Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Pensacola

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Pensacola? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Angelena's

4.9

4.9 (2173)

$30 and under

Italian

Pensacola

About the restaurant

Angelena's is an Italian concept in Pensacola, Florida.

Chef Gillette’s menu brings creative, Southern touches to classic Italian cuisine. Handmade pastas, thoughtfully prepared vegetable dishes are served alongside an abundance of Gulf seafood. The dining room’s wood-fired oven lends flavor to everything from Neapolitan-style pizzas to meatballs and desserts. Our wine list curates the extensive Italian wine list, highlighting wines from thirteen different Italian wine-growing regions.

Promotions:
APERITIVO HOUR: Monday through Saturday
Enjoy Aperitivo Hour from 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. with half price drinks, excluding bottles of wine. At the bar only.

SUPER TUSCAN TUESDAY: Join us each and every Tuesday night for Super Tuscan Tuesday.
Starting at 4:00 P.M., for dine-in only, enjoy any pizza with a select bottle of Tuscan wine for $25

Top review

Melynda

Dined 2 days ago

This was our first time there. We were there for our anniversary. They have menus for just that occasion, it says happy anniversary on the top, along with a very extensive wine list. Our waiter, Caleb, was amazing. The food was great, I loved the special of the night. My husband’s dish was just as good. We will be going back.

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Popular dish

MARGHERITA

Popular dish

RIGATONI AND MEATBALLS ALLA VODKA

Popular dish

DOPPIO RAVIOLI

Restaurant IRON

4.8

4.8 (2923)

$31 to $50

Southern

Pensacola

About the restaurant

Executive Chef, Alex McPhail has returned to his hometown after 6 years studying under some of the finest chefs in the industry in New Orleans. Taking culinary tips he picked up at Commander’s Palace, Restaurant August & the Roosevelt Hotel, Alex has created a dining environment unlike any other nearby.
Restaurant IRON serves Southern contemporary cuisine fueled by local vegetables and herbs from the creative minds of true Southerners. We aim to bring together fresh local and regional specialties with the finest flavors and ingredients to deliver a dining experience you won't soon forget.

Top review

VinceVIP

Dined 4 days ago

My wife and I were blown away with this place. The shrimp and grits were the best my wife had ever had. I had the fillet which was to die for service and price were amazing.

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Popular dish

"Chicken & Dumplings"

Popular dish

Anise Spiced Duck Breast

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White Truffle Fries

George Bistro + Bar

4.8

4.8 (970)

$30 and under

American

Pensacola

About the restaurant

At George Bistro + Bar, we believe that food is the language of the soul and is at the heart of everything we do. It's communicated through a masterfully crafted menu by Chef George Lazi, exceptional hospitality, and a relatable modern space that exudes Southern charm. We are driven by our passion to create exceptionally humble, ingredient-driven food, coffees and cocktails. Whether it's for a sweet and savory brunch, a light lunch during the workday, or a romantic candlelit dinner - you are always welcome. At George Bistro, you are family.

Top review

Sarah

Dined 5 days ago

Breakfast and service were outstanding. Zach was wonderful and provided a great dining experience for Father’s Day.

The District - Seville Steak & Seafood

4.7

4.7 (2073)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Pensacola

About the restaurant

The District: Seville Steak & Seafood is committed to providing our guests with a unique culinary experience served with warmth, friendliness, professionalism, and above all pride in our product. More than just a steakhouse unique to the Downtown Pensacola Historic District, we strive to turn moments into memories for our guests.
We proudly serve Certified Angus Beef ®, House Dry-Aged Beef, and the finest Seafood available on the Gulf Coast. We are located in the Heart of Pensacola's Premier Dining and Entertainment District.
Join us before or after dinner in our Upstairs Lounge with live music, specialty drinks and appetizers.

We do not take reservations for the lounge . First come is first served.

Top review

Laura

Dined 7 days ago

Delicious food & wonderful service. We loved Kristina!! The FOH staff, from the greeters to the servers to the ones supporting service through clearing, were attentive, gracious, & phenomenal. This place is special.

Drift

4.7

4.7 (1203)

$31 to $50

American

Pensacola

About the restaurant

Join us for dinner and a beachside drinks. Located directly on the Gulf of Mexico, on the second floor, DRIFT is a casual fine dining restaurant serving steaks, seafood, craft cocktails and offering THE best view on Pensacola Beach. Our space features indoor & outdoor seating and full service bars! Join us for our Sunday night Prime Rib Dinner, only $39.95 and check out our Sunset Happy Hour (Bar Only) Wednesday-Sunday for Half Off our specialty cocktail menu plus all appetizers - Sunday 4pm-6pm.

Check out our Chef Specials and come see for yourself why we won Best in Pensacola 2022 for 1. Best Restaurant - Pensacola Beach 2. Best Steakhouse - Pensacola 3. Best Happy Hour - Pensacola and 4. Best Girls Night Out - Pensacola.

Top review

Clinton

Dined 5 days ago

Great food, beautiful views, amazing service. Merigrace was a top notch server. Pork chop was huge, fish was fresh, steak cooked perfectly. Will be back.

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4.6

4.6 (482)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Pensacola

About the restaurant

Voted -Best Locally Owned & Best Casual Dining Restaurant in Pensacola by VIP Pensacola Magazine readers poll.

A small locally owned restaurant where great food is paired with great wine.
O’Brien's Bistro is one of the few restaurants in Pensacola truly owned and operated by the chef!

Our menu items are just some of the flavor combinations we have created. Our kitchen staff will try to accommodate menu changes or requests you may have. Our goal is if the ingredients are on the pages of our menu, we can cook it your way, well, of course, within reason!

Top review

Mike

Dined on Jun 5, 2025

This is Hidden gem! We stopped in Pensacola to break up a long drive. I read the reviews and O'Brians is close to the hotel. We took a chance and were very pleasantly surprised. Wait staff were welcoming and helpful. Food was Excellent.

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Popular dish

Filet Mignon

Brother Fox

4.5

4.5 (236)

$31 to $50

Spanish

Pensacola

About the restaurant

We pay tribute to the rugged individualism of Pensacola’s unique historic cultural significance, specifically its Spanish influence. Real and super-rustic, the kitchen presents Old World cookery at its roots, with all the layers peeled back. Brother Fox utilizes a live-fire approach to cooking almost everything that we serve, from coal-roasted oysters to Carne Asada for two, served with hot tortillas. Our beautiful outdoor seating sets the stage for a casual meet up with friends for a glass of wine from regions near and far, carafes of Bathtub Gin or Sangrias from the bar. Inside, the cuisine and casually elegant design are the embodiment of a “neighborhood” spot that caters to visitors and residents alike, for special occasions, celebrations, and some of the finest wood-fired cuisine in Pensacola. Imagine food with soul, both exciting and traditional, in a breezy setting, right in the heart of Old East Hill.

We are open daily for Dinner at 5pm

Top review

Ash

Dined 2 days ago

Absolutely phenomenal. Kate at the bar was fantastic. My husband and I shared the pan con tomate, ribeye special, little gem Cesar salad and a whole bunch of martinis. Perfection all of it

Emerald Waterfront

4.2

4.2 (67)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Navarre

About the restaurant

The Emerald Waterfront Bar and Grill features meticulously hand-cut steaks, freshly caught seafood, an extensive selection of wines and creative cocktails. All of this is offered in a sophisticated yet laid-back beach atmosphere, complemented by stunning views of the serene Navarre Sound. Perfect for both casual gatherings and special occasions, The Emerald Waterfront Bar and Grill is an essential destination for those looking for relaxation and an unforgettable dining experience.

Top review

Chuck

Dined 3 days ago

Overall very pleasant experience. The atmosphere and food were very good. Service was exceptional. We also enjoyed being able to go outside afterwards for a few drinks. The only negative would be it was our anniversary and a little more private area would have been nice. We were seated right next to another table…like inches away. I did state on my reservation that it was an annivesary.

Beach House Social

4.0

4 (401)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Pensacola

About the restaurant

Savor our carefully crafted and locally sourced dishes at Beach House Social on our hotel property here in Navarre Beach, Florida.

Enjoy handcrafted cocktails and stunning water views by the fire table while indulging in our Award-Winning Cuisine.

Top review

tim

Dined 5 days ago

We are locals and haven’t been here in a while. We love the location because it’s the only Gulf view restaurant on Navarre Beach, but the food has been unpredictable in the past. We were seated outside so the ambiance was perfect. We were under the canopy and even with a hard rain later in the evening, we were dry and cozy. This trip was a very pleasant surprise! Everything was delicious! The menu has been elevated to a higher level with more unique choices. We tried several different items and everything was delicious. The specialty drinks were tasty, all of the appetizers were great and not too much, and the entrees were spot on. I loved my chicken Wellington and my husband is still talking about the Thai Curry Scallops. My daughter and son-in-law ordered appetizers for meals and helped me with my Wellington. Their appetizers were tasty and just enough. Unfortunately we were all too full for dessert. I will definitely be recommending Beach House Social. We will be frequenting it more often now!

Slick Lips Seafood and Oyster House - Pensacola

3.3

3.3 (66)

$30 and under

Seafood

Pensacola

About the restaurant

Slick Lips is a family-friendly seafood and oyster bar nestled in downtown Pensacola.

Top review

Lateisha

Dined on May 11, 2025

The Mother’s Day brunch was amazing! Tim is Great!