Diners' Choice: Great for scenic views restaurants in Northwest Florida

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking restaurants that have the most scenic view 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 Grand Marlin of Pensacola Beach

4.8

4.8 (7265)

$30 and under

Seafood

Pensacola

About the restaurant

The Grand Marlin Restaurant features a main dining area with a shucked to order oyster bar, exterior North Drop Bar overlooking the beautiful Santa Rosa Sound, and private meeting 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. Executive Chef Gregg McCarthy has a passion for great-tasting food and particularly loves working his culinary magic with fresh Gulf Coast seafood. Boaters and beach-goers feel comfortable in shorts and flip-flops at the oyster bar, in the dining room and at the North Drop Bar. 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

Katherine J

Dined 4 days ago

Perfect venue for our anniversary celebration! Atmosphere, amazing food and service! Love the location on the beach!😊

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The Grand Marlin of Panama City Beach

4.8

4.8 (4988)

$30 and under

Seafood

Panama City Beach - Bay Point

About the restaurant

The Grand Marlin Restaurant features a main dining area with a shucked to order oyster bar, exterior North Drop Bar overlooking Grand Lagoon, and private meeting rooms. This Panama City 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 Panama City Beach Area. Corporate Executive Chef Gregg McCarthy has a passion for great-tasting food and particularly loves working his culinary magic with fresh Gulf Coast seafood. Boaters and beach-goers feel comfortable in shorts and flip-flops at the oyster bar, in the dining room and at the North Drop Bar. 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

Mariah

Dined 3 days ago

We come every year for our anniversary and always have an amazing experience. Highly recommend!

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4.7

4.7 (1081)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Destin

About the restaurant

Beach Walk Café, known as the “Most Romantic Dining Experience in Destin,” is located inside the Henderson Park Inn where guests enjoy unobstructed views of the Gulf overlooking more than a mile of the world’s most beautiful and secluded beaches with spectacular sunset views.

In this idyllic private setting Beach Walk Café features an intimate atmosphere with dining available inside, with a cozy fireplace and magnificent views of the coast and outside on the verandas of the Inn overlooking the emerald waters of the Gulf. A favorite with locals and tourists alike, Beach Walk Café is known for its meticulous service, innovative cuisine and a stunning, unparalleled view.

Reservations are recommended. Please note, all diners at Beach Walk Café must be 13 or older. If there is inclement weather, your outside seating reservation is subject to alteration or cancellation.

Top review

PaulVIP

Dined 3 days ago

I love this restaurant. I visit it at least twice every Destin visit.

Drift

4.7

4.7 (1177)

$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

AnnVIP

Dined 2 days ago

This was a first experience of dining here for all four of us. I had heard it was good but this exceeded my expectations. The service was outstanding. Merigrace was very attentive and her suggestions were delicious. The view is incredible and the atmosphere just lovely. A special place to have dinner and I will definitely be back when in town.

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Grilled Lamb Lollipops

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.

Vue on 30a

4.6

4.6 (2537)

$50 and over

Contemporary Southern

Santa Rosa Beach

About the restaurant

Since opening their doors in 1971, Vue on 30a has showcased one of the most sought after, panoramic dining experiences on the Gulf. Under the visionary leadership of Executive Chef Christopher Mayhue and Executive Sous Chef Dalbert Hughes, Vue's menu is set to elevate the dining experience to new heights, reflecting the unique character and tastes of the 30A community and the ultimate southern coastal cuisine experience. Vue on 30a’s menu showcases the restaurant’s commitment to supporting local farmers and suppliers while reflecting the community's tastes and preferences. Favorite dishes include: House Smoke Tuna Dip, "Niceville Hot" Chicken Sandwich, NOLA Style BBQ Shrimp, Southern Style Fish and Shrimp and Warm Bread Pudding. These dishes, along with other updated favorites, are a testament to Vue on 30a’s dedication to delivering a dining experience that is both comforting and innovative. Vue on 30a continues to be a “Most Booked” restaurant at OpenTable.com.

Top review

Ellen

Dined 2 days ago

Every time I am in town, The Vue is our special lunch place. Rosemary was delightful today.

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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.

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.

Solstice Oceanfront Bar + Grill

3.8

3.8 (42)

$30 and under

American

Panama City Beach - Bay Point

About the restaurant

Located within the stunning Springhill Suites Panama City Beach beachfront hotel, Solstice Oceanfront Bar +Grill offers a delightful dining experience with breathtaking views of the Emerald Coast. Indulge in handcrafted cocktails and savor a selection of delectable bar bites or dive into our array of mouthwatering entrées. With daily specials to surprise and delight, Solstice Oceanfront Bar + Grill is the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the coastal ambiance. Join us for an unforgettable culinary journey where the flavors are as refreshing as the ocean breeze.

Top review

Lauren

Dined on Mar 19, 2025

The food and service were excellent here! We loved the quinoa bowl, smash burgers, and the jalepeno chicken! Great atmosphere especially if it’s chilly out to smart a window seat so you can enjoy looking at the beach. Great service too!

SALT

3.8

3.8 (96)

$30 and under

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Pensacola Beach

About the restaurant

Salt offers a welcoming haven where people come together to enjoy fresh from the Gulf cuisine and share in the joy of good company. Inspired by the vibrant flavors and rich cultural traditions of the Mediterranean, our dishes are created from scratch using the freshest and most flavorful ingredients available.

Top review

Julie

Dined on Apr 11, 2025

We had impeccable service. Our server was attentive and very helpful with suggestions/questions. Her knowledge and experience was obvious with her very descriptive responses. Our food was very good. The ambiance was OK, it sounded like a cafeteria due to the open floor plan and open access to the hotel lobby. Loud roller carts going up/down the corridor adjacent to the booth seating was distracting. But, in a city full of similar fried food menus, Salt offers more variety with salads, non-battered seafood and veggies. Their menu was exactly what we needed.

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