Part of the joy of traveling is taste testing your way through a region’s flavorful cuisines. You’ll find the restaurants in Panama City Beach cater to a global palate, as well as offering an abundance of fresh seafood and southern fare. From craft beer to oceanfront dining to creative food tours, Panama City Beach offers it all! Foodies can look forward to some of these local favorites when exploring Panama City Beach dining!
The Pancakery
While it may be tempting to skimp on breakfast while on vacation in order to get straight to some Panama City Beach activities, the most important meal of the day is best savored at some of the city’s top breakfast and brunch stops. The Pancakery is a favorite with both locals and visitors. Pancake lovers will find a wide variety of gourmet pancakes, such as blueberry hill and strawberry fields, topped with fresh fruit, or try the bacon lover (pancakes infused with bacon) for something more savory. The grilled shrimp omelets are also a favorite here.
Runaway Island
In Panama City Beach, it only makes sense to take advantage of the oceanfront location even during meals. The city has its share of eateries right on the waterfront, where you can soak in ocean views, indulge in fresh seafood, and sip a tropical cocktail or cold beer. Runaway Island is one such locale, offering two levels of indoor dining as well as a striking outdoor deck with a boardwalk that extends down to the sand. Choose a seat on the patio to soak up some of the area’s best views with your Panama City Beach dining! Start your meal with a bowl of their creamy chowder filled with shrimp, grouper, crawfish, andouille, and red potatoes, and simmered in beer and seafood broth. Their fish tacos are a favorite entrée order, topped with lime cilantro and fresh pico.
Great Restaurants in Panama City Beach at Pineapple Willy’s
This restaurant has been a mainstay on Panama City Beach’s coastline for nearly 40 years. Pineapple Willy’s is another Panama City Beach oceanfront dining option that puts you right over the sand, with stilted buildings that make dining here a quintessential beach style dining experience. Pineapple Willy’s is known for their lively atmosphere, often featuring live music, as well as their ribs and tropical drinks. Their ribs are served up in one-pound buckets, with a variety of sauce options. Fresh seafood baskets and po’ boys are also on offer. Wash it all down with a tropical drink served in a souvenir cup!
Fishale Taphouse
For one of the best places to drink in Panama City Beach, Fishale Taphouse & Grill is at the top of the list, especially for beer lovers. With 65 craft beers on tap featuring both local and regional brews, there’s something for every taste at Fishale. In addition to their top-notch beer menu, Fishale Taphouse & Grill offers up excellent dishes for lunch and dinner. Start your meal out with an order of their unique cauliflower wings, hand battered, fried, and served with a side of Buffalo, BBQ, Honey Mustard, or Whitney’s Hot Habanero. Other favorite starters include the coconut shrimp and the gouda red pepper bisque. For mains, their fish & chips are a favorite, as well as the seafood stuffed snapper with a side of mashed potatoes and vegetables.
A Taste of Panama City Food Tours
For true foodies who want to go beyond the ordinary restaurant experience, A Taste of Panama City Food Tours offers two options for delving deeper into Panama City Beach’s dining scene. On the Harrison Avenue Food Tour, meet some of the owners and chefs from local eateries as you taste test your way through Panama City Beach mainstays such as Mosey’s, Millies, Trigo, and Bayou Joe’s. This food tour offers a wide sampling of the tastes of Panama City Beach, ranging from local beer to seafood and southern fare. The Beck Avenue Food Tour intertwines Panama City Beach’s food and culture, offering participants the chance to learn interesting tidbits on the history of the area as well as pausing at sites such as the historic Panama City Publishing Company. A combination of hidden local favorites as well as fine dining establishments provides diverse tastes for the palate. This tour includes stops at Uncle Ernie’s, The Little Village/Finns, Los Antojitos, and the Slice House. From fish tacos to fresh Mexican flavors and craft brews, this tour provides another great option for taste testing your way through Panama City Beach.
Great Restaurants in Panama City Beach, FL
Enjoy convenient access to the great restaurants in Panama City Beach when you stay in one of our Panama City Beach vacation rentals! Our local staff can help point you in the right direction and help you discover the best places to eat and drink in Panama City Beach. In addition, our Panama City Beach vacation come equipped with a full kitchen with all cookware and appliances in the event you feel inspired to craft a meal of your own. Come see what makes Florida’s sunny panhandle such a great getaway destination! Contact us to learn more.