If you are searching for where to eat in Panama City, Florida, then look no further. Here are five local restaurants in PC that serve fresh seafood and other mouthwatering dishes that you won't get anywhere else.
1. Start the Day Off Right With Breakfast at Bayou Joe's
Bayou Joe's is a cozy little dive on a dock that overlooks the Massalina Bayou. They open every day at 7 am and start feeding hungry guests who visit from all over the United States. The Blackened Shrimp and Cheesy Grits are to die for! Other breakfast items include omelets, French toast, pancakes, grits, catfish & eggs, and steak & eggs to name a few. Bayou Joe's is also open for lunch and dinner and is a great place to chill out and relax.
Bayou Joe's is located at 112A East 3rd Court on Massalina Bayou in Panama City. Their website is www.bayoujoes.com.
2. For a Truly Unique Dining Experience, Go to Just The Cook
Just the Cook is a one-of-a-kind spot to grab lunch. Located on a houseboat on St. Andrew's Bay, Just the Cook serves fresh food - it's never frozen, microwaved, or out of a can.
Guests can order their food and eat at one of the nearby picnic tables. A sweet bonus about eating at Just the Cook - they don't have a liquor license, so if you order a beer with your meal, the beer is free!
Just the Cook is docked at 3151 W 10th Street in Panama City. Visit them on the web at justthecook.com.
3. For Casual Fine Dining at its best, head to g. Foley's
Though the food is upscale, the environment at g. Foley's is casual and inviting. Guests can dine inside one of the beautiful dining areas or outside on the cozy patio. Chef Chris Infinger brings the farm-to-table concept home to Panama City using fresh Florida produce bought at the local market and fish from Tarpon Dock’s fish market. While everything is incredible, the Tuna Dip and Lump Crab Hushpuppies are out of this world.
g. Foley's is located at 3214 W 23rd Street in Panama City. Visit their website at gfoleys.com for more information and to make reservations.
4. Get Your Oyster Fix at Hunt's Oyster Bar
Hunt's Oyster Bar has been shucking oysters for 50 years in Panama City. Located across from St. Andrew's Marina in a yellow building, guests can dine on raw, steamed, and cooked oysters, as well as steak, shrimp, scallops, tuna, frog legs, and chicken. (And that's just to name a few of the things that they serve.) Hunt's Oyster Bar is also where the US Oyster Shucking Champion, Honor Allen, learned his trade.
Hunt's Oyster Bar is located at 1150 Beck Avenue in Panama City.
5. For Dinner with a view, eat at Uncle Ernies
Uncle Ernie's is a casual dining restaurant in historic St. Andrew's overlooking the bay. Once the home to Uncle Ernie and Jessie Morris, the home was preserved and converted to a restaurant that serves as a landmark to the spot where Uncle Ernie made his livelihood.
Nowadays, make sure that you have your cell phone with you. People line up to eat at Uncle Ernie's and they use modern-day technology to page you to let you know that they have a table available.
Menu items include fresh seafood from the gulf, steaks, pasta, soup & salad, and more. The sunsets from the deck at Uncle Ernie's are dreamy.
Uncle Ernie's Bayfront Grill is located at 1151 Bayview Avenue in Panama City. Visit the website at uncleerniesbayfrontgrill.com for more info.
Love these recommendations! But I'm most attracted to Just the Cook. Fresh food and free beer? I'm sold!
Isn't that so cool?!
Oh man they all look delish! We are hoping to visit next Spring Break and will definitely keep this list handy!
Panama City and Panama City Beach are great Spring Break destinations. I know you will have a great time.
Wow Bayou Joe's looks BOMB! I am planning on doing a big Florida road trip at some point and I will definitely be working these spots into my list!
Breakfast at Bayou Joe's is pretty incredible! You will enjoy exploring Florida.
They all look so delicious. And your photography makes the food even more appealing 😊
Thanks. The food was a great subject to photograph.
These all look delicious! I think I would most want to try Bayou Joe's. Those breakfast options sound amazing.
I would add Los Antojitos mexican restaurant to the list! Not your tupical mexican. Chips and queso are the best, strong margaritas, and food is delicious! Did I mention the outdoor dining? Eat under a large lighted tree with views of the bay and even a play area for the kiddos!!!