We're on the way to Sandestin for a few days and need restaurant recommendations. We usually go to Louisiana Lagniappe at least once. We went to Dewey Destin's last time, but I wasn't too impressed. Long wait for mediocre food. I don't mind eating at a hole in the wall dive as long as the food is good. Whatcha got???

Edit: needs to be kid friendly.

Red bar in Grayton beach

Neither of these are in Sanddestin, but worth the drive:

Red Bar for Drinks

Old Florida Fish House for the best steaks and seafood anywhere in the area. Off the beaten path and not near as bad of a tourist trap as the Red Bar.

X2 on the Old Florida Fish House

I like chow Bella's pizza.

For take out Jordanos Pizza is the best on the coast!

If you're not looking for seafood, head to Mcguires Irish Pub in Destin. Right before the bridge to Okaloosa Island, can't miss it. Great food and in house brewery.

I really like Kenny D's near destin. They have good cajun food, good gumbo.

Boshamps, you will not be disappointed. It is run by the children of the previous Flamingo Cafe and is in the same location.

By the look of alabamarebel's avatar...he's there now.

Callahan's in Destin. Get the ribeye sandwich and thank me later.

In Sandestin, go with Segars, bistros bijoux, or Marlin grill for fine dining. Go with acme oyster house for great oysters. Outside of Sandestin, we like Mitchell's seafood g right outside Sandestin. Also we like Stinky's just as you get on 30A, headed east. And you can never go wrong with The Back Porch for a grouper sandwich. We've been coming down here for years. Actually we are here now, and those are my favorites. I've heard good things about Mcguires but we have little ones and have never tired it.

What he said

if only gman, if only...lol. When I used to live in Destin, McGuires was the place to be on Wednesday nights. If you were a mug club member, all of their beer was $1.

McGuire's has killer prime rib.

Ah Sandestin. She still makes me smile.

Take a little drive across the bay and eat at Nick's (on the bay). They catch most of what the serve right there locally. So they are serving about as fresh as you can get. We were there a couple of weeks ago and he was bringing in the crabs from their traps. One of the patrons asked if he would bring one if for his kids to see. It is a hole in the wall place, but their food is really good and they are very hospitable. I don't think you will be disappointed. I'm a local and that's where I prefer to eat seafood.

I agree with westflgator. Nicks is good fresh catch. I always get there early, cause the locals fill it up. But hey, that's always a good sign...

My family loves Louis Louis. Small menu, but always well prepared.

IF you want to make a nightmare "traffic jam" trip, drive back to Fort Walton and try Stewbies Seafood Shanty. It is the #1 rated seafood restaurant around that area.

Lulu's is very kid friendly. They have a sand play area for them, live music, and frosty adult beverages.