulf of Mexico at Beach Walk Cafe in Destin.

Where the Locals Eat in Destin FL

Published on October 16, 2018 On Guide to Destin, Florida

If you’re looking for the best places to dine during your vacation in Destin, Florida, it always helps to ask a local! We’re here all year long, so we’ve had plenty of time to try all of the restaurants in town. To help you prepare for your next getaway, the Henderson Park Inn has put together a handy guide to where the locals eat in Destin FL.

1. Beach Walk Café

Located right at the Henderson Park Inn, Beach Walk Café is popular with both guests at our hotel and Destin locals. Perfect for a romantic dinner with your sweetheart, Beach Walk Café offers gourmet food and breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico, whether you dine inside, on our veranda, or directly on the beach. Standout menu items include the Eggplant Medallions with Crab Meat, Grilled New Zealand Venison, and Grouper Vince.

2. The Wine Bar

Connected to Chan’s Wine World, The Wine Bar is a can’t-miss restaurant for anyone who likes to enjoy their dinner with a nice glass of red, white or rosé. Guests at The Wine Bar will find a varied food menu featuring mouthwatering selections from the land and the sea and an extensive wine list. We recommend visiting The Wine Bar during their daily happy hour, from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., when carafes can be purchased for the price of a glass.

3. Dewey Destin’s Harborside

Dewey Destin’s Harborside is another wonderful restaurant where the locals eat in Destin FL. In fact, the owner of this eatery is the great-great-grandson of Destin’s very first “local,” Leonard Destin! Dewey Destin’s Harborside specializes in dishes made with freshly caught seafood, including Fried Shrimp, Pecan Crusted Mahi, Crab Cakes, and Seafood Gumbo.

4. Camille’s

Founded in 2003, Camille’s is named after owner Charles Morgan’s grandmother, “Big Camille”, and mother, “Little Camille.” All of the spectacular seafood served at Camille’s comes straight from the Harbor Docks Seafood Market in Destin, so guests enjoy a true Gulf to Table experience. Popular dishes include the Curry Seared Scallops, Seafood Vermicelli, and the Sun-Dried Tomato Crusted Grouper.

5. Jackacuda’s Seafood & Sushi

If you’re craving sushi during your vacation, lunch or dinner at Jackacuda’s is a must! This wonderful restaurant offers a variety of irresistible rolls featuring everything from spicy yellowtail to shrimp tempura. In addition to its superb sushi menu, Jackacuda’s also serves phenomenal sandwiches, salads, and Gulf favorites.

6. Cuvee Kitchen + Wine Bar

Whether you’re in the mood for a gourmet dinner or just some small plates and wine, you can’t go wrong at Cuvee Kitchen + Wine Bar. One of Destin’s most buzzed-about restaurants, Cuvee has garnered a loyal following for its flatbreads, seafood entrees, and handcrafted cocktails. Cuvee’s menu changes on a regular basis, so there is always something new to try each time you visit.

The beautiful private beach at the Henderson Park Inn. When you stay at the Henderson Park Inn, you will be near all of the restaurants where the locals eat in Destin FL. Located adjacent to Henderson Beach State Park, our inn has everything you need for an unforgettable escape. Guests at the Henderson Park Inn will enjoy a gourmet breakfast buffet, boxed lunches, a private white sand beach, and a Tiki Bar with complimentary drinks at happy hour. Voted the most romantic hotel in America by the users of About.com and TripAdvisor.com, our inn is the only lodging in Destin that is just for adults. To start planning your vacation, browse our Rooms & Rates!