Maybe it’s the sugar-white sand calling. Maybe it’s because our beach town still serves up ocean views without the Miami price tag. Most often, it’s simply because we crave that perfect plate of coastal classics. Whatever the reason, Miramar Beach locals know where to find the real American treasures—the fresh-catch spots, the timeless diners, the buzzing kitchens where every bite tastes like vacation. In fact, you’ll probably spot more of us at these tables than any snowbird (no offense).
Sandcastles Restaurant & Lounge
$$ | (850) 267-9500 | WEBSITE
Though technically part of a modern resort, Sandcastles Restaurant & Lounge has an upscale feel, matching higher-priced establishments. Today, the Miramar Beach restaurant still brings a decent experience—you can settle into the lounge for custom off-menu drinks from bartender Coley and heaping plates of chicken schnitzel or snapper. But really, come whenever you’re in the mood for a good meal.
Just tuck yourself into one of their comfortable seats, order some drinks and the breakfast buffet—a polarizing option, yes. If you are into it, then the made-to-order omelets are just as nice as finding a hidden gem, though the crispy potato cake might not be very crispy as advertised. The to-go pizzas are convenient, and parking is plentiful, making it a solid choice with some highlights in food quality and service.
Tommy Bahama Restaurant, Bar & Store
$$$ | (850) 654-1743 | WEBSITE
Whether we’re planning a romantic date night or casual gathering with friends, we’ll head to Tommy Bahama Restaurant, Bar & Store to enjoy the clean, inviting atmosphere, where the perfect lighting and comfortable seating create just the right ambiance for relaxed conversation.
Then while our dining companions debate between the Chilean sea bass with risotto or the outstanding ribeye, we’ll make the simplest choice of the evening and immediately ask our server to bring out the humus and whipped feta appetizer (a consistent favorite) and one of their outstanding cocktails to set the mood before we dive into catching up with each other.
Barefoot’s Beachside Bar & Grill
$$ | (850) 267-9500 | WEBSITE
Channeling beachside casual meets vacation paradise, Barefoot’s Beachside Bar & Grill in Miramar Beach is a sun-drenched spot that serves highlights like grouper with large white flakes and plentiful fries. It’s always a good chill-out session or a favorite gathering with friends, especially since you have options to continue the day by the pool or right on the beach. Of course, the visitors are here as a go-to for the gorgeous location.
For us, Barefoot’s certainly stands on its own as a quintessential beachfront experience. From the always yum and delicious food to the top notch, nice and strong drinks, there aren’t many wrong picks, but when you’re soaking in that atmosphere, the friendly, helpful, and fast service should be part of your visit.
Fatboys – Miramar Beach FL
$ | (850) 842-2807 | WEBSITE
Restaurants tucked into strip malls are their own peculiar species. They’re typically something to bypass, but we happily make the slightly out-of-the-way trip to this Miramar Beach spot for Fatboys’ classic American fare. There’s not much of a view here (maybe an occasional tourist looking for the entrance to the neighboring shops), but there’s a welcoming indoor space where the sizzle from the grill and the friendly chatter provide all the atmosphere you’ll need.
Since the Destin area visitors are often at the beach or at the more bustling waterfront spots, come here to enjoy a relaxed lunch or early dinner with family. Grab a beer and fill your table with comfort food—make sure you include the Hula Girl burger with crispy fries and the super tasty Philly cheesesteak sandwich with onion straws.
Vintij Food & Wine
$$ | (850) 650-9820 | WEBSITE
When we’re craving a taste of coastal Florida living, we make our way to Vintij Food & Wine in Miramar Beach, where we can indulge in $28 pecan chicken over basil grits and $32 grouper with succotash and pretend we’re dining at a hidden gem along the Emerald Coast.
Like the best American restaurants in the area, Vintij largely delivers the same inviting, cozy experience you’d expect from a top destination—friendly service from the owner and staff, rich navy blue interiors that create a unique atmosphere, and bold dishes like their popular shrimp and grits, which practically melt in your mouth.
Make the most of your meal (and money) by skipping the occasional miss like the steak and sticking to the fresh, innovative plates near the heart of the menu, where you’ll find the most remarkable flavors.
Hunter’s Chicken and Burgers
$ | (850) 654-9453 | WEBSITE
Hunter’s Chicken and Burgers always seems to be bustling. So if you’re trying to grab a good spot in the always busy parking lot, we suggest you come during off-hours or invite that savvy friend who always finds a way to snag a table in crowded places. Luckily, there’s plenty of seating inside spread out across the casual dining area and at the large family-sized tables just right of the counter.
With a straightforward menu that features everything from crispy, perfectly seasoned chicken fingers to fresh burgers with crispy fries, you can order a bunch of items to split with friends. But if you must commit to one or two things, we recommend the fried chicken and those absolutely delicious chicken fingers.
Austons on 98
$$ | (850) 842-3200 | WEBSITE
Austons on 98 offers two distinct dining experiences under one roof. The main dining room is where you bring the family for a relaxed meal—you can enjoy fried pickles while the kids happily devour fried shrimp and grits without any fuss. The bar area, on the other hand, is where you meet friends after work or celebrate a casual Friday, hoping the lively atmosphere and great selection of beers on tap will keep everyone entertained.
If the conversation lulls, the standout dishes like blackened mahi and those famous Gouda cheese grits are good enough reasons to keep coming back.
Commelfo Restaurant
$$$ | (850) 353-2991 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in Miramar Beach, Commelfo Restaurant checks a few boxes—special occasion destination (thanks to the stunning interior), everyday dining spot (courtesy of the accommodating staff and wonderful menu), and memorable experience hangout (the atmosphere is so perfect it feels curated). At the heart of the menu are standout dishes, including poached eggs with smoked salmon and Prime steak with gold leaf, each beautifully presented and full of flavor.
Make it a proper meal and order pasta as your middle course. We like the osso bucca, which arrives tender and rich, with the bone marrow adding savory depth. And if you feel like breakfast, the Nutella pancakes are a few tables over as well.
The Beach House Restaurant Sandestin
$$ | (850) 608-6300 | WEBSITE
The Beach House Restaurant Sandestin looks like one of those classic beachfront spots, where you have to navigate through sand and sun just to get to your table. Thankfully, you only have to walk a few steps from the parking lot to get to the dining room, and that’s great news because the seafood restaurant serves fantastic fried grouper bites that you’ll want to come back for every opportunity you can.
While those grouper bites and views of the Gulf are the main draw, The Beach House’s fresh American dishes (like the shareable crab cakes and fried grouper bites) are solid, satisfying, and make The Beach House worthy of a spot in your beach day rotation.
SunQuest Cruises SOLARIS Yacht
$$$$ | (850) 650-2519 | WEBSITE
With three spacious decks, private event areas, comfortable seating, and an upper-level viewing platform, SunQuest Cruises SOLARIS Yacht is a floating dining destination in Miramar Beach that has firmly established itself as the go-to spot for memorable celebrations. On evening cruises, the decks fill with couples and groups enjoying the breathtaking sunset views while listening to great live music that keeps the atmosphere lively without overwhelming conversation.
The American-inspired menu has diverse options with plenty of dishes for everyone, from fresh seafood to chef’s specials that will satisfy a party with varying tastes. But regardless of who we’re celebrating with, we always appreciate the attentive service from staff like the helpful waiter Kris and excellent server Shae, whose dad prepares the outstanding dishes in the galley.
SunQuest’s yacht also hosts special events like wedding receptions and dinner cruises—another great reason to keep this experience on your must-do list.
The Wine Bar – Grand Boulevard
$$ | (850) 622-0804 | WEBSITE
The Wine Bar – Grand Boulevard specializes in approachable American dining with an impressive wine program, and anything that involves their cheese plates—from the pick 3 featuring Tillamook, St. Andre, and Mediterranean gouda to the French Dip—is our recommendation. Even the roasted cauliflower with grilled chicken shines brighter because it’s paired with a glass from their well-curated selection available at great prices.
Located in Miramar Beach’s Grand Boulevard, The Wine Bar diners can choose to sit in the welcoming main dining area or take advantage of the happy hour deals before 6 pm in the relaxed bar space. That versatile setting makes The Wine Bar ideal for everything from post-beach gatherings to casual date nights, where we’d feel comfortable in flip-flops and a sundress.
Ocean Club Restaurant
$$ | (850) 267-3666 | WEBSITE
When visiting during the winter season, Ocean Club Restaurant is one of our favorite spots in Miramar Beach. While not as widely known or appreciated as some of the other fine dining establishments along the coast, this cozy restaurant near the waterfront is worth a visit for the lively atmosphere alone.
We much prefer to experience Miramar Beach chilling in this welcoming dining room, listening to live music, and sipping cocktails in between bites of the excellent Grouper Ocean Club versus rushing through a typical tourist meal. Here, you’re close enough to feel the coastal vibe but relaxed enough that you can enjoy a conversation without shouting over the dance floor.
Big Bad Breakfast – Destin
$ | (850) 388-6894 | WEBSITE
As the standout breakfast destination in Miramar Beach, Big Bad Breakfast – Destin doesn’t just sound the part—the welcoming establishment has bright morning light, cozy booths, and a bustling open kitchen—but its flavors are on point, too. Morning classics like shrimp and andouille sausage omelettes (please generously apply the homemade jelly) and light, flaky biscuits illustrate a skilled kitchen that celebrates Southern breakfast traditions.
By the time your fork touches pancakes that are ‘to die for’ and huevos rancheros grits bowls enhanced with lime crema, you realize the cooks are just showing off.
The Lobby Bar
Because we get tired of being serious all the time, the lively lobby bar of Hotel Effie in Sandestin is the place we head to to unwind with a couple of lemon drop martinis and pork belly after a day of pretending to be a professional person. Something about the bustling hotel atmosphere always relaxes our vacation muscles, plus it’s hard to beat eating corn casserole or burrata salad and watching the resort activity from a perfect vantage point of the lobby.
(Did we mention that the seasonal cocktails are as refreshing as the Gulf breeze?) If you ultimately decide you’re not in the casual mood for gumbo and other light bites, head down to the resort’s other restaurants, where you can eat more substantial things like steak or seafood, or explore the golf course for different views and vibes.
Bijoux
$$$ | (850) 622-0760 | WEBSITE
There hasn’t been a single time we’ve dined at this Miramar Beach gem when we didn’t feel completely transported—from the serene, upscale ambiance to the warm, attentive service that greets you at the door. But this isn’t even the main attraction at Bijoux. The elegant dining room, with its soft lighting and comfortable seating, is just the place to settle in for a special evening, or you can request a quieter corner table for a more intimate experience.
Above all, Bijoux remains a coastal favorite because, from appetizers through desserts, it never disappoints. The culinary team, led by the Executive Chef, is always at work crafting uniquely flavorful dishes and wonderful nightly specials. Their blackened brie, with its perfectly crisped exterior and creamy center, is a shining example.
The melt-in-your-mouth filet mignon, paired with divine soups and outstanding sides like shrimp and grits, is a local treasure that should probably take the place of the sunset view in every Miramar Beach vacation photo album.
Another Broken Egg Cafe
$ | (850) 424-3416 | WEBSITE
Miramar Beach is that predictable stretch of sand you only visit when you need a reliable dose of sunshine. Another Broken Egg Cafe is that warm, welcoming kitchen that makes up for any hesitation you have about touristy breakfast spots. Come for breakfast, grab a table right in the heart of the dining room, and soak in the rustic, inviting decor—the friendly servers make cheerful cameo appearances throughout your meal.
For breakfast, order from their separate gluten-free menu if needed or dive into their generous, flavor-packed classics. Since the restaurant is known for handling dietary restrictions like Celiac disease with care and knowledge, even these solid, get-the-job-done basics just feel like a departure from your normal breakfast routine. Finish off your meal with the memorable experience they provide, which is reason enough to think more fondly of Miramar Beach.
