Top 3 Beachfront Restaurants in Panama City Beach

The top beachfront restaurants in Panama City Beach, Florida come with spectacular views and innovative menus. The staff at these establishments strive to exceed every guest’s expectation of what makes an excellent dining experience, from the food to the atmosphere along the water.

Below are three Panama City Beach restaurants as a guide to some of the most accomplished options in the area. Restaurants like these are where some of Florida’s longest-lasting vacation memories are made.

They are all located near along the coast, making them a short drive from our Panama City Beach vacation rentals.

Saltwater Grill

Location: 11040 Hutchison Blvd, Panama City Beach, FL

When guests walk into the Saltwater Grill, they first notice the massive saltwater tank in the center of the building. This serene live tank holds a living reef that is visible from the main café area and the dazzling Mermaid room. It provides the perfect backdrop to an evening of fun and food that the Saltwater Grill promises and delivers.

The food at the Saltwater Grill surpasses expectations, breaching culinary perfection. The chefs keep aim to keep their dishes simple and elegant, while maintaining the essential Southern flair.

Barbecued shrimp and grits share a table with Snapper-Pontchartrain and bottles of red and white wine wait behind the bar, along with martinis and specialty drinks.

The toughest part about eating here is ordering. It’s hard to choose a combination among the multitude of choices. The restaurant’s friendly servers will help you decide, and even recommend their favorites according to your personal tastes.

Tourists and residents who come for dinner stay for the entertainment. The Piano Bar offers diverse live piano playing from the grand piano in the center of the bar. The music can be heard throughout the Mermaid room, and guests often stay to listen well after the meal is over.

Relaxing over dinner, after-dinner drinks, and entertainment is one reason why this beachfront joint has so many return customers. There is no better way to end a day in Panama City Beach than a visit to the Saltwater Grill.

mussels on a bowl
Photo from Pixabay

Firefly

Location: 535 N Richard Jackson Boulevard, Panama City Beach, FL

If a casual fine dining experience is on the menu, Firefly is the place to eat. The menu has spectacular variety, with a focus on sushi, flavorful cuts of meat, and nearly 10 kinds of fish. This family-friendly, dinner hot spot is decorated for everything from cozy meals to big family gatherings.

Five different rooms give guests options in experiencing the Firefly. The Canopy Room is perfect for private events, while the 535 Library Room provides a homey atmosphere with big screen televisions.

The main dining room works well for casual dinners, while the Sushi and Firefly Bars provide different experiences. The Firefly Bar features strings of lights are draped over a canopy of branches.

The owners of this award-winning restaurant wanted to create something different from the other restaurants along the beach, and they succeeded with their unique ambiance and different dining room experiences.

Everyone can find something to enjoy here, from the extensive wine list to the “ever-evolving” menu. The spirits are top-shelf and the food is five-star quality. Firefly has been rated among the best restaurants on Panama City Beach, and is a must-visit for every vacationer.

Sharkey’s Beachfront Restaurant

Location: 15201 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32413

Home to America’s largest open air tiki hut, Sharkey’s is a bar and grill located on the beach – what better location to eat, drink, and refuel for your next Panama City Beach adventure? You can choose ocean view or indoor dining, both serving up plates to the sound of the waves lapping against the shore.

The menu alone makes Sharkey’s one of the best places to eat around here. It is stocked with deep-fried favorites, sandwiches, oysters, and shareables, and their long list of shark-inspired specialty drinks – the Sharkerita (classic margarita with a twist) and the Nurse Shark (strawberry vodka, pineapple, grenadine), to name a couple – keep locals and vacationers alike coming back for more.

Sharkey’s offers fun live music some nights, and karaoke on others – no two nights are the same. Its large beachfront patio is the perfect place for a cold drink and good food after a sun-filled day.

Sharkey’s buzz is enough to attract any passersby, local or visitor. For a rambunctious evening with friends and family, the area’s most creative drinks, and delicious surf and turf, add Sharkey’s as part of your vacation experience.

These beachfront restaurants are complete with some of the most acclaimed seafood and land-based entrees in Florida, ambiance, energy that celebrates Florida beauty, and views to die for.

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They are also all near our vacation rentals on Panama City Beach and are sure to provide entertainment and remarkable service that rivals their mouth-watering plates.