While you’re there, you’re sure to become pretty hungry while you’re busy exploring all that this beautiful beachfront city has to offer, and this is where we come in to lend you a helping hand.
Despite the fact that the Florida Panhandle is well known for all of its stunning beaches, it has also begun to build up a reputation for offering some of the best waterfront restaurants in the country!
If you’re currently curious about what they are, rest assured that you have come to the right place.
In this post, we are going to be talking you through some of the best Pensacola beach restaurants that you can find on the waterfront that will offer you stunning views of the beach as well as totally delicious food, too.
Along the way, we’re also going to be providing you with some recommendations of the best waterfront restaurants that can be found in the nearby Navarre beach area, too.
So, without further ado, just keep on reading to discover our top recommendations!
Kicking our guide off to the best waterfront restaurants in the Pensacola Beach area, we have none other than the Shaggy’s Waterfront Bar and Grill!
If you’re currently on the search for a place where you will be able to relax, unwind and take in some beautiful views of the ocean, trust us when we say that you aren’t going to be disappointed if you decide to pay Shaggy’s Waterfront Bar and Grill a visit.
Why? Well, for starters (pardon the pun) this awesome beachfront restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating areas, so you can be sure that you will be able to enjoy some beautiful views of the water.
Not only that, but Shaggy’s is also known for its delicious seafood cuisine, and is known for serving fresh oysters sourced locally daily, as well as a variety of other yummy seafood dishes that you simply have to try, too.
Besides seafood, Shaggy’s also offers a variety of other dishes that are ideal for all the family to enjoy.
In particular, Shaggy’s is well known for its signature menu items including chicken strippers, redfish and much more.
If all that wasn’t impressive enough, Shaggy’s waterfront restaurant also comes complete with a full bar area that serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
If you’re planning on paying a visit during happy hour, though, we recommend that you try at least one of Shaggy’s cocktails! Besides food, this restaurant also specializes in fresh cocktails, too.
Next up on our list we have the Flounders Chowder House, which is located smack bang in the middle of the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk.
If you’re interested in a place where you can enjoy delicious food and beautiful views of the bustling boardwalk – look no further than this restaurant (see also: The Ten Best Restaurants On The John’s Pass Boardwalk).
Perfect for both family and friends to enjoy, Flounders Chowder House is known for its relaxing atmosphere that is welcoming to all.
Not only that, but Flounders Chowder House also comes fully equipped with an entertainment area, which means that you’ll be able to enjoy live music while you eat.
Does it get any better than that?
Live music and delicious food isn’t the only thing that Flounders Chowder House offers, either!
Along with all of this, Flounders Chowder House also offers its visitors the chance to take in the stunning waterfront views of the Santa Rosa Beach, and will ensure that you are able to enjoy and relax while you soak up the views of the ocean.
Next up on our list we have The Grand Marlin, which is the ideal spot to visit if you’re in the mood to escape to a tropical island paradise!
Capturing all the sounds, feels and tastes of the Caribbean, The Grand Marlin is a dining experience like no other in the Pensacola Beach area.
Offering you stunning views of the beach as well as a fine dining experience, The Grand Marlin is the perfect place to be if you want some good food that feels a little more upscale.
Offering plenty of convenience and ease of access, The Grand Marlin is located right across the bridge from Pensacola Beach – which means that it is situated right next to the stunning and ambient Quietwater Beach.
If you dine here, you’ll be able to take in all the sights and sounds of this intimate beach, all while being able to enjoy either a seafood or steak dish, which is what The Grand Marlin specializes in.
If you’re open to some recommendations and you are planning on paying a visit to this restaurant during your time in Florida – we highly recommend that you consider trying out the oysters.
Not only are they freshly prepared every day, but they are also sourced from local suppliers and pair exceptionally well with the impressively vast drinks menu The Grand Marlin also offers.
If you’re planning on taking a trip over to the Navarre area, then we highly recommend that you consider trying the Windjammer on the Pier!
This is a super popular seafood restaurant that is located on the, as you might have already guessed, Navarre Beach fishing pier!
If you’re in the mood for something quick and scrumptious that isn’t going to be too heavy – the food at Windjammer on the Pier is just what you are in need of.
Unlike some of the other restaurants that we have recommended on this list, Windjammer is a little different as it offers a relaxed, informal dining experience with comfort food-style dishes that mainly consist of seafood.
Plus, besides being able to enjoy some good, classic food (as well as a beer or two) you will also have the opportunity to take in some of the beautiful views of the Windjammer pier that overlooks the Gulf of Mexico!
If you’re in need of a recommendation, we highly recommend that you consider trying out their seafood tacos, they can be customized with shrimp or calamari – and they pair beautifully with a cold craft beer directly from the tap!
If you’re in need of good views and good food – make sure that you pay a visit to this diner!
Are you in the mood for something other than seafood? Just because you’re going to be headed to an area of Florida that is well known for its seafood restaurants, that doesn’t mean that this is all that the Pensacola beach area offers!
Water Pig BBQ just so happens to be a great alternative to seafood restaurants, and we highly recommend that you consider paying a visit next time that you are in the Pensacola beach area.
Despite the fact that this restaurant has only been around since the summertime of 2020, it has swiftly built up a reputation for being a must try!
As you might have already guessed from the name, Water Pig BBQ is a restaurant that specializes in BBQ style slow-cooked meats as well as a variety of soul food sides including potato salad, collard greens, baked beans, coleslaw and plenty of other things to choose from.
Along with the BBQ slow cooked meat, it is also worth noting that Water Pig BBQ also offers a variety of other dishes, so there really is something for everyone here. In particular, Water Pig BBQ is well known for its fried chicken wings, as well as their hearty salads, too.
Oh, and did we mention that Water Pig BBQ also offers a variety of different craft beers available right from the tap? This is a must to visit if you’re a fan of BBQ style, soul food!
What would our list be without at least one seafood grill? The Frisky Dolphin Sunset Oyster Bar and Grill just so happens to be one of the most popular restaurants in the Pensacola Beach area!
If you’re currently on the search for a restaurant that is going to provide you with great views of the beach, an awesome atmosphere as well as plenty of good food and drinks – you simply have to pay a visit to Frisky Dolphin during your stay in Florida!
This restaurant is not only one of the most popular restaurants in the Florida Panhandle area, but it is also well known thanks to its super central location that is right in the heart of the Pensacola Beach area.
Thanks to this, it means that you are going to be able to enjoy a delicious meal all while being able to take in the natural scenery of the waterfront.
If you wanted to, you could even try and coincide your visit to this grill with some of their many entertainment events that they hold all throughout the year.
In particular, if you happen to be a pretty big football fan – the Frisky Dolphin Sunset Oyster Bar and Grill almost always has football watch parties, as well as events to celebrate the start of the football season, too!
Even though it’s nice to enjoy some hearty food at a beautiful restaurant from time to time, sometimes all you want is to unwind with a coffee and a light bite to eat.
If that sounds like you – then you might want to make sure that you play Paradise Cafe on your “to visit” list.
Why? Well, Besides being a favorite spot to visit for many locals that live in the Florida Panhandle region, Paradise Cafe is directly located on Santa Rosa Sound – so it’s right in the heart of everything going on at Pansacola Beach City!
Despite what its name might suggest, Paradise Cafe is a lot more like a bar and grill rather than a traditional cafe.
However, what you can be sure of is that Paradise Cafe offers delicious seafood and great drinks, not to mention plenty of live music all throughout the year.
This makes it a great option for those that are looking for somewhere that they can stop at to get a refreshment and a light meal instead of committing to a more “upscale ” sit down meal like some of the other options that we have mentioned on this list.
In particular, we love the relaxed atmosphere that this cafe offers, as well as its friendly staff – it’s a great place to relax and unwind with friends after a long day of exploring the Pensacola Beach area.
Next up? We have The Dock! If you are already somewhat familiar with all the data Pensacola Beach City offers, then we’re sure that you might have very well heard of The Dock already.
After all, it does currently have a reputation for being one of the best beachfront restaurants in the city!
The Dock is simply the place to be if you are on the search for a restaurant that you are going to be able to sit back and relax in.
Unlike some of the other restaurants that we have already mentioned on this list, The Dock sets itself apart from the rest thanks to its vast menu that contains a variety of food items suitable for even the fussiest eater.
From burgers to salads, steaks to seafood – there’s plenty of different things to choose from at The Dock, and the best part?
Besides offering an incredibly versatile selection of food to choose from on the menu, The Dock even offers a just as extensive drinks menu that includes everything from refreshing sodas all the way to freshly prepared cocktails.
Oh, and did we mention that The Dock also offers some of the very best views of the water? Yes, that’s right.
The Dock, along with offering delicious food as well as a super impressive drinks menu, also provides its visitors with some stunning views of the ocean. Does it get any better than that?
That’s not all, either. If all that wasn’t impressive enough, we think that you might also be pretty pleased to hear that The Dock also offers a kid’s menu which makes it a great place for all types of people to visit – even families.
Are you someone that enjoys spicy or Cajun food? If you answered yes to that question, then you simply have to make sure that you stop by Cafe Nola during your time in the Florida Panhandle area!
As you might have already been able to guess from our description above, Cafe Nola is a cafe that is well known for offering its visitors the chance to enjoy some delicious and authentic cosine in the New Orleans style.
This includes everything from fried shrimp, gumbo and a variety of other soul food favorites that come with a fiery kick,
In particular, Cafe Nola is especially known for its New Orleans-style sandwiches and seafood dishes, and offers a variety of different sharing platters that make it an ideal place to visit if you are looking for something to share as a group.
Cafe Nola is also known for its delicious dessert menu, so make sure that you save room for some dessert!
Despite boasting a pretty awesome name, it just so happens that Peg Leg Pete’s is also known for offering some of the most delicious food in the Pensacola beach area!
A real favorite of both tourists and locals to the area, Peg Leg Pete’s offers an incredibly relaxed and welcoming environment thanks to the staff members that have an aim to treat every visitor as though they are family.
As for the food? Well, let’s just say that you’re going to be in for a real treat should you decide to pay a visit.
Peg Leg Pete is known to be primarily a seafood restaurant, but they offer a variety of dishes suitable for every taste palette – even the fussiest!
Not only that, but if you do decide to stop by Peg Leg Pete’s during your adventure in Florida, you’ll be able to enjoy your food while taking in the stunning views of the Lafitte Cove Marina waterfront that is located right in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico.
Besides offering stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico, we also love the area that Peg Leg Pete’s is situated in.
After you’re done enjoying your food and drink (as well as taking some snaps of the waterfront to keep as a memory) you’ll find yourself on Fort Pickens Road.
If you aren’t already familiar with the Pensacola Beach area, Fort Pickens Road is smack bang in the heart of everything, which means that you’ll be spoiled for choice on what to do next after you’ve spent some time resetting and refreshing at Peg Leg Pete’s!
Besides being super close to the For Pickens National Park, Peg Leg Pete’s is also super close to a variety of stunning beaches located on the east side of the restaurant.
If you’re in need of a recommendation when you visit, we highly recommend that you try the half shell oysters seasoned with cajun.
They’re freshly prepared and will surely be a real treat to enjoy during your vacation.
Last but certainly not least, the final restaurant that we have to recommend to you in the Pensacola Beach City area is Crabs! Let’s take a closer look at this restaurant below:
Certainly worth a visit during your stay in Florida, (see also: The 5 Best Beaches To Visit Near Kissimmee, Florida)Crabs is easily one of the best (as well as one of the most popular) seafood restaurants in Pensacola beach!
Besides offering plenty of delicious seafood dishes including oysters and more, Crabs is also suitable for all types of people, including groups of friends and even family.
Their menu is super versatile and can be enjoyed by everyone!
From seafood sharing platters all the way to yummy sushi rolls, delicious burgers, tasty salads and so much more – you’ll truly be spoilt for choice if you decide to stop by Crabs during your stay.
Plus, for added convenience, Crabs even offers a kid’s menu which makes it an ideal place to visit for families!
Wrapping Up
There we have it! You’ve made it to the end of the guide.
Now that you have taken the time to read through the above, we hope that we have been able to provide you with some dining inspiration for when you are planning to stay in Florida.
The only question left to ask is, where are you planning to stay first? Thanks for taking the time to read through this guide, and goodbye for now!
