Restaurants in Panama City Beach, Florida

1. Firefly

Firefly is a unique award-winning dining experience in Panama City, owned and operated by executive chef Derek Langford and restaurateur Dave Trepanier.

The restaurant, which opened in 2007, has been the recipient of many major international dining awards throughout its tenure, including the Best of the Bay Award and the Most Romantic Restaurant of 2017 designation by OpenTable.

Its dining room cultivates a Mediterranean bistro atmosphere, while its full-service bar showcases high-definition television screens and serves up top-shelf liquor and cocktails.

Elegant main courses served up throughout the evening include espresso-rubbed pork shanks, brown butter-seared scallops, and shrimp and summer vegetable pasta with artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes. Fine wine selections are offered at the restaurant's 535 Library Lounge, while raw bar offerings are served at its full-service sushi bar.

Find it at this Address: 535 N Richard Jackson Blvd, Panama City Beach, FL 32407, Phone: 850-249-3359

2. Runaway Island

Runaway Island serves high-quality local seafood specialties for more than two decades in a bi-level space showcasing stunning views of nearby Panama City Beach.

Two floors of interior dining spaces showcase live entertainment throughout the year, while an outdoor deck connects to a boardwalk leading directly out onto the beachfront's white sandy shores.

Diners can enjoy high-quality main dishes at lunch and dinner, including seafood favorites like blackened fish tacos, grilled mahi mahi filets with tomato key lime butter, and New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp tossed in Worcester butter sauce and Cajun seasoning.

Find it at this Address: 14521 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32413, Phone: 850-634-4884

3. Saltwater Grill

Saltwater Grill is a delightful Panama City Beach dining destination opened in 2002 by executive chef Chris Joyner, home to an impressive 25,000-gallon tropical saltwater aquarium showcasing native Florida marine life.

Couples can dine in clear view of the aquarium tank while they enjoy excellent Gulf-fresh seafood entrees, paired with delicious USDA Prime steak and fine game offerings. Nightly menus include favorites like snapper Ponchartrain with Creole remoulade, sesame-seared tuna with ginger dressing and sweet soy glaze, grouper Imperial in sherry beurre blanc, and Creole-style bronzed mahi mahi in rice pilaf.

Happy hour and early bird specials are offered during the afternoon hours, including delicious drink specials for couples to enjoy.

Find it at this Address: 11040 Hutchison Blvd, Panama City Beach, FL 32407, Phone: 850-230-2739

If you love casual eateries, check out this video of the History Class Brewing Company.

4. The Grand Marlin Restaurant and Oyster Bar

The Grand Marlin Restaurant and Oyster Bar is a beautiful restaurant located on Panama City Beach's Lighthouse Marina, opened in 2016 by restaurateur Bryan Housley and award-winning executive chef Gregg McCarthy.

The restaurant, which overlooks stunning Grand Lagoon, is known for its high-quality daily seafood specials, which are crafted from fresh daily fish catches.

A raw bar serves up fine oysters sourced from Apalachicola and East Bay, shucked to order.

House specialties include dishes like Loved and Rubbed Scottish salmon, which is prepared with a housemade caramelized rub, sweet potato hash, smoked bacon, and lemon butter. Shareable delicacies include crispy lobster fingers served with vanilla bean-infused honey mustard sauce.

Find it at this Address: 5323 N Lagoon Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32408, Phone: 850-249-1500

5. Fin's Japanese Sushi and Grill

Fin's Japanese Sushi and Grill offers one of Panama City's most authentic Asian dining experiences, known for its high-quality dine-in and takeout service and friendly, inviting atmosphere. The restaurant prepares traditional Japanese entrees with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, offering family-friendly ambiance for couples traveling with children in tow. Diners can enjoy delicious delicacies like sauteed beef don, shrimp or salmon teriyaki, or hibachi-style entrees served with assorted vegetables and egg noodles. Sushi combination platters are also served up, along with excellent Asian-style appetizer selections like agedashi tofu in sweet ginger soy sauce, pork shu mai, and savory gyoza. Seafood favorites capitalize on the region's waterfront location, including soft-shell crab plates, crispy crab rangoons, and coconut shrimp meals.

Find it at this Address: 732 W 23rd St, Panama City, FL 32405, Phone: 850-769-0888