First time to Pensacola Beach, what to do where to eat?

Friend,

Uncle has a condo at Porto Fino so we got to Pensacola Beach a good bit. The island itself is lacking in great food. Tourists seem to love Peg Leg Pete’s. It is not bad, but you may wait two hours for a table. Maria’s Olde East Hill Grille is owned by the same people, has essentially the same menu, and never has a wait. It is in Pensacola though.

Felix’s of New Orleans opened on the beach last year. It is decent and the grilled oyster happy hour special is $18. Grand Marlin varies from good to average depending on the day. It is a bit pricier. Although in the minority I think Shrimp Basket is decent for average fried seafood and there’s never a line.

If you go into Pensacola, I like Angelena’s for Italian and Neapolitan pizzas. Grafitti and Sky’s have decent NY style pizzas. People rave about McGuire’s, but it is a glorified Bennigan’s with decent steaks. George Bistro is the best restaurant in Pensacola, but is in an ugly building far from downtown. Jackson’s is no good even for steaks. Iron is the city’s best fancy restaurant, but is quite expensive.

If you go east to Navarre, Dewey’s of Destin is pretty good.

Yours,
TulaneLSU

Joe Patti's Seafood is worth a visit if you haven't been. Pretty amazing offerings of seafood, and they have a liquor store, food shop, and other stuff. Sadly, it looks like the sushi bar is closed due to lack of workers.

Apple Market is a cool little grocery store with good selections of beer and wine, deli products, breads, prepared dishes, etc.

Plan a visit to the National Naval Aviation Museum located on the Pensacola Naval Air Station. Read the site about entrance requirements and rules for accessing the base.

Peg leg Pete’s is definitely a place to go but like someone said, the wait is long. Native Cafe is a good breakfast place.

Blue Angels Practice Schedule

NOLA in PICOLA

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Good lord just go to Captain D’s

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Don't think Cap D has marinated crab claws or raw oysters, which PLP does very well.

Grand Marlin is the best restaurant I’ve eaten at in the Florid panhandle

Ive been to Pensacola several times over the past 3 years. As much as all the restaurants on the island are tourist traps, they are all pretty decent. You gotta think, even though its a "tourist trap" they still have to be good or people will just not go anymore.

I really like Flounders, Crabs, and Sidelines. I have also eaten at the Hibatchi place in Gulf Breeze thats in the same parking lot as Publix.

I really wanted to try the Coastal restaurant that is located in Port o Fino but I believe you have to be staying there to eat there.

We like to go to the Grand Marlin and just recently tried Felix's, you can't go wrong with either. We went to Felix's during happy hour, they do $1 raw oysters and $1.50 chargrilled oysters, 1/2 off draft beer.

If we have time we like to spend a few hours in downtown Pensacola on S Palafox St. There's a ton of restaurants, shops, pubs, breweries, etc. so we just bounce around for a while killing time. There's sometimes a big farmers market down there too.

We always try to get a trip to Joe Pattis and grab a couple things.