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: 4.8

4.8 (306)

$30 and under

American

714 Howell Rd, Niceville, FL 32578

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 4, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 10 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

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What 306 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
4.9Service
4.4Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Northwest Florida
Best Food
Northwest Florida
Best Service
Northwest Florida
Best Value
Northwest Florida
Good for groups
Northwest Florida
Healthy
Northwest Florida
Neighborhood gem
Northwest Florida
American
Destin
Best Overall
Destin
Best Food
Destin
Best Service
Destin
Best Value
Destin
Innovative
Destin
Good for groups
Destin
Healthy
Destin
Neighborhood gem
Destin
Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails in Niceville is a "hidden gem" offering diverse, flavorful dishes like fish, steak, and pasta. Guests rave about the "fantastic food and service," including the "amazing rolls" and "Baklava Cheesecake." Despite a modest exterior, the "friendly, attentive staff" ensures a memorable dining experience.

306 Reviews

G
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.
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D
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!
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T
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!
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S
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❤️
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H
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!
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S
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!
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P
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!
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R
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
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S
Skip
Memphis / West Tennessee32 reviews
2.0
Dined on April 13, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
My wife and I were excited to eat here after all the reviews we had read. But it was truly a big disappointment. We ordered the banged shrimp and a wedge salad to share which we thought would be a great choice. The shrimp had good taste but we only got 6 shrimp and for $14 we expected a few more. The wedge salad was tasty. On to the main course. My wife and I decided to split the 16 oz. Pork chop. When it arrived at our table it was smothered with a blue cheese sauce which did not agree with either me or my wife. We tried scraping the sauce off but the flavor of the sauce was embedded in the pork. The taste of that sauce pretty much ruined the meal. It was a shame because the pork was cooked correctly. I talked to the manager and ask her to take it off our bill. But she did not , she only took oof $7 off our bill. I did not want to cause a scene so I went ahead and paid the bill. Our server Stephanie was great. It’s too bad the manager wasn’t. Lesson learned.
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R
RJ
Northwest Florida3 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 5, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent food and service. Our favorite place to eat when visiting the area! Delicious cocktails as well!
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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 306 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 4, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 10 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.

Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Dining areas

Additional information

Ask Concierge
AI Beta

Menu

What 306 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

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

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

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information