When it comes to Panama City Beach, one thing is certain—fresh, flavorful seafood is always on the menu. Nestled along the stunning Gulf Coast, PCB is a seafood lover’s paradise, offering everything from iconic restaurants and lively beachfront grills to hidden-gem seafood markets and unique hook-and-cook experiences.
Craving oysters on the half shell? How about blackened grouper or a classic shrimp basket? This beach town serves it all with a side of sunshine and southern charm. We’ve rounded up a just few of the top spots to satisfy your seafood cravings, and even if someone in your group isn’t a fan, don’t worry—these places offer something delicious for everyone.
Sharky’s Beachfront Restaurant
Sharky’s is known for delicious seafood and stunning gulf views from its beachfront patio. Guests love to visit Sharky’s for fresh gulf seafood under the tiki. It is a great place to eat and play with a kid's playground located in the sand and live music in the evening.
The relaxed beach vibe and a menu of mouthwatering favorites like Caribbean nachos, snow crab legs, and a variety of fish tacos make Sharky’s a favorite for guests. You can cool off at the beachfront tiki bar with one of their specialty cocktails like a cherry limeade or choose from their full bar menu, beer menu, and nonalcoholic options.
Captain Anderson's
No list about seafood in Panama City Beach is complete without a mention of Captain Anderson's Restaurant and Waterfront Market. Opened in 1967, this local mainstay has innovated many of the Gulf Coast's classic dishes and has won the loyalty of millions of customers and friends. Named among America’s Top 50 restaurants, recipient of the "Best Seafood Restaurant" award from Southern Living and Wine Spectator's "Award of Excellence," Capt. Anderson’s won Florida Trend’s Golden Spoon Award for 15 years before being inducted into the Restaurant Hall of Fame in 2005. The Hall of Fame is the highest honor Florida Trend can bestow upon a Florida restaurant.
Schooners
Schooners is one of the original seafood spots that remains quite popular with locals and visitors alike. This beachfront seafood restaurant offers casual dining, friendly service, spectacular views, and delicious food. This is a great spot to watch the sunset while you gather family and friends for a meal.
They have a fantastic seafood menu and some of the best shrimp and grits and crab cakes on the beach. You can purchase wine by the bottle or glass and the frozen drinks with a souvenir cup are a must-try.
Shuckums Oyster Pub and Seafood Grill
This family-friendly restaurant has been serving up fresh seafood, steaks, chicken, burgers, and of course oysters since 1967. Shuckums has been featured by global travel journalist Leslie E. Royal, as one of the best restaurants to eat in Panama City Beach.
Their menu has something for everyone including sandwiches, raw and baked oysters, and a kid's menu. You will want to stick around for family-friendly karaoke at 5 pm every day where everyone is a star with plenty of singing and dancing.
Pier Park Seafood Spots
Pier Park has many seafood restaurant options including The Back Porch, Pompano Joe's, and Margaritaville, all located on the Front Beach Road section of Pier Park where you can get some gulf views while you dine. The Back Porch claims the invention of the Amberjack sandwich and has been a staple on the Gulf Coast since 1974. Pompano Joe's is famous for its Gulf seafood with a Caribbean flavor, and don't forget about its famous gumbo! Margaritaville's menu has grilled fish tacos, shrimp dip and dozens of other offerings for any taste.
Hammerhead Freds
Hammerhead Freds has delicious seafood and oysters with a fun laid-back beach vibe. The outdoor patio area has plenty of space to accommodate guests with an indoor air-conditioned seating area available as well.
The chargrilled oysters are the star of the show here, in several flavors including original chargrilled, hurricane, Jamaican jerk, and buffalo. They offer a baked oyster selection with traditional, Rockefeller, creole red pepper, and jalapeno flavors. If you aren’t sure what to get you can get the sampler with a variety of a dozen oysters served on a wooden plant. They offer delicious raw oysters as well.
The menu doesn’t stop at oysters here. They have a unique menu of delicious appetizers like alligator bites, soups and salads, tacos, fish baskets, and delicious fresh seafood. They offer live entertainment in the evenings with some of the best local musicians playing on stage.
Dusty’s Oyster Bar
An iconic PCB staple, Dusty's Oyster Bar delivers a casual, dive-like atmosphere, perfect for seafood enthusiasts. They offer a range of seafood samplers like oysters, shrimp, crab, and calamari. The friendly service and hearty portions make visitors feel right at home. With a unique decor featuring thousands of dollar bills stapled to the walls, Dusty's adds a fun twist to the dining experience.
Saltwater Grill
For a more upscale experience, Saltwater Grill is a fantastic steak and seafood restaurant featuring a 25,000-gallon tropical saltwater aquarium. Their extensive menu features delectable seafood dishes such as Grouper Imperial, Blackened Snapper, Seared Wild Caught Salmon, and so much more. Their wine list includes a large selection of wine and champagne to pair with any dish.
Saltwater Grill operates on beach time and thus does not accept reservations except for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Dinner, and New Year’s Eve.
Seafood Markets in Panama City Beach
Fresh seafood can be found at local seafood markets and are great if you enjoy cooking your own seafood to your taste, or having it steamed to eat at your favorite vacation spot.
Buddy’s Seafood Market has some of the freshest seafood on the beach and specializes in wild-caught seafood. Florida shrimp that can be steamed and seasoned to order. They offer many types of fish including Grouper, Snapper, Mahi, Yellowfin tuna, and others depending on the local availability. Buddy’s prepares items in-house such as key lime pie, cocktail sauce, tuna dip, crab dip, gumbo, and more.
Local Steamer Seafood Market is a great place for local steamed seafood. They offer huge snow crab, peeled and deveined shrimp, royal red shrimp, fresh bay scallops their World Famous Tuna dip, and more. They sell steamed seafood platters, seafood by the pound, and have a full raw menu.
Hook and Cook Restaurants in PCB
Hook and Cook is a fabulous option provided at several local restaurants that allows you to bring in your daily catch and they will prepare it for you. This is a unique option that will provide you with the freshest fish to eat after the fun experience of fishing at the gulf.
Places that offer Hook and Cook options in Panama City Beach include J Michael’s, Dat Cajun Place, and The Deckhand Social.
Remember to book before you Eat
Panama City Beach has some of the best seafood spots and Panhandle Getaways has some of the best vacation rentals at the beach. Book your stay today and get ready to enjoy fresh seafood in PCB.