Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Pensacola

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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 (2192)

$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

Bill

Dined 3 days ago

Our waiter, Lee, was as usual very helpful, courteous and professional. Our meals were excellent, and the wine and cocktail were most enjoyable. I highly recommend Angelena's for a nice, pleasant and delicious dining experience.

Discover more

Popular dish

MARGHERITA

Popular dish

RIGATONI AND MEATBALLS ALLA VODKA

Popular dish

DOPPIO RAVIOLI

The Grand Marlin of Pensacola Beach

4.8

4.8 (7408)

$30 and under

Seafood

Pensacola

About the restaurant

The Grand Marlin Restaurant features a inside main dining area with a shuck to order oyster bar, exterior North Drop Bar overlooking the beautiful Santa Rosa Sound, and private event rooms. This Pensacola Beach restaurant, with an air of island casualness, serves the highest-quality cuisine, including the freshest local seafood featured on menus designed and printed daily to take advantage of the local bounty. The atmosphere creates a fusion of the Caribbean and the Pensacola Bay Area. Our Chefs have a passion for great-tasting food and particularly love working their culinary magic with fresh Gulf Coast seafood. Beach-goers feel comfortable in shorts and flip-flops on our North Drop patio, or a night out in the Main Dining room. The Grand Marlin has a space and atmosphere for all occasions and is looking forward to creating an authentic experience between time and tide.

Top review

StephenVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent as always. Consistently the best on the beach. Thank you! 🇺🇸

Discover more

4.8

4.8 (2942)

$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

Aline

Dined 4 days ago

Perfect food !!!ambience perfect and the chef so perfect

Discover more

Popular dish

"Chicken & Dumplings"

Popular dish

Anise Spiced Duck Breast

Popular dish

White Truffle Fries

Jackson's Steakhouse

4.8

4.8 (3777)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Pensacola

About the restaurant

Jackson’s Steakhouse procures only Midwestern grain-fed beef from the heartland of America. The Proprietor’s Cut and fresh, local seafood are hand-selected and artistically prepared to perfection. Jackson’s great steak cuts stand tall with the superb flavor of wet-aged beef that is like no other thanks to the culinary creations of Executive Chef Irv Miller.

Top review

Shannon

Dined 3 days ago

Great service and high quality dining for special occasions.

George Bistro + Bar

4.8

4.8 (994)

$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

Savannah

Dined 6 days ago

George’s is consistently excellent. Great food and even better service.

The Union Public House

4.7

4.7 (1690)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Pensacola

About the restaurant

UPH is a crafty southern pub where it all comes together. 36 East Garden St.

Top review

Johanna

Dined 3 days ago

Beets sslad, tuna tartare, duck and watermelon margarita were awesome!!

Discover more

The District - Seville Steak & Seafood

4.7

4.7 (2086)

$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

John

Dined today

Great place to go to , we loved the atmosphere and the food and service.

Drift

4.7

4.7 (1225)

$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 4pm-6pm. We do our best to honor table requests but cannot make guarantees.

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

HelenVIP

Dined today

I had the seabass it was cooked to perfection. I will definitely go back. I enjoyed the view too

Discover more

4.4

4.4 (247)

$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

Tim

Dined 4 days ago

great food and service we will definitely be back

Emerald Waterfront

4.1

4.1 (79)

$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

Phil

Dined 3 days ago

This was a perfect dining experience from start to finish. Our waitress Brianna was stellar!! What a bright ray of sunshine!! The food was amazing and served hot and fast. Drinks were perfect! All the staff were great. Thank you Brianna for a splendid evening!!

Explore Diners' Choice best of Pensacola

Explore more Diners' Choice lists