Panama City Beach has seafood restaurants for every kind of vacation meal. You can have fresh grouper overlooking Grand Lagoon, eat oysters at a casual local bar, watch the sunset with dinner directly on the beach or carry a steamed crab feast back to your condo.
The right choice depends on what matters most to you. This guide organizes the best seafood restaurants in Panama City Beach by specialty, atmosphere and location so you can find the right place without spending your vacation comparing dozens of menus.
Best seafood restaurants in Panama City Beach at a glance
- The Grand Marlin: Best fresh seafood dinner
- Boon Docks: Best rustic waterfront setting
- Bayou on the Beach: Best Cajun seafood in central PCB
- C Level: Best for seafood and steak
- Dusty’s Oyster Bar: Best casual oyster bar
- Billy’s Oyster Bar: Best steamed seafood near Grand Lagoon
- J. Michael’s: Best old school local seafood restaurant
- Schooners: Best seafood directly on the beach
- Capt. Anderson’s: Best classic PCB seafood experience
- Dat Cajun Place: Best Cajun seafood near Lower Grand Lagoon
- Local Steamer: Best seafood feast to take back to your condo
- Buddy’s Seafood Market: Best fresh seafood market
- Hunt’s Oyster Bar: Best oysters worth crossing the bridge for
- Capt’s Table: Best traditional local fish house
- Uncle Ernie’s: Best sunset seafood dinner
- The Wharf: Best all you can eat seafood buffet for variety
- Capt. Jack’s: Best traditional all you can eat crab leg buffet
Best seafood restaurants in Panama City Beach
The Grand Marlin
Best fresh seafood dinner in Panama City Beach
The Grand Marlin is one of the best choices for a polished seafood dinner with views of Grand Lagoon. The atmosphere feels special enough for an anniversary or date night without becoming overly formal.
The restaurant emphasizes fresh seafood, daily kitchen features and preparations that can change with availability. Expect fresh fish, oysters, seafood entrees, island inspired cocktails and a relaxed waterfront setting. Reservations are available, which makes The Grand Marlin easier to plan during spring break, summer and holiday weekends. The Grand Marlin
The grouper piccata is a popular starting point, but it is also worth asking about the current catch and daily kitchen features.
Best for: Fresh seafood, grouper, oysters, cocktails, date nights and special occasions
Area: Grand Lagoon
Boon Docks
Best rustic waterfront seafood restaurant
Boon Docks sits beneath large oak trees beside the Intracoastal Waterway in West Bay. The old fish house, historic home and former bait store give the property a relaxed coastal character that feels different from the restaurants along Front Beach Road.
The menu includes grilled grouper, steamed grouper, grilled shrimp, steamed shrimp, oysters, crab claws, gumbo, fried seafood and fish of the day. It is a good choice for families and groups that want several preparation styles instead of an entirely fried menu. Boon Docks Seafood Restaurant
Boon Docks is worth choosing when you want a slower waterfront meal away from the busiest parts of Panama City Beach. Arrive with time to enjoy the setting rather than treating it as a quick dinner stop.
Best for: Waterfront dining, grilled seafood, fried seafood, families and a relaxed meal near the west end
Area: West Bay
Bayou on the Beach
Best Cajun seafood in central PCB
Bayou on the Beach is the place to go when you want gumbo, crawfish, oysters and Cajun seasoning instead of a standard seafood platter.
The menu includes Who Dat Shrimp, raw and baked oysters, seafood gumbo, crawfish dishes, jambalaya, po boys, crab cakes and combination seafood baskets. Many selections can be prepared fried, grilled, blackened or sautéed. The restaurant makes its sauces and many of its signature dishes from scratch. Bayou on the Beach Cafe
The atmosphere is casual, lively and full of personality. Bayou on the Beach does not accept reservations, and seating is handled in the order guests arrive. It is currently open Tuesday through Saturday, with seasonal hours possible. Bayou on the Beach Cafe
Best for: Gumbo, Cajun shrimp, oysters, crawfish, po boys and bold flavors
Area: Hutchison Boulevard in central PCB
C Level Seafood and Steakhouse
Best for groups that want seafood and steak
C Level works especially well when everyone in your group wants something different. Seafood lovers can choose grouper, shrimp, tuna, crab cakes or gumbo, while other guests can order prime rib, ribeye, filet, sandwiches or salads.
The restaurant serves lunch Monday through Friday, brunch on Saturday and Sunday and dinner every evening. Reservations are available. A call ahead request is not a reservation, so book a table when visiting during a busy vacation week. C Level Seafood & Steakhouse
The atmosphere is comfortable rather than formal, making C Level a good middle ground between a casual seafood shack and a special occasion restaurant.
Best for: Mixed groups, seafood and steak, reservations, prime rib and a nicer casual dinner
Area: Front Beach Road near the Hathaway Bridge
Dusty’s Oyster Bar
Best casual oyster bar in PCB
Dusty’s is an easy choice when you want oysters, cold drinks and a lively coastal atmosphere without leaving Panama City Beach.
Oysters are served raw, steamed, fried and baked in several styles, including Rockefeller, jalapeño, cheese and Dusty’s signature preparation. The menu also includes crab claws, buffalo shrimp, smoked tuna dip, seafood dinners, wings and gumbo. Dusty's Oyster Bar
The dollar covered walls, jukebox and casual bar setting make Dusty’s feel more like a classic beach town oyster bar than a polished seafood restaurant. It is open daily and works well for lunch, happy hour or an unplanned dinner. Dusty's Oyster Bar
Best for: Raw oysters, baked oysters, seafood appetizers, cold drinks and a casual local atmosphere
Area: West PCB on Front Beach Road
Billy’s Oyster Bar and Crab House
Best steamed seafood near Grand Lagoon
Billy’s is a longtime Thomas Drive restaurant that specializes in steamed seafood. It is close to Capt. Anderson’s Marina and has both indoor seating and an outdoor deck.
The menu includes seasonal Florida blue crab, steamed oysters, baked oysters, clams, Gulf shrimp, snow crab legs, grouper, fried seafood and large combination platters. Billy’s also serves lunch and dinner every day. Billys Oyster bar
Choose Billy’s when your table wants a mix of oysters, steamed shellfish and traditional seafood dinners in an easygoing setting.
Best for: Steamed seafood, oysters, blue crab, snow crab and seafood combinations
Area: Thomas Drive near Grand Lagoon
J. Michael’s
Best old school local seafood restaurant
J. Michael’s is a longtime Thomas Drive restaurant with a quirky interior covered in license plates, dollar bills, surfboards and local memorabilia.
The menu combines American seafood with Southern and Creole favorites. It is a comfortable choice for fried shrimp, fish, gumbo, red beans and rice, burgers and a casual family meal. J. Michael's Restaurant
J. Michael’s feels like an established neighborhood restaurant rather than a modern resort dining room. It is especially convenient for visitors staying near Grand Lagoon or along Thomas Drive.
Best for: Southern seafood, fried shrimp, Creole flavors, families and local character
Area: Thomas Drive
Schooners
Best seafood directly on the beach
Schooners sits directly beside the Gulf on the east end of Panama City Beach. You can finish dinner and walk onto the sand without crossing a road or leaving the property.
The restaurant serves casual coastal food and seafood in a lively beach club setting. Schooners opens daily at 11 a.m., hosts entertainment and fires its sunset cannon every evening. Schooners
Choose Schooners when the view and beachfront atmosphere matter as much as the meal. Sunset is the most memorable time to visit, but it is also one of the busiest.
Best for: Beachfront dining, seafood, sunset, live music and families
Area: Directly on the beach at the east end
Capt. Anderson’s
Best classic Panama City Beach seafood experience
Capt. Anderson’s is one of the most established waterfront restaurants in Panama City Beach. It opened in 1967 and now has more than 725 seats, making it a practical choice for extended families and larger vacation groups.
The dinner menu combines local seafood, grilled fish, shrimp, crab fingers, stuffed flounder, steaks and homemade desserts. The large dining room and Grand Lagoon setting make dinner here feel like a traditional PCB vacation occasion. Capt. Anderson's Restaurant
Capt. Anderson’s opens at 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and is normally closed Sunday. Dinner reservations are not accepted. Capt. Anderson's Restaurant
Best for: Family traditions, classic seafood, large groups, steaks and a Grand Lagoon dinner
Area: Grand Lagoon
Dat Cajun Place
Best Cajun seafood near Lower Grand Lagoon
Dat Cajun Place serves Cajun and Creole dishes including gumbo, snow crab bisque, shrimp and lobster grits, crawfish dishes, fried seafood baskets, po boys, oysters and daily seafood boils.
The Panama City mailing address can be misleading. Dat Cajun Place is on Navy Boulevard near Lower Grand Lagoon, on the beach side of the Hathaway Bridge. Visitors staying in Panama City Beach do not need to cross the bridge to reach it. The restaurant’s official site lists Lower Grand Lagoon and Panama City Beach among the areas it serves. Dat Cajun Place
Dat Cajun Place is open every day, with weekend brunch beginning at 10 a.m. Regular live music, a full bar and a broad menu make it a strong option for groups that want dinner and entertainment in one stop. Dat Cajun Place
Best for: Gumbo, Cajun seafood, po boys, crawfish dishes, seafood boils and live music
Area: Navy Boulevard near Lower Grand Lagoon
Best seafood markets and takeout in Panama City Beach
Local Steamer Seafood Market
Best seafood feast to take back to your condo
Local Steamer specializes in prepared seafood platters and seafood sold by the pound. The menu includes snow crab, peeled shrimp, Royal Red shrimp, bay scallops, tuna dip and family platters. A raw seafood menu is also available. Local Steamer
This is one of the easiest ways to feed a family or vacation group without waiting for a restaurant table. Order before leaving the beach because online orders can require around 90 minutes to prepare during busy periods. Local Steamer
Best for: Snow crab, Royal Reds, shrimp platters, family meals and seafood at your condo
Area: Open Sands Plaza on Front Beach Road
Buddy’s Seafood Market
Best fresh seafood market in Panama City Beach
Buddy’s is a retail seafood market and takeout steam bar near Highway 79. It is a useful stop when you want seafood for a rental kitchen or steamed shrimp without sitting down for a restaurant meal.
The Panama City Beach market is located on South Arnold Road and is open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Online ordering closes at 5 p.m., and orders placed late in the day can require additional preparation time. Buddy's Seafood Market
Best for: Fresh seafood shopping, steamed shrimp, seafood dips, condo cooking and west end takeout
Area: South Arnold Road near Highway 79
Seafood restaurants worth crossing the Hathaway Bridge for
Hunt’s Oyster Bar and Seafood
Best oysters worth the drive
Hunt’s is located on Beck Avenue in historic St. Andrews and is one of the best choices when oysters are the main reason for the meal.
The menu includes raw, steamed and baked oysters along with crab claws, snow crab, steamed shrimp, seafood gumbo, she crab soup, fresh Gulf fish, seafood platters, po boys and tacos. Much of its seafood is supplied through Tarpon Dock Seafood Market and the Abrams family fishing businesses. Hunt's Oyster Bar & Seafood
Hunt’s is open Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday.
Best for: Oysters, crab claws, steamed shrimp, fresh fish and a casual St. Andrews meal
Area: Historic St. Andrews
Capt’s Table Fish House Restaurant
Best traditional local fish house
Capt’s Table has been family owned since 1967 and says it serves local seafood caught from its own boats.
The menu includes grouper throats, crab claws, baked oysters, raw oysters, grilled fish, stuffed grouper or snapper, fried seafood platters and a grouper Reuben. Capts Table Fish House
Capt’s Table is a strong choice when you want a traditional fish house experience without beachfront crowds or a formal dining room.
Best for: Grouper throats, local fish, oysters, families and an old Florida seafood meal
Area: Historic St. Andrews
Uncle Ernie’s Bayfront Grill
Best sunset seafood dinner
Uncle Ernie’s overlooks St. Andrews Bay from a historic house near the marina. Indoor seating, outdoor decks and broad water views make it one of the most scenic seafood restaurants in the area.
The restaurant serves locally caught grouper, Grouper Imperial, grilled shrimp, shrimp and grits, oysters, crab cakes, scallops, snow crab and steaks. Uncle Ernie’s says its Gulf grouper is wild caught, never frozen and delivered daily. Uncle Ernie's
Uncle Ernie’s is open daily from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. and does not accept reservations. Arrive before sunset if an outdoor table is important to you. Uncle Ernie's
Best for: Grouper, waterfront dining, sunset, date night and a scenic dinner
Area: Historic St. Andrews
Best all-you-can-eat crab legs in Panama City Beach
The Wharf Local Seafood Buffet
Best all you can eat seafood buffet for variety
The Wharf is located at Laketown Wharf and is open to the public. Its buffet includes unlimited snow crab legs, filet mignon, shrimp, chicken, pasta, pizza, a salad bar and desserts.
The broad selection makes The Wharf a practical choice for families or groups in which not everyone wants seafood. The restaurant opens daily at 3 p.m. Wharf Buffet
Best for: Unlimited crab legs, mixed groups, families and broad buffet variety
Area: Laketown Wharf on South Thomas Drive
Capt. Jack’s Family Buffet
Best traditional all you can eat crab leg buffet
Capt. Jack’s operates two Panama City Beach locations, one on Thomas Drive and one on Front Beach Road.
The dinner buffet includes unlimited crab legs, sirloin steak, fried shrimp, scallops, oysters, steamed shrimp, fish, Royal Red shrimp, chicken, vegetables, a salad bar and desserts. Both locations open daily at 3 p.m., with the final seating currently listed at 9:30 p.m. captjackspcbeach.com
Best for: Unlimited crab legs, a traditional seafood buffet and groups that want a large selection
Areas: Thomas Drive and Front Beach Road
Panama City Beach seafood FAQ
What does market price mean on a seafood menu?
Market price means the restaurant adjusts the cost according to current supply and what it paid for the seafood. Ask your server for the current price before ordering crab claws, oysters, grouper or another item marked this way.
What are Royal Red shrimp?
Royal Reds are a deep water shrimp species harvested commercially in Florida. They are usually deep red or grayish pink and have a sweet flavor with a firm bite. FDACS
Can a restaurant cook fish from my charter trip?
Dat Cajun Place offers a hook and cook option for fish that has already been filleted, cut and deboned. The kitchen can prepare it grilled, blackened or fried and serve it with sides. Confirm the current price and requirements before bringing your catch. Dat Cajun Place
How early should I plan dinner during the busy season?
Allow more time than you normally would at home, especially around sunset and on weekends. Choosing a restaurant close to the activities already planned for that day can save a long drive through beach traffic.
Plan your seafood dinner in Panama City Beach
Choose your restaurant based on the experience you want rather than trying to find one place that does everything.
Pick The Grand Marlin for a polished dinner, Boon Docks for rustic waterfront dining, Dusty’s for oysters, Schooners for a meal beside the sand, Bayou on the Beach or Dat Cajun Place for Cajun food and Local Steamer for a seafood feast at your condo.
Check PCB Guide before leaving for current restaurant profiles, happy hours, live music and nearby events. Pairing seafood with a sunset, performance or happy hour can turn dinner into one of the best nights of your Panama City Beach vacation.
Selection note: PCB Guide chose these restaurants for distinct seafood styles, setting, practical planning value, and current operating evidence. Inclusion is editorial and is not based on sponsorship tier.