Restaurants, shops and signs along the road in Panama City Beach, seen from above
Things to do

Restaurants in Panama City Beach

Seafood is on most of these menus, from Pineapple Willy's tables over the beach on the old pier (dinners $24 to $38) to Capt. Anderson's on North Lagoon Drive, open since 1967. We list 14 restaurants with what their own websites say: sample prices, hours, reservations and kids' menus. We don't rate them. Many don't take reservations.

Pick a restaurant
Checked November 2, 202614 restaurantsPrices from their menus

Panama City Beach, January 2017 · Photo: Royalbroil / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credits

The short answer

Where to eat for what you want

Reservations: Saltwater Grill (on OpenTable) and Margaritaville take them. Pineapple Willy's, Schooners, Hammerhead Fred's and The Wicked Wheel don't, and Capt. Anderson's takes none for dinner.

Prices are examples from each restaurant's online menu on November 2, 2026; the menus don't say whether tax is included. Hours can change by season, so check before you go.

Food allergies: Pineapple Willy's online menu filters dishes by allergen, including gluten, but the restaurant says it can't guarantee any dish is free of allergens. Saltwater Grill marks gluten-free dishes with GF on its menu. Margaritaville marks dishes it can make gluten-free. Capt. Anderson's has a separate gluten-free menu. Tell your server about allergies before you order.

  • Eat with your feet almost in the sandPineapple Willy'sTables over the beach on the old pier; kids welcome in the pier bar.Ribs $28, grouper $38
  • A big seafood dinner on the lagoonCapt. Anderson'sOn the water on North Lagoon Drive since 1967; no dinner reservations.Prices on its PDF menu
  • Steak, seafood or sushi at dinnerSaltwater GrillBook on OpenTable.Filet $57
  • Barbecue by the poundBack Beach BarbecueTexas-style barbecue, open from 7 am.Brisket $27 a pound
  • Donuts before the beachThomas Donut & Snack ShopOpen 6 am to 3 pm, since 1971.Prices not published
On the beach

On or by the beach

Of these restaurants, only Margaritaville's website mentions dogs: leashed, well-behaved pets are welcome on its patio. Ask the others before you bring a dog. Pier Park, where Margaritaville is, has a free parking lot, according to the restaurant.

  • Pineapple Willy's

    Address9875 South Thomas DrivePrices on the menuIsland nachos $17, mahi-mahi BLT $20, BBQ ribs $28, grilled grouper $38; kids' meals (12 and under) $9

    Good to know: On the historic pier over the beach. Daily 11 am–10 pm, may change by season. No reservations; within one mile you can join its online waitlist on Yelp, when the waitlist is open. Parking is for diners only. (850) 235-0928

  • Schooners

    Address5121 Gulf DrivePrices on the menuPrices are on the menu images on its website

    Good to know: Right on the beach; a cannon fires at sunset every evening. Opens daily at 11 am; closing time differs across its pages. No reservations. 850-235-3555

  • Runaway Island

    Address14521 Front Beach RoadPrices on the menuCaribbean chicken $25, Runaway grouper $45, Big Kahuna platter $58; kids' meals (12 and under) $11

    Good to know: Two floors and a deck with a boardwalk to the beach. Weekend lunch Saturday and Sunday 11 am–3 pm; other hours not published. 18% gratuity for 6 or more. 850-634-4884

  • Margaritaville

    AddressPier Park, 16230 Front Beach RoadPrices on the menuPrices only in its PDF menus

    Good to know: In Pier Park, across Front Beach Road from the beach, with upper and lower decks overlooking the Gulf. All ages at all times; dogs on a leash on the patio. Takes reservations. Its pages give two sets of hours: Sunday–Thursday 11 am–9 pm or 11 am–10 pm, Friday–Saturday 11 am–10 pm or 11 pm. (850) 235-7870

Seafood on Thomas Drive

Around the Grand Lagoon

Thomas Drive and North Lagoon Drive, where many boat tours leave from the lagoon marinas, have several seafood and Cajun places.

  • Capt. Anderson's Restaurant

    Address5551 North Lagoon DrivePrices on the menuPrices are in its dinner menu PDF and a text version linked from its menu page; separate children's and gluten-free menus

    Good to know: Waterfront on North Lagoon Drive, 725 seats, since 1967. Monday to Saturday from 4:30 pm, closed Sunday; open 11 months a year. No dinner reservations. (850) 234-2225

  • Hammerhead Fred's

    Address8752 Thomas DrivePrices on the menuMahi tacos $16.95, grouper sandwich $18.95, redfish $25.95; kids' meals $9.95Good to knowCajun-inspired seafood and live music. Hours not published; no reservations at the moment. (850) 233-3907

  • Billy's Oyster Bar & Crab House

    Address3000 Thomas DrivePrices on the menuPrices not published

    Good to know: Oysters raw, steamed or baked, and steamed Gulf shrimp; eat inside or on the deck, near Capt. Anderson's Marina. Lunch daily 11 am–3:30 pm, dinner 4–9:30 pm. Kids' menu (12 and under). 850-235-2349

  • Dat Cajun Place

    Address2705 Navy Boulevard, says its website; the tourism office gives 2705 Thomas DrivePrices on the menuGumbo from $8.99, boudin balls $14.99, Fish Orleans from $17.99, shrimp and lobster grits $23.99; kids' meals from $6.99

    Good to know: Cajun restaurant with seafood, po'boys and a full bar. Monday to Friday 11 am–10 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am–10 pm, per its website. (850) 588-5314

Boat tours from the lagoon

Dinner out

Steaks, seafood and sushi

  • Saltwater Grill

    Address11040 Hutchison BoulevardPrices on the menuBang bang shrimp $17, prime rib $39–$46, 8 oz filet mignon $57; kids' meals $12

    Good to know: Seafood, steaks and sushi, with a large aquarium. Monday–Thursday 4–10 pm, Friday–Saturday 4 pm–midnight, Sunday 10 am–10 pm with brunch. Reservations on OpenTable. 850-230-2896

Casual

Burgers, barbecue and baskets

  • The Wicked Wheel

    Address10025 Hutchison BoulevardPrices on the menuBurnout burger $15, smoked wings $17, backfire shrimp $18, lump crab cakes $28; kids' meals $7–$9Good to knowSouthern bar and grill. Daily 11 am–10 pm. No reservations; the bar is 21 and over; 18% gratuity for 6 or more. (850) 588-7947

  • Back Beach Barbecue

    Address19714 Panama City Beach ParkwayPrices on the menuBrisket $27 a pound, brisket sandwich $14, spare ribs $18 half rack or $34 full; kids' meals $4–$5Good to knowTexas-style barbecue; beef ribs Friday and Saturday only. Daily 7 am–8 pm, breakfast 7–10 am. (850) 249-0822

  • Shrimp Basket

    Address12390 Front Beach RoadPrices on the menuThe chain's website advertises a family meal deal from $75; single prices not publishedGood to knowGulf seafood chain, steps from the beach. Daily 11 am–8 pm; kids' menu (10 and under). 850-563-7836
Breakfast

Donuts and brunch

Back Beach Barbecue also serves breakfast from 7 to 10 am.

  • Thomas Donut & Snack Shop

    Address19208 Front Beach RoadPrices on the menuIts menu doesn't list pricesGood to knowDonuts since 1971, sold from a window, with picnic tables on a deck. Daily 6 am–3 pm; 3% fee on credit cards. 850-234-8039

  • Andy's Flour Power Cafe & Bakery

    Address2629 Thomas DrivePrices on the menuPrices not published

    Good to know: Bakery, breakfast and brunch. Monday–Friday 7 am–2 pm; weekend brunch 7 am–2 pm with live jazz 9 am–1 pm; kids' menu (10 and under). (850) 230-0014

Bars and live music