15 Fun Places to Eat in Destin (with Kids)

Destin restaurant

Destin, FL is home to beautiful beaches, fun activities, and lots of family restaurants. You can easily grab groceries from one of the local supermarkets when you arrive in town. But, who really wants to cook on vacation?

If your family is anything like mine, you will want to eat out (at least a few times) on your beach trip. So, check out my family’s top picks for the most fun places to eat in Destin with kids!

Kid Friendly Restaurants on the Beach

The following restaurants are great options for those families looking for places to eat near the sand.

Pompano Joe’s

Pompano Joe’s is a super colorful restaurant that sits right on the beach in Destin. You can even walk out onto the beach while you are waiting to be seated.

Depending on when you visit, you may even find games like corn hole or sand volleyball set up on the beach. Your family can choose to dine outside on the deck that overlooks the Gulf of Mexico, or you can sit at a table inside this kid-friendly restaurant.

restaurant with giant fish under sign

The menu at Pompano Joe’s offers entrees for all types of foodies even though it is considered to be a seafood restaurant. I’m not a huge fan of seafood, but I always find other great options available.

If you’re looking for a dish that is not made with seafood, I suggest ordering the Caribbean Taco Salad. It’s my favorite!

Pompano Joe’s also has several items on the kids’ menu including:

  • cheeseburgers
  • chicken fingers
  • popcorn shrimp
  • fish toes
  • corn dogs

These kids’ meals come with your choice of fries or fruit along with a drink. If you have someone in your travel party who has a food sensitivity, Pompano Joe’s is great at meeting those needs as well. My husband has dietary restrictions and eats only gluten free AND vegetarian foods.

Pompano Joe’s offered him an extensive gluten free menu with lots of options for appetizers, entrees, and side items. Overall, the delicious food and laid-back atmosphere make Pompano Joe’s a top choice for families traveling to Destin with toddlers and kids.

Lulu’s (Live Music)

Lulu’s is a super cute little restaurant in Destin that sits on the water. In fact, you can actually pull your boat right up to the restaurant, enjoy your meal on the bay, and head back out on the water. Lulu’s provides lots of outdoor seating, and it even offers a sandy beach area where kids love to play.

If you are looking for entertainment while you dine, Lulu’s provides a great lineup of musicians on a nightly basis. You can check out their live music schedule before visiting, so you know exactly what to expect.

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printable pdf beach planner

If you have someone in your travel party with a food intolerance, Lulu’s provides many different allergy friendly menus including dairy free, gluten free, vegan, and soy free. Whether you are in the mood for tacos, burgers, or seafood, Lulu’s menu is full of options that meet the needs of even the pickiest eaters.

Their kids’ menu includes items like:

  • cheeseburgers
  • shrimp
  • quesadillas
  • grilled cheese
  • macaroni and cheese

Overall, Lulu’s is a great choice for families because of the diverse menu and super fun atmosphere right on the water!

More Kid Friendly Restaurants on the Water

In addition to the dining options listed above, these restaurants are all located right on the sand and provide great views of the Gulf of Mexico:

  • The Back Porch
  • The Surf Hut
  • The Crab Trap

Miramar Beach and Sandestin Area

The Destin and Miramar Beach areas are great at providing restaurants that help make eating out with kids a FUN activity. If you’re looking for fun things to do in Destin, these areas also provide lots of great activities.

The following places to eat offer live music and/or kid friendly locations!

Cantina Loredo

My family and I enjoy staying near the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort while visiting the Destin area. This region of the city is full of shopping, entertainment, and dining options.

One of our favorite entertainment districts is Grand Boulevard Town Center. This quaint little street is home to lots of shopping and dining venues. Some of the store and restaurant chains that are located on Grand Boulevard include:

  • Lilly Pulitzer
  • LuluLemon
  • Pottery Barn
  • Vineyard Vines
  • Tommy Bahamas
  • P.F. Changs
  • Starbucks

One of my family’s top favorite places to eat at Grand Blvd. is Cantina Loredo, which offers both indoor and outdoor seating. If you choose to dine outdoors at Cantina Loredo, the covered patio overlooks the Grand Boulevard courtyard. This expansive lawn often hosts special events and live entertainment for visitors to enjoy.

Grand Boulevard Sandestin

You also have a great view of the Grand Boulevard fountains while sitting on the patio at Cantina Loredo. If you visit during warmer months of the year, your toddler and kids will can enjoy playing in this spray pad area.

Hammerhead’s Bar and Grille (Live Music)

Hammerhead’s Bar and Grille is located in the Village of Baytowne Wharf in the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. If you have never visited this area of Sandestin, it’s a really great spot for family friendly outdoor activities.

The Village of Baytowne Wharf offers lots of options for shopping, dining, and entertainment. One of our favorite restaurants in the Village is Hammerhead’s Bar and Grille. Hammerhead’s is located right on the bay in the Village, so it provides gorgeous views of the water.

Ice Cream Shop at Village of Baytowne Wharf
Stroll over to the nearby ice cream and dessert shops after dinner!

Seating at Hammerheads is outdoor, and their menu is super kid-friendly. They often have live music during the day/night, so it’s a great place for kids to dance and sing along to the popular songs that are played.

Make sure you check out the events page for the Village of Baytowne Wharf before you visit Hammerheads. They often have different themed nights during your vacation such as movie night, fireworks, or a magic show to name a few.

More Fun Places for Families to Eat

If you are looking for additional places to eat that would be fun with kids, check out these options:

  • Rum Runners Dueling Piano Bar (kid friendly until 9:00 PM)
  • Tommy Bahama
  • Melting Pot
  • Joe’s Crab Shack

Near the Harbor

HarborWalk Village in Destin is a super fun place to spend time with your family. It offers lots of restaurants and amazing views of the water. The Boardwalk is one of my kids’ favorite places to visit as they love playing the carnival type games and participating in the fun activities available.

Harry T’s Lighthouse

Harry T’s Lighthouse is located in a really fun, kid friendly area of Destin called HarborWalk Village. This popular district offers a boardwalk and several dining options right on the bay.

Harry T’s is a top pick for families dining in this area because it offers both outdoor seating and a great menu! The kids’ menu at Harry T’s includes some favorites like:

  • chicken fingers
  • fish
  • popcorn shrimp
  • hamburgers

After dining at Harry T’s, families can enjoy walking around the boardwalk and playing carnival games with their kids!

More Destin Boardwalk Restaurants

If you are planning to spend time with your family at Destin’s HarborWalk Village, these are some additional places to eat on the Boardwalk:

  • Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville
  • AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar on the Harbor
  • McGuire’s Irish Pub

Final Thoughts on Best Restaurants in Destin FL for Families

Destin, Florida is such a beautiful place to visit! Since most of the dining and entertainment options available are super kid-friendly, you really can’t go wrong eating out in Destin. If you are visiting Destin with kids, the dining options listed above are all great options for enjoyable family meals.

↓↓ Visit My Etsy Shop ↓↓

printable beach planner

My kids always behave so much better when they are eating outdoors AND when they are listening to live entertainment. The restaurants listed above offer great menus and outdoor fun so that your whole family can enjoy your evening out!

Where are your favorite places to eat with kids in Destin, FL?

Comment below and let me know!

restaurant with text overlay 5 Destin restaurants for Kids

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