Where to Eat in Panama City Beach, Florida: 13 Local Favorites

Sharing is caring!

Panama City Beach isn’t just about sugar-white sand and emerald waters — it’s also a surprisingly delicious place to eat. From beachfront spots serving fresh Gulf seafood to cozy cafes and family-friendly favorites, PCB’s dining scene is every bit as fun and laid-back as the town itself. Whether you’re grabbing tacos in flip-flops or dressing up for dinner with a view, here are some delicious spots to dive into in Panama City Beach.

Best Seafood & Waterfront Restaurants

1. Sharky’s Beachfront Restaurant

Sharky’s Beachfront Restaurant is located at 15210 Beach Front Road and occupies prime beach real estate. The Tripadvisor.com rating for Sharky’s is #34 out of 211 Panama City Beach restaurants.

I found Sharky’s to be one of those dives you go to have a drink, chill out, and enjoy watching the sun setting over the Gulf of Mexico. Sharky’s periodically has live music events which you can find listed on their website.

I ordered the Shrimp Ceviche ($11.95) and House Salad ($6.95).

The shrimp ceviche is described as shrimp marinated in Lime juice with diced tomatoes, cilantro, cucumbers, onions, jalapenos, salt and pepper. While it was a large portion, it seemed more of a cucumber salsa with some shrimp thrown in.

The House Salad was a basic salad of lettuce greens with a few cucumbers, small tomatoes, and red onions. Overall, it was a fresh, generous-sized garden salad.

My husband ordered the Mahi Mahi dinner ($21.95) with blackened mahi mahi and a side of garlic mashed potatoes. He found the meal to be acceptable, though the serving of mashed potatoes was on the small side.

The total for our meal pre-tip and after-tax came to $44.15.

If you are looking for a place to worship on Sundays, Woodlawn Church has an 8:30 am service at Sharky’s. Flip-flops are completely acceptable.

Sharky’s is open from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. daily.

2. The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House

Located at 16220 Front Beach Road on the Boardwalk next to Margaritaville, The Back Porch has been serving Gulf seafood since 1974 and is credited with originating the char-grilled Amberjack sandwich along the Gulf Coast — still the dish most locals order first. Expect raw oysters, a smoked tuna dip appetizer worth ordering on its own, and an unpretentious, come-as-you-are vibe.

The Back Porch is open daily from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.

3. Schooners – The Last Local Beach Club

At 5121 Gulf Drive on PCB’s historic east end, Schooners has been a local institution since the late 1960s, rebuilt after Hurricane Opal in 1995. Every night at sunset, they fire off an old cannon — a tradition worth timing your visit around. The menu leans classic Florida beach fare: fish baskets, hushpuppies, and alligator for anyone chasing an authentic regional bite.

Schooners is open daily from 11:00 a.m.

4. Pompano Joe’s Seafood House

Located at 16202 Front Beach Road and open daily from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., Pompano Joe’s brings a Caribbean twist to Gulf seafood. The signature coconut shrimp comes hand-breaded and is served with a mango-papaya chutney, and the “Reggae Rolls” (jerk chicken, corn, black beans, cheese) are a favorite starter. It’s a solid pick if your group wants island flavor alongside standard seafood-shack options.

5. Hunt’s Oyster Bar & Seafood

A short drive over to Panama City proper (1150 Beck Avenue), Hunt’s has been family-owned and operated since 1966 and is a local favorite for hand-shucked Apalachicola oysters — raw, steamed, baked, or Cajun-baked. Beyond oysters, the menu covers grouper, snapper, shrimp, and even gator, plus non-seafood options like ribeye and burgers for anyone in your group who isn’t in a seafood mood. It’s tucked in the historic St. Andrews neighborhood on the bay, with upstairs seating that catches the sunset.

Hunt’s is open Monday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (later on Friday and Saturday), and closed Sundays.

Casual & Family-Friendly

1. Pineapple Willy’s

Pineapple Willy’s in Panama City Beach was the first restaurant that was recommended to me and piqued my interest. It is located on the beach at 9875 S Thomas Drive and is listed as #18 of 211 restaurants in Panama City Beach on Tripadivsor.com. They offer both dining room accommodations as well as highly coveted picnic tables outside on their covered pier.

While you have great views of the ocean from the inside, dining outside offers the best views (and longer wait times).

Pineapple Willy’s has been operating since 1984 and serves some pretty good seafood. My husband ordered a Willy Basket/shrimp basket ($13) and I got the ‘Nawlins Po’ Boys ($14) with shrimp. Both meals are served with French fries. We both ordered a side of coleslaw ($1 each).

The Po’ Boy sandwich is huge and large enough to feed two people. The bread was fresh and the shrimp were perfectly cooked. The pineapple coleslaw – which did not have pineapple in it – was fresh and tasty.

Their signature drink is a Pineapple Willy and it has Myers Platinum Rum, gold rum, Hawaiian pineapple juice, and cream of coconut. I ordered a medium size ($13) and it came in a reusable mug. (The mug is reusable for the life of the mug and currently, the price of refills is $9.) The drink was really refreshing and delicious.

Our total with tax, before tip, came to $45.39. Our server did a great job and earned his tip. All-in-all, Pineapple Willy’s is a fun place to eat that serves good food. I would definitely go back (and take my reusable cup with me!).

In addition to adult libations, Pineapple Willy’s has kid-friendly options, such as Chicken Littles, Shrimp Skippers, and Mini Corndogs. Kids meals for children 12 and under range in price from $4.59 – $6.59. Kids can get soda in a 16 oz souvenir kid’s cup for $6.

The Pineapple Willy has a couple of beach cams so that you can get a glimpse of the beach and dream about being in PCB.

Pineapple Willy’s is open from 11 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. daily.

2. Diego’s Burrito Factory

Diego’s Burrito Factory/Margarita Bar is located at 15514 Front Beach Road across from the Hampton Inn and Suites. Diego’s is listed as #6 out of 70 Quick Bites in Panama City Beach.

The Margarita Bar is accessible via a walk-up window at the front of the restaurant. The Burrito Factory has both indoor and outdoor dining along Beach Front Road.

Ordering at Diego’s Burrito Factory is similar to ordering at Moe’s or Chipotle. There is a large menu board listing three steps: 1) Pick It (select the base such as burrito, nachos, quesadilla, or burrito bowl), 2) Fill It (select the filling: chicken, steak, carnitas, al pastor, ground beef, grilled fish or shrimp, or veggies), and 3) Top It (veggies, cheese, and such to go on or in your meal).

We each ordered Baja Grilled Tacos with mahi-mahi ($8.99 for two tacos) and had them topped with lettuce and cilantro ranch. They were served with chips and salsa. We also ordered a small cup of queso ($1.75) which came with a side of chips.

The total for our meal with two cups of water came to $23.20 with tax (before tip). The food was fresh and delicious and I would have no problems eating the same tacos again.

Diego’s Burrito Factory is open daily from 11:00 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.

3. Dat Cajun Place Cafe

Located at 2705 Thomas Drive, this is the spot for a Cajun-style Sunday brunch — think bloody marys and a laid-back, dive-bar setting with chalkboard tables to doodle on while you wait. Beyond brunch, expect wings, burgers, and solid appetizers with a good draft beer list. It’s a favorite with locals for its unpretentious, no-frills vibe.

4. AutentiKa Mexican Grille

Family-owned since 2017, AutentiKa serves scratch-made Mexican food with a rotating selection of homemade salsas — tacos callejeros, tamales wrapped in corn husk, and potent margaritas are the highlights. The main location is at 14662 Front Beach Road (Open Sands Plaza), with a quick-service AutentiKa Express location at 8711 Thomas Drive. It’s a colorful, casual spot that works well for a family dinner or a late-night bite.

If you enjoyed this guide, be sure to check out my other foodie travel posts. From things to do in Key West to charming Laurel, Mississippi and what to drink in Savannah, I’ve got plenty of tips for making your Southern adventures delicious.

Fine Dining

1. Firefly in Panama City Beach

Located at 535 N Richard Jackson Boulevard, Firefly is inside a strip mall and has a pretty unassuming exterior. However, step inside and you will discover a quaint and charming interior unlike no other.

Firefly has earned the #9 spot on Tripadvisor.com for restaurants in Panama City Beach. Firefly is divided into two – on one side a sushi bar, the other fine dining.

Diners are treated to a bread basket served alongside a trio of flavored butter.

The house wine when we were there was Velvet Devil Merlot and it was excellent ($9 for a generous glass of wine).

My husband ordered Sesame Seared Yellowfin Tuna (rare ahi tuna served with grilled baby bok choy, chili truffle vinaigrette, and crispy wontons). The price of this entree is $32.

I ordered the Wild Caught Salmon Amandine which is naturally gluten-free. It was served with whipped potatoes, french beans, preserved lemon, brown butter, and almonds and cost $32.

Being that we were completing our stay in Panama City Beach the night we dined at Firefly, we made the most out of our dining experience at the beach. For the finale, we ordered the vanilla Crème Brûlée ($8) which was lit at the table.

Dining at Firefly is an experience that does come with a price tag. The total of our meal for two with wine and dessert came to $100.36.

Note: This is one of the few fine dining establishments that we found to be open on Sundays. I recommend that you make reservations online. Firefly is closed on Monday and open Tuesday – Thursday from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., and on Sunday from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Breakfast, Lunch & Sweets

1. Kilwin’s Chocolate and Ice Cream

If you are at the beach and looking for something sweet to indulge in, you won’t have to look far with there being over 2 dozen sweet shops. Kilwin’s comes in at #5 of 23 for Desserts in PCB on Tripadvisor.com and is located at 821 Pier Park Drive.

Kilwin’s is an old-time confectionary serving fudge, ice cream, truffles, candy apples, nut brittles, and more.

I ordered the Georgia Peach ice cream in a waffle bowl ($6.24) for my husband. The ice cream was creamy and had small chunks of peach, but the best part was the waffle bowl it was served in.

Kilwin’s is open Monday – Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., and on Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

2. Thomas Donut & Snack Shop

A Panama City Beach tradition since 1971, located at 19208 Front Beach Road. Locals and tourists alike line up early for fresh donuts — look for the bright pink box, a bit of a local status symbol. Beyond donuts, the menu covers a full breakfast and lunch spread: biscuits, bagels, burgers, subs, and fried seafood.

Thomas Donut & Snack Shop is open daily from 6:00 a.m., and it’s known to get a line out the door by mid-morning, so early is best.

3. Liza’s Kitchen

Tucked away at 7328 Thomas Drive and easy to drive past, Liza’s is a “boho paradise” once you step inside. Everything is made from scratch, including the focaccia bread, soups, and salad dressings — even the mayonnaise. Weekday visits mean gourmet sandwiches and salads; weekends bring a brunch menu with favorites like Eggs New Orleans and the signature Eggs Liza, both made with handmade Hollandaise sauce.

Liza’s Kitchen is open Wednesday through Monday (closed Tuesdays); hours vary by day, with weekend brunch starting as early as 8:00 a.m.

If you’re planning a trip to PCB, food is only half the fun — the other half is where you stay. For a budget-friendly hotel that’s right on the sand, check out my review of the Hampton Inn and Suites in Panama City Beach. It’s one of the best values for Gulf-front views and easy access to the beach.

FAQs About Eating in PCB

What food is Panama City Beach known for? Seafood is the star in PCB — shrimp, grouper, and oysters are on just about every menu. You’ll also find plenty of casual eats like burgers, tacos, and donuts.

Where do locals eat in Panama City Beach? Locals often head to Hunt’s Oyster Bar, Finns Island, Dat Cajun Place, and AutentiKa.

Can you find healthy food in PCB? Yes! Spots like Finn’s Barista Bar & Snack Shack, Loutus Cafe & Juice Bar, Liza’s Kitchen, and The Pour serve lighter fare like tacos, acai bowls, and smoothies.

Panama City Beach Map

This map was created with Wanderlog, a trip planner on iOS and Android

While you’re feasting your way through Panama City Beach, don’t stop there—expand your palate with more coastal eats and food tour finds. If you want drinks with views and island vibes, check out the Key West Food Tour. For seafood, sand, and sunshine, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Bites delivers coastal flavor in every bite. And if Pensacola is on your radar, you’ll want to peep the Pensacola Food Tour to discover hidden gems and local favorites.

What was the one dish in PCB you’d visit again in a heartbeat? Drop your top pick (or the one you want to try next) in the comments. If you’ve found a new food gem here, send this post to someone who loves eating their way through vacation spots—it’ll make their travel appetites real happy.