Waterfront Restaurants in Destin-Fort Walton Beach

Gentle breezes, soothing waves, marina views, and year-round sunshine make waterfront dining a sensory experience in Destin-Fort Walton Beach. Our waterfront restaurants will leave you relaxed and content with a belly full of the freshest Gulf-to-Table cuisine, ice-cold drinks, and tropical desserts. 

Longtime Destin Favorites

Two of Destin’s waterfront gems – Dewey Destin’s Seafood Restaurant and Dewey Destin’s Harborside – were founded by the descendants of Destin’s founder Leonard Destin, who landed on the sparkling shores in 1835. The Seafood Restaurant is a casual shack on the water featuring prime dock seating. Harborside has a more formal vibe, where you can sit inside or outside on one of two decks, dreaming about owning one of the boats anchored in the Destin Harbor. Both serve fresh seafood that would make their forefathers proud.

Harbor Docks, also situated along the Destin Harbor, has served fresh, locally-sourced seafood since 1979. Harbor Docks is one of several local establishments that is supplied fresh seafood from the Harbor Docks Seafood Market.

More Destin Stops

Situated on the Choctawhatchee Bay, LuLu’s (from Lulu Buffett, singer Jimmy Buffett’s sister) offers patrons scratch-made meals and seating by the bay. You can arrive by water via boat or jetski and dine al fresco by or on the white sand beach. Her famous brother also has a spot in town, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Destin in HarborWalk Village on the edge of the Destin Harbor. Enjoy Caribbean-style cuisine and the fun nautical theme on the upper or lower deck as you watch the cruising boats. 

HarborWalk Village is also home to other waterfront and seafood favorites like Harry T’s Lighthouse and East Pass Seafood & Oyster House. Find more waterfront offerings on the Destin Harbor Boardwalk, like Boathouse Oyster Bar, a funky outdoor pub with live music, and Brotula’s Seafood House and Steamer, a casual seafood joint.

Okaloosa Island & Fort Walton Beach

Enjoy award-winning gumbo and fresh crab legs at The Crab Trap, with two locations, in Destin and The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island. Both feature unparalleled views of the beach and Gulf waters. 
 
Sunbathe, swim, or play beach volleyball before heading to Al’s Beach Club & Burger Bar, also on The Boardwalk, for a quick craft burger, hand-cut fries, and custard shakes. You also can track sand into Floyd’s Shrimp House, which features “shrimptizers” and all-you-can-eat platters, and Rockin’ Tacos Grill & Tequila Bar, featuring 75 types of tequila and an extensive list of taco options.
 
The Gulf Okaloosa Island is an open-air oasis on the waterfront. Dine outside at the bar or on the lawn. Or inside to escape the summer heat. The menu features seafood platters, burgers, and shareable appetizers.

Near Niceville

For a different type of waterfront experience, dine at The Boathouse Landing near Niceville, a casual Southern seafood eatery on the Boggy Bayou serving lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. 

For more waterfront dining options, see below.