An independent, ad-free guide to Destin and the Emerald Coast — built for locals and visitors alike.
Baytowne Wharf, a shopping plaza in the heart of Destin, boasts a spacious kids' playground and several restaurants. It's conveniently located near Choctawhatchee Bay and is part of the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Entry to Baytowne Wharf is free.
$5 Beach Store is a clothing store in Destin, FL.
Destin Parasailing is your hub for water sports on the Emerald Coast. They've got parasailing, jet ski rentals, pontoon boats, dolphin tours, and island cruises from their dock on Harbor Boulevard. Everything's USCG-certified and their boats get inspected daily by captains who know their stuff. Show up 45 minutes early with a photo ID, and you're set. They're open daily from 8am until sunset, and with 4.9 stars on Google from thousands of reviews, people trust them. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a way to keep your phone dry - the water's calling.
An icon of Seaside since 1986, Bud & Alley's serves gulf-to-table cooking from an oceanfront perch on County Road 30A. The menu spans breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bar fare built around fresh Gulf seafood and farm-sourced ingredients, and the rooftop bar is a long-standing draw for sunset views. The setting suits both a casual meal and a special occasion, and the restaurant regularly hosts private and public events. It remains one of the Emerald Coast's most enduring dining destinations.
A locally owned seafood house on Destin Harbor, Brotula's specializes in fresh, locally sourced Gulf seafood and steamed shellfish platters in a setting it calls fun and rustic yet sophisticated. Signature dishes include blackened snapper, pecan-crusted grouper, and heaping steamer platters, with fish arriving daily from regional suppliers. It sits at 210 Harbor Boulevard and shares its roots with sister restaurant Jackacuda's Seafood & Sushi. Expect coastal, New South cooking with a waterfront view.
A Seagrove Beach mainstay since 1995, Cafe Thirty-A offers casual fine dining just east of Seaside on the 30A corridor. The contemporary, eclectic menu shifts with the seasons and is paired with an extensive wine list and craft martinis. The restaurant sees itself as a gathering place built around good food and good company, and it hosts private events and an annual charity ball. Guests may bring their own wine for a corkage fee.
A Parisian-style cafe and bakery born on 30A, Black Bear Bread Co. was created by chef Phil McDonald and restaurateur Dave Rauschkolb in partnership with Stumptown Coffee. The menu centers on house-baked breads and pastries, sandwiches, and craft coffee, available for dine-in or pickup. You'll find locations across South Walton -- Seaside, Grayton Beach, and Grand Boulevard -- plus a separate Bar Room for private events. A loyalty program rewards regulars.
A lively seafood-and-oyster spot in the heart of Grayton Beach, AJ's pairs a wide-ranging menu with a full slate of entertainment. The kitchen turns out seafood baskets, raw and grilled oysters, burgers, fish sandwiches, sushi, and Southern favorites like shrimp and grits, plus steaks off an oak-fired grill. With three bars, two stages, patio seating, and regular live music, it doubles as one of South Walton's go-to nightlife destinations. Weekend brunch and private events round things out, and the vibe stays family-friendly.
“Our family has made countless memories here at the Village of Baytowne Wharf over the years — from the gigantic playground to late evening conversations at the ice cream shop, golf cart rides to the beach and all around Sandestin, farmer's market, and on and on. I can't say enough good things.”
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