Fine Dining in Destin

There is definitely no shortage of steak and seafood houses in Destin.  As always, we tend to avoid the chains and stick to local establishments.  That is not to say great food cannot be found at Ruth’s Chris or Flemings, but we want to focus on the fine establishments in Destin that are unique to this town. 

A number of restaurants in Destin will have fine dining prices, but there are only a handful that we consider to offer a truly fine dining experience.

If there is a restaurant you feel should be on this list, please let us know.

There are a good number of fine dining establishments further up 30-A and we will feature those soon in our 30-A Dining section.

Beach Walk at the Henderson Park Inn

Here you can dine literally steps from the Gulf with this restaurant getting our vote for most the romantic location in town.  Spoil that special someone with superb local cuisine and a fabulous bottle of wine. 

Commander’s Palace

This New Orleans staple has now opened a second location in Destin.  The menu consists of Creole cooking with southern and Floribbean influence.  The views are breathtaking and the location is very accessible as it will likely be the first sign you see on the right when crossing the Destin bridge.  The On the Rocks Bar takes their cocktails very seriously and the Sunset on the Rocks comes highly recommended!

Destin Chops 30-A

A premier steakhouse with a contemporary feel.  Stepping from the beach into this New York style sushi bar and cocktail lounge is a truly unique experience.  Take a bit of a drive down 30-A to rub shoulders with the rich and famous and enjoy a fabulous night out.

Marina Café

Simply put, the best restaurant in Destin.   Adult contemporary dining with gorgeous views of the Destin Harbor that has one of the best wine lists in town.   Creole, Mediterranean, Pan Asian and local cuisine is what is on the extensive menu.  Gourmet pizza and a sushi bar are also available.

Marlin Grill

Casual fine dining in the Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin.  This restaurant boasts an award winning wine list.

The Copper Grill

A great place to dine for a special occasion.  The Copper Grill Bar is one of our favorite spots that offers a happy hour from 5-7.  The steaks are among the best in town and the experience is worth the drive up to Miramar Beach.

The Ocean Club

The Ocean Club has been serving up the finest cuts of seafood and steak for over 20 years.  They offer an extensive wine list (pricey but good) and live music to go with the fine dining.  If you were visiting Destin for the first time, we’d recommend this place as a ‘must-do’ while in town.  Wednesday is locals night with half price drinks and a local band.

We recommend you check the restaurant website links above for specific menus, reservation information and directions.  All of these places will require dinner reservations in the summer so plan ahead!