18 Best Restaurants in Fort Walton Beach, FL [2023 Updated] (2024)

Stomach rumbling in Fort Walton and want it to stop? Have no fear. You’ve found THE list of places to eat here. We’ve got all the addresses and websites too, so if you like what you see, you can find it.

You can check these places out for yourself as soon as you see something you like. Feeling hungry and ready to start? Read on…

Soi Bistro

$$ | (850) 586-7645 | WEBSITE

Fort Walton Beach, the home of seafood, wouldn’t be complete without a sushi restaurant. And this place really completes the area. Locals have eaten here several days in a row.

With its reasonable prices and broad menu, why wouldn’t they? There are plenty of Japanese and Hawaiian classics here, like the life roll and the poke bowl. The staff are also friendly and efficient. They’ll check on you regularly and do everything they can to make your visit the best it can be.

Ali’s Bistro

$$ | (850) 226-4708 | WEBSITE

Full of Italian American classics, Ali’s Bistro is a favorite of many locals. People come back time after time, and say that the quality never wavers. It can be a little noisy at times, but that just adds to the friendly atmosphere.

The spaghetti with sausage, and the lasagne come highly recommended, with people ordering extra to bring home with them. This cute little gem can be a nice change from the seafood that’s on offer in the area.

Buffalo’s Reef

$ | (850) 243-9464 | WEBSITE

This is THE place for wings. There are locals that make a point of going here whenever they’re anywhere near it. You get lots of wings for a low price and a massive choice of dipping sauces.

All of the blue cheese and ranch dipping sauces are made fresh each day, and you can really taste the freshness. It’s so hard to choose just one dish, you’ll have to keep going back for more!

Stewby’s Seafood Shanty

$$ | (850) 374-3765 | WEBSITE

The great thing about this place is that you order it fast and you get it fast. You don’t even have to go in. You just order straight from the window. That’s not to say it’s just take-out.

You can eat inside too. But this way of order makes it easy for you to get your food and enjoy it on a walk along the beach. The food itself is delicious. Delights like shrimp tacos and grilled fish sandwiches with okra for dinner. Classics like key lime pie for dessert. It’s the perfect place for delicious, no-frills seafood.

The Shack- The Original Waterfront Crab Shack

$$ | (850) 664-0345 | WEBSITE

If you love seafood classics from fried oysters to redfish, this is the place for you. Set right by the water, this is the perfect place to enjoy a seafood dinner.

They have excellent service here alongside delicious food, so you’re sure to have a great time. Prices are a little higher than average, but locals attest that the experience is worth the price tag. It’s perfect for an occasional treat by the sea.

Al’s Beach Club

$$ | (850) 226-4100 | WEBSITE

Set below a hotel, Al’s Beach Club can be the perfect addition to a vacation by the sea. They serve all day, so hotel guests and locals alike can have dinner, desserts, or snacks whenever they feel like it.

You’ll also feel welcomed by their super cheerful staff. You’ll be served quickly too. It’s a very child-friendly place to be, with lots of fun things for kids to do. It’s the perfect place for a chilled day by the beach.

Floyd’s Shrimp House

$$ | (850) 243-2232 | WEBSITE

Locals have called this one of the best restaurants on the boardwalk in Fort Walton Beach. And who can blame them? It has a stunning view of the sea, alongside delicious food and considerate staff.

You will also be seated quickly. One patron said that they went with a group of six and were seated quickly. Along with that, the prices are reasonable. It’s a good place to make into a regular haunt.

Old Bay Steamer

$$ | (850) 664-2795 | WEBSITE

Though unassuming from the outside, Old Bay Steamer is the home of some delicious food. The atmosphere is excellent, with live music and the friendly hubbub of conversation. You’ll be served by accommodating waiters and the prices are more than reasonable.

Now let’s get to the food! They do a delicious mix of seafood and all-American classics. A top recommendation is the tuna steak with Caribbean rice and grilled vegetables. You’ll also get decent-sized portions; no one’s going hungry here! It’s a real hidden gem that everyone should try once.

Props Brewery and Grill

$$ | (850) 586-7117 | WEBSITE

The perfect place for a local beer, and a burger. Their fries are excellent too. With its reasonable prices and quick service, Props is the perfect place for a quick bite with friends.

The atmosphere is a little louder than in some places, but it really adds to the brewery feel. Service is friendly and quick too. If you want to order something a little different, they’ll do their best to give it to you. Come here for a casual and friendly time.

Rockin’ Tacos

$$ | (850) 226-8226 | WEBSITE

Rockin’ Tacos has the whole enchilada! Food, scenery, and fantastic service. Their service is so fantastic, that people flock to TripAdvisor to recommend their servers by name. They are friendly, quick, and professional.

As the name would suggest, the food is classic Mexican dishes, with a little seafood to give it that Fort Walton Beach twist. It’s all topped off with their outdoor seating, which gives you a view of the sea where you can watch the dolphins!

Fokker’s Pub

$$ | (850) 244-6666 | WEBSITE

This place is ideal for a casual family night. The staff is so friendly, with a wonderful energy to lift the spirits of even the weariest eaters. There’s a great variety on the menu, from classics like burgers and wings to more traditional German dishes like schnitzel and bratwurst.

Even if you don’t have time for a sit-down meal, Fokker’s does take-out pretty much every night of the year. This is great for a dressed-down meal with close friends.

Clemenza’s at Uptown

$$ | (850) 243-0707 | WEBSITE

The menu here is fascinating. When you hear Italian food, you normally think pasta or pizza. While they are classic Italian dishes, it’s not an exhaustive list. The exhaustive list is the menu at Clemenza’s at Uptown.

You can get all sorts of Italian classics like calzones and tortellini. One customer recommends their tortellini, Italian sausage, and mushroom dish with a side dish of brandy cream sauce. It is to die for. The service is great too. The owner often acts as the hostess, so it’s a real labor of love.

The Boardroom Pub and Grub

$ | (850) 200-4741 | WEBSITE

A strip mall is the last place you’d expect to find a pub. But that’s where The Boardroom is; a hidden gem, waiting to be found. The service is casual and welcoming. There are daily specials of local delicacies, like blackened fish.

It’s expertly cooked and well presented. The wine and beer lists are complete, with an exceptional local IPA on tap. It’s very clean too. The pub is well looked after, just like you will be when you visit.

Neighborhood Cafe

$$ | (850) 243-4211 | WEBSITE

You know this place is good because it’s full of locals. As soon as you order, you can see why. The menu is full of delicious food and drinks. Your food arrives quickly too.

You can order your eggs any way you want them, and they’ll be done to perfection. The coffee is worth raving about. Also, the staff are friendly and efficient. So many people say that their only complaint is that they didn’t find this place sooner!

Magnolia Grill

$$ | (850) 302-0266 | WEBSITE

The Magnolia is a museum that doubles up as a restaurant. While the price tag is a little higher for it to be a regular spot, it’s great for a special meal out. The food is excellent and you get good portion sizes.

You’ll often have enough left over to save for lunch another day. Try to save room for the desserts though. They’re made from scratch in the kitchen, and they’re really worth trying. The wait-staff are charming and will see to your every need. You truly feel at home in a historic house.

High Tide Restaurant and Oyster Bar

$$ | (850) 244-2624 | WEBSITE

This place is old school. You’ll find all kinds of seafood classics here, from oysters casino to gumbo. This is the best place in the area for raw oysters and fresh seafood.

Frequent visitors say that they love the current management and staff. They are very friendly and welcoming. Along with the view, this place is a great location for a meal out with friends. A lot of the locals make a point of taking their friends here every chance they can get.

Rick’s Crab Trap

$$ | (850) 664-0110 | WEBSITE

It’s like visiting a friend’s house! The staff make you feel at home from the moment you arrive. There’s very little they won’t do for you and they bring your food to you promptly too. The food itself is delicious; lots of fried oysters and steamed shrimp.

And, of course, crab. Plenty of crab. All cooked perfectly. But the real star is the key lime pie. With so much to try here at such reasonable prices, Rick’s Crab Trap is a great place to visit.

Thai Town Restaurant

$$ | (850) 863-4003 | WEBSITE

It might be the first time you’ve heard of this place, or you might have heard the great reviews already. You might have been thinking of visiting for a while but you were just looking for a sign.

Well, here’s that sign. There’s a wide variety of Thai food here, and everything is cooked to perfection. Everything for Pad Thai Jai to Tempura Jay, they’ve got all the Thai food you could ask for.

Summary

So there you have it: the 18 best restaurants in Fort Walton Beach. The home of seafood, there’s lots to choose from in the area. And there’s more than just quality seafood; there’s a mix of European and Asian cuisines to suit every taste. Whatever you want, Fort Walton Beach can provide.