Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Santa Rosa Beach

Santa Rosa Beach is an enclave of luxury beach houses and condominiums in the Florida Panhandle along the Gulf Coast, known around the world for its unmatched natural beauty that includes sugar sand beaches, turquoise waters, and brilliant sunsets. A few years ago, Travel + Leisure magazine named Santa Rosa Beach one of the “Best Beaches on Earth.”

With that kind of exposure, it’s no wonder that people come from all over the world for vacations and holidays. Even better, people purchase Santa Rosa Beach real estate for year-round living or second homes to use for vacations, weekend getaways, and holiday get-togethers. Santa Rosa Beach is known for beachside mansions and estates with lush landscaping and easy access to the water, giving residents the feel of year-round resort living. There are also luxury beachside condos and townhomes loaded with special amenities.

Santa Rosa Beach and the surrounding area have a thriving fine-dining scene sure to please every palette. There are many seafood restaurants as well as other favorites, such as Italian and sushi. Once people get settled in their new homes, they head out to experience the beach vibe at the many wonderful restaurants.

 

Fish Out Of Water is a popular spot for a dining experience that can be casual or elegant, depending on the occasion. Located next to the upscale WaterColor Inn and offering a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Mexico, Fish Out Of Water is one of the area’s largest restaurants that attracts many families and couples and also has a great bar.

Couples looking for a romantic dinner can ask to be seated in the private dining room, and families looking for a fun outing can sit in the main dining room or on the outdoor porch. Diners are treated to a full menu of locally produced fish and meats that are served Southern style by the talented culinary team. There is a full menu of drinks and a well-stocked wine cellar. The open kitchen helps give a special ambiance for diners looking for a great beach-side dining experience.

Café Thirty-A perfectly captures the atmosphere of Santa Rosa Beach. Located just two blocks off the beach, Café Thirty-A is a casual fine-dining restaurant that’s a perfect destination after a day of fun at the beach or on the golf course. After working up an appetite, diners can look forward to a mouth-watering menu featuring grilled and fire-roasted seafood, a selection of meats and poultry, and pizzas cooked in a wood oven. There are also vegetarian and vegan options to choose from. The menu changes daily based on the availability of locally sourced ingredients.

The award-winning Café Thirty-A is also known for its wonderful desserts and the best martinis in the area, as well as other cocktails and fine wines. Patrons love the fun, low-key atmosphere and décor that gives the restaurant the vibes of being on an island.

 

Locals and visitors alike looking for a unique fine dining experience should make a reservation at Basmati’s Asian Cuisine, which sits amid pine trees overlooking Draper Lake just a short distance from the beach. Basmati’s Asian Cuisine is the perfect place for a romantic dinner in its well-appointed, candlelit dining room, as well as a screened-in, open-air porch.

Diners are treated to the best sushi in the area and Asian inspirations to Gulf Coast seafood favorites, such as red snapper and black grouper. Basmati’s prides itself on using local vegetables and other ingredients to make its dishes as fresh as possible. The menu includes vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

One truly unique fine dining experience in the Santa Rosa Beach area is to make a reservation with SunQuest Cruises for a wonderful sunset dinner aboard its SOLARIS yacht as it plies the local waters. Booking a trip on the SOLARIS takes waterfront dining to a whole new level, as customers can enjoy an exceptional meal on the water from either indoor or outdoor seating on one of the yacht’s three decks. Upgraded private window tables are available for a fee, making the fine dining experience even more special, especially for a romantic sunset dinner. You can marvel at the fantastic vistas out over the shimmering waters as you enjoy your meal.

The breathtaking views are matched by delicious award-winning entrees, as diners have the choice of chef-prepared fresh Gulf seafood, prime beef, chicken, or other Southern classics. After dinner, there’s dancing to live music. The SOLARIS operates year-round from the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, where locals often pamper themselves with a fun weekend staycation.

 

Those seeking a fine Italian dinner should get a table at Borago, which has been owned and operated for 15 years by two chefs. At least one of the chefs will be in the kitchen every night, directing a skilled staff and preparing delicious favorites that turn many residents into repeat customers. Borago is a small, contemporary restaurant near the water with a cozy dining room, full bar, and an open kitchen.

Diners can start with appetizers that include calamari, pan-seared sea scallops, pan-seared shrimp, three-meat Bolognese, or a salad. They then order entrees that include menu favorites, such as roasted eggplant lasagna and grouper niçoise.

This is just a sampling of the many fine-dining restaurants in and around Santa Rosa Beach. If you’ve had your eye on Santa Rosa Beach, FL, real estate and are ready to start your journey, contact the Bremer Group today. This expert real estate team will help you begin the home-buying process, and before you know it, you’ll be enjoying the special beach lifestyle.