Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails, Niceville, FL

Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails

4.8 (308)
$30 and under
American
714 Howell Rd, Niceville, FL 32578

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 12 times today

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Good for groups
  • Great for creative cocktails
Locally owned and operated in the heart of Niceville, Basil & Baxter’s offers a warm, inviting atmosphere with a chef-driven menu. Led by Chef Amber, we feature fresh Gulf seafood, hand-cut steaks, and creative American cuisine with a Southern twist. Our chalkboard specials highlight seasonal ingredients and local catches like grouper and shrimp. Open Monday through Saturday from 4 to 9 PM, we also offer a full bar and curated wine list—perfect for a relaxed dinner or special night out.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Steak, Seafood
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Sat 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (850) 678-2604
  • Website
    http://basilandbaxters.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Amber Galkowski
  • Catering
    Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails offers a wide variety of catering. 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, Happy Hour, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Ask Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 308 people are saying

Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 5.0Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Northwest Florida

    Best Food

  • Northwest Florida

    Best Service

  • Northwest Florida

    Best Value

  • Northwest Florida

    Innovative

  • Northwest Florida

    Good for groups

  • Northwest Florida

    Healthy

  • Northwest Florida

    Neighborhood gem

  • Northwest Florida

    Great for fine wines

  • Northwest Florida

    American

  • Destin

    Best Overall

  • Destin

    Best Food

  • Destin

    Best Service

  • Destin

    Best Value

  • Destin

    Good for groups

  • Destin

    Healthy

  • Destin

    Neighborhood gem

  • Destin

    Great for fine wines

  • Destin

    Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails is a "true hidden gem" offering "consistently fantastic food, drinks, and service." The menu is diverse, with standout dishes like Shrimp & Grits, and the rolls are "to die for." Despite a modest exterior, the "friendly and efficient" staff ensure a delightful dining experience.
308 Reviews

  1. Tom

    San Francisco Bay Area1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As always, the food, service and atmosphere were all excellent. Just the right amount of variety on the menu.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Linda

    Mobile2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We really enjoyed our dinner tonight! Great atmosphere and the food was super yummy! We will be back!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Greg

    Washington, D.C. Area3 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 25, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Food was excellent but it was close to 80 degrees in the back room. Really don’t expect to be hot like that at a nice restaurant. The front seating area was much more comfortable, but we didn’t get to choose our seats.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Debbie

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 18, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    What a gem of a find in Niceville! Basil & Baxter’s menu is diverse enough to please any palate; fish, steak, pasta and chicken dishes for dinner. Plus salads and much more. Loved the Shrimp & Grits. The staff were bustling, working hard as a great team. Everyone is welcoming, pleasant and friendly. We will be back!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Todd

    Columbus13 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Took the family while on vacation and the meal was excellent! Everyone commented that it was the best meal of our trip!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Sherri

    Little Rock7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 31, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was very good, the rolls were amazing, the service courteous! Super close to VPS airport and will definitely be back❤️

    Is this helpful?

  7. Hope

    Northwest Florida1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was incredible! Everyone in our group of six had something different and it was all good! The rolls are to die for! They came to the table hot and ready to eat. We got the mozzarella sticks and the marinara sauce that came with it was the best! My steak was cooked perfectly and the broccolini was tender and tasty. I wish they were still open for lunch!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Sandy

    Northwest Florida4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Consistently fantastic food, drinks, and service. Highly recommended!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Paul

    Northwest Florida2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food and service is consistently exceptional! Highly recommended!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Ronnie VIP

    East Tennessee26 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 26, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    From the outside when you park, your hopes are dashed, because the outside looks like a drive by burger joint, but when you get the courage to enter you will be treated to the pleasure of a well prepared meal…fish ,chicken, or beef. Our dishes were absolutely excellent . We drove an hour to eat here, because of the Open Table award, and the next trip to Florida, we will do it all over again. If you are anywhere near Basil’s, go; I mean really go. You will not regret it! Ron from Tennessee

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (850) 678-2604.

Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails is rated 4.8 stars by 308 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Northwest Florida
  4. Destin
  5. Destin

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 12 times today
Google Map for Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails

714 Howell Rd, Niceville, FL 32578

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Between Government Ave. & Kelly Rd.
  • Neighborhood
    Destin
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Sat 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • 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, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Amber Galkowski
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, 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. 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.
Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Our sites
Businesses
  • Restaurant Management Solutions
  • Restaurant Reservation Software
  • Restaurant Marketing Software
  • Restaurant Event Software
  • OpenTable For Restaurants
  • OpenTable For Restaurant Groups
  • Restaurant Resources
  • OpenTable Pricing & Plans
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2025 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo