If you’re planning a trip to Destin, there’s one restaurant that should absolutely be on your itinerary. Dewey Destin’s Seafood Restaurant is one of the oldest restaurants in “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” with a history as rich as the beach town itself.
Located on Calhoun Avenue, just a short walk from Destin Harbor Boardwalk, this beach shack is where it all began. You’ll be greeted by a very friendly staff, amazing views of Crab Island, and delicious, sustainably sourced seafood.
The History
The restaurant is run by a direct descendent of the original Destin family. Captain Leonard Destin found himself shipwrecked back in 1830 and decided to settle on the island with his family after stumbling upon what he described as “paradise.”
They used traditional methods of fishing utilizing fishing nets to catch Grouper, Amberjack, Snapper, Triggerfish, and more in what is called the 100 fathom curve. Just ten miles from the shore, this is the closest and fastest access to deep water fishing in the entire Gulf of Mexico.
Eventually, the Destin Bridge was constructed in 1935 giving the island access to the peninsula and propelling the fishing and tourism industries to what they are today. The family set up shop in a small retail shack just on the bay next to the bridge.
In 2001, the State of Florida suddenly decided to ban net fishing. This left Dewey and the other descendants of the Destin family to decide what their next venture would be. That’s when they decided to open Dewey Destin’s Seafood Restaurant in the exact location where they’ve remained for decades.
The restaurant doesn’t have any servers. Instead, you walk up to the window, order your food, and find a table to take in the view. Due to the popularity, there are sometimes long waits for a table. Not to worry, they have a waiting area where you can enjoy a drink and wait for your food and an available table.
Dewey and his family have since expanded to six establishments throughout the area. Each location has different menu offerings and are all definitely worth a visit!
Dewey Destin’s New Orleans Snoballs
Once you’re finished with your dinner, head over to Dewey’s little snowball beach just next door. A “snoball” is not to be confused with a snow cone and is a classic New Orleans confection made from fluffy shaved ice and flavored cane sugar that is absorbed by the snow. This is a great way to end your evening taking in the beautiful sunset over Choctawhatchee Bay.
Dewey Destin’s Harborside
If you’re looking for a more traditional restaurant with table service, you can head over to the Harborside location. Less than a mile from the original restaurant, their menu offers steaks and salads in addition to all of the fresh seafood. You can even have them “cook your catch” for you! Your filleted fish can be fried, grilled, blackened, or bronzed and is served family style with 2 sides.
1835 Porch Bar
If excellent cocktails are more your thing, then you don’t have to look further than this satellite bar at their Harborside location. The location is nestled in the trees overlooking the harbor. You can expect creative cocktails, craft beer, bar games and delicious snacks.
Dewey Destin’s Navarre
The newest restaurant is run by Dewey’s son and daughter and is located in Santa Rosa County. They have a fully-stocked bar and an excellent craft beer selection. The best part is that this is one of the few places in Destin that is dog friendly. Bring along your furry friend and enjoy delicious food and drinks right on the beach.
East Pass Coffee Co
Finally, you can visit the Destin family’s newest venture before a long day at the beach. This modern coffee shop offers fresh local coffee, acai bowls, smoothies, toast, and sandwiches. The interior has cozy vibes and a young atmosphere. Even though we included this at the end of our list, it’s a great place to start your morning.
There is no experience more authentic to Destin than sitting down in one of Dewey’s locations. The atmosphere of the original restaurant will remind you of a fisherman’s pub and the friendly environment is fun for the entire family. We recommend ordering their catch of the day, seafood gumbo, and hush puppies for a truly memorable dining experience!
As Dewey himself says, “It’s been a real source of pride to be part of the family. We have roots in the community that most of the people in this country don’t have.”
If you’re looking for a beautiful rental property for your family while in the Destin area, make sure to visit our booking website or get in contact with us directly at reservations@loma-homes.com.
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