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Miramar Beach, Florida, occupies an enviable spot on the Gulf Coast. Spending your vacation at Miramar Beach is a decision you’ll surely want to make year after year. This location is on a thin strip of land that divides the Gulf of Mexico from Choctawhatchee Bay. One look at the gorgeous water views everywhere makes it clear why this area is known as the Emerald Coast.
This makes for some marvelous dining options, and fortunately, there are many restaurants with excellent menus to match the view. Seafood restaurants abound. Here are some of the best restaurants Miramar Beach has to offer that match every price point and taste. Embrace the adventure and try them all.
BEST LOCAL CUISINE – Pompano Joe’s
2237 Scenic Gulf Highway | Miramar Beach, FL 32550
Being on the Gulf Coast is the perfect opportunity to sample plenty of fresh seafood, which is precisely what is available at Pompano Joe’s. Their extensive menu offers seafood for every course with a tremendous variety. They even have gluten-free or vegetarian options.
Appetizers to try include the Reggae Rolls with jerk chicken, or the Coral Reef Nachos with all the gooey goodness of loaded nachos along with shrimp and scallops. Their ability to blend different ethnic offerings makes for a great marriage of Mexican flavors with local seafood in the seafood tacos. There are additional options for surf and turf, and a full cocktail menu that offers all your tropical favorites, as you would expect from a beach bar. The tropical flavors continue on the dessert menu with Key Lime Pie and Creamy Coconut Cake, but also offer options for true chocoholics.
BEST FINE DINING – Bijoux Destin
9375 US Highway 98 W, Suite 22 | Miramar Beach, FL
For an exceptional dining experience, a visit to Bijoux Destin, one of the top Miramar Beach restaurants, will not disappoint. While the dress code may not be formal, the food is exquisitely prepared. With entrees that range from the expected seafood to beef and lamb, you are sure to find a meal that tempts your taste buds and is visually appealing. The fried oyster salad with baby spinach, crisp bacon, and a creamy bacon balsamic aioli is a local favorite, and you can end your meal with a sumptuous traditional dessert or an artisanal cheese plate. There is also a full bar, including a great selection of cordials and scotches, and outdoor seating to enjoy the amazing location.
BEST BRUNCH – Mama Clemenza’s
12273 US Highway 98 W | Sandestin, FL
The menu at Mama Clemenza’s eatery is focused on homemade comfort foods done exceptionally well. They serve a European-style breakfast daily (Tuesday through Sunday) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., so you no longer have to wait for the weekend to celebrate your mid-morning meal in style. From the omelets and Lemon Curd/Ricotta Pancakes to the Breakfast Panini with prosciutto, eggs, and gruyere, you will find breakfast favorites incorporated into surprising new menu options. Freshly baked breads, premium liquors, an assortment of cappuccinos and espressos, and great Miramar Beach views of the local seascape round out a fantastic brunch experience.
BEST PIZZA – Buffalo Jack’s Legendary Wings & Pizza
11275 US Highway 98 W | Miramar Beach, FL
With a great selection of traditional and unique takes on pizza, Buffalo Jack’s is just the ticket at the end of a day on Miramar Beach’s beautiful waterfront. To bring in the local seafood influence, try Boudreaux’s Cajun Pizza with blackened shrimp. If you aren’t in the mood for pizza, try the wings and select from over a dozen sauces. If you still can’t decide, just go with the Buffalo Chicken Pizza, or try the burger bar and build your dream burger to go with an ice-cold beer from their bar.
BEST OYSTER BAR – Slick Lips Seafood & Oyster House
140 Fishermans Cove, Baytowne Wharf | Miramar Beach, FL
Featuring locally caught fish, fresh ingredients, and even fresher oysters, Slick Lips will bring the salty taste of the sea to your plate. The menu features favorites like lobster rolls and a grilled Ahi Tuna sandwich, plus deep-fried, raw, or grilled oysters. Enjoy the southern influence of their Smoked Cheddar Bacon Bombs — delicious breaded balls of housemade smoked pimento cheese and bacon lardon that are deep-fried and served with a sweet chili aioli. Oh yes, and there are shrimp and grits for the locals and visitors who haven’t yet discovered this creamy, salty delight. Desserts include a Florida favorite, Key Lime Pie, plus a white chocolate raspberry bread pudding that offers a new twist on an old favorite.
BEST SUSHI – Sushimoto
12889 US Highway 98, Suite 103B | Miramar Beach, FL
Not everyone thinks of sushi when they think about an abundance of fresh seafood, but after visiting Sushimoto, that may change. They don’t take reservations and experience some really busy times, so be flexible in your plans to stop by. Sometimes they are so busy that they may not accept take-out orders. Once you can visit, it will be worth the wait with beautifully prepared sushi featuring favorites like Miso Soup, Udon, and an assortment of tempura dishes. Feeling adventurous? Try the Sushi & Sashimi Combos with fish chosen daily by the chef. Also, watch for the daily Kitchen Special and Signature Sushi Roll.
BEST DESSERTS – Vin’tij Food & Wine
500 Grand Boulevard, #100k | Miramar Beach, FL
Comfort food. Even when we’re on vacation, comfort foods are a way to connect with some happy memories even as we make new ones. Don’t misunderstand, Vin’tij Food & Wine bar has a well-rounded menu in a bistro setting, and serves up favorite offerings for appetizers, salads, and entrees—but it is their dessert menu that brings out the comfort food in true southern style. From the griddle-warmed lemon pound cake (served with fresh berries, creme anglaise, and cinnamon ice cream) to the pecan pie and rootbeer floats, the desserts will warm your heart and make your taste buds really happy.
BEST STEAK HOUSE – Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood
4000 S Sandestin Blvd | Miramar Beach, FL
You read that right—we’re in the heart of seafood central, but we’re still going to occasionally crave a juicy steak. If you’re ready to get your meat on, you can’t find a better location than Seagar’s. They not only have all of the prime cuts you would expect from a high-end steak house, but you will also find Japanese Wagyu beef on their menu. Customize your order with no less than a dozen succulent additions, from Maitre D’Butter to foie gras, or truffle offerings. You can even celebrate a romantic evening with a chateaubriand for two. The starch options include the expected, like mashed or twice-baked potatoes, to the unique, like steak fries with Camembert sauce or truffle fries. There are plenty of seafood options too, so you can have the best of both worlds.
GETTING OUT TO EXPERIENCE MIRAMAR BEACH
In the Destin and Miramar Beach areas, there is a lot to experience and explore in a relatively small area. With so many vacation rentals and beach resorts in close proximity to the best restaurants Miramar Beach has to offer, you may worry that there aren’t enough meals in your week to try them all. There are many different ways to get around the area, from rental cars to Uber, or shuttle services offered by some local rental companies, so don’t let transportation get in the way of your quest for the best culinary experience. Just bring an open mind and your appetite (and probably your wallet).
Featured Image Credit: K.G. Schneider via Flickr CC2.0
