Islander Beach Resort and Condos Guidebook
Food scene
Best seafood at decent prices on the island. All the seafood is fresh and locally caught. Very casual and likely a line; nothing fancy here but good fish. There’s a steamer shop next door for eat-in or to-go orders and fresh fish market. Do not miss Stewby's!
155 locals recommend
Stewby's Seafood Shanty
235 Santa Rosa BlvdBest seafood at decent prices on the island. All the seafood is fresh and locally caught. Very casual and likely a line; nothing fancy here but good fish. There’s a steamer shop next door for eat-in or to-go orders and fresh fish market. Do not miss Stewby's!
Cute spot built with converted shipping containers! Nice view of the sound with comfy outdoor seating. Keep it simple when ordering (my favorite is the grouper sandwich; my son loves the fried chicken sandwich) and enjoy the casual, beach-y ambience. Nice spot for drinks and a bite of food to share. Tuna dip with EXCELLENT homemade pita chips). Our house guests often visit this spot twice when visiting...Also has a cute (and a tad spendy...)shop for souvenirs.
106 locals recommend
The Gulf
1284 Marler AvenueCute spot built with converted shipping containers! Nice view of the sound with comfy outdoor seating. Keep it simple when ordering (my favorite is the grouper sandwich; my son loves the fried chicken sandwich) and enjoy the casual, beach-y ambience. Nice spot for drinks and a bite of food to share. Tuna dip with EXCELLENT homemade pita chips). Our house guests often visit this spot twice when visiting...Also has a cute (and a tad spendy...)shop for souvenirs.
You MUST visit this cronut shop! It’s busy on weekend mornings so plan accordingly. But they sell fresh doughnuts all day and will make almost any doughnut they sell- even if it’s not in the case. These babies are big enough to share but you may want to have one all to yourself and another to go.
39 locals recommend
Parlor Doughnuts
191 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEYou MUST visit this cronut shop! It’s busy on weekend mornings so plan accordingly. But they sell fresh doughnuts all day and will make almost any doughnut they sell- even if it’s not in the case. These babies are big enough to share but you may want to have one all to yourself and another to go.
Great breakfast spot. VERY popular with locals and tourists. Good place to eat on your way out of town…
42 locals recommend
Asiago's Skillet
110 Amberjack DrGreat breakfast spot. VERY popular with locals and tourists. Good place to eat on your way out of town…
A local standout for steamed crab. Pricey but a very nice night out if you want a special meal without having to drive far. If you aren’t up for fish, the ribs are a good option. We eat here for every special occasion so I feel good recommending Old Bay!
58 locals recommend
Old Bay Steamer
102 Santa Rosa BlvdA local standout for steamed crab. Pricey but a very nice night out if you want a special meal without having to drive far. If you aren’t up for fish, the ribs are a good option. We eat here for every special occasion so I feel good recommending Old Bay!
Ok so this is a local favorite for French food and has an excellent lunch menu. Located just over the Brooks Bridge right on the sound. Desserts are worth saving room for…
29 locals recommend
Bay Cafe French Restaurant
233 Alconese Ave SEOk so this is a local favorite for French food and has an excellent lunch menu. Located just over the Brooks Bridge right on the sound. Desserts are worth saving room for…
Seriously, THE Best burgers in the area. Period.
16 locals recommend
The Craft Bar - Fort Walton Beach
99 Eglin Pkwy NESeriously, THE Best burgers in the area. Period.
Nice spot for a romantic dinner. Yes you have to drive to Destin but it’s worth it for a special meal. Fresh fish specials best bet as well as steak.
30 locals recommend
Beach Walk Cafe
2700 Scenic Hwy 98Nice spot for a romantic dinner. Yes you have to drive to Destin but it’s worth it for a special meal. Fresh fish specials best bet as well as steak.
Food truck located in downtown Fort Walton Beach; open for lunch…good spot for post-beach quick bite…other good trucks at same spot!
15 locals recommend
Sunset Bowls
211 Florida Pl SEFood truck located in downtown Fort Walton Beach; open for lunch…good spot for post-beach quick bite…other good trucks at same spot!
Best authentic Italian food (and we should know-we’re from Brooklyn!); located a few miles from island. Good family spot.
32 locals recommend
Clemenza's at Uptown
75 Eglin Pkwy NEBest authentic Italian food (and we should know-we’re from Brooklyn!); located a few miles from island. Good family spot.
So many like AJ's for live music scene and overall party atmosphere. It's a nice spot for drinks after a long day on the beach and it is close! Located at the western end of Santa Rosa Blvd, about 1 1/2 miles from the Islander. You could walk but please be careful! Cross at designated crosswalks please...They also serve dinner and often have happy-hour specials. Kid-friendly in early evenings, rowdier later at night.
47 locals recommend
AJ's Oyster Shanty
108 Santa Rosa BlvdSo many like AJ's for live music scene and overall party atmosphere. It's a nice spot for drinks after a long day on the beach and it is close! Located at the western end of Santa Rosa Blvd, about 1 1/2 miles from the Islander. You could walk but please be careful! Cross at designated crosswalks please...They also serve dinner and often have happy-hour specials. Kid-friendly in early evenings, rowdier later at night.
Sightseeing and Other Activities
What to do when you want to leave the beach...
This is a fun spot for kids; easy drive from The Islander.
232 locals recommend
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
1010 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEThis is a fun spot for kids; easy drive from The Islander.
Beach Weekend Rentals can help you with all your on-the water activities. They rent pontoons and offer dolphin and snorkel cruises, as well as charters.
Beach Weekend
Beach Weekend Rentals can help you with all your on-the water activities. They rent pontoons and offer dolphin and snorkel cruises, as well as charters.
Fort Pickens is a historical monument dating back to the Civil War. It is maintained by the National Parks Service and is located in Pensacola. It is a bit of a road trip but many think it's well worth the drive! Good for families with kids, as well as anyone interested in US history. Geronimo was a famous prisoner here...
59 locals recommend
Gulf Islands National Seashore
1400 Fort Pickens RoadFort Pickens is a historical monument dating back to the Civil War. It is maintained by the National Parks Service and is located in Pensacola. It is a bit of a road trip but many think it's well worth the drive! Good for families with kids, as well as anyone interested in US history. Geronimo was a famous prisoner here...
So if you want to rent a fishing pole and try your luck you may do so here. Price to rent a rod in 2023 was $25 which includes a license. The pier is just 2 miles east of The Islander. There are also restaurants and some shopping nearby.
Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier
So if you want to rent a fishing pole and try your luck you may do so here. Price to rent a rod in 2023 was $25 which includes a license. The pier is just 2 miles east of The Islander. There are also restaurants and some shopping nearby.
HarborWalk Village is a popular attraction in Destin. It is located on the far western end of Destin so it is the closest Destin-destination! HarborWalk has lots to offer - live entertainment in season, several restaurants, a very popular zipline, rock wall, and more!
295 locals recommend
HarborWalk Village
34 Harbor BlvdHarborWalk Village is a popular attraction in Destin. It is located on the far western end of Destin so it is the closest Destin-destination! HarborWalk has lots to offer - live entertainment in season, several restaurants, a very popular zipline, rock wall, and more!
Cattywampus is located at The Gulf Restaurant so it’s close! They offer a variety of family-friendly tours and snorkeling trips.
Cattywampus Aquatic Adventures
1284 Marler AveCattywampus is located at The Gulf Restaurant so it’s close! They offer a variety of family-friendly tours and snorkeling trips.
Indian Temple Mound and Museum
139 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE(See Rainy Days section for more details)
Rainy or cloudy days
Stuff to do when the sun don't shine! All can be enjoyed in great weather as well.
Destin Commons is a premier shopping destination with a sprinkler playground for small ones. My son and his 3 year-old had a great time here when the weather wasn't allowing for beach time...But many go to shop!
306 locals recommend
Destin Commons
4100 Legendary DrDestin Commons is a premier shopping destination with a sprinkler playground for small ones. My son and his 3 year-old had a great time here when the weather wasn't allowing for beach time...But many go to shop!
This place is fun rain or shine; great for kids up to middle school age though teens and older will enjoy as well.
35 locals recommend
Emerald Coast Science Center
31 Memorial Pkwy SWThis place is fun rain or shine; great for kids up to middle school age though teens and older will enjoy as well.
This archaeological site located downtown is an important part of our local Native culture. Small indoor museum, historical schoolhouse and post office are a must-see, as is the temple mound itself. Check website for hours...
44 locals recommend
Indian Temple Mound and Museum
139 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEThis archaeological site located downtown is an important part of our local Native culture. Small indoor museum, historical schoolhouse and post office are a must-see, as is the temple mound itself. Check website for hours...
This a well designed indoor flea market that’s fun to explore rain or shine. Pick up some local honey or other treats to bring home. They have another location on Beal Parkway if you just can’t get enough flea market bliss…
16 locals recommend
DeFrance Antiques
230 Eglin Pkwy SEThis a well designed indoor flea market that’s fun to explore rain or shine. Pick up some local honey or other treats to bring home. They have another location on Beal Parkway if you just can’t get enough flea market bliss…
So it's raining or you are nursing a sunburn...head out to Silver Sands Premium Outlets in Miramar Beach a top-rated outlet mall with many great stores. Silver Sands is about 35 minutes away (45-60 in heavy traffic-check your GPS before you go), just past Destin.
462 locals recommend
Silver Sands Premium Outlets
10562 Emerald Coast Pkwy WSo it's raining or you are nursing a sunburn...head out to Silver Sands Premium Outlets in Miramar Beach a top-rated outlet mall with many great stores. Silver Sands is about 35 minutes away (45-60 in heavy traffic-check your GPS before you go), just past Destin.