Hi there, beach buddy! Here’s a list of 18 awesome restaurants in Panama City Beach, Florida so get hungry for some fresh seafood, ocean views, and a unique dining experience on your beach vacation.
Panama City Beach (PCB) is one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. You will definitely work up an appetite while exploring the Gulf of Mexico. This is the perfect place to eat some of the freshest seafood in the United States.
I'm hungry, Andrea. Let's skip right to it!
The post “18 Amazing Restaurants in Panama City Beach” may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you). All opinions are my own and no products were received in exchange for my opinions. Click here to see details of my full disclosure policy.
18 Amazing Restaurants in Panama City Beach, FL
After taking a few trips to the emerald coast I’ve compiled a list with a variety of restaurants for you. Get your taste buds ready for some great food, with tons of different meal options, in all different settings. Let’s dig in!
Here's a peek at the 5 Best Drinks in PCB!
Let’s see the best Restaurants in Panama City Beach, BUT FIRST…. when you see this owl next to a restaurant, that means it received TripAdvisor’s TRAVELERS’ CHOICE AWARD.
Note: All of the uploaded pictures in this post belong to A Capone Connection. I paid for all the calories you are about drool over, so I’m serious about enforcing any copyright infringements.
Breakfast Restaurants in Panama City Beach
Thomas' Donut and Snack Shop
Thomas’ Donut and Snack Shop:19208 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32413
In addition to an extensive amount of unique donuts they also have muffins, breakfast biscuits, and lunch items. Thomas’ Donuts has been family-owned and operated since 1971!
We tried the red velvet, peaches and cream, and lemon bar donuts.
As you know, donuts aren’t just for breakfast. Thomas’ Donuts ranks in the top 5 for best desserts in PCB.
With its convenient location right across the street from Laguna Beach, you can eat your tasty treats and then walk off a few calories on the beach.
The Pour
The Pour: 12902 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32407
This coffee shop has “Friends” vibes ALL over it! It’s the CUTEST and it’s ranked the #1 coffee shop in PCB.
There’s a swing AND delicious food… so basically, I’m all in!
Need another reason to love The Pour?! It’s a NON-PROFIT! They donate the proceeds to help communities.
Aside from how cute the space is and how amazing the company is… they also serve really good food!
We tried the cinnamon bun, the Midday (croissant, arugula, egg, turkey, cheese, and pesto), the Rise and Shine (egg, cheese, and avocado on ciabatta bread), and the chicken salad sandwich on a croissant.
Everything was PERFECT!
Another Broken Egg
Another Broken Egg: 11535 Hutchison Blvd Ste 100, Panama City Beach, FL 32407
The best thing about being on vacation is being able to indulge in a good breakfast beverage (*alcohol added*) and they delivered!
We loved the blueberry French toast and the Bloody Mary. The service is just as great as the food.
Fun fact: Another Broken Egg is actually a chain restaurant, but the one in PCB is the BEST!! If you’re looking for a little southern inspired breakfast with cool vibes then you’ll love Another Broken Egg.
Gypsea Crepes
Gypsea Crepes: 7012 Thomas Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32408
If you like crepes then you HAVE to stop by Gypeas Crepes. They offer both sweet and savory options and everything is so fresh!
We tried Eddie Veggie (brie cheese, apple, spinach, tomato, and honey mustard) and The Machado (chicken, cheddar, spinach, tomato, onion, mayo, and sriracha). They were both excellent!
Crepes aren’t just for breakfast. TripAdvisor ranks Gypsea Crepes as the #1 dessert in Panama City Beach! Whether you’re eating your crepe for breakfast or dessert, you’ll love the cool island vibes inside.
Andy's Flour Power Cafe-Bakery
Andy’s Flour Power Cafe-Bakery: 2629 Thomas Dr, Panama City, FL 32408
This locally owned colorful restaurant is a popular breakfast spot. Be prepared for a little bit of a wait, but it’s worth it! If you go on a Saturday you can listen to the saxophone player.
Andy has an extensive menu so there’s something here for everyone! We got the Belgium waffle, café skillet, and veggie benedict.
Andy has a large drink menu as well. I got the emerald coast coffee (hazelnut and almond liqueurs) and it was delicious! The fresh OJ and fresh grapefruit juice were also great.
When you go to the register to pay you will see the amazing baked goods. I had to get some turnovers to go and of course, they were excellent too.
Casual Lunch and Dinner Restaurants in Panama City Beach
Finns Island Style Grub
Great news… Finns has 2 locations! The location on South Thomas Drive has limited hours of 8:00 am – 3:00 pm but the St. Andrews location is open from 8:00 am – 9:00 pm.
I visited the Finns in the historic St. Andrews area and it’s a really cool little village. They had friendly service, delicious fresh food, and awesome vibes. There was live music on the outdoor deck and beautiful views of the water.
We ordered the Killer Carnitas (Smoked pork, cabbage, pico, cilantro, and white sauce) and a hot chicken bowl from the specials menu.
The food was great, but it was more about the vibes for me. You order at the food truck window then pick your seat. They had several different seating areas so you can decide what type of experience you’d like to have.
Hook'd Pier Bar & Grill
Hook’d Pier Bar and Grill: 16201 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32413
This is one of the top 10 beachfront restaurants. The ocean views, delicious food, great service, and awesome specialty drinks make this place a MUST visit!
They are known for great chicken wings, but we got the guacamole and chips, taco bowls (steak and chicken), and blackened shrimp tacos. It was a delicious meal with local seafood!
No exaggeration… I SEARCHED for a place that had drinks in a real pineapple. I did this for YOU guys. I’m dedicated. Oddly, Pineapple Willy’s didn’t have one. (*awkward*)
Okay, here’s the fun part… you can get ANY one of the specialty drinks in the pineapple for an additional $7.00.
But wait, there’s MORE! They have happy hours with great deals on drinks and appetizers. They call it “Happy Hookers” and it runs daily from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. This was one of my favorite restaurants we tried because of the good food, drinks, and cool beach vibes!
Shuckums Oyster Pub & Seafood Grill
Shuckums Oyster Pub and Seafood Grill: 15614 Front Beach Rd, Panama City, FL 32413
If you are looking for a great oyster bar in Panama City Beach then you will love Shuckums!
They offer 12 different ways to have your fresh shucked oysters!
Don’t worry, if raw oysters and baked oysters aren’t your thing they also have other seafood, steak, chicken, and burger options.
Aside from great food from an extensive menu, Shuckums is a family-friendly restaurant with a full bar, live music on the deck every Friday night, and karaoke EVERY night!
David's Sno-Balls
David’s Sno-Balls: 13913 Panama City Beach Pkwy, Panama City Beach, FL 32407
I put David’s Sno-Balls in the lunch category because of their amazing GIANT sandwiches.
FUN FACT: David's Sno-Balls is rated #1 out of 216 restaurants in Panama City Beach, Florida!
Now that you have your giant sandwich from David’s Sno-Balls, you’re ready to find the perfect spot for a picnic on the beach or in the woods. CLICK HERE to read about the Best Things to do in Panama City Beach, Florida!
Casual Fine Dining Restaurants in Panama City Beach
Firefly
Firefly: 535 N Richard Jackson Boulevard, Panama City Beach, FL 32407
I think Firefly is one of the best restaurants in PCB. Although it’s located in a strip mall, once you go inside you are surrounded by the stunning ambiance. You might forget that you are at the beach with the large oak tree in the center of the main dining room and glowing warm white lights strung around the space.
One of the unique things about this restaurant is the variety of spaces within the building. There is casual dining in the sushi bar, a relaxing library lounge area to enjoy a cocktail, and an elegant main dining area. There is something for everyone on Firefly’s menu and in the surrounding spaces.
I assure you that all of the dishes are equally beautiful and delicious on their ever-evolving menu. I highly recommend the steak for dinner and crème brulée for dessert.
Bella Roma Tuscan Grill
Bella Roma Tuscan Grill: 11535 Hutchison Blvd Ste 101, Panama City Beach, FL 32407
TRUE CONFESSION: Italian food is my favorite and I’m pretty particular about it. (The name “Capone” might’ve already tipped you off on that one.)
Bella Roma Tuscan Grill has the BEST AUTHENTIC Italian food in Panama City Beach! 10/10 recommend it if you like Italian food.
I tried the Caprese salad, and Gamberi Veneziana (pasta with jumbo shrimp, scallops, tomatoes, cream, white wine, and scallions). The portions are HUGE and the food is AMAZING!
FUN FACT: They also have a gluten-free menu so there's something for everyone. MANGA!
Saltwater Grill
Saltwater Grill: 11040 Hutchison Blvd, Panama City Beach, FL 32407
Well known for its HUGE 25,000-gallon tropical saltwater aquarium and some of the best seafood in Panama City Beach, the Saltwater Grill is a great place for a fine dining date night.
You can expect delicious food and stunning food presentations at this Panama City Beach seafood restaurant.
PRO TIP: Early bird specials and happy hour specials are served daily from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm.
This is good stuff right?! Make sure you SAVE this for later and SHARE it with your friends who like fun times and good food!
Fun Bar Restaurants in Panama City Beach
Pineapple Willy's Restaurant
Pineapple Willy’s Restaurant: 9875 S Thomas Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32408
It might surprise you that Pineapple Willy’s is the biggest landmark waterfront restaurant in PCB. You will see tons of people carrying around frosty drinks in their refillable signature souvenir cups.
William Buskell is the world famous Pineapple Willy. He developed the Pineapple Willy drink which sells over 70,000 every year!
What’s in the famous Pineapple Willy?
Pineapple Willy drink: Myers Platinum Rum, gold rum, Hawaiian pineapple juice, and cream of coconut.
Willy’s is MOST famous for their BBQ ribs. When I was there I ordered the Wisconsin white cheddar bites and fried dill pickle chips appetizers and they were good!
Pineapple Willy’s is conveniently located RIGHT on the beach. With live entertainment EVERY night and perfect gulf views, you will see why it’s a popular and fun bar!
PRO TIP: You can also get your souvenir cup filled at Wicked Wheel, which is their sister restaurant.
Sharky's Beachfront Restaurant
Sharky’s Beachfront Restaurant: 15201 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32413
I think Sharky’s is one of the best waterfront restaurants in PCB. The open-air dining experience gives you a spectacular view of the gulf coast while you dine, drink, and listen to great live music.
It’s a great family-friendly restaurant during the day with playgrounds for the kids, and a fun place for awesome nightlife in the evening.
True Confession: I’m a sucker for a Tiki hut situation, but I promise the food was just as good as the atmosphere! I loved the Caribbean nachos and fish tacos.
Still not convinced at how cool this place is? Sharky’s has beach webcams so you can check it out in real time or you can take a virtual tour of the entire space!
Hey! Maybe you’re thinking, “Dang Andrea, you know ALL THE GOOD TRAVEL TIPS!” GREAT NEWS… you can SUBSCRIBE with your email to get notified of new posts so you never miss a thing!
Tootsie's Orchid Lounge
Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge: 700 S Pier Park Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32413
I visited Tootsie’s when I was in Nashville, Tennessee and I loved it so of course I had to check out the one in PCB.
It’s a cool spot located at Pier Park with a full bar, live music, and inside or outside seating.
I tried the delicious coconut shrimp basket and French fries while I listened to the band.
PRO TIP: If someone in your group loves to shop but you don't, hang out at Tootsie's while they're shopping at Pier Park.
Bar Hunt Experience
Location: The first stop is at Hook’d Pier Bar and Grill, Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL
This fun Panama City Beach Bar Hunt takes you on a scavenger hunt to popular bars in Panama City Beach. This is a great way to explore the bars around the Pier Park area.
You will have a great time participating in interactive challenges at bars like Margaritaville, Tootsies Orchid Lounge, Hook’d, and Dick’s Last Resort.
PCB is the #1 spring break destination in the US. This is a fun way to see all the best nightlife spots. You can either purchase 1 ticket and work as a team or purchase multiple tickets to compete against each other.
You can start and stop the experience as you’d like. Plan to spend around 1-2 hours bar hopping on this adventure.
Want even more fun in the Florida sun? CLICK HERE to check out Crab Island in Destin Florida!
Okay, some of these next options aren’t technically “Panama City Beach restaurants”. They are just extra suggestions so you don’t miss out on any of the fun hot spots in PCB!
Winery in Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach Winery
Panama City Beach Winery: 8730 Thomas Dr #1103B, Panama City Beach, FL 32408
I know it’s not a “restaurant” but trust me, you need to know about this place. Panama City Beach Winery offers FREE wine tastings!
They have a LARGE VARIETY of 100% real fruit wines with no added sugars or flavorings.
In addition to the wine, they also have wine slushies! They were really good!
PRO TIP: There's a coupon in the PCB Emerald Coast Guide coupon book for a free gift with purchase. The free book is available inside the winery.
Dessert in Panama City Beach
Great American Cookie
Great American Cookies: 100 Bluefish Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 32413
Sometimes you just need a quick treat like a cookie. Great American Cookies is a popular chain restaurant.
They have freshly baked gourmet cookies and if you need extra you can order the double doozie. It’s 2 cookies filled with icing. My motto is… if one is good, two are better!
Sweet Cone Alabama Ice Cream
Sweet Cone Alabama Ice Cream: 4115 Thomas Drive, Panama City, FL 32408
This ice cream shop is one of the best in PCB. It was highly recommended by my VBRO host. In addition to delicious ice cream, they also have frozen yogurt, candy, and chocolate.
The friendly staff helped me to order their best seller, the brown butter bourbon truffle. It was AMAZING!
We also tried the chewy brownie chunk and that was great too!
The Yard Milkshake Bar
The Yard Milkshake Bar: 15801 L C Hilton Jr Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 32413
Did you see The Yard Milkshake bar on Shark Tank? SPOILER ALERT: It’s a very successful chain restaurant now.
I swear, this milkshake situation is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.
Here’s what you NEED to know:
The milkshakes are HUGE (1 pint of milkshake in the jar PLUS a full-size dessert item on top). You will probably want to share it.
It’s not cheap… $17.00. (Remember, this feeds around 2-3 people.)
It’s just for fun and vacation calories don’t count! (Relax, you’re making core memories here!)
FUN FACT: They have vegan and gluten-free milkshake options too so no one is left out!
I Love Sugar
I Love Sugar: 601 Pier Park Dr. Suite 101, Panama City Beach, FL 32413
Do you have a sweet tooth? This candy store at Pier Park has it ALL! Seriously, it’s huge. I Love Sugar is often referred to as the “Apple store of candy“. They have EVERY type of candy imaginable.
I decided to take a peek inside to look for a sugar daddy (*wink, wink*) and I found one!
Now that you know where you’re going to eat in PCB Florida it’s time to pack your bags! CLICK HERE to read about How to Pack a Suitcase That Saves You Money!
PRO TIP: Don't forget to pack this!
The UV index in Florida is VERY strong! You will see TONS of people with sunburn and I don’t want you to be one of them. Please make sure you purchase sunscreen to apply daily on your face (I like to use a tinted one) and DEFINITELY on your body when you go to the beach.
Where to STAY in Panama City Beach
I know this post is all about amazing restaurants in Panama City Beach, but I want to quickly show you my favorite place to stay in PCB! Check out the video below.
PRO TIP: Looking for the BEST place to stay in Panama City Beach? Check out PCB's #1 resort!
Make the Most of Your Beach Vacation
I’ve got great news… I created a simple way to document your trip with a beach-themed DIY travel activity journal.
Most of the work is already set up for you ahead of time. You just need to have a great time on your trip and fill in the blanks.
Here’s what you can expect to find in my ultimate travel journal activity books:
- Journal Pages – lined pages and journaling prompts to help get you thinking
- Activity Pages – themed travel games and activities to help pass the time during flights and drives
- Scrapbook Pages – attach photos and keepsakes like ticket stubs and mementos
The most important thing is to make the most of your experience by documenting your lasting memories for your travel legacy! Your travel journal scrapbook will be a treasured keepsake.
Are you a beach lover? Check out more great beaches...
If you liked 18 Awesome Restaurants in Panama City Beach, FL then you might also want to read the Ultimate Guide to Crab Island in Destin Florida.
SUBSCRIBE with your email to get notified of new posts.
Don’t forget to SHARE and PIN for later!
LET’S CONNECT: Which one of the restaurants from “18 Awesome Restaurants in Panama City Beach, FL” do you think you’d definitely want to try? Comment below!
