Nice Restaurants in Panama City, FL That You Must Try

Panama City is a place known for its beautiful sandy beaches. It is a very popular vacation spot because of how appealing they are. People come from all over the country to enjoy the sandy white beaches, and if you’re on your way there yourself, you’re likely curious about where you can eat. When you’re not on the beach or doing any number of things the city has to offer its visitors, there are many nice restaurants around for you to enjoy. They have different styles and cuisines, but are overall among the nicest restaurants in the city!

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Firefly

This restaurant offers something for everyone. 

535 Richard Jackson Blvd | Panama City | fireflypcb.com

Firefly offers a unique dining experience in a beautiful atmosphere. They have a commitment to excellence that shows when you experience all they have to offer. They have an evolving menu and a dedicated staff that makes it all come together every day. This beachside restaurant is anything but typical. 

Firefly’s menu has something for everyone who walks through their doors. If you’re looking for a place to indulge, this is a great place to visit. Entrees include broiled lobster tails, grilled rack of elk, and seared yellowfin tuna among other things. The sushi menu is certainly worth checking out as well. They even provide a full catering service for events of any budget. So whether you enjoy Firefly’s food in their dining room or in your home, the chef and his team is sure to make your night special! 

“YUMMO, hands down the best SC crab soup I have had in a long time and living on the Gulf Coast we sample often. I had the scallops with parm risotto and my date had the bolognese with pork and beef...we loved it all! Nice ambience and first class service.”–Yelp Review

Firefly isn’t accepting GiftYa digital gift cards just yet, but check here for all the other GiftYa cards available. 

Pineapple Willy’s

This beachside restaurant regularly gives customers a show. 

9875 S Thomas Dr | Panama City | pwillys.com

Pineapple Willy’s is a famous Panama Beach seafood restaurant. Since 1984 they have remained true to their mission to serve great food and great cocktails. They have live music, a friendly staff, and the best ribs on the beach! And the atmosphere is lots of fun. Pineapple Willy’s even has a digital coloring app you can use while you’re there. How many restaurants give adults the option to color while they wait for their meal? 

The menu includes a variety of awesome seafoods. You’ll find blackened mahi mahi with pineapple salsa, fried oysters, and clam strips. They also serve smoked tuna dip, fried alligator, and hot wings. They regularly have live acts on their stage and have the details of all upcoming acts for the near future on their website. You’ll likely have a blast if you go. This place only manages to get better every year!

“This place is one of the reasons we choose to come to Panama City Beach. Yes,  of course there is always a wait but it's worth it. Plus you can go sit inside the bar, listen to some live music and drink some drinks while you wait. The seafood platter was great! A little bit of everything. You gotta check out Pineapple Willy's if you're in PCB!”–Yelp Review

Pineapple Willy’s isn’t accepting GiftYa digital gift cards just yet, but check here for all the other GiftYa cards available. 

Runaway Island

Delicious seafood served right on the beach. 

This appetizer is a good intro to this restaurant’s island themed cuisine. Image courtesy of Runaway Island. 

14521 Front Beach Rd | Panama City | runawayislandpcb.com

Runaway Island is a beach side restaurant that serves fresh, local seafood. Their menu contains different seafoods along with Caribbean inspired meals. They have crab cakes, Bordeaux’s chowder with shrimp, grouper, and crawfish, and lobster ravioli. They also serve a blackened tuna BLT, fish tacos, and Alaskan snow crab. There are so many more great options for guests to choose from. 

This restaurant even has a store that sells merchandise, so if you want memorabilia of the great experience you had there, you can certainly get it! And if you want to have a beach front wedding, Runaway Island will rent out its space to you. They have been given the Couple’s Choice Award in Wedding Wire for the past four years in a row. 

“The food was absolutely tasty. I loved the atmosphere of the restaurant and the little shop on the side was cute. It was melting in my mouth. I wish I could have eaten once more before I get back home but I couldn't. I will remember to go again for sure in future trip.”–Yelp Review

Runaway Island isn’t accepting GiftYa digital gift cards just yet, but check here for all the other GiftYa cards available. 

Sisters of the Sea Waterfront Bar & Grill

Casual waterfront dining with pool access. 

3901 Thomas Dr | Panama City | sistersofthesea.net

Sisters of the Sea is a casual restaurant on Panama Beach’s waterfront. It has a swimming pool that overlooks the Grand Lagoon. With 17 TVs both inside and outside where you can watch the game, Sisters of the Sea makes sure to cater to sports lovers. The restaurant is also accessible by boat and happens to be very pet friendly. 

This restaurant is more unique than most. As long as you are ordering food and beverages, your group will have free access to their pool! It is truly rare to come across a restaurant with a pool. It is also open all year round! And every day but Tuesday, you can participate in a mermaid meet and greet. 

Sisters of the Sea has a menu full of great sea foods. They have Key West mahi mahi, creole shrimp and grits, and voodoo pasta. You can also choose from a variety of fish and meat sandwiches. 

“Heard the restaurant is under new management. We were just traveling and it sounded good. It was amazing. Service was superb; fast and friendly. Food was so good. I had seaside tacos and my husband had a sailor sandwich with grilled mahi-mahi. We both had loaded tater salad, delicious!

There's a nice view with an outside setting. Highly recommended this place.”–Yelp Review

Sisters of the Sea Waterfront Bar & Grill isn’t accepting GiftYa digital gift cards just yet, but check here for all the other GiftYa cards available. 

Uncle Ernie’s BayFront Grill

Seafood in a historic location by the water. 

1151 Bayview Ave | Panama City | uncleerniesbayfrontgrill.com

Uncle Ernie’s BayFront Grill and Brewhouse is a place to enjoy award winning food in a laid back atmosphere. It is located in a quaint house located in Historic St. Andrews. You will get a strong dose of history just as soon as you open the door. Along with the great location, this restaurant offers great food, amazing service, and an excellent view. 

Their menu is filled with different sea foods along with many fried foods. They have shrimp tacos, a soft shell crab sandwich, and sesame crusted ahi tuna. They also offer grouper fish and chips, coconut shrimp, and shrimp and grits. You can also find beef and chicken burgers on the menu. If you’re a dessert lover, Uncle Ernie’s has a good number of desserts to choose from. Some options are key lime pie, turtle cheesecake, and red velvet cake. 

“Could not recommend this place enough. We needed a break from the traditional fried food in the area, and this place hit the spot! All of the food was absolutely amazing and the service was great! The restaurant itself is in great shape, and the wait was not long for our party of 10! If you are in here, definitely stop by for some great food!”–Yelp Review

Uncle Ernie’s BayFront Grill isn’t accepting GiftYa digital gift cards just yet, but check here for all the other GiftYa cards available. 

Saltwater Grill

A restaurant with tropical views from the inside. 

11040 Hutchison Blvd | Panama City | saltwatergrillpcb.com

Saltwater Grill is a restaurant on the beach that serves fresh seafood and choice steaks. Once you enter this restaurant, you will be amazed at the views. They have a 25,000 gallon tropical saltwater aquarium that can be seen from both sides of the restaurant. It offers a view of tropical reefs and exotic sea creatures. It's a cool environment to enjoy a seafood dinner in. 

On the menu, you’ll find lots of unique and delicious seafood options. There are lobster spring rolls, Thai fried calamari, and sesame seared tuna, along with seafood linguine, diver scallops, and creole ribeye. They have a long list of drink options. There are several types of liquor, wine, and beer, and classic and specialty cocktails. You also get to choose from several dessert cocktails and desserts like creme brulee, chocolate truffle tart, and key lime pie. 

“We loved it!  We were looking for somewhere to eat for birthday dinner and it was perfect! My parents  are moving there so we're trying out some of the restaurants and WE WILL return! The GIANT aquarium is gorgeous and the food was amazing! Big portions but delicious!”–Yelp Review

Saltwater Grill isn’t accepting GiftYa digital gift cards just yet, but check here for all the other GiftYa cards available. 

The Wicked Wheel Bar & Grill

A place that serves the best chicken in the area. 

10025 Hutchison Blvd | Panama City | thewickedwheel.com

The Wicked Wheel Bar & Grill is the home of the Emerald Coast’s Wicked Good Fried Chicken. It was voted Best of the Bay and you will discover why that is if you stop by this restaurant for a meal. Their chicken is marinated, hand battered, and deep fried in cottonseed oil. Some popular menu options are the New Orleans style thin but catfish, all natural burnout burgers, beans and rice, and collard greens. 

This restaurant is hard not to love. The menu offers smoked wings, fried bay scallops, cajun seafood mac, country fried sirloin, and popcorn shrimp. On top of the great food, they also hold fun events and performances there at times. They also offer signature cocktails and ice cold beer. 

“Ordered takeout the night we drove into PCB. Was looking for a good meal to take to the condo. Ordered the appetizer shrimp - blown away how extra yummy it was. Flavor and sauce for days! Get extra bread to dip in the sauce. The smoked wings were excellent! Great flavor. Amazing meal!”–Yelp Review

The Wicked Wheel Bar & Grill isn’t accepting GiftYa digital gift cards just yet, but check here for all the other GiftYa cards available. 

Chili’s Bar & Grill

This chain offers a variety of delicious foods. 

15640 Panama City Beach Pkwy | Panama City | chilis.com

If nothing on this list so far interests you, you can always visit the popular chain, Chili’s. Chili’s is in the business of making customers feel special. When it comes to anything they do, they always make sure to put their guests first. They will make you feel excited to keep coming back for more!

Chili’s is a community oriented restaurant that serves awesome food. If you want seafood, you can find cajun shrimp pasta, chipotle shrimp fresh Mex bowl, and ancho salmon along with other choices. The menu also has margarita grilled chicken, mix & match ribs, and cilantro lime carne asada. They offer a long list of soups, salads, burgers, pastas, and more! 

“It's not often I'm impressed with Chili's because I'm usually in an airport when I stop at one. This  Chili's was very impressive with the quality of food and having Travis as the best server ever. We will definitely come back.”–Yelp Review

Chili’s is accepting GiftYa digital gift cards!  

Panama City is known for its beaches, but its great restaurants are just as worthy of visiting! You can try great local restaurants of many different kinds, or you can go with something familiar. Either way, your time in Panama City is likely to be awesome!