Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Northwest Florida

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining in Northwest Florida? 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!

The White Marlin and Oysterette

4.7

4.7 (476)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Port St. Joe

About the restaurant

We are accepting reservations to make your experience the most pleasurable. The White Marlin is a magnificent beach front steak and seafood restaurant that boasts a selection of seafood with a longstanding commitment to offering top quality ingredients from local fisheries up and down the coast of Florida. Freshness is our only priority working directly with fishermen and farmers, to bring you the most amazing fresh catches and beef there is to offer. With an ethos of spotlighting ingredients first, The White Marlins menu features simple preparations executed to perfection to allow quality to take center stage. We have two dining options for our guests experience between the more casual and lively Oyster Bar and patio to the traditional Main Dining Room. The Main Dining Room possesses classic and sophisticated warmth, is adorned with sharp accents throughout the room and plush seating lends the ideal setting for celebratory dinners or just a simple night on the town.

Top review

Karen

Dined 3 days ago

There were 3 of us and we each ordered something different. Everyone’s meal was delicious. Our server, Jonah, was very knowledgeable about the menu and was attentive but not overly attentive- just perfect. The restaurant is beautiful and the view is amazing.

Mezcal Mexican Grill

4.6

4.6 (253)

$30 and under

Mexican

Miramar Beach

About the restaurant

Mezcal Mexican Grill at The Seascape Towne Centre serves an upscale menu paired with a full-service bar, top-shelf tequilas and local live entertainment

Top review

PaulVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Great service at the bar. Order came out extremely fast and was cooked perfectly.

The Wharf Fish & Oyster Company

4.5

4.5 (48)

$30 and under

Seafood

Pensacola Beach

About the restaurant

The Wharf Fish & Oyster Company is Pensacola Beach's premier dining destination, offering an elevated yet approachable experience that features waterfront views and flavors of the Gulf Coast.

Top review

WendyVIP

Dined on Apr 28, 2025

This was a great place to spend my birthday dinner! The fish and chips were amazing - I don’t love seafood but the cod was incredible. They also had great drinks and surprised me with a yummy birthday cake.

The Owl Cafe

4.3

4.3 (113)

$30 and under

American

Apalachicola

About the restaurant

In the heart of downtown Apalachicola, the Owl Cafe offers a River City dining experience like no other. Sensational appetizers, delicious entrees and incredible desserts are prepared and served by an attentive staff. The menu is varied and colorful, with daily chef’s selections ranging from exotic imported dishes to fresh, locally-caught seafood. The amazing wine list is as full of character as Apalachicola itself, and delivers the perfect complement to every meal.

Top review

Susannah

Dined on Apr 27, 2025

We dined at the Owl on our 6 month wedding anniversary weekend for Brunch 4/27. We sat on the balcony and it was a perfect day filled with the smells of the fresh honeysuckle blooming. The service was excellent. We had the Crab Cakes Benedict and a Breakfast Sandwich which were both delicious. We are always in search of who has Hanson Vodka, which is amazing and they had everything we wanted. Bloody Mary with Hanson Habanero, Screw Driver with Hanson Mandarin and an Espresso Martini for dessert with Hanson Espresso Vodka. Excellent experience. We will definitely be back. Thank you.

Café de Martín

4.2

4.2 (83)

$31 to $50

Peruvian

Tallahassee

About the restaurant

Café de Martín (Mar-teen) brings the flavors of Peru to Tallahassee! The man behind the restaurant is Chef Martín, originally from Lima, Peru. He has marked his influence in Leon County's Hispanic community for his outstanding Peruvian cuisine. With Peru always in his heart, Chef Martín continues to lead Tallahassee's gastronomic revolution with new culinary additions serving Peruvian classics such as Papas en salsa Huancaina, Pastel de Choclo, and Aji de Gallina to name a few. In addition, to the classics, the Café highlights many coffee drinks. Peru: a country of great culture, beautiful climate, tasty food, and delicious coffee right here in our Capitol City. Sabe a Peru!

Top review

Lynndsey

Dined on Apr 16, 2025

We sat on their beautiful patio which has such a fun vibe! Our server Thomas was wonderful, and our drinks and dinners were delicious! They made our friend’s birthday celebration extra special. We all had a wonderful time and will be back soon!

The Back Porch Bay

4.1

4.1 (86)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Panama City Beach - Bay Point

About the restaurant

The Back Porch takes tremendous pride in serving Gulf Seafood to its guests. If it lives in the Gulf, you will most likely find it on our menu. Our seafood is delivered daily and it is handled with great care from the minute it arrives at our door to the time it arrives at your table. Our standards are high and it shows in the presentation and flavor of every seafood dish we serve.

Top review

Debra

Dined on Apr 23, 2025

Oysters, twice baked potato, and slaw were very good. Grouper was a little thin and overcooked, but the sauce moistened it and it was delicious. It was noisy, but a fun place to go.

Pompano Joe's - Panama City Beach

4.0

4 (488)

$30 and under

Seafood

Panama City Beach - Bay Point

About the restaurant

Pompano Joe's takes tremendous pride in serving Gulf seafood to its guests. If it lives in the Gulf, you will most likely find it on our menu. Our seafood is delivered daily and it is handled with great care from the minute it arrives at our door to the time it arrives at your table. Our standards are high and it shows in the presentation and flavor of every seafood dish we serve. We're a neighborhood beach place where you can "savor the flavor" of the Islands!

Top review

LAVETT

Dined on Apr 26, 2025

We were seated within 5 minutes of our arrival. Our server was friendly and very accommodating. She provided excellent service.

Señor Frog's - Panama City Beach

3.9

3.9 (36)

$31 to $50

International

Panama City Beach - Bay Point

About the restaurant

Señor Frog’s is known for spreading its party ambiance and good humor. It has already become a staple for offering the perfect mix of fun and flavor. It is a restaurant to have a good time accompanied by family and friends while enjoying yummy dishes and drinks always served with a smile, surrounded by a fun and cheerful atmosphere.

Top review

Paul

Dined on Apr 12, 2025

Good carne asada, served either on a sizzling fajitas platter and served on a regular plate. The only difference besides the sizzling platter seemed to be the peppers served with it. The corn tortillas were excellent. Only complaint is that everything costs extra, including chips and salsa, which are less than mediocre anyway. Chips have no salt and the salsa is not good, so I would not get these again.

Slick Lips Seafood and Oyster House - Baytowne

3.9

3.9 (50)

$30 and under

Seafood

Miramar Beach

About the restaurant

Derived from the nickname given to Amberjack who don’t have any teeth, Slick Lips is a family-friendly seafood and oyster bar nestled in the picturesque Baytowne Wharf. With a key concentration on fresh ingredients, locally caught fish, and an assortment of fresh oysters, prepare to be hooked on this prime dining spot! Slick Lips is now officially OPEN!

Slick Lips Seafood & Oyster House is in Baytowne Wharf – so spread the word! Property owners and guests of the Sandestin resort are already loyal regulars here. Turn north off Hwy 98 and the guard gate will issue you a pass. Once inside, follow the signs to Baytowne Wharf. We are located down the main strip heading towards the harbor. See you soon!

Top review

George

Dined on Apr 23, 2025

Good and service were great. Somewhat loud but this is a restaurant on a vacation spot that caters to family. This is the third or fourth time we’ve eaten here in this year (this is a vacation spot!). I’ve said earlier this would not have happened if not for them now taking reservations. Slick Lips has been here for a while and we didn’t go because I refuse to wait in line. Reservations make this a thing of the past. We will be back.

The Crazy Lobster Destin

3.3

3.3 (658)

$30 and under

Seafood

Destin

About the restaurant

Looking for a place to fuel up with drinks and fresh or fried seafood, find your feast today overlooking the beautiful Choctawhatchee Bay at Poppy’s Crazy Lobster. Share a Steamed Seafood Bucket with your pals, or satisfy your own appetite by keeping it all to yourself—a 2-lb. lobster, snow crab, shrimp, clams, mussels, corn on the cob, potatoes, and sausage all seasoned to pure perfection. Taste some of our New Orleans’ favorites like Crawfish étouffée, jambalaya, gumbo, and red beans, or our local specialties such as blackened Redfish, pan seared Amberjack or lobster fettuccine. The signature drinks and full service bar will keep the good times Rollin; Poppy’s Voodoo Juice, an all-time favorite and refreshing tropical cocktail. Live music keeps the restaurant hopping nightly with a variety of musicians and local talents

Reservations made through Open Table will only be held for up to 15 minutes

Top review

AlannahVIP

Dined on Apr 27, 2025

10/10 Seafood and atmosphere!! If you’re looking for views and good seafood, this is the spot. Lots a great shops on this location too

Discover more

Explore Diners' Choice best of Northwest Florida