Panama City is a great vacation destination for multiple reasons: The scenery, the swimming, the culture, and most importantly, the food. No vacation is complete without brilliant food, whether from a restaurant or food truck. There’s no better way to spend an evening on vacation than at a beachfront restaurant in the moonlight.
Fortunately, Panama City is chock-full of awesome restaurants you can visit while on vacation. Certainly, eating out is high on the list of things to do in Panama City Beach.
Not only that, but Panama City Beach 2 bedroom condo rentals are also affordable, comfortable, and within a short walk of any attractions or shops you may want to visit.
Harpoon Harry
Harpoon Harry is situated on the beachfront in Panama Beach City. They serve a full spread of seafood from crabs to shark fin and, of course, highly potent cocktails with such vibrant colors, you’ll see them from space! You’ll love their Seafood Bucket, which comes in two sizes: enormous and huge. The bucket contains Snow Crab legs, Jumbo Shrimp, Baby Clams, Sea Scallops, Andouille Sausage, boiled red potato, and corn on the cob. That’s a solid meal, and it gets even better if you purchase the Double Bucket, two buckets of the same food. That’s an entire seafood boil right there at the table, minus the awe-inspiring mess.
You’ll need a drink to wash that down, and that’s where the Monster 42-ounce Harpoon comes in. It contains dark rum, light rum, sweet and sour, pineapple, and orange juice.
Hammerhead Fred’s
Hammerhead Fred’s offers both great food and live music. Hammerhead Fred’s is a great restaurant that showcases the finest seafood dishes Panama Beach has to offer.
Their Nashville Hot Oysters come highly recommended, served with Cheyenne brown sugar and regional spices. As Panama Beach City is an oceanfront town, there is no escaping the oysters. They are everywhere and served to you in combinations you could not dream about if you tried. They’re all fantastic, and you won’t get tired of them while on vacation.
Drinks are important with dinner, and you’ll want a crispy pint of the Lexington Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. Served in a draft glass with a solidly made handle, the dry bitterness of the beer perfectly complements the sweetness of the brown sugar in the sauce. Of course, there is also a rotating roster of live bands playing regularly, so you’ll never hear the same one twice.
Hammerhead Fred’s is a great combination restaurant/live music venue. This eatery is an excellent option if you want a place to eat and enjoy live music in Panama Beach City.
Shrimp Basket
Who doesn’t love a shrimp basket? If you do, you’ll be satisfied at this family-focused seafood restaurant. Their crab cakes are a great starter, served over a bed of lettuce. From there, you can move on to their popcorn shrimp basket, ideal for eating while watching sports on the televisions placed around the dining room. A cold, crispy beer is ideal for washing down the shrimp and crab cake appetizers. Budweiser or a Coors works well here.
There’s a simple kids’ menu to keep the kids happy, and dessert is made to a high standard. The Key Lime Pie is almost unbeatable, but there’s also the triple chocolate cheesecake with raspberry sauce. Personal preference applies here. If you like shrimp dishes, be sure to check out Shrimp Basket. You’ll love it!
Pineapple Willy’s
Pineapple Willy’s is a wildly popular beachfront restaurant where the dining room is a pier above the beach. The best time to eat at Willy’s is just before sunset. The drinks and appetizers show up right as the sunset turns the skies an excellent shade of nuclear orange.
To enjoy the beautiful Florida weather and a fantastic meal, you’ll want to start with chips and queso, along with some cold peel, and eat shrimp. Chips, cheese, and shrimp is an unlikely but tasty combination, particularly when served with a frosty beer straight from the barrel!
If you’re an avid enthusiast of all things fried, we highly recommend having the Mahi-Mahi BLT as your main course. The flaky filet pairs nicely with the bacon, and given the coastal location, it’s likely that the filet was caught and processed the same day you eat it.
Finally, the Key Lime Pie is a lime-smothered slice of goodness. It’s a great finisher to a wonderful evening, especially with the ocean backdrop and the cool breeze.
Cubez Tropical Seafood
Cubez Tropical Seafood is a seafood and oyster bar, the ideal establishment for those who like food, beer, and stunning views at low prices. While the name makes it seem like seafood is all that’s on order here, that’s not the case. Fortunately, there are vegan options, such as veggie omelets, in case you either do not want to or simply cannot eat animal products. No matter what diet you’re on, Cubez has you covered.
The bacon jalapeno taters are a thing of beauty: grease, meat, aggressive spice, and flavor, all rolled into one crunchy little ball. Cubez also offers a Raw Bar with foods such as three cheese and bacon oysters. Cubez offers something for everyone and should be a stop on your list when you’re in Panama City Beach.
Plan Your Stay
Once you’ve gotten your fill of delicious local food and have seen the ocean in all its glory, head back to one of the Panama City Beach pet friendly rentals from Pelican Walk. We offer conveniently located Panama City Beach condos on Thomas Drive, ideal for getting to any of these restaurants or other area attractions in a hurry. Contact Pelican Walk today to learn more about our Panama City Beach rentals and to book your stay!
The Alibi
The Alibi serves all manner of seafood, along with live music and a great beachfront atmosphere. The grouper sandwich is especially tasty. Pair that with some loaded beef nachos, and you have a brilliant meal.
The Philly cheesesteak rolls are a fan favorite here, all the goodness of a full-size cheesesteak contained in a series of small dinner rolls. The burgers are also excellent, featuring a solid ½ pound of beef with a slice of cheese served over a perfectly toasted bun. Seafood options include oysters and shrimp tacos if you prefer to stick with more local food. The Alibi is a perfect dinner date for a reasonable price, complete with beachfront views.