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  • Marina Cafe

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Reserve at Marina Cafe

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Marina Cafe
Marina Cafe

Marina Cafe Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Elegant
  • Website: http://www.marinacafe.com
  • Phone: (850) 837-7960
  • Hours of Operation: Dinner Nightly: 5:00pm - 10:00pm

    Don’t miss Happy Hour Monday - Friday in the bar area or out on the waterfront cocktail deck from 5-7pm featuring half-price drinks, sushi and select appetizer menu. You can also come in for our nightly Early Dining Special from 5-6pm, where you can Buy 1 Entrée and Get 1 Entrée, of equal or lesser value, Free. Join us on Mondays & Tuesdays and enjoy our wine bottles at half-price (not available during early dining)!
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Seafood, Steakhouse, Sushi
  • Dress Code: Resort Casual
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Full Bar, Gluten-free Menu, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Private Party Facilities: Marina Cafe, an award-winning restaurant located on the Destin Harbor, is renowned for its sensational food and attentive service. Experience contemporary dining and breathtaking sunsets over the harbor through a thirty-foot window wall in the bar and water front dining room. Waterfront cocktail deck with sensational sunset views.
  • Private Party Contact: Judy Altilio (850) 837-7960
  • Special Events & Promotions: Early Dining: 5-6pm (excluding holidays)
    Available in Dining Room
    Buy 1 Entree Get 1 Entree Free (excluding prime steaks and rack of lamb)



    Happy Hour in Bar or out on the cocktail deck: Monday - Friday, 5-7pm
    1/2 Price Drinks & Sushi



    Wednesday Martini Madness- $6



    Thursday Ladies Night- $2 Drinks

Getting there

  • Parking: Public Lot
A word from Marina Cafe
At Marina Café, it is all about sensational food, attentive service and breathtaking Destin Harbor views. Our award-winning restaurants popularity is evident on any night when Destin’s loyal patrons fill the bar to the brim for happy hour and enjoy the scenery from the thirty-foot window wall.
…
The candlelit dining room envelops you in warm colors, high ceilings and large picture windows overlooking the Destin Harbor. Relax and enjoy our extensive wine collection with over 100 wines that perfectly complement the wonderfully progressive cuisine. With fresh daily seafood selections, prime steaks, pastas, sushi and wood-fired pizzas there is something for everyone at Marina Café.

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Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Overall
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Ambiance
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Food
Diner Reviews
  • "We were celebrating three birthdays and it was wonderful! We were all late due to traffic, but they kept our table by the window overlooking the harbor for 30 min. Our server was attentive, the food was fantastic, and we enjoyed every moment."
    Dined on 7/19/2014
  • "Michael was an excellent server. His recommendations were delicious. The crab meat with eggplant appetizer and redfish dnner were scrumptious. Be sure not to skip the coconut pie!"
    Dined on 7/18/2014
  • "Marina Cafe is one of the best restaurants in Destin. It has been in business for years, and there are good reasons why. The view from the outdoor patio is beautiful, the food is phenomenal, and the service is excellent. I had the seared ahi tuna entree and it was delicious! I grew up in this area, and we come to visit my mom at least once or twice a year. This is a must-dine for anyone visiting, or a great meal for a local when you're looking for a nice place out."
    Dined on 7/17/2014
  • "This restaurant has it all. Great view, beautifully decorated, excellent meal, professional service and a nice wine list. Moderately expensive but worth it."
    Dined on 7/16/2014
  • "Great food & service. Very efficient. Been dining here for 17 years. Gets better each year. Family beach trip is not complete without dining at MC."
    Dined on 7/16/2014
  • "My husband and I celebrated our 1st yr anniversary here and we loved it! The staff was very professional & nice,the inside was so clean and well kept. The only down side was that my braised short ribs lacked flavor & there was more fat than meat,however my husband's shrimp was fantastic, will definitely go back"
    Dined on 7/12/2014
  • "I was somewhat disappointed in the menu.....our grouper cheeks appetizers(ordered 2) were small. Two in our party had the redfish and they said it was good. I had the grouper which was ok...lukewarm and a couple of bones. One had some kind of pasta dish with seafood maybe and the sauce was awful. I cannot remember what the last dish was. We all shared the raspberry sorbet which was delicious. Wine was good....gin and tonic had to be sent back for another....flat tonic I think or awful gin? Atmosphere was mediocre. Had a reservation and still had to wait. We were having a family beach reunion in Miramar and decided to try this restaurant.....probably should have found another one."
    Dined on 7/8/2014
  • "Food was great! Service slow. 40 minutes before even a drink! Will go back though."
    Dined on 7/8/2014
  • "We have dined at Marina Café several times and have had a outstanding experience each time. The Redfish is my favorite fish dish in Destin. We live here and frequent many restaurants. They have a 2 for 1 on dinner entrees from 5-6 which makes the dining experience even better. All tables have outstanding views of the gorgeous Destin harbor. Check out the happy hour each day from 5-7. Great drink and appetizer deals."
    Dined on 7/8/2014
  • "Food and service was good but I ordered Redfish and what I got was not Redfish. It had a good flavor and great set up but I have caught and cleaned and cooked a lot of Redfish, this was NOT Redfish. Actually thought it was chicken. Never seen a Redfish that had a tendon in it. I was told it was farm raised Redfish. Never heard of that."
    Dined on 7/7/2014
  • "Expensive but worth every penny. This is not a tank top and shorts kinds place. Excellent customer service."
    Dined on 7/5/2014
  • "Another great meal!!!! Grouper meals were fantastic and Andy helped choose our Ramey Chardonnay which was excellent. Another great meal at marina cafe!!"
    Dined on 7/5/2014
  • "Been coming here for years. Not a chain restaurant .. Wally the manager is the nicest person. And cares. You must try it."
    Dined on 7/4/2014
  • "My girlfriend and I have been to Marina Café quit a few times and every time we love it even more. We sat at the perfect table overlooking the Destin harbor. We ordered a bunch of small plates and enjoyed each and everyone. Our server was awesome, have had Brice once before and he is a great guy. We will be back can't wait."
    Dined on 7/3/2014
  • "The service, food and price were excellent!! Would make this a must dine when in Destin, FL."
    Dined on 7/2/2014
  • "8:30 reservation, didn't get seated till 9. No offer for a free drink, app., desert, etc. Not even an apology. It was suggested that we have a drink at the bar while we waited. Martinis are $5 every Wednesday. We ordered two martinis and were told, after they were made, they didn't qualify for the special. Thanks for the heads up. Instead, the drinks were WAY OVERPRICED. Someone else in our group ordered a martini and the bartender acted like he didn't know it was $5 martini night. Bartender was clueless (or worse), to say the least. Waiter was pleasant and attentive. He made suggestions on the menu and was generally very good. Food was good, waiter was good, but the "front" of the house was a joke. Wouldn't go back as a result."
    Dined on 7/2/2014
  • "Great food and service. They really make you feel welcome. One of our favorite restaurants!"
    Dined on 7/1/2014
  • "We arrived at 5:30 and had the 2 for 1 entrees The red fish was the best I had ever had. Make a reservation and sit by the windows for a harbor view. Our server was Richard and did a great job. Highly recommend the marina cafe"
    Dined on 6/29/2014
  • "Being first timers in Destin we weren't sure we'd find an upscale restaurant. Marina Café was it! Promptly greeted & seated with a nice round table for group of 8. Not sure they are used to serving many kids here, may be due to the price. We were thrilled to hear the positive comments about our grandkids, how they ordered, what they ordered & their great behavior. We were assured we needed to order everything at one time to keep the kitchen delivery on time; however, there was quite a delay between the salads & main course. It was worth the wait. Most of our diners chose nice steaks & with this being primarily a seafood restaurant we weren't sure what to expect. They were outstanding! Grouper & red fish dishes were equally nice!"
    Dined on 6/28/2014
  • "The food was quite expensive for the amount of food. Our scallop appetizer was like $14.75 or so and had 2 scallops. But it was pretty tasty. The view is nice. It's right on the harbor. I didn't like that they had tables outside but didn't allow for outdoor seating. I don't know if they do during certain times. Also, all the staff, from the wait staff to the management to the people who clean the tables, seemed quite rushed. Maybe they were understaffed on the night we went, since all the other reviews rave about the service. We had everything we needed, but they didn't stand at our table 1 second longer than required to drop a drink and run off again. Overall though, I would eat her again."
    Dined on 6/27/2014
  • "We had two dishes. One (the grouper) was not good, it had bones and was a very small portion. The other was the seared tuna and was delicious, but also was on the small portion side. The waiter was very nice although he had a lot of tables to attend to. We like this restaurant and will return."
    Dined on 6/27/2014
  • "The food was good but very small portions. The price was not."
    Dined on 6/26/2014
  • "Enjoyed our total experience at the Marina Café. I had the grouper and my spouse had the 16 oz NY strip. Both dinners were prepared to perfection and were presented well. Service was exceptional. Our server was very familiar with the menu and provided great advice and descriptions of the various menu items. Wonderful view of the water. Great evening out in Destin. Recommend getting reservations."
    Dined on 6/25/2014
  • "Thus place was great! We were seated promptly by courteous staff. We ordered a variety of items and EVERYTHING was delicious! Will definitely be back."
    Dined on 6/24/2014
  • "We came to Destin for vacation and I took my wife here for our 1 year anniversary. I had made a reservation and we were greeted with a "Happy Anniversary" when we got there. Our waiter (Jeff) was amazing! He had reccomendations for anything we asked him about. He reccomended the redfish and it was ridiculously good! Decor was very romantic. My wife kept saying she didn't want the meal to end and she agreed it was the best we had ever had. Not a good place to take kids, it would ruin the experience for others. Overall a very enjoyable experience."
    Dined on 6/22/2014
  • "Excellent food, service, and location. Went there three times during vacation week."
    Dined on 6/22/2014
  • "All around great place for a nice dinner on the water!"
    Dined on 6/21/2014
  • "Was reluctant to try this restaurant with the several bad reviews lately. I should have stuck with my instinct. I orderd the grouper with bur blanc sauce, this was the blandest dish I have ever eaten. My son ordered the ahi tuna and was also disappointed at how spicey this meal was, he could not finish this dish. I am under the impression that there is no chef in the kitchen, just a bunch of cooks churning out tired recipes."
    Dined on 6/20/2014
  • "Took my wife here for a nice dinner. We were running about a half hour late and they kept our reservation for us; the traffic in that area is horrible. My wife had lobster, I had a fillet, both cooked perfectly. I would recommend, but if you are worried about spending money, a restaurant like this is not for you; dinner for two was about $150.00. We will be back!"
    Dined on 6/19/2014
  • "Soggy overcooked pasta dishes. Overcooked, overpriced Grouper entree that failed to meet expectations. The dinner salads and dressings were very good."
    Dined on 6/17/2014
  • "Good place for a romantic dinner. This was our second dining experience. Both times the host, which was the same both times, was very impressive! The food was delicious!!"
    Dined on 6/17/2014
  • "I was in destin during Father's Day and the kids and I wanted to treat my husband to a nice dinner. This place was perfect. The good was great. The portion sizes just right and our Tweens even enjoyed it immensely. Will dine there again."
    Dined on 6/15/2014
  • "Each dish (we had 5) except the fish special was missing something. The $49 steak was over cooked (ordered med rare), the pasta was lacking in taste/sauce, the calamari was not fresh and taste fishy. The server was nice enough to speak with the manager (not at our request) and they provided a free dessert, but considering the price of this restaurant I expected a lot more. All of that said, our server was excellent."
    Dined on 6/15/2014
  • "Went at the suggestion of urbanspoon- was the best meal we had all vacation. We actually made reservations at 10, not knowing they closed at 10. Staff was very accommodating, patient, and very attentive. Beautiful restaurant, wonderful food, and romantic ambiance. It was perfect."
    Dined on 6/14/2014
  • "Me and my wife dined here for our 9 yr. anniversary and the food was wonderful."
    Dined on 6/11/2014
  • "Chose Marina Cafe because of Trip Advisor rating & was not disappointed. We were celebrating a friend's retirement & it was the perfect place for that. Very recommended for a relaxed, quiet dinner for adults. Not really a young kid place unless early dinner or kids are older. Food was excellent as well as drinks. Would definitely return!"
    Dined on 6/11/2014
  • "While on vacation, we were looking for a place to have a great meal and happened upon Marina Cafe. Mentioned as one of the top ten places to eat, on the I Love Destin website, we decided to give it a try. The location was beautiful, the decor tasteful and simple, service was impeccable and the food was outstanding! Our waiter was very knowledgeable of the menu items and was able to help us choose the perfect meal. We will be back next time we're in Destin!"
    Dined on 6/10/2014
  • "The food and service was excellent. We chose the 5:00-6:00 time period for the half-price meal deal. Our party of seven had not all arrived by our reservation time, so we choose to enjoy a half-price beverage in the bar. We were then promptly seated when our full party came in and enjoyed the variety of menu offerings. We chose the Arugula salad to start the meal. The fish of the day and creole shrimp were fresh and cooked to perfection. The pork ribeye's were also a hit. The water view is outstanding and the desserts chosen, coconut cream pie and cinnamon ice cream, were the perfect cap off to the evening."
    Dined on 6/10/2014
  • "We were visiting the destin area and wanted a nice resturant with a view. We hit a home run with Marina Cafe. Fresh fish that was nicely prepared. Chris our waiter gave us excellent suggestions and service. Thanks to the bartender who made us a Patti martini"
    Dined on 6/9/2014
  • "Great location with beautiful views of the harbor. The menu offers plenty of choices for the pickiest of eaters. We had a vegetarian, pescetarian, omnivore, low carb, and we were all able to find food that we loved. "
    Dined on 6/7/2014
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Diners' Choice Awards
  • Northwest Florida Winners
  • Best Overall
  • Best Ambiance
  • Outdoor Dining
  • Romantic
  • Most Booked
  • Destin Winners
  • Best Overall
  • Best Ambiance
  • Best Food
  • Best Service
  • Fit for Foodies
  • Romantic
  • Special Occasion
  • Most Booked
Learn more ›