Best Restaurants in Fort Walton Beach, FL

Whether you’re looking for seafood, comfort food, or international cuisine, you’re sure to find the dish you’re craving at one of the many great restaurants in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. On the shores of the Florida Panhandle, Fort Walton Beach is a great place to drive your new Chevrolet along the coast, enjoy a tropical sunset, and treat yourself and your friends to a delicious dinner. Check out this list of five of the city’s best restaurants.

The Shack

“IMG_7966” by Christina Xu is licensed with CC BY 2.0

The Shack is a popular Fort Walton Beach restaurant known for its casual, family-friendly atmosphere and delectable dishes. For over 20 years, the restaurant has been a favorite local seafood spot for residents and visitors alike. Featuring waterfront views with stunning sunsets, The Shack is sure to impress and is open daily for lunch and dinner.

Start off with one of The Shack’s many appetizer offerings. Try their signature drunken mussels or their beloved Southern starter, fried green tomatoes. As the name of the restaurant implies, it offers a variety of crab dishes to satiate your seafood craving, from classic legs to combination platters. If you want something lighter, try the Baja salad, complete with your choice of their Bangin’ shrimp or crawfish or grilled chicken breast. Make sure to save room for homemade key lime pie.

Address: 104 Miracle Strip Parkway SW

Phone number: 850-664-0345

Al’s Beach Club

Al’s Beach Club is a Fort Walton Beach hot spot on The Boardwalk known for its huge menu, craft beer selection, and incredible views. Situated on the water with unbeatable views of the gulf, the restaurant is the ideal place to enjoy a summer afternoon. Al’s Beach Club is open seasonally from March 1 through Oct. 31 and consists entirely of outdoor deck and bar seating. Come for the food and drinks, and stay for the live music.

Known for their piled-high burgers and sandwiches, Al’s Beach Club also offers fresh, crisp salads, homemade sides, and plenty for the kids. Cool down after dinner with a hand-spun milkshake with signature flavors like chocolate strawberry and salted caramel praline. If you’re 21 years or older, consider a boozy option like a rum float. The restaurant has plenty of other specialty drinks, too, including rum buckets and craft cocktails made to order.

Address: 1450 Miracle Strip Parkway SE

Phone number: 850-226-4100

Floyd’s Shrimp House

Nestled on The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island, Floyd’s Shrimp House is a Fort Walton Beach favorite. Known as one of the area’s most popular restaurants, it features a massive variety of fresh gulf seafood. With waterfront views and a beachy atmosphere, Floyd’s Shrimp House is in the perfect location for food, drinks, and fun in the sun. The restaurant is casual and family-friendly, so you can bring the whole crew. There’s sure to be something on the menu for everyone.

Open daily for lunch and dinner, Floyd’s Shrimp House serves up your favorite casual classics like oysters, fresh fish, crab legs, and shrimp any way you want it. The restaurant also offers all-you-can-eat specials on some of its most popular dishes, like fried shrimp, fries, and hushpuppies. Its featured offering is Floyd’s Famous Ayce, an all-you-can-eat shrimp and fried fish meal with all the fixings that’s sure to hit the spot. Check out the drink menu, too, for specialty cocktails, spiked lemonade, and frozen favorites, all served in souvenir cups.

Address: 1450 Miracle Strip Parkway SE

Phone number: 850-243-2232

Asiago’s Skillet

If you make it to Fort Walton Beach in the morning or want something different than the hotel’s continental breakfast, give Asiago’s Skillet a try. This one’s a favorite among locals for delicious breakfast dishes, including classic options and tasty twists on traditional offerings. As if the portion sizes weren’t generous enough, simply ask the server to “shipwreck my potatoes” to add bacon, sauteed onions, cheese, and gravy. 

Come in anytime between 6 a.m. if you’re an early bird and noon if you’re a late riser to enjoy a heaping egg and potato skillet, a three-egg omelet made how you like it, a griddle favorite like Bananas Foster French toast, or a big breakfast bowl. They’ve got healthy options for the lighter eater in your group and a variety of other classics cooked fresh for every guest. As if you need more convincing, Asiago’s Skillet also offers a Bloody Mary bar and orange juice that features cubes of frozen juice instead of ice to keep the juice’s flavor.

Address: 110 Amberjack Dr.

Phone number: 850-586-7998

Old Bay Steamer

Whether you’re a seafood steamer aficionado or a newbie eager to try this Fort Walton Beach favorite, Old Bay Steamer won’t disappoint. This Okaloosa Island mainstay has an eccentric atmosphere that features food, fun, music, and art. Meet the restaurant’s famous “Old Lady,” a life-sized doll that sits at the bar and is always ready for fan photos. Old Bay Steamer is open daily at 4 p.m., so bring your friends and family and dine in or take your meals to go.

The most popular dish at Old Bay Steamer is, of course, the steamer. Offered in multiple varieties and for one person or multiple, steamers are huge bowls of steamed seafood and vegetables. Try oysters, shrimp, crab, lobster, or a combination if you can’t decide. If you’re not a seafood eater, the restaurant also has an impressive selection of ribs and steak. Wash it all down with a signature cocktail or flavored martini, or check out the varied draft beer selection and try a new brew. After dinner, enjoy a sweet treat like Old Bay Steamer’s sinful seven layer cake. 

Address: 102 Santa Rosa Blvd.

Phone number: 850-664-2795

If you’re planning a visit to Fort Walton Beach to look for a new truck or a pre-owned vehicle at Allen Turner Chevrolet, consider visiting one of these highly rated area restaurants. Fort Walton Beach has plenty to offer for the whole family. Be sure to let us know what you think about these and other local favorites after your trip.