Best Seafood Restaurants in Destin for a Bachelorette

Why Destin for a Bachelorette

Destin calls itself the luckiest fishing village in the world, and the seafood backs it up. Boats unload at the harbor daily, so the grouper and shrimp on your plate were usually swimming that morning.

Most of the good spots sit right on the harbor, which means sunset views, patio seating, and a short walk between dinner and drinks. Book ahead in summer, because Destin gets packed.

The Best Seafood Restaurants

Harbor Docks

Best for: A group where tastes diverge | Price: 25 to 45 dollars pp

Open since 1979, Harbor Docks runs its own wholesale seafood market downstairs, so the fish is about as fresh as it gets. It is also one of the rare spots with a serious sushi menu, which saves the meal when half your group wants raw and half wants fried.

Order this: The Gulf oysters (around 18 dollars a dozen) and the seared tuna.

Dewey Destin's Seafood

Best for: Casual, no-frills harbor dining | Price: 20 to 40 dollars pp

This is the classic Destin fish house, picnic tables on the water and seafood by the pound. It feels like a local secret even though everyone knows about it.

Order this: The royal red shrimp and a char-grilled fish platter (market price, usually 22 to 30 dollars).

Boshamps Oyster House

Best for: A pretty patio at sunset | Price: 30 to 50 dollars pp

Boshamps leans farm-to-table with a wraparound deck over the water, which makes it one of the more photogenic dinners in town. Good cocktails, too.

Order this: Chargrilled oysters (around 20 dollars a half dozen) and the shrimp and grits.

Brotula's Seafood House and Steamer

Best for: A steam-pot feast to share | Price: 30 to 55 dollars pp

Brotula's is built around steamed and boiled seafood, so it is the move when your group wants to crack crab legs and pass shared buckets around the table.

Order this: The seafood steam pot with snow crab, shrimp, corn, and sausage (around 40 dollars).

AJ's Seafood and Oyster Bar

Best for: Dinner that turns into a party | Price: 25 to 45 dollars pp

AJ's sits right on the harbor and rolls straight from dinner into live music and a rooftop bar. If your group wants the night to keep going after the plates clear, start here.

Order this: Peel-and-eat royal reds and the blackened grouper sandwich (around 19 dollars).

LuLu's Destin

Best for: Big, loud, fun groups | Price: 20 to 40 dollars pp

Lucy Buffett's waterfront spot is a full experience with live music, a wide menu, and a party atmosphere that handles large groups without blinking. Less refined than the others, more festive.

Order this: The Mahi tacos and a round of frozen cocktails.

Beach Walk Cafe

Best for: A dressed-up special dinner | Price: 45 to 75 dollars pp

Tucked into Henderson Park Inn, Beach Walk is the upscale, beachfront option for the one nice dinner of the trip. Reservations are a must in peak season.

Order this: The Gulf snapper and the crab cake, and get a table for sunset.

Planning Tips

• Reserve Harbor Docks, Boshamps, and Beach Walk Cafe at least a week ahead in summer.
• Ask for a harbor-side or deck table when you book so your group gets the sunset view.
• Big groups should call rather than use an app, since many Destin spots seat large parties by phone.
• Royal red shrimp are the local specialty, so order them wherever you see them.