As a seaside town, Panama City Beach is abundant with delicious, local seafood. Chains and independent restaurants both take advantage of the wide selection, so it can be difficult to determine the best of the best.
To help you out, we have put together a few flavorful seafood restaurants to check out on the West end of the beach during your stay, so when you’re staying in Panama City Beach with Premium Beach Condos, be sure to check them out.
The Back Porch
Conveniently located inside Pier Park, with shopping and entertainment galore, Back Porch is a classic chain restaurant with something for everyone. Their seafood chowder is a must, with a slight kick to keep you on your toes. But they’re best known for their oysters; you can order them on the half shell for fresh, delectable shellfish. If you’re worried about food allergies, such as gluten, Back Porch has a gluten-free menu with separate prep areas for the food. Ask to speak to a manager about any accommodations you might need.
Pompano Joe’s
Directly across the street from Back Porch is another favorite of ours: Pompano Joe’s. You can get to Pompano Joe’s from the Calypso parking garage without ever crossing the street; just take the elevator down and head towards Pier Park along the sidewalk. Pompano Joe’s puts a Caribbean twist on its local seafood; I recommend the crab and shrimp with cucumber. It’s essentially a salad topped with jumbo lump crab meat and grilled shrimp, mixed with fresh fruits and other greens. When you’re finished with your meal, you can explore everything else Pier Park has to offer.
Hook’D Pier Bar and Grill
Hook’D truly has an ideal location on the boardwalk. Directly next to the pier, overlooking the beach and sparkling waters, Hook’D has outdoor, pet-friendly seating. Inside, you can sit at the bar or opt for a table. Their fish tacos are some of the best in the city, so make sure to give those a taste during your next visit! Hook’D was recently closed due to a fire, but is renovating and will re-open soon…and worth the wait!
Sandbar
Another top choice in PCB is Sandbar. Sandbar has some of the best seafood out there, but we spent most of our visit raving over their hushpuppies. Not only are they the best in Panama City Beach, but we determined they’re the best hushpuppies we’ve ever had, bar none. We also gave their crawfish a go, which were outstanding (approved by a New Orleans native).
Mike’s Cafe and Oyster Bar
Seafood for breakfast? It exists in Panama City Beach. Mike’s Cafe and Oyster Bar serves the city’s delectable seafood all day long. You can start the day with a delicious seafood omelet or a decadent soft shell crab Benedict. If you’d rather save your seafood appetite for later in the day, Mike’s is famous for its seafood pot pie, filled with shrimp, scallops, crab meat, and loaded with veggies. But keep in mind: the seafood pot pie is a dinner special.
With fresh, local seafood at the ready, restaurants are swimming in choices. If you decide to check out any of these seafood restaurants on the west end of Panama City Beach, let us know what you thought (and send us some pictures, too)!