Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails

Name: Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails
Address: 714 Howell Rd, Niceville, FL, United States, 32578
Telephone: (850) 678-2604
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.9

4.9

144 Reviews

$30 and under

American

Top Tags:

Locally owned and operated.. We have a unique menu blending American cuisine with a touch of creole. Lunch varies from our popular shrimp & grits, to our delicious and filling $9.99 specials like bourbon chicken or sweet n sour chicken, to a fresh beef burger. Dinner provides a daily special on our blackboard often offering local grouper or steak, or consider our dinner menu with salads, pastas, steaks and unique entrees. Brunch on Sunday offers a la carte menu, buffet from 9am till 130pm, along with $10 bottomless mimosas. We also have a full bar with a great wine list.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 4, 2022

7:00 PM

Booked 17 times today

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
American, Steak, Seafood
Hours of operation
Tue–Sat 11:00 am–8:00 pm
Phone number
(850) 678-2604
Website
http://basilandbaxters.com/
Payment options
AMEX, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Michael Swett
Catering
Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails offers a wide variety of catering along with our food truck. Please contact the restaurant directly for more information.
Private party facilities
Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails can host your next private event for parties up to 45 people. Please contact the restaurant directly for more information.

Location
714 Howell Rd, Niceville, FL 32578
Neighborhood
Destin
Cross street
Between Government Ave. & Kelly Rd.
Parking details
Parking available in private lot across the street.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Shrimp Beignets$9.79
Sauteed shrimp, corn & peppers cooked in our homemade beer batter served with aioli
Fried Mozzarella$7.49
Won-ton wrapped and fried served with our homemade marinara sauce & topped with parmesan cheese
Baxter's Bangin Shrimp$7.99
Fried shrimp, tossed in our homemade sweet chili sauce and served over mixed greens topped with chives
Aioli French Fries$5.99
Hot & crispy french fries topped with chipotle aioli, bacon and chives

Salads & Soup

Shrimp Bisque
Our signature creamy shrimp bisque with roasted onions, corn & peppers
- Cup$5.99
- Bowl$9.99
House Salad$5.99
Mixed greens, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers & shaved carrots served with your choice of dressing: chipotle ranch, citrus sesame, honey jalapeno, balsamic vinaigrette or blue cheese
Soup & Salad
Shrimp bisque served with a mixed green house salad with tomato, shaved carrot & cucumber served with your choice of dressing: chipotle ranch, citrus sesame, honey jalapeno, balsamic vinaigrette or blue cheese
- Cup$8.49
- Bowl$12.49
Jerk Chicken Salad$9.99
Mixed greens, tomatoes, and mandarin oranges served with chipotle ranch
Fried Chicken Salad$9.99
Mixed greens, tomatoes, bacon & onions served with chipotle ranch dressing
Chicken Banana Salad$10.99
Baby spinach, grilled bananas, mandarin oranges & pecans served with citrus sesame dressing
Chicken Corbin Salad$11.99
Mixed greens, tomatoes, mandarin oranges, feta cheese, pecans & bacon served with citrus sesame dressing
Fried Shrimp Salad$12.99
Baby spinach, tomatoes & bacon served with honey jalapeno dressing
Mediterranean Steak Salad$12.99
Baby spinach, tomatoes, kalamata olives and feta served with tzatziki & balsamic vinaigrette

Pastas and Lunch Plates

Shrimp Etouffee$12.49
Sauteed shrimp simmered in our spicy sauce served over basmati rice
Blackened Chicken Alfredo$12.99
Blackened chicken served over our creamy parmesan sauce with penne pasta
Blackened Chicken Jambalaya Pasta$12.99
Blackened Chicken & sauteed andouille sausage served in our spicy but not that spicy sauce over rotelle pasta topped with chives
Grilled Chicken Pasta$12.99
Garlic, onions, & bacon cooked in a creamy tomato, garlic & bacon sauce over Penne pasta topped with parmesan and chives
Mediterranean Chicken Pasta$13.99
Grilled chicken served over sauteed spinach, kalamata olives & tomatoes in a cream sauce over rotini pasta topped with feta cheese
Shrimp & Grits$12.49
Sauteed shrimp, andouille sausage & bacon in our homemade gravy served over cheddar & pepper jack grits

Sandwiches, Burgers & Hoagies

Served with one choice of side potatoes, french fries or side salad. Dressings include; chipotle ranch, honey jalapeno, balsamic vinaigrette, citrus sesame or blue cheese

Grilled Chicken Sandwich$7.99
Grilled or blackened chicken, mixed greens, tomato, & aioli on a toasted brioche bun served with one choice of side
Blackened Catch Sandwich
Blackened catch with mixed greens, tomato & aioli on a toasted brioche bun served with one choice of side
- Market Pricing
Fried Shrimp Sandwich$12.99
Fried shrimp, mixed greens, tomato & aioli on a premium toasted hoagie & one choice of side
Roast Beef Melt$11.99
Thin sliced roast beef with melted provolone cheese on a premium toasted hoagie with au jus & one choice of side
Grilled Sausage$8.49
Grilled premium sausage, sauteed onions, mixed greens, tomato & aioli served on a premium toasted hoagie
Boudin Sandwich$9.99
Grilled boudin, andouille sausage, sauteed onions & peppers mixed together then topped with provolone cheese, mixed greens, tomato & aioli on a premium toasted hoagie served with one choice of side
Basil's Burger$10.99
1/2 lb of seasoned ground beef served with mixed greens, tomato & aioli on a toasted brioche bun served with one choice of side

Kids

All kids meals are served with a beverage

Grilled Cheese$4.99
Grilled texas toast with cheddar cheese served with one side
Chicken Tenders$6.99
Fried chicken tenders served with one side & choice of dipping sauce
Kids Marinara$4.99
Homemade marinara sauce over rotini pasta topped with parmesan cheese served with a warm roll
Kids Alfredo$6.99
Penne pasta served in our creamy parmesan sauce topped with more parmesan served with a warm roll
Fried Shrimp$8.99
Hand Battered Shrimp served with one side

Sides

Green Beans
Mandarin Oranges
French Fries

Daily Lunch Specials

$9.99; Monday - Saturday

Bourbon Chicken
Rice, bourbon sauce, provolone cheese and salad
Jambalaya Chicken
Rice, jambalaya sauce, green onions and salad
Sweet N Sour Chicken
Rice, sauteed veggies, sweet n sour sauce and salad
Mahi Nantua
(Add $2) Rice, shrimp bisque and salad
Baxter's Chicken Salsa
Sauteed veggies, salsa of the day and salad (Mahi add $2)

What 144 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.9Food
5Service
4.7Ambience
4.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Northwest Florida
Best Overall
Northwest Florida
Best Food
Northwest Florida
Best Service
Northwest Florida
Best Value
Northwest Florida
Great for brunch
Northwest Florida
Good for groups
Northwest Florida
Neighborhood gem
Destin
Best Overall
Destin
Best Food
Destin
Best Service
Destin
Best Ambiance
Destin
Best Value
Destin
Innovative
Destin
Neighborhood gem
Destin
Romantic
Destin
Lively

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d
dineroftheyear
Atlanta
34 reviews
vip
5.0
34 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic brunch spot!
CJ
CynthiaJ
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 24, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience5
Holiday cocktails and the special entree were wonderful Great evening & looking forward to future visit
J
Johnathan
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 23, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience4
Great food (fresh ingredients), excellent hospitality!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Tallahassee
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The waitress was awesome. The shrimp étouffée was beyond outstanding. They had several large parties in at the same time as us, but we didn’t wait for our food and our server took exceptional care of us.
n
nadine
Chicago
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on November 6, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent service, delicious food at very reasonable price ,huge portion, and beautiful ambience. Try the brunch menu. They also have a small brunch buffet. I didn't use the buffet but it looks good too. Love this place! Will return many more times.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fresh salad and grouper was perfect. I like the sauce on the side and they do it just right.
JR
JasonR
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 23, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was an amazing experience for my girlfriend's birthday. They treated us so well and the food was amazing.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Excellent food!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Nashville
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
What a great find! Food was great, service was too - food was a limited menu and everything we ordered was great! Highly recommend!
JA
JeanneA
Tallahassee
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Delicious meal. Waitress very friendly and helpful. Table located in quiet corner so we could talk.
GG
GinaG
Houston
24 reviews
vip
5.0
24 reviews
Dined on September 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
What a gem. Everything was absolutely outstanding! The service was super attentive. I had the grouper panhandle and my husband had grouper with grouper nantua Both were delicious and generous in size. Prices are reasonable as well. Cocktails were creative and delicious. The exterior is very deceiving. Give it a try. You won’t be sorry. Highly recommend this place.
VP
VanessaP
Tallahassee
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 7, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience5
Delicious food, as always. Excellent presentation with attentive staff. Thank you.
QV
QualityVacaGuru
Tallahassee
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Basil and Baxter’s was a delightful change from the overpriced, now somewhat mediocre food in Miramar Beach restaurants. It was a nice change to take the 20 minute drive to Niceville and get away from the overcrowded, high priced restaurants. The food was delicious and the service was even better! Ashley was our waitress and she was awesome! Highly recommend!
M
Marcus
Tallahassee
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on August 31, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We enjoyed our first experience… wait staff great, menu offered a generous variety. Met friends that had been there before … enjoyed the company! We’ll be back!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Atlanta
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 28, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent as always.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was outstanding! Everyone enjoyed their meals. Fresh, perfectly cooked grouper for all! Wait staff wonderful!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Richmond
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful place to eat. Everything on the menus is delicious! And priced just right ! Exceptional service.
CM
CharlieM
Tallahassee
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on August 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
The bar made us a whiskey sour and a dirty vodka martini, they were great. The waitress was the best that we have had in quite awhile. She gave us great advice and helped us to select our dinners based upon our questions. We loved this place!
CR
CindyR
Baltimore
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 24, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We’re so glad we choose Basil and Badger’s for dinner. We celebrated my dads birthday with a party of 7. We ate salads, steak, fish, pasta. Everyone enjoyed their dinner. Definitely better than some of the restaurants listed on the Destin “best” lists. Worth the drive, and don’t be turned off by the outside. Would recommend!
DD
DeeDee
Tallahassee
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on August 12, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
The food was very good and fresh. The side salad was a generous portion served with a warm dinner roll. All three people in my party enjoyed their meal. The portions for each meal were generous and everything was nicely prepared with an appealing presentation. Some of the dishes on the menu are reasonably priced. Others are a bit pricy. I live about 45 minutes away. I would dine there again if I was in Niceville at dinner time, but I’m not sure I would make a special trip for a return visit. However, the food was very good and Basil and Baxter’s is certainly worth a try.
BC
BarbC
Tallahassee
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 6, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Thank you Amber for making Chelle's Birthday dinner so great. The food was great and the Berry Sangria was so yummy. We all had a great time!!
BT
BettyT
Cleveland
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on July 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is a little bit of a drive from Destin back across bridge but so worth it. Food and service excellent, my husband dies over size of his steak my grouper was over the top
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on July 24, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience4
Great food, excellent service, quite loud
SK
ShonK
Birmingham
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 23, 2022
overall5food5service3ambience5
Our 4th time eating at this little gem of a hide-a-way! We did choice to sit in the back 'high top' bar area, and we will not do that again, the service is as not great. But do not discount how amazing the food was--PERFECT!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Tampa
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on July 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was a great experience. Food and service were excellent. Large portions.
DM
DanM
Orlando
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on July 13, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic Grouper! Everything we got was awesome!
SB
SteveB
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 10, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great place, good food. Noisy….good service. Yes, would eat there again.
PW
PlaysWithFood
Tallahassee
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 10, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Reservations are a must for Sunday Brunch! Pros: excellent service, very reasonable prices, high quality ingredients, and mostly delicious preparations. Everyone we interacted with was terrific! We will go back!
RO
RobertO
Birmingham
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 6, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience4
We had an amazing dinner with our friends. Food was among the best we’ve ever had!
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
My wife and I had a wonderful time. Food was great. Service was fast and polite. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu. We had her pick our starters and main course. She didn’t steer us wrong.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Tallahassee
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined on June 26, 2022
overall3food3service4ambience3
The food was pretty good. Fish and grits was great. Bourbon chick was delicious. The shrimp beignets were delicious. My only complaint was that the mashed potatoes that came with the pork chops tasted very sour. Almost like they used bad milk or cream in them. It really kind of ruined the dish. Aside from that I feel the food was authentic but very expensive.
RL
RobertL
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
We have had several Sunday Brunches at B&B. The menu is simply outstanding, and the food and service are likewise outstanding. I gave it a minor hit on Ambieance since it is not on the water, but for value, service and overall excellence, it is as good as anything in Destin.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 18, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Father’s Day
MG
MarkG
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Pleasantly surprised as it doesn’t look like much from the outside. Had the NY strip steak and it was delicious. Wife enjoyed her shrimp pasta. We will be back often.
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Outstanding food and service!
n
nadine
Chicago
14 reviews
vip
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very cozy ambience. Excellent service (Gracie is very courteous and attentive), and delicious brunch that is also reasonable in price. We'll definitely return to try put the dinner menu. The draft beer list looks very interesting.
DG
DianaG
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 13, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Basil & Baxter has been put on our list of top restaurants to dine. The food is absolutely delicious and fresh with a New Orleans flair, nice wines to choose from, and the service is outstanding. We highly recommend.
DB
DeltaBob
Orlando
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Had a nice Mother's day brunch. Had reservations, seated right away. Had a server in training, she was good, not great Bottomless mimosas refilled when needed. Food came within a reasonable time, considering the day and time. Wife had shrimp and grits and was happy with it. I had the skillet and it was very good. Although some home-made bread would have added a lot to the meal.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Their brunch buffet is fantastic!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Tallahassee
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing food. Big portions to go with the price. Will come back.

FAQs

Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails is rated 4.9 stars by 144 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 4, 2022

7:00 PM

Booked 17 times today

Google Map for Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails

714 Howell Rd, Niceville, FL 32578

Additional information

Cross street
Between Government Ave. & Kelly Rd.
Neighborhood
Destin
Hours of operation
Tue–Sat 11:00 am–8:00 pm
Cuisines
American, Steak, Seafood
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Parking available in private lot across the street.
Payment options
AMEX, MasterCard, Visa
Executive chef
Michael Swett
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://basilandbaxters.com/
Phone number
(850) 678-2604
Catering
Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails offers a wide variety of catering along with our food truck. Please contact the restaurant directly for more information.
Private party facilities
Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails can host your next private event for parties up to 45 people. Please contact the restaurant directly for more information.

Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails

Make a reservation

Additional information

Grouper Nantua

Local Gulf Shrimp &amp Grits

Shrimp Beignets

Starters

Shrimp Beignets$9.79

Fried Mozzarella$7.49

Baxter's Bangin Shrimp$7.99

Aioli French Fries$5.99

Salads & Soup

Shrimp Bisque

House Salad$5.99

Soup & Salad

Jerk Chicken Salad$9.99

Fried Chicken Salad$9.99

Chicken Banana Salad$10.99

Chicken Corbin Salad$11.99

Fried Shrimp Salad$12.99

Mediterranean Steak Salad$12.99

Pastas and Lunch Plates

Shrimp Etouffee$12.49

Blackened Chicken Alfredo$12.99

Blackened Chicken Jambalaya Pasta$12.99

Grilled Chicken Pasta$12.99

Mediterranean Chicken Pasta$13.99

Shrimp & Grits$12.49

Sandwiches, Burgers & Hoagies

Grilled Chicken Sandwich$7.99

Blackened Catch Sandwich

Fried Shrimp Sandwich$12.99

Roast Beef Melt$11.99

Grilled Sausage$8.49

Boudin Sandwich$9.99

Basil's Burger$10.99

Kids

Grilled Cheese$4.99

Chicken Tenders$6.99

Kids Marinara$4.99

Kids Alfredo$6.99

Fried Shrimp$8.99

Sides

Green Beans

Mandarin Oranges

French Fries

Daily Lunch Specials

Bourbon Chicken

Jambalaya Chicken

Sweet N Sour Chicken

Mahi Nantua

Baxter's Chicken Salsa

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Sort by

Filters

FAQs

How is Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails restaurant rated?

Is Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information