Best Seafood In Panama City Beach & Panama City

Are you searching for some of the best seafood in Panama City Beach and Panama City? You've hit the right page on the best Panama City and Panama City Beach web site. Of course, I'm a tad biased. You understand. 😁

Panama City, Florida is a coastal city with a rich seafood tradition. From the freshest of fish to absolutely lovely shellfish, there's something for anyone to enjoy who monikers themselves a seafood lover.

Do you enjoy seafood as much as I do? Considering you may not know me too well yet, that's kind of a shot-in-the-dark question. Let me put it another way: I ADORE seafood!

In no particular order, I love:

Shrimp (Both fried and peel-and-eat)
Crab
Clams (Both Steamer and Fried)
Mussels
Scallops
Prawns
Lobster

Those are the main winners in my Seafood Hall Of Fame. I have some minor ones like Shark and Alligator. The only seafood that I've tried that I cannot handle are oysters. 😬 I'm someone who eats by texture and trying to force an oyster in a half-shell down my throat is a big nay nay. I've had a smoked oyster before. It was better than the oysters in the half-shell, but it wasn't anything that thrilled me to my core.

Down here in Panama City and Panama City Beach, oysters are a huge draw though. There are so many seafood restaurants in Panama City and PCB where oysters are their main focal point. I'm not sure exactly why, but to each their own. Maybe there are more people than I think that love oysters and they are simply catering to the crowd.

I'm an eater, not a cooker. I know people who simply love to cook seafood, but not me. Serve it up and I'm all over it. Maybe you can cook for me when you arrive. I'd be forever grateful. And who knows? It might be something I pick up at some point and really end up enjoying. Always try something at least once, right?

As a side note, I am anxious to be more of a catcher: Fishing, crabbing, shrimping. Maybe some clamming. I'll leave the oyster catching to y'all. It's all quite exciting when you have live seafood almost at your doorstep.

If you do happen to be someone who enjoys cooking yourself up some seafood, there are some fine and popular seafood markets in the area. Some people swear by some and others, swear by others. I'll give you the run-down and let you be the judge.

On the other hand, if you only enjoy the fishing without the cooking, there are a number of seafood restaurants that are more than happy to cook up your catch for you. No muss, no fuss!

You can buy fresh seafood from just about any grocers or supermarket around here, but you will want to go for the absolute freshest you can get. Good seafood is nothing to mess around with. If you're going to pay the prices, you're going to want the best someone can offer.

Tips For Buying Good Seafood...

If you're scoping out the best seafood in Panama City Beach (or anywhere else for that matter), of course you want it to taste like it jumped from the sea onto your plate and nothing less...or a pretty close facsimile.

Here are some things to look for when buying fresh seafood from a market:

Check to see if it has a bright and shiny appearance
The scales should be bright, with most of them intact and close to the skin
If it has it's head intact, check that the eyes are bright, clear and full. They should often be protruding. Do you see a loving gaze? 😁
The fish gills should be a nice red color. The color will change the older the fish gets, from red to light pink, grey, and finally a greenish or dark brown. Walk away from the old ones. You should be getting the good stuff you pay for. Am I right?
The odor should be fresh and mild, rather than fishy. Use your best judgement.
Finally, the flesh should be firm and elastic, not separating from it's bone. Don't be afraid to get up close and personal with your fish. 🐟

Seafood Markets In Panama City...

Let me introduce you to the most popular seafood markets in the areas first. These are the ones that the locals swear by and, when asked, will excitedly recommend:

	Tarpon Dock Seafood Market: Located at 234 E Beach Dr, Panama City, FL 32401. A very popular stop for fresh seafood, the locals here in Panama City talk up, big time. Tarpon's has fishing boats docking right behind their store, unloading their catches to the market, every single day. The market is owned by the same people who own Hunt's Oyster Bar & Seafood restaurant, just a hop, skip, and jump away. As with any business, first impressions are everything. The first time I visited, there was only one other person in the market at the time, three employees in front, and, let's just say, I left feeling more of a bother than a welcomed potential customer. Just my two cents worth. Read more here...
	Buddy's Seafood Market: Located at 111 S Hwy 79, Panama City Beach, FL 32413. If you're in the Panama City Beach area, Buddy's makes for a great seafood stop. Either grab some fish from the cases or order off their menu and sit for a spell. They're very proud of their reputation for delivering up some of the freshest seafood in the area. Read more here...
	Shrimp City Seafood Market: Located at 3016 Thomas Dr in Panama City Beach, you can grab yourself fresh-from-the-sea tuna, grouper, salmon, gulf shrimp, and more. Locals and vacationers alike are giving it rave reviews. Read more here...

If you've had experiences at other seafood markets in Panama City and/or PCB, use the form below and share the who, what, why, where, when, and how. Tell us all about it. Other visitors would love to hear from you.

If you're a business, skip the form and hit me up on my Advertise On Panama City Travel Guide page. Let's talk about getting the word out with your own page on the site.

What Are Some Restaurants With The Best Seafood In Panama City Beach And Panama City?

There are many eateries known for the best seafood in Panama City Beach (PCB) and Panama City. Here are a few suggestions:

	The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House: Located right inside Pier Park, in the heart of Panama City Beach, it offers a wide variety of seafood dishes, including fresh fish, shrimp, crab, and oysters. Read more here...
	Bayou Bill's Crab House: Bayou Bill's Crab House is a family-friendly restaurant that specializes in seafood and is located at 23100 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32413. The menu features a variety of crab dishes, including king crab legs, snow crab legs, and Dungeness crab (I consider Dungeness to be the tastiest crab swimming the oceans!). The restaurant also has a raw bar with oysters, shrimp, and crawfish. It is located on the Intra-coastal Waterway and offers stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico. Oh, and they have live gators there, too. 🐊 Read more here...
	Pompano Joe's: Located in the Pier Park shopping center, Pompano Joe's is a casual spot with a lively atmosphere. The menu features a variety of seafood dishes, including fried fish, shrimp po'boys, and crab cakes. The restaurant also has a full bar with a wide selection of beers, wines, and cocktails. Read more here...
	The Shrimp Basket: Found at 12390 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32407, this restaurant is a local favorite and offers a variety of seafood dishes, including shrimp, crab, and oysters. It is located on the Miracle Strip Parkway and offers outdoor seating with nice views of the Gulf of Mexico. Read more here...
	The Grand Marlin Of Panama City Beach: Located at 5323 N Lagoon Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32408, the Grand Marlin is considered to have some of the best seafood in Panama City Beach. It's a very popular restaurant with great ambience. The menu features a wide variety of fresh fish, including grouper, mahi-mahi, and snapper. The restaurant also has a raw bar with oysters, shrimp, and crab. Read more here...
	Dirty Dick's Crab House: Located at 9800 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32407, this is a well-known, popular place for seafood, both among the locals and vacationers. Their tag line is "Seafood with a New Orleans Accent, with nuances of the Chesapeake Bay”. They have a nice sized menu (also serving burgers and ribs), a kid's menu, and it's a fun, family-friendly seafood restaurant. I'd pick up a shirt if I were you. 😁 Read more here...
	Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls: Located right inside the Pier Park shopping area, Mason's serves up Lobster Rolls. Playing second fiddle to the lobster rolls are a few salad and soup options available. They also offer a small breakfast menu. Mason's is pretty spendy, but considering it's Main lobster, that would be expected. If you love the big, red crustaceans, here's a good option.
	J Michael’s: Located at 3210 Thomas Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32408, this popular seafood restaurant in Panama City Beach gets a lot of word-of-mouth praise. Fresh seafood dishes, sandwiches, salads, key lime pie, and they even do the Hook & Cook thing. Read more here...
	Lone Star Boil House & Raw Bar: It's a little Cajun, a little Creole, and is found at 320 W 5th St, Panama City, FL 32401. This is where you can get a good taste of Blue Crab. You'll get your fill of seafood boils, burgers, and tacos, sports on the tele, music, and a fun atmosphere. The locals rave about this place as having some of the best seafood in Panama City.
	Local Steamer Seafood Market: Located at 14656 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32413, this place gets rave reviews. Serving up delcious and fresh boiled seafood platters and a raw bar, you can indulge in crab, shrimp, scallops, and more fresh-from-the-sea goodies. Read all about it.

Here are some general tips for finding the best seafood in Panama City Beach and beyond:

Use a map app to find the closest seafood restaurants to your location.
Look for seafood restaurants in areas with a lot of foot traffic, such as shopping malls, like Pier Park.
Check out online reviews to see what other people have to say about the different seafood restaurants around the areas.
Consider trying the local seafood restaurants, as they often have unique and delicious dishes that you won't find at the big chains. That will be an easy one.

That should be enough to keep you going while you're here on vacation. With so many great places to discover the best seafood in Panama City Beach and Panama City, you're sure to find something to satisfy your cravings.

Now it's your turn! Share your review, experience, and thoughts about a specific seafood restaurant or market in the Panama City areas. Other readers are chomping at the bit to hear from you.