Pensacola waterfront restaurants: Where can you catch a good meal with a great view?
Heading out to Pensacola Beach and grabbing dinner at a restaurant with a fantastic Gulf Coast sunrise is easy to do — they're everywhere you look. But can you find that same experience on the other side of the bridge? Of course!
Here are our picks for some of Pensacola's best waterfront restaurants.
The Oar House
Where: 1000 S. Pace Blvd.
Where can you find live music, amazing views and games? Look no further than The Oar House.
The Oar House offers a scenic view of the Bahia Mar Marina and is minutes away from downtown Pensacola. Patrons can enjoy watching beautiful sunsets, watching boats pass and even indulge in games like cornhole, volleyball and more.
Food: Award-winning crab cakes, fresh fish sandwiches, gumbo, red beans and rice and etouffée.
The Joint closes: The Joint restaurant downtown closes four months after opening citing staff, supply issues
Wine World open: Pensacola Wine World restaurant, The Wine Bar, now open for business
Jaco’s Bayfront Bar & Grill
Where: 997 S. Palafox St.
Jaco's Bayfront is strictly food and views, and it does both well. Overlooking Pensacola Bay, diners can get a glimpse of the sun as it sets behind Blue Wahoos Stadium, right at the end of South Palafox Street.
Food: Jaco's is known for its signature flatbreads, appetizers, cocktails and specialties like ahi tuna, filet mignon and bella mushroom stack. If that doesn't entice you, the menu switches every month.
The Fish House
Where: 600 S. Barracks St.
The Fish House's upscale dockside dining experience overlooking Pensacola Bay and Seville Harbor isn't one to be forgotten. Grab drinks and a view on The Deck, or head over to its sister restaurant, Atlas Oyster House, for fresh local oysters.
Food: Diners will find fresh, daily seafood, house-smoked meats, sushi, its world-famous Grits á Ya Ya and a great brunch menu.
Nick’s Boathouse
Where: 455 W. Main St.
Nick's Boathouse is located right on Pensacola Bay, next to the Community Maritime Park and offers a casual atmosphere. It's a great place to catch the post-game fireworks at the Blue Wahoos Stadium. Inside you'll find a saltwater aquarium, too.
Food: The Boathouse offers a variety of fresh seafood and steaks with a Cajun flair.
Calvert’s in the Heights
Where: 670 Scenic Highway
Calvert's in the Heights bills itself as a one-of-a-kind English-themed restaurant, and while it's not quite on the water, it sits on Scenic Highway and offers a unique, elevated view of the Pensacola Bay. The view isn't the only thing to take in, the outside dining area out back has cornhole and kids' games.
Food: At Calvert's, you'll receive the restaurant's own take on English cuisine and American bar foods, plus an assortment of beers, liquors and wines.
The Crab Trap
Where: 16495 Perdido Key Drive
You won't be surprised to find that The Crab Trap is a waterfront fish house on the Gulf of Mexico, but that should be the exact reason to grab your family or friends and head over. At The Crab Trap, you'll find a boardwalk leading down to the water, Rustic Florida decor, great views of the Gulf and a playground for the kiddos.
Food: Here you'll find a variety of seafood and daily specials including local mahi mahi, blue crab claws and crab cakes.
Flora-Bama Lounge
Where: 17401 Perdido Key Drive
Established in 1964, the Flora-Bama Lounge is known beyond Florida as one of the top beach bars, and is uniquely located on the Alabama-Florida line, in between Orange Beach and Perdido Key. The restaurant has five stages for live music, several beachfront bars and, of course, spectacular views of the Gulf.
Food: The Flora-Bama Lounge is known for its Bushwackers and oysters. If you're not a fan of seafood, the Ole River Grill is a great place to grab a bite to eat for anyone.
Oyster Bar Restaurant & Marina
Where: 13700 River Road
The Perdido Key Oyster Bar Restaurant & Marina is located right on the intracoastal waterway in Perdido Key, making it a great spot for waterfront views and getting a look at Big Lagoon State Park.
Food: Here you can grab anything from steaks to pasta and oysters.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Best Pensacola waterfront restaurants that offer great views and food
