Destin has some exceptional restaurants and some not so exceptional. You can find anything you would find anywhere but the exceptional ones are truly exceptional. One tradition we made while diving out of Destin is McGuire's on Saturday night. I have never been dissappointed at McGuire's.

Go down the list and find your own favorite.

Bistro Bijoux - 9100 Baytowne Blvd., Miramar Beach (850) 622.0760

Bistro Bijoux is a full service fine dining restaurant located in The Village of Baytowne Wharf at the Sandestin Resort. Open for dinner seven nights a week, we feature the freshest Gulf seafood, prime steaks and an extensive award winning wine list. Our intimate Bijoux lounge features a full bar complete with a large selection of specialty martinis.

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Bonefish Grill Restaurant - 4447 E. Commons Drive #105, Destin (850) 650.3161

You've probably already been to a Bonefish Grill somewhere. The food can be very, very good and the atmosphere is always nice.

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Cafe 30-A - 3899 East Scenic Highway 30A, Seagrove Beach (850) 231.2166

Café Thirty-A is a casual fine-dining restaurant featuring grilled and fire roasted seafood, organic meats and poultry, wood-oven pizza, vegetarian fare and hedonistic, "architectural" desserts.  The men changes daily according to availability of ingredients.  Fine wines and cocktails--including a creative menu of the best martinis in the area--complement the meal.

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Capt.Dave's On The Gulf - 3796 Scenic Gulf Drive, Destin (850) 837.2627

Capt. Dave's is a Destin tradition. One of the last of the pre condo boom restaurants left in the area. you can alway expect a good seafood meal at Capt. Dave's.

Fish Out Of Water - 34 Goldenrod Circle, Santa Rosa Beach (850) 534.5050

The WaterColor Inn & Resort is awash in flavor with dining outlets like our award winning signature restaurant Fish Out of Water, a fine dining restaurant in Northwest Florida. It sets a glamorous scene overlooking the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico, with virtuoso cuisine and a distinctive wine list to match.  The freshest local fish and meats, combined with an eclectic approach to traditional ways of preparing and serving food, translates into dishes unlike anything else offered in this area.  A private dining room is available, lined with bottles from the restaurant’s collection of over 3,000, representing some 325 labels.

The mood at Fish Out of Water is casually chic, and yet elegance is reflected in the simplest detail. All is born of a passion for good food and an understanding of what it takes to create a wonderful dining experience. The freshest local fish and meats, combined with an eclectic approach to traditional ways of preparing and serving food, translates into a memorable dining experience.

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Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar - 600 Grand Blvd. Suite M105, Sandestin (850) 269.0830

As the sun sets over the crystal white sand of Emerald Coast, Sandestin’s neighborhood steakhouse comes to life with a celebration of great food, wine and memorable times.

Fleming's distinguished, yet laid-back atmosphere is sure to make a perfect transition from a relaxed day at the beach to a sophisticated night on the town. Whether it's cocktails and appetizers after work or an evening of fun with family and friends, Fleming's is a satisfying experience for wine and food aficionados alike.

Fleming's serves the finest in USDA Prime beef: corn-fed, aged up to four weeks for flavor and texture, then hand-cut daily and broiled at 1600 degrees to seal in all the juices and flavor. Market-fresh seafood is artfully prepared to enhance its freshness.

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Fudpucker's Beachside Bar & Grill - 20001-A Emerald Coast Parkway, Destin (850) 654.1544

Fudpucker's is not your average restaurant and should not be confused with Fuddruckers. Not the same burger, not the same place. Enjoy a good meal, catch some live entertainment and spend a little time wathcing the alligators in the habitat that surrounds the restaurant.

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Longhorn Steakhouse - 34863 Emerald Coast Parkway, Destin (850) 654.9115

It's a Longhorn Steakhouse. I've always been served a good steak when I order one

Marina Cafe - 4004 Harbor Blvd., Destin (850) 837.7960

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McGuire's Irish Pub Of Destin - 33 Harbor Blvd., Destin (850) 650.0000

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O'Charley's - 34906 Emerald Coast Parkway, Destin (850) 654.3888

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Poppy's Seafood Factory - 138 Fisherman's Cove, Destin (850) 351.1996

Caribbean, Creole and Coastal cuisines.

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Regatta Bay Golf & Country Club - 465 Regatta Bay Blvd., Destin (850) 337.8080

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Ruth's Chris Steak House - 15000 Emerald Coast Parkway, Destin (850) 337.5108

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Seagar's - 4000 Sandestin Blvd. South, Destin (850) 622.1500

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The Melting Pot - 11394 Emerald Coast Parkway, Miramar Beach (850) 269.2227

So when was the last time you had Fondue? Until I visited The Melting Pot I would have said somewhere around 1968. Quite a departure from the other restaurants out there in Destin, or anywhere else. A very nice change.

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Tommy Bahama's Tropical Cafe and Emporium - 525 Grand Blvd., Sandestin (850) 654.1743

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Trader Vic's - 4201 Two Trees Road, Destin (850) 351.0900

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Z's Fish House and Bar - 320 Harbor Blvd., Destin (850) 650.3900

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Visit Gulf Cost Links for more Destin Links!