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Best Restaurants In Panama City and PCB
Every location on Planet Earth has places to eat. But, now you're at the beach (or you will be soon!)! That's a whole different animal all together. Let's talk about some of the best restaurants in Panama City Florida and PCB.
While there is always the regular fare available, we're now talking the addition of the freshest seafood dishes you're going to find anywhere and things that boast a beachy, tropical, maybe even a Caribbean flair. My mouth is watering just talking about it!
I know I've mentioned it already, but Panama City and Panama City Beach are tourist magnets. People from all over the country come to Florida to vacation and eventually put down roots, and every single one of them have one glaring thing in common: They're human and they have to eat! So, of course, they want something exceptionally yummy to satisfy their tummy.
Personally, I adore seafood! Steamer clams, scallops, crab (Blue Crab is big down here), shrimp, prawns, lobster, and calamari are all at the top of my ocean dwelling list. BUT...I'm not a fan of oysters. I've had them smoked and they weren't too bad, but I eat by texture much of the time. A slimy oyster in a half-shell going down my throat is not a pleasant experience for me!
Maybe you like seafood too. If so, Panama City has you covered, in spades. You'll find some amazing seafood restaurants all throughout the areas. If you don't like seafood, there's room for your type, too, I reckon. 🤣. Maybe you're in the mood for a nice, juicy steak or some loaded nachos. The city can serve it all up to you on a silver platter, with a beach view to boot.
I'm telling you, there is nothing like a great meal and a refreshing margarita, as you relax on an outside deck or patio, watching the sun set over the bay or the ocean. You can hear the steel drums already, can't you? Jimmy Buffett singing in the background? It gives me warm feelings just thinking about it all.
Maybe breakfast, any time of the day or night, is your thing. I hear ya and I'm testifying! Take a look. I have you covered.
I also really enjoy good Chinese food. I have yet to find anyplace around here that serves up my delicious Asian cuisine. I've discovered quite a few places, but they've all been mediocre, at best. Have you found any good Chinese food places in Panama City or Panama City Beach? Tell about it and consider leaving a review.
If you are wanting something quick and casual or even on the fast food side, we have that in abundance as well.
❗ TAKE NOTE ❗
Are you active military or a veteran? A good majority of the restaurants in Panama City and Panama City Beach are proud to honor those who serve or have served with Military Discounts. If you don't see anything about it on their web sites or on their menus, please ask. From me to you, THANK YOU for your service! 🇺🇸
The same goes for Senior Discounts. It never hurts to ask about either one.
So, what are you in the mood for?
Here are some of the local favorites and top-rated Panama City and Panama City Beach restaurants:
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Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville: Located at Pier Park (a great place for the shopping enthusiast) in Panama City Beach, Margaritaville serves up fresh and fun island-inspired food. Ribs, fish tacos, peel-and-eat shrimp, mountains of nachos, burgers, and drinks galore. Sit outside and watch the soothing waves of the Gulf Of Mexico across the way and dig the beach tunes from our own Jimmy Buffett. If for nothing else at all, go there so you can tell all your friends that you ate at Jimmy Buffett's place. Check it out here. |
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Bayou Joes Marina & Grill is located on a choice piece of waterfront at 112A E 3rd Ct, Panama City, FL 32401, right around the corner from Tarpon Dock Seafood Market. With breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the menu, you can choose from their Bayou Baskets of seafood, something from the Captain's Galley, and a lot more. My brother-in-law makes it a habit to stop in for breakfast every weekend. Get more info here... |
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Alice's On Bayview: Located across from St Andrews Marina at 1000 Bayview Ave, Panama City, FL 32401, Alice's is popular with all the locals. Serving up salads, sandwiches, soups, and seafood, the prices are very fair. Read all about it... |
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PoFolks Restaurant: They are locally located at both 339 N Tyndall Pkwy, Panama City, FL 32404 and 400 Ohio Ave, Lynn Haven, FL 32444, Offering up down-home, Southern style vittles, the motif inside and outside screams of Southern hospitality. Just reading their menu will make you giggle. Grandma's fried chicken the locals swear by, kuntry (yes, they spell it that way) fried steak, blackened whitefish, pork chops, sweet tea by the gallon, and more is waiting for you. The heavy gravy is flowing! Located a stone's throw outside Panama City in a little town called Lynn Haven. Find out more... |
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Schooners: You can find them at 5121 Gulf Dr, Panama City, FL 32408. More of a beach club for the dudes and dudettes, Schooners has food, drink, live music, and dancing, inside and outside on the sands of Panama City Beach. It has a lot of character and is a popular place to go. Chicken wings, crab claws, jerk chicken, salads, blackened Mahi-Mahi, and grits are just a smidgen of what they offer. Check out the info... |
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Golden Corral Buffet & Grill: Found at 105 E 23rd St, Panama City, FL 32405. Once again, this is a another place that I had never been to before moving to Panama City, Florida, and I ended up loving it. It boasts a large, all-you-can-eat buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a salad and dessert bar. Although it definitely doesn't have a beachy feeling like some of the others, it does have good food, it's clean, has great service, and offers Senior discounts for us old folks. Get all the info here... |
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Captain Anderson's Restaurant & Waterfront Market: Located at Capt. Anderson's Marina at 5551 N Lagoon Dr, Panama City, FL 32408, and named one of the Top 5 Best Local Restaurants In Florida by Southern Living Magazine, this memorable Panama City Beach restaurant has been serving up steak, seafood, wines, and desserts for over half a century now. The best time to come is for an early dinner so you can watch the local fleet unload the day's catch. Get more info right here... |
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Big Mama's On The Bayou: Located at 620 W Beach Dr, Panama City, FL 32401, the place is highly-rated for it's homestyle, Southern dishes, including fresh fish, fried chicken, beef tips over rice, and everything a good Southern boy or gal would enjoy. They offer up breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but are only open on the weekdays. Good prices and very real, authentic food. I ended up really liking this place a lot. Check out Big Mama's here. |
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Hook'd Pier Bar & Grill: Sitting right next to the Russell-Fields Pier at 16201 Front Beach Rd Ste C, Panama City Beach, FL 32413, across the street from Pier Park in Panama City Beach, you'll enjoy a wonderful view of the Gulf. Sit either inside or outside and grab yourself some fried shrimp, blackened snapper, gumbo, grouper tacos, black beans & rice, hushpuppies, and other goodies. Not a large place and kind of a best kept secret restaurants in Panama City. Check out Hook'd. |
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Pineapple Willy's: Found at 9875 S Thomas Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32408, this place will remind you that you're at the beach at every turn. Island-type food on a good sized menu, live music, an outside eating area that extends a long way out onto the beach, and really cool souvenir cups. Check out Pineapple Willy's right here. |
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FINNS Island Style Grub: Located at 2808 W 12th St, Panama City, FL 32401, they claim their goal is to keep their food "small, fresh, and simple." In my opinion, they do it well. Fresh island fare is what they serve up in island, tiki-style surroundings. Nice water view on the back deck, live music, and cozy. I love their shrimp tacos! Check out FINNS. |
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Hunt's Oyster Bar & Seafood: You'll find them at 1150 Beck Ave, Panama City, FL 32401. When you're in the area, Hunt's is one of the more well-known restaurants in Panama City. Especially popular for their oysters, this is a local favorite. Bring your own fresh catch in and they'll cook it up for you! Get more info here... |
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Runaway Island Beach Bar & Grill: Located at 14521 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32413. Fresh, local seafood with a great view of the Gulf Of Mexico. Also serving up burgers, steaks, fish tacos, soups, salads, sandwiches, and a nice 12 for $12 selection. Click here for more info... |
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Gulf Coast Burger Company: Located in Panama City Beach at 10031 Hutchison Blvd,, this place boasts "The most innovative burgers on the beach." That may very well be true. They definitely have some unique ones, including ingredients such as mac and cheese, fried green tomato, pimento cheese, brown gravy, holy trinity peppers, and a bunch of others. Burgers are also topped with things like chicken wings, pork skin, and mini corn dogs. Their menu also has a lot of other tasty things, and some equally strange milkshakes. Click here for more info... |
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Christo's Sports Bar & Grill: A real place for fun in Panama City Beach! Christo's boasts 25 and counting flat screen TV's, ensuring there's a sports game you'll want to see. Spirits, cold beer on tap, seafood dishes, and well known for some fantastic chicken wings! Click for more info... |
❗ TAKE NOTE ❗
There is something really groovy that some of the restaurants participate in called Hook & Cook. I'm not sure how widespread a thing it is, but I think it's something you should definitely be aware of. Click here to find out all about Hook & Cook.
Before you hit another page on the site, I want to be clear that I don't own the "opinion corner" on the best restaurants in Panama City or the best restaurants in Panama City Beach. I have my opinions, likes, and dislikes, and that is all they are. I'm not Gordon Ramsey. I definitely don't yell as much! It's all subjective and there is no right and wrong. There may be a general consensus among restaurant patrons, one way or the other, but that's all it is.
I Want To Hear About Your Favorite Restaurants In Panama City And PCB...
Now, that said, I want to hear about your favorite restaurants in Panama City and PCB. I'm absolutely sure you have some tales to tell and share with others.
When people are searching for great places to eat, they pay much more attention to real customer reviews and opinions, rather than the fluff that the restaurants themselves puts out. Of course, they're going to put themselves over and tell you that they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. They truly may be awesome, but they aren't going to talk about any of the bad stuff. Customers will though. That's you!
Use the form below to create your very own write-up on the restaurant you love or...otherwise. Tell your side of the story. Where did you go? What did you have to eat? How was the service? The atmosphere? What made it really special...or not so special? Do you have photos? Feel free to add them. Let everyone who is perusing this web site know just what you think! By participating, you're adding value and helping others know what they should look for when searching for something to satisfy both their hunger and their sense of adventure. That's really cool!
Have A Great Restaurant Story To Share?
Would you like to share your dining experience and review of one of the many restaurants in Panama City or Panama City Beach?
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