More than 400 easy-going, casual eateries –bordering the gulf, bay, bayou or sound – dot the Fort Walton Beach area. Fruitful fishing waters yield the freshest - and largest - variety of seafood in Florida (except the Keys) with at least 20 tasty types of fish available for savoring during any one season.
Some of our favorites:
- McGuire’s Irish Pub
33 Highway 98
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 654-0567
http://www.mcguiresirishpub.com/
We love McGuire’s for their huge portions, traditional Irish “pub grub”, and reasonable prices. McGuire’s Brewery offers Ales, Stouts and Porters brewed on premise. Sign a dollar bill and add to the collection of over 250,000 dollar bills hanging from the ceiling (signed by Irishmen of all nationalities)! Go for a late lunch/early dinner and enjoy one of their daily lunch specials. There’s likely to be a wait at dinner time, so pass the time with a visit to the gift shop for shamrocks and sheleileighs. Open 7 days a week from 11:00 a.m. daily. Children’s menu available.
- Callahan’s Restaurant & Deli
950 Gulf Shore Drive
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 837-6328
Go early to avoid a wait at this popular deli/restaurant in Destin! Excellent quality and huge portions at very reasonable prices. Daily lunch specials ranging from catch-of-the-day, salads and burgers to tasty sandwiches made with fresh baked bread and stacks and stacks of meat. Breakfast served on Saturday from 8:00 – 10:30 a.m. only; closed Sundays. Children’s menu available.
- Harbor Docks
538 Highway 98E
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 837-2506
http://www.harbordocks.com
Friendly service and laid back atmosphere at this harbor front restaurant in Destin. Enjoy lunch or dinner – served inside or on the sprawling deck along the waterfront. Entertainment nightly and valet parking available. Open daily from 11:00 a.m. Children’s menu available.
- Pandora's Steakhouse
1226 Santa Rosa Blvd
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
(850) 244-8669
http://www.pandorasfwb.com/
After 25 years at its original location – now the site of Azure Condominium - Pandora’s moved to its new location, just across Highway 98. Enjoy fresh local seafood, steak or poultry entrees prepared to your taste. Visit Pandora’s on Wednesday for their Prime Rib special. Reservations accepted. Hours of Operation: Sunday – Thursday 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.; Friday & Saturday 5:00 – 10:30 p.m. Children’s menu available.
- Fudpucker’s
108 Santa Rosa Blvd
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
(850) 244-8669
http://www.fudpuckers.com/ftwalton.htm
Just a short drive (or about a 2-1/2 block walk) to Fudpuckers!! The original Fudpucker’s on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach has been welcoming families for 20 years. Famous for their half-pound burgers, Fudpucker’s menu features a selection of seafood, chicken and steak entrees as well. Plenty of kid-stuff to do, too, like the large playground and “special” areas for kids of all ages to write their name on the wall (or anywhere else they can reach). And don’t leave without buying a world famous Fudpucker’s tee shirt!
- McDonald’s
31 NE Eglin Parkway
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
http://www.mcdonalds.com/usa/rest_locator.html
For your Big Mac attack – or Happy Meal for your little one – visit one of the Golden Arches on the Emerald Coast. The Eglin Parkway location is less than a mile from Azure! Drive-thru or dine in. Breakfast, lunch and dinner served 7 days a week from sunrise to late night.
- Publix
The Shoppes at Paradise Point
251 Miracle Strip Parkway SE
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Main Store - 850-796-1841
Pharmacy – 850-796-1937
http://store.publix.com/publix/cgi/site?site=00766&address=
Just a hop, skip and a jump across the Brooks Bridge (you can drive, too) to Publix for everything you need to make your vacation complete. Pharmacy, wine shop, deli, bakery and photo services; pick up one of Publix’s homemade key lime pies in the bakery. Yum!
Open 7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; Pharmacy hours of operation: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday – Saturday.
