Panama City, Florida, boasts a vibrant foodie scene. The places I visited reflect the exciting culinary experiences happening in Panama City.
Many people confuse Panama City with Panama City Beach, but they are distinct cities connected by a bridge, with entirely different vibes.
Panama City is a slice of old Florida where visitors come to experience the art, culture, and maritime history that’s been preserved here, unlike the amusement parks and t-shirt shops found elsewhere. The shops here are likely to be locally owned boutiques, and the t-shirts often hand-painted by local artists.
Panama City FL restaurants frequently blend art, history, and food, many offering views of the bay that have drawn people to this idyllic place for centuries.
16 Must-Try Panama City FL Restaurants:
Tarpons
7 Harrison Avenue, Panama City, FL 32401 | +1 8504025100
As soon as I checked in at Panama City’s new Indigo Hotel, I felt at home. It’s the only hotel in the city on the waterfront, is dog-friendly, and its Tarpon Restaurant starts in the lobby and extends to an outdoor area overlooking the bay.
For my first breakfast in Panama City, I tried the waffles—large, perfectly cooked waffles topped with fresh strawberries and bananas, dusted with powdered sugar, and drenched in maple syrup, paired with a hot cup of Earl Grey tea.
It was the perfect way to start the day. Tarpon serves breakfast and lunch.
Steam on 5 Rooftop Bar
7 Harrison Avenue, Panama City, FL 32401 | +1 8504025100
I had to check out Indigo’s rooftop bar, Steam on 5. It offers a fantastic view of the bay. They serve lunch Thursday through Sunday and dinner every day, along with a fantastic cocktail menu.
I relaxed while sipping a St. Andrews Bay Punch, a flavorful combination of Cruzan Coconut and Pineapple Rum, banana liqueur, orange and pineapple juice, and Cruzan Black Strap Rum Floater.
The menu also highlights Bay County’s largest artificial reef, the SS Tarpon Reef, located 7.8 nautical miles offshore, submerged in 95 ft. of water. This reef supports diverse aquatic life and is a popular site for divers.
Luna Muna Cafebar
1127 Beck Avenue, Panama City, FL 32401 | +18503033405
If you want to venture into the city to start your day, I discovered a tiny place with a flower and mural-filled patio in the historic St. Andrews Neighborhood. Luna Muna Cafebar may be small in size, but it’s huge in quality.
My Raspberry Wild French Toast, made with Cinnamon Hazelnut Challah bread stuffed with whipped blueberries and coconut cream, topped with mixed berries, pumpkin seeds, raspberry maple syrup, and a side of saucy bananas, was so delicious it nearly drove me wild.
Their tea is served in a unique China cup, adding to the charm.
Harrison’s Kitchen and Bar
5 Harrison Avenue, Panama City, FL 32401 | +1 8509795550
Harrison’s Kitchen and Bar may be the newest addition to Panama City’s Historic Downtown area, having opened in August 2022, but it certainly upholds the heritage.
Named after one of the four small towns that merged to form Panama City, the restaurant offers beautiful views of the Panama City Marina and St. Andrews Bay. The building’s style is reminiscent of a marina with its wood floors and industrial look. The Southern-style food evokes the days when local fishermen returned from the bay or gulf with fresh seafood.
I sampled the Southern Pimento Cheese Bites, a warm concoction of fried pimento cheese, green tomato relish, and Creole mustard.
For my entrée, I chose a Georgian Salad with macerated peaches, candied pecans, brie cheese croutons, red onions, and heirloom tomatoes, all drenched in port wine vinaigrette.
The dessert menu was so tempting that I opted for the M’ssippi Mud Pie—melt-in-your-mouth chocolate heaven.
Atelier
100 Harrison Avenue, Panama City, FL 32401
The name Atelier means an artist’s studio or workshop, and it fits because here, you can create your own candle while enjoying a custom-made cocktail.
I had a traditional Malibu Rum and pineapple juice, while some of my friends tried the really smoking Old Fashioned.
The owner, Shanta Brannon, explained that it takes about an hour or so for the candle to harden. In the meantime, you can enjoy live music or explore the surrounding shops and restaurants in the area.
Atelier is located in what was originally the Bank of Panama City, the county’s first bank, built between 1910 and 1911. The first floor was rebuilt using the original bricks after a fire destroyed the second floor and roof in 1988. Outside, there’s a Parisian-style courtyard where you can relax with your drink and candle-making project amid the flowers.
El Weirdo
24 W Oak Avenue, Panama City, FL 32401 | +1 8508427685
El Weirdo takes art to a different level. My favorite piece is the psychedelic car in the front garden, but there’s so much more to see. Inside, there’s an alien and spaceship over the beer taps, adding to the quirky vibe.
The restroom art might even make you question reality!
Their specialty is tacos and home-brewed beers, but we sampled the Wizard Fries—loaded French fries topped with chorizo, black bean and corn salsa, pickled carrots and onions, cotija cheese, wizard sauce, cilantro, and lime.
Delicious, and certainly a dish fit for a wizard.
Uncle Ernie’s Bayfront Grill and Brewhouse
1151 Bayview Avenue, Panama City, FL 32401 | +1 8507638427
If you’ve been feeling landlocked and need a taste of the water, visit Uncle Ernie’s Bayfront Grill and Brewhouse next to the St. Andrew Marina, where the real-life Uncle Ernie made his living. Time your visit to be there at sunset for an incredible view over the bay.
Uncle Ernie’s prides itself on the freshness of its food, with seafood sourced locally and never long out of the water. My Soft Shell Crab Dinner was a crispy delight, served with remoulade sauce and a fresh salad.
Uncle Ernie’s also has a touch of history. Built in the late 1800s, it was the home of Ernest (Uncle Ernie) and Jessie Morris, making it one of St. Andrews’s oldest structures. There’s live music every night, adding to the charm of this historic venue.
Shell Ice Cream Boat
We wanted more of the bay, so we took an eco-tour with Anchor Charters out to Shell Island. About three hours in, our captain, Chris Bourque, asked if we wanted to get ice cream from the Ice Cream Boat. Sure enough, a 17-foot center-console boat flying a banner with ice cream cone pictures pulled up.
The boat, owned by Jim Purcell, is equipped with a generator and two freezers, stocked with all the treats you’d find on a traditional ice cream truck. I enjoyed a drumstick handed to me by Tammy Knapp, the first mate, who even played a bit of the traditional ice cream truck tune.
Bayou Joe’s
112A East 3rd Court, Massalina Bayou, Panama City, FL 32401 | +1 8507636442
At the end of our eco-tour, Captain Chris anchored next to Bayou Joe’s, and we climbed directly into the dining area. If you’re not arriving by boat, you can also access it by land.
Bayou Joe’s is a unique piece of old Florida, part of the oldest marina in Panama City, and evolved into a restaurant over the water in the 1950s. Kevin Shea and his wife, Jennifer, kept it going seven days a week until Hurricane Michael temporarily shut them down. Kevin proudly told us, “It took us about six months and a day to get reopened.”
The menu is heavy on seafood, as expected, with a touch of Louisiana influence. Their signature dish, the Trash Burger, is an anything-goes creation that changes daily based on the chef’s whim.
I opted for the Blackened Shrimp Salad—a huge, spicy grilled shrimp salad served with homemade honey mustard dressing. It was delicious and satisfying.
Finns Island Style Grub at Little Village
2808 W 12th Street, Panama City, FL 32401 | +1 8502159273
Finns has two locations, but we visited the St. Andrews Neighborhood location. Little Village is an eco-friendly venue offering fair trade, recycled and re-purposed items from around the world, and local art. The restaurant features a back deck and side yard right on the water. Little Village also offers weekly live entertainment and is pet-friendly.
We sampled the Epic Quesadilla, a crispy grilled 10-inch flour tortilla with Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, and your choice of proteins. We opted for the veggie version and shared a serving of Fish Tacos. Both were fantastic.
Hunt’s Oyster Bar
1150 Beck Avenue, Panama City, FL 32401 | +1 8507639645
Panama City, sitting on the dock of St. Andrew Bay, with the Gulf of Mexico nearby, is a seafood lover’s paradise. Hunt’s Oyster Bar has been a local favorite for years, originally owned by Randy Hunt and operating out of a simple yellow bungalow in the St. Andrews Neighborhood.
In 2020, it changed hands but not its style or food quality. Now owned by Austin Abrams, his cousin Collins Abrams, and Greg Abrams, Hunt’s continues its tradition of fresh seafood, much of which comes from Tarpon Dock Seafood Market.
Oysters are the star of the show here—raw, baked, fried, steamed, Cajun, Cheesy, or Rockefeller, you can have them any way you like.
And if seafood isn’t your thing, Hunt’s has burgers, steaks, chicken, and more on the menu.
Thistle and Thorne
304 Harrison Avenue, Panama City, FL 32401
Thistle and Thorne is one of the most unique pubs I’ve ever visited. Located in a softly lit former theater, it features tables for dining, a dark wood and marble-topped bar with antique chandeliers, and an area for songwriter sessions.
Step to the back of the building, and you’ll find a speakeasy—except it’s not a bar, but a tattoo parlor called The Prominent Goat.
Owner Sierra Latham chose the pub’s name from her favorite places she’s traveled—Scotland, whose national flower is the thistle, inspired the name.
The night we visited, Lucky Mud was playing their signature Swampy Tonk and Folkabilly music. Besides an interesting food menu, Thistle and Thorne creates specialty cocktails and mocktails, and you can even enjoy a beautiful cup of Earl Grey tea served in a China cup with a timer to ensure it’s perfectly brewed.
Ferrucci Ristorante
301 Harrison Avenue, Panama City, FL 32401 | +1 8509139131
If you’re in the mood for traditional upscale Italian fare, Ferrucci Ristorante is the place to go. A Panama City tradition since 1995, it was founded by Mike Ferrucci and sold in 2023 to Matt and Mynta Harbison, who continue the authentic Italian tradition.
Our meal started with freshly made bread served with an olive oil, garlic dip, and Parmesan cheese. We shared a house-made Mozzarella Ball topped with prosciutto and roasted red peppers, and a Bruschetta with grilled bread, diced tomatoes, basil, and garlic.
For my entrée, I chose Pollo Alfredo, tender grilled chicken breast strips tossed in a Parmesan cream sauce with pasta, served with a choice of soup or salad. I opted for the tomato soup, perfectly balanced with just the right amount of basil—a perfect contrast to the creamy Alfredo main dish.
The Portal
328 Luverne Avenue, Panama City, FL 32401 | +1 8502150181
Remember the days before cell phones and screen games? The Portal brings the excitement of board games back. For $6 for two hours or $10 for all day, you can play classic games like Monopoly and Scrabble or newer ones like Settlers of Catan and Pandemic.
The food of choice here is Popcorn Salad, a mix of popcorn, M&Ms, and other tidbits. Their special drink is Fair Lemonade, but there are plenty of other options for custom-made sodas and non-alcoholic drinks. If you want an alcoholic drink, you can use the Social District Cup, which allows you to move around the district with a drink from member bars like the History Class next door.
History Class Brewing Company
6 E. 4th Street, Panama City, FL 32401 | +1 8508012337
We met one of History Class’s owners, Allan Branch, outside the building, which was once an appliance store that also sold old vinyl records. Andy Griffith even visited when he had a comedy show.
Inside, Dan Magner, another co-owner and General Manager, showed us around. He’s in charge of the gourmet food served here, like the Giant Pretzel with house-made beer cheese.
Some of the dishes have a historic twist, like the Smoked Bologna—whole log smoked, sliced thick, and grilled to order, served on a bun with house-made pimento cheese, Dijonaise, and pickles.
The building itself is like a museum, with artifacts telling the history of Panama City. The brews are named after people who shaped the city, such as McKenzie’s Finest, a nitro milk stout named for the city’s first mayor, Robert McKenzie, and Mashburn, a Scottish ale named for Jack Mashburn, a former Florida State House Representative known for his progressive views on beach access for African Americans.
Craft Beer Emporium
300 Harrison Avenue, Panama City, FL 32401 | +18507851166
If you’re in the mood to shoot some pool while enjoying a brew, Craft Beer Emporium is the only nonsmoking billiard parlor in Panama City. With a large selection on tap and many bottled options, plus around 11 billiard tables, it’s a great spot to relax and unwind.
Conclusion
Panama City is located southwest of Tallahassee on the Gulf Coast, midway between Destin and Port St. Joe. Separated by St. Andrews Bay from the more beachy vibe of Panama City Beach, it offers a unique blend of old Florida charm and modern culinary delights.
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