By Tara Roberts
If America is the Melting Pot, then Florida’s Emerald Coast is the seasoning. You thought you were coming for the sugar white beaches, and the warm, tropical Gulf waters, but it’s really for the food.
What you might not know is that no matter how your culinary tastes run, no matter what country you think offers the best cuisine, you can find it all here.
Just like Phileas Fogg and Passepartout, you can travel the world while visiting the Emerald Coast and it won’t take you 80 days to do it.
Beginning at home, there are regional favorites from New York to New Orleans and Memphis to St. Louis. Take a trip around the U.S. at these local eateries.
Louisiana Lagniappe (Louisiana/Cajun) - Destin
Tomato Joey’s Deli (New York) – Niceville
Buffalo’s Reef, Buffalo’s Bayou and Buffalo’s Stampede (New York-style wings) – various locations throughout Okaloosa County
Daddy’s (Memphis-style barbeque) – Mary Esther
Bistro Bijoux (New Orleans) – Destin (Baytowne)
Blue Orleans (Louisiana/Cajun) – 30A Destin
Theo’s Pizza Pub (St. Louis-style pizza) – Miramar Beach
Jim N’ Nicks (Memphis-style barbeque) – Destin (Baytowne) and Niceville
Cocodrie’s (Louisiana-style seafood) – Navarre Beach
A trip to Florida is not complete without a side excursion to visit our neighbors to the south. Along the Emerald Coast you’ll find some of the best Latino restaurants. All offer something a little different than what you’ve come to expect at cookie cutter taco stands.
Pepito’s – Destin
Los Rancheros – Cinco Bayou
La Paz - Destin
El Paso – Mary Esther
Taco Town – Niceville, Fort Walton Beach and Crestview
La Rumba – Crestview and Niceville
Cancun’s – Destin
Chulas by Rita - Panama City
Brasa’s Mexican Grill – Freeport
Even farther south, to an even more tropical environment, you will find yourself in South America and the Caribbean. The sweet smells of Jamaica and Brazil belie the undercurrent of hot, sultry spices.
A&E Jerk BBQ – Valparaiso
Casa de Fogo – Panama City
Once in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, you leave the Emerald Coast and head toward the Emerald Isle. Don’t let anyone tell you that food from Great Britain and Ireland is a little bland. They haven’t had it the way the Emerald Coast dishes it up.
Johnny O’Quigley’s - Destin
McGuire’s (offers its own micro-brewed beers and lagers) – Destin
Straight across the North Sea, you’ll find yourself in Germany. Come October the beer flows and the brats burn, but year-round you can feast on authentic Jagerschnitzel and Sauerbraten.
Bitburger Pub - Bluewater
Your next stop is over to France with its gentile ways and its quiet sidewalk cafes.
Bay Café French Restaurant – Fort Walton Beach
Café’ Provence – Santa Rosa Beach
Every fall Okaloosa Island becomes the Greek Isles during the annual Saints Markella and Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church’s Greek Festival. But, you don’t have to wait that long for a taste of the Mediterranean.
Ali Baba Turkish Grill Café - Mary Esther
Yiota’s – Mary Esther
Café Bouzouki – Grayton Beach
Grecian Gardens Restaurant – Blue Mountain Beach
Zoë's Kitchen – Destin Commons
Gyro Café – Panama City
Bianco Mediterranean Restaurant - Destin
If it’s a party you are looking for, then Italy is where you want to go.
Guglielmo’s Italian Restaurant- Destin
Ciao Bella Pizza – Destin (Silver Sands Factory Outlet mall) and Bluewater
Pranzo Italian Ristorante – Fort Walton Beach (Okaloosa Island)
Roberto’s Pizzaria – Destin (Baytowne)
DaVinci’s Restaurant and Art Gallery – Navarre
Provino’s Italian Restaurant – DeFuniak Springs
A long stopover in Asia and the Pacific Rim closes out the adventure.
Japan and China
Osaka Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar – Destin
Okinawa Japanese Steak and Seafood House – Fort Walton Beach
Mori Japanese Steakhouse– Panama City
Dynasty Chinese Cuisine – Destin
Nim’s Garden Chinese Restaurant - Crestview
Vietnam
Sai-Kyo Restaurant - Destin
Korea
Sun’s Restaurant – Niceville
Yong’s Kitchen - Fort Walton Beach
Thailand
Nida’s International Cuisine- Niceville
Thai Elephant - Destin
Royal Orchid - Destin
Makong Thai Restaurant - Fort Walton Beach
These restaurants listed are definitely the short list. For a more complete directory of local ethnic restaurants check out the Emerald Coast Dining Guide (http://dining.emeraldcoast.com/) for reviews, or the Emerald Coast Marketplace for a telephone index (http://market.emeraldcoast.com/) to get directions to these wonderful dining adventures.
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