Summer is here and it’s time to pack the car and take the family to the beach to enjoy fresh seafood and steaks from some of Panama City Beach’s best restaurants. Whether you’re looking for golden fried fish and chips, lobster drenched in butter, or the perfect grilled steak, you’ll find just what you’re looking for at any of these five Panama City Beach, Florida, restaurants.
Firefly
Photo via Unsplash by Joseph Greve
When you’re looking for the ideal seafood restaurant to take someone special to for a romantic date, head over to Firefly on 535 Richard Jackson Blvd. The restaurant has a casually elegant atmosphere and is one of Panama City Beach’s finest restaurants. Their five-star gourmet dishes feature the freshest of gulf seafood, aged steaks cooked on a 1,800-degree broiler, and locally grown produce. Firefly has an extensive wine menu offering wines from around the world and has won Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence since 2008.
Plan for a leisurely meal in the main dining room seated under a stately oak tree decorated with colorful twinkling lights. The Mediterranean-style bistro offers sophisticated dishes, and you can enjoy an appetizer such as jumbo lump crab cakes or grilled octopus and olive oil poached shrimp. Move on to a refreshing salad or a cup of their soup du-jour before indulging in an elegant entree. Enjoy the chargrilled gulf grouper, sesame seared yellowfin tuna, broiled lobster tails, or mouthwatering steaks. Save room for a decadent dessert such as New York-style cheesecake or a piece of flourless chocolate torte.
If you enjoy sushi, take a seat at Firefly’s new sushi bar and sample some of their freshest, top-grade fish. Finish your evening with a cocktail at the Firefly Bar or relax with a drink sitting in an overstuffed armchair at Firefly’s 535 Library Lounge.
Pompano Joe’s
For a fun family dining experience, head over to Pompano Joe’s at 16202 Front Beach Road. The restaurant offers a special kid’s menu as well as family bundle to-go orders. Enjoy the festive environment for lunch or dinner by starting your meal with boiled gulf shrimp, fried calamari, or sauteed blue crab claws. You can make a meal out of one of their huge seafood salads along with a bowl of Pompano Joe’s award-winning seafood gumbo.
Lunch is a great time to savor a fish sandwich, whether it’s grouper, flounder, mahi-mahi, or one of their famous po’ boys. You can also have a burger or a jerk barbecue chicken sandwich. When you’re ready for dinner, try one of Pompano Joe’s signature dishes such as grouper marsala or coconut shrimp. If you can’t decide which seafood dinner to choose, pick the seafood sampler filled with mahi-mahi, gulf shrimp, and scallops. At the end of your meal, savor a piece of key lime pie, strawberry shortcake, or sea salt caramel cheesecake.
Another Broken Egg Cafe
There’s something so relaxing about having a casual breakfast out and that’s the experience you’ll get at Another Broken Egg Cafe located at 11535 Hutchison Blvd. Start your leisurely breakfast with a cup of coffee, or if you’re there for brunch, enjoy a bloody mary or mimosa. If you enjoy something sweet for breakfast, you’ll love the assortment of pancakes and waffles with fresh fruit and whipped cream.
From the traditional breakfast or brunch menu, you’ll find delicacies like the lobster and brie cheese omelet, crab cake Benedict, or bowl of shrimp and grits. The healthy menu options offer dishes like the granola, fruit, and quinoa power bowl or salmon avocado toast. They also have a gluten-free menu for those with dietary restrictions.
The cafe features a variety of sandwiches and salads, and their side selections include goodies like grilled Andouille sausage, biscuit beignets, or fresh country potatoes. You can have everything from 100% fresh-squeezed orange juice, French roast cold brew coffee, or chocolate milk with fresh whipped cream when you order from Another Broken Egg’s beverage menu.
While you’re waiting for your food, take advantage of the free Wi-Fi and use your mobile device to browse the internet to find your next car, SUV, or hybrid vehicle at Panama City Toyota.
J. Michael’s Restaurant
When you’re craving Apalachicola oysters, stop by J. Michael’s Restaurant to get your fill of these tasty local delicacies. These special oysters aren’t always available, so be sure to check with the restaurant to make sure they have them. There’s plenty of other great appetizers on J. Michael’s menu including different varieties of oysters prepared in lots of different ways as well as boiled gulf shrimp. After your appetizer, enjoy a crisp house or Greek salad, and then dive into one of J. Michael’s signature sandwiches like the Infamous Roast Beef Supreme, fisherman’s sandwich, or their 1920s-style reuben.
When you’re ready for a hearty meal, the shrimp or chicken pasta dishes will fill you up, the steaks will satisfy your beef cravings, and for a cajun twist, enjoy the seafood gumbo or red beans and rice. Don’t forget to have a slice of key lime pie for dessert. You’ll find J. Michael’s Restaurant at 3210 Thomas Drive.
Saltwater Grill
For a fascinating visual treat while dining, you’ll thrill at seeing hundreds of tropical fish and sea creatures swimming in the 25,000-gallon tropical saltwater aquarium. Start your dinner with appetizers including favorites like crab cakes, shrimp cocktail, or specialty salads, or sample one of Saltwater Grill’s signature creations like the lobster spring roll. For your entree, choose from specials such as macadamia nut crusted mahi-mahi, seafood linguine, or pork tenderloin.
For something special, savor melt-in-your-mouth grilled grouper or relish chargrilled steaks and broiled lobster. Saltwater Grill offers an extensive wine list including their reserve list with upscale champagnes from France and specialty reds and whites from California’s wine country.
Our team at Panama City Toyota can’t get enough delicious food from these five restaurants. Enjoy using this handy guide to help you discover the wonder of these special places to eat, and be sure to leave us a comment to let us know what your favorite restaurant in Panama City Beach is.
