Lois’s guidebook
Food scene
These are some of our favorite places to dine on Pensacola Beach.
Best place on the Beach for oysters. They serve so many of them that they are always fresh.
292 locals recommend
Peg Leg Pete's
1010 Fort Pickens RdBest place on the Beach for oysters. They serve so many of them that they are always fresh.
With 52 television screens and 52 tuners, this is a great sports bar where the staff will gladly tune the closest TV into the game of your choice. Plus, the food is really good. Best burgers and wings on the Beach!
58 locals recommend
Sidelines Sports Bar and Restaurant
2 Via De Luna DrWith 52 television screens and 52 tuners, this is a great sports bar where the staff will gladly tune the closest TV into the game of your choice. Plus, the food is really good. Best burgers and wings on the Beach!
Located in the lobby of the Margaritaville Hotel, this bar and restaurant is just across the street from the condo and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. A nice place, just a short walk away and much less crowded than a lot of other spots.
Frank & Lola Love Pensacola Café
165 Fort Pickens RdLocated in the lobby of the Margaritaville Hotel, this bar and restaurant is just across the street from the condo and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. A nice place, just a short walk away and much less crowded than a lot of other spots.
Locally known as the best breakfast spot on the Beach. Expect crowds, but worth the wait.
82 locals recommend
Native Cafe
45A Via De Luna DrLocally known as the best breakfast spot on the Beach. Expect crowds, but worth the wait.
Good food and the best restaurant on the beach to watch the sunset. Indoor and outdoor dining. They also have a small beach, which makes them accessible by paddleboard or kayak!
33 locals recommend
Shaggy's Pensacola Beach
701 Pensacola Beach BlvdGood food and the best restaurant on the beach to watch the sunset. Indoor and outdoor dining. They also have a small beach, which makes them accessible by paddleboard or kayak!
Best fine dining seafood restaurant on the Beach. Tricky spot to get into. Make sure you take the outer road back south before exiting so you don't end up having to pay another toll!
223 locals recommend
The Grand Marlin of Pensacola Beach
400 Pensacola Beach BlvdBest fine dining seafood restaurant on the Beach. Tricky spot to get into. Make sure you take the outer road back south before exiting so you don't end up having to pay another toll!
Hemingway's Island Grill
400 Quietwater Beach RdThere's a ton of beach bars around, and they're pretty much all the same, but if it's open, check out the inside bar and dining area at Flounder's. Great atmosphere and the best sushi on the Beach.
216 locals recommend
Flounder's Chowder House
800 Quietwater Beach RdThere's a ton of beach bars around, and they're pretty much all the same, but if it's open, check out the inside bar and dining area at Flounder's. Great atmosphere and the best sushi on the Beach.
Here's a great spot for a quick breakfast if you don't feel like waiting in line at Native Cafe. Try the chorizo breakfast burrito!
39 locals recommend
Dog House Deli
30 S Palafox StHere's a great spot for a quick breakfast if you don't feel like waiting in line at Native Cafe. Try the chorizo breakfast burrito!
The only pizza restaurant on the Beach, and you can get it by the slice. Sorry, they don't deliver. You'll have to call Domino's, Pizza Hut or Papa John's for that.
21 locals recommend
Papa's Pizza
400 Quietwater Beach RdThe only pizza restaurant on the Beach, and you can get it by the slice. Sorry, they don't deliver. You'll have to call Domino's, Pizza Hut or Papa John's for that.
Breeze Donuts and Kolaches
2699 Gulf Breeze PkwyThe best donuts in the Pensacola area!
Café Nola
400 Quietwater Beach RdWe lived in New Orleans for five years. This place is the real deal.
Live Music
Best spot on Pensacola Beach for live music, both local and touring acts.
59 locals recommend
Paradise Bar & Grill
21 Via De Luna DrBest spot on Pensacola Beach for live music, both local and touring acts.
Free music concert every Tuesday evening, April through October.
9 locals recommend
Casino Beach Pavilion station
Free music concert every Tuesday evening, April through October.
Sightseeing
Fort Pickens
1400 Fort Pickens RdBest aviation museum. Free admission. Worth the drive!
47 locals recommend
National Naval Aviation Museum
1750 Radford BoulevardBest aviation museum. Free admission. Worth the drive!
Neighborhoods
Plenty of restaurants, bars, shops and museums. Plan to spend a day at the museums and an evening of nightlife on Palafox Street.
212 locals recommend
Downtown
Plenty of restaurants, bars, shops and museums. Plan to spend a day at the museums and an evening of nightlife on Palafox Street.
City advice
Getting around
Expect heavy traffic during peak seasons!
There's only one way on and off Pensacola Beach, and only two main roads to get around on once you're there. Traffic can be frustrating during peak seasons. To avoid this, plan on walking or, better still, bring or rent a bicycle. Almost everything is a short (less than a mile) distance from the condo. There's also a free trolley that runs between Memorial and Labor Days. Plan to supply your groceries before crossing the bridge, or make grocery runs before 9 a.m. or after 8 p.m. to avoid the traffic.
Getting around
Top your gas tank off!
Gas in Gulf Breeze and out on the Beach can be substantially higher priced than in Pensacola or along the major highways. Consider topping your tank off just before reaching Pensacola. You shouldn't need more than a full tank to cover all your sightseeing while here. Get out of the area before filling up for your return trip, too.