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Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails, Niceville, FL

Basil and Baxter's Kitchen & Cocktails

4.7
4.7
215 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

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 9 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

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, 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

What 215 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Northwest Florida

    Best Overall

  • Northwest Florida

    Best Food

  • Northwest Florida

    Best Service

  • Northwest Florida

    Best Ambiance

  • Northwest Florida

    Best Value

  • Northwest Florida

    Great for brunch

  • Northwest Florida

    Kid-friendly

  • 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

    Good for business meals

  • Destin

    Good for groups

  • Destin

    Healthy

  • Destin

    Neighborhood gem

215 Reviews

  1. MattD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great service from Tiff. Food was amazing. We just sat close to the kitchen so the noise was a little high but not enough to distract from conversation. We love the place, the food, and the service!

    Is this helpful?

  2. OpenTable Diner

    Tallahassee

    8 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on September 20, 2023

    overall1food2service2ambience2
    Never been more disappointed in a reservation than I am tonight. Against my better judgement I booked this restaurant for my 2 year anniversary on the recommendation of friends (dated it appears). I booked a 6:15 reservation notating anniversary. We show up at 6:15 on the dot after parking down the block. After waiting a few minutes a “host” comes to the stand and just stares at me. I greet her and say we are here for a reservation. “Sorry we don’t have any tables do you want to sit in the bar?”. Fine. We get sat in a nice looking bar area but the poor bartender had 9 tables and a full bar to serve. It is so loud. We order drinks and the shrimp beignets come. I ate 2 of the 6 pieces which contained no shrimp. Finished our drinks and left. Will not be back. Unfortunately can not recommend.

    Is this helpful?

  3. OpenTable Diner

    Tallahassee

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Good service and well prepared food. Grouper was a little overdone. Pleasant atmosphere.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Meat10

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Great food and the kitchen staff and manager are always on point and friendly. The noise level is high for my liking.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Buzz

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    First visit, plan to return. Grouper was fresh, a good portion, not over cooked and delightful. It was a Saturday Night and as would be expected at a good restaurant, full house. Highly recommend.

    Is this helpful?

  6. VickiH

    Tallahassee

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our first time and we enjoyed our dinner. Isabella was a delightful waitress. We plan on returning to try breakfast in the near future.

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  7. AlmaP

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    Excellent food and service. Food tasted fresh and quick.

    Is this helpful?

  8. OpenTable Diner

    Miami

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience3
    As in many other restaurants, they are lacking an adequate number of servers. Service was slow. Food was very slow coming to the table. Our server seemed overwhelmed. We felt “abandoned” often. Food is good; I wish I could say great. Cost vs quality is a toss. We really like this restaurant, wish the service last night was better.

    Is this helpful?

  9. KathyK

    Tallahassee

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellence as usual! Even though they were shorthanded there was disruption of service. Always smiles!

    Is this helpful?

  10. DwightH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Never disappoints. Food delicious. Highly recommend.

    Is this helpful?

  11. Dawn

    Tallahassee

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on August 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is our new favorite place to go. My husband and I have gluten allergies, and they offer many delicious gluten free entrees. Everything we have ordered has been amazing and the staff is really friendly!

    Is this helpful?

  12. Bonnie

    Tallahassee

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 5, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience2
    Food and service are great, music is way too loud. We found ourselves almost screaming at each other just to have a conversation over dinner with friends. Restaurants these days turn up the music way too loud; it’s like noise pollution. But again, the food is very good and the service was exceptional.

    Is this helpful?

  13. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had a great time celebrating a birthday with friends! Good snd service was excellent as always! Our favorite restaurant!

    Is this helpful?

  14. JudyR

    Tallahassee

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 2, 2023

    overall3food2service4ambience4
    The food was awful. The service was good. For our first visit it was disappointing.

    Is this helpful?

  15. KathyK

    Tallahassee

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was outstanding. The service was outstanding. We have never been in Basil & Baxters when the food wasn't excellent. Definitely will go again!

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  16. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    First time at this local restaurant for brunch! Service was great, and the food was outstanding. We will be back.

    Is this helpful?

  17. OpenTable Diner

    Tallahassee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great location. Super service and the food was well presented and prepared.

    Is this helpful?

  18. OpenTable Diner

    Charleston

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on July 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was Incredible and the staff was incredible .

    Is this helpful?

  19. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Awesome meal as always! Great service! Basil & Baxter’s is always consistent and wonderful! Highly recommend!

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  20. MeekW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    We were visiting the area! Great food, no complaints!

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  21. CherylV

    Tallahassee

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is the cutest hidden gem! The food was fantastic, the drinks tasty and the staff very friendly. We went for bunch but Will definitely be visiting again for dinner.

    Is this helpful?

  22. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on June 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Easy reservations with out of town guests. Something for everyone, excellent tastes, interesting and refreshing cocktails.

    Is this helpful?

  23. OpenTable Diner

    Tallahassee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great service and food. Great local place to take visitors.

    Is this helpful?

  24. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, suburb service, first time there… cocktails were out of this world!

    Is this helpful?

  25. RhondaS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service, great food and great atmosphere. Only negative…a little loud. Very friendly staff. Give them a try, you won’t be sorry.

    Is this helpful?

  26. SusanH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 18, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    The food was great…had to wait a little bit for Buffett to be replenished but wasn’t that bad. Service was slower than we have had in the past. Overall a good experience.

    Is this helpful?

  27. OpenTable Diner

    Baton Rouge

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food! So glad we stumbled upon this place!

    Is this helpful?

  28. OpenTable Diner

    San Antonio

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is a place where, if I lived here, my family and I would easily become regulars. You walk in and immediately know it’s going to be a great experience. Cute, quaint and feels like family. The chefs greeted us the moment we walked in with smiles as they worked their magic in the kitchen. Staff was friendly, drinks were great and the food was amazing. There’s passion and soul in that kitchen and it shows through what they’re serving up. 10 out of 10! The only negative is we live 11 hours away. Will definitely be back next time we visit!

    Is this helpful?

  29. Jstrross

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food, atmosphere and server Rachel were all excellent. Can’t wait to come back!!

    Is this helpful?

  30. DonP

    Pinehurst

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on June 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had Brunch at Basil and Baxter’s. What a wonderful experience. The food was fabulous, the staff were outstanding and everything was just perfect! One of our favorite restaurants! ❤️❤️❤️

    Is this helpful?

  31. NVborn

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always great food. Anything wrong they fix it with great attitude (our fish and sauce came out cold). Only happened once…we have eaten there dozens of times. Only complaint was the rock and roll music was too loud and the same song kept playing over and over again. I mentioned it to waitress..she fixed it immediately. Always great service!

    Is this helpful?

  32. OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on June 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food and service. A bit pricey, but worth it. I would dine here again.

    Is this helpful?

  33. OpenTable Diner

    Cincinnati

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on June 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Best food we have had since arriving to the Destin area, hands down. Everyone in our party was impressed and loved the food. So fresh, flavorful and perfectly presented and prepared. Cheryl took excellent care of us too. We will be back!

    Is this helpful?

  34. OpenTable Diner

    Tallahassee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Such a quaint and relaxing atmosphere. The service was impeccable and friendly. The food is over the top delicious!!! We live about a mile away and anytime we have traveling guests staying, we love to bring them here!!!

    Is this helpful?

  35. DianeR

    Phoenix

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The shrimp and grits were absolutely delicious!! We will definitely go back again.

    Is this helpful?

  36. OpenTable Diner

    Tampa

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We went there for brunch and the food and service were excellent!

    Is this helpful?

  37. DonP

    Pinehurst

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great evening with wonderful food which was gluten friendly. The bonus was the excellent wine tasting. One of our most favorite restaurants to go to in Niceville. Highly recommend Basil and Baxter’s.

    Is this helpful?

  38. JenS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    What perfectly conceived, planned and flawlessly executed event ! Such a wonderful experience. I wouldn't change a thing and hope they decided to hold another wine tasting and pairing evening!

    Is this helpful?

  39. OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great fresh seafood, tender steak, wonderful service

    Is this helpful?

  40. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    One of our favorite spots. Food is always awesome, good wine selection.

    Is this helpful?

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily

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 4.7 stars by 215 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 9 times today

Order delivery or takeout

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
    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, 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.
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