Guidebook for Pensacola
Essentials
Apple Market is locally owned and is a great place to buy local products. It also has delicious prepared items in its deli.
38 locals recommend
Apple Market
1021 Scenic HwyApple Market is locally owned and is a great place to buy local products. It also has delicious prepared items in its deli.
Joe Patti's is a Pensacola staple! This seafood market is fun just to check out. They also have fresh baked bread and specialty items.
295 locals recommend
Joe Patti's Seafood Company
524 S B StJoe Patti's is a Pensacola staple! This seafood market is fun just to check out. They also have fresh baked bread and specialty items.
This seafood market is very close. It's a great place to pick up some fish filets, crab meat, or unpeeled shrimp. They recently opened a restaurant too, and the smoked tuna dip is excellent.
17 locals recommend
Maria's Fresh Seafood Market
631 E Cervantes StThis seafood market is very close. It's a great place to pick up some fish filets, crab meat, or unpeeled shrimp. They recently opened a restaurant too, and the smoked tuna dip is excellent.
If you're in to healthy eating, check out Pensacola's co-op grocery store.
81 locals recommend
Ever'man Cooperative Grocery & Cafe
315 W Garden StIf you're in to healthy eating, check out Pensacola's co-op grocery store.
This is a great place to buy well-priced, fresh, local produce. And, it has a nursery to boot!
8 locals recommend
Bailey's Produce and Nursery
4301 N Davis HwyThis is a great place to buy well-priced, fresh, local produce. And, it has a nursery to boot!
This grocery store is a short drive or a 15 minute walk.
74 locals recommend
Publix Super Market at East Hill
1100 E Cervantes StThis grocery store is a short drive or a 15 minute walk.
Parks & Nature
There are several beautiful beaches to choose from in various parts of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. We go to either the Ft. Pickens area or Opal Beach, depending on the water. Sometimes we go to Johnson Beach on Perdido Key as well.
59 locals recommend
Gulf Islands National Seashore
1400 Fort Pickens RoadThere are several beautiful beaches to choose from in various parts of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. We go to either the Ft. Pickens area or Opal Beach, depending on the water. Sometimes we go to Johnson Beach on Perdido Key as well.
If you drive to the end of Fort Pickens Road, you will see the fort that it was named after. Touring this is another good way to learn about the local history.
394 locals recommend
Fort Pickens
1400 Fort Pickens RdIf you drive to the end of Fort Pickens Road, you will see the fort that it was named after. Touring this is another good way to learn about the local history.
This is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. If it rains a lot, the water around Ft. Pickens will be browner since it's close to the bay. We go here for the emerald waters this coast is famous for when that's the case.
35 locals recommend
Opal Beach
This is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. If it rains a lot, the water around Ft. Pickens will be browner since it's close to the bay. We go here for the emerald waters this coast is famous for when that's the case.
Shopping
If you're around on a Saturday morning, check out the local farmers' market.
165 locals recommend
Palafox Market
121 N Palafox StIf you're around on a Saturday morning, check out the local farmers' market.
This is a non-profit, volunteer-staffed bookstore. They also operate the only books for prisoners program in the state of Florida.
Open Books
1040 N Guillemard StThis is a non-profit, volunteer-staffed bookstore. They also operate the only books for prisoners program in the state of Florida.
Arts & Culture
Palafox Street is home to galleries, shops, theaters, restaurants, and bars. It also hosts monthly gallery nights, and you can search for the dates and themes online.
Palafox Street Downtown Pensacola
Palafox Street is home to galleries, shops, theaters, restaurants, and bars. It also hosts monthly gallery nights, and you can search for the dates and themes online.
Drinks & Nightlife
There are several microbreweries in Pensacola, but this one is really popular.
60 locals recommend
Odd Colony Brewing Company
260 N Palafox StThere are several microbreweries in Pensacola, but this one is really popular.
Food Scene
As one of my friends recently said, "This is the best restaurant I have ever eaten in that has a T-shirt shop." McGuire's is super kitchy but they pull it off. You can't go wrong with the food with the exception of ordering too much. The portions are huge! They bring amazing bread and butter to your table as well.
380 locals recommend
McGuire's Irish Pub
600 E Gregory StAs one of my friends recently said, "This is the best restaurant I have ever eaten in that has a T-shirt shop." McGuire's is super kitchy but they pull it off. You can't go wrong with the food with the exception of ordering too much. The portions are huge! They bring amazing bread and butter to your table as well.
This is a classic greasy spoon. If you like milkshakes, this is the place to go!
39 locals recommend
Jerry's Drive In
2815 E Cervantes StThis is a classic greasy spoon. If you like milkshakes, this is the place to go!
I will only eat gumbo in New Orleans and Lafayette with the exception of this place. We have been impressed with all of the food that we have had here. They have a nice oyster bar as well.
223 locals recommend
The Grand Marlin of Pensacola Beach
400 Pensacola Beach BlvdI will only eat gumbo in New Orleans and Lafayette with the exception of this place. We have been impressed with all of the food that we have had here. They have a nice oyster bar as well.
There's usually a line and a wait for a reason! If you can time it right, this is a great place to grab a fish sandwich or some oysters. They offer daily lunch specials.
292 locals recommend
Peg Leg Pete's
1010 Fort Pickens RdThere's usually a line and a wait for a reason! If you can time it right, this is a great place to grab a fish sandwich or some oysters. They offer daily lunch specials.
This taqueria has been ranked within the top five in the United States. I have frequented taquerias in Mexico, Texas, and California and I would agree. It's always busy but worth it.
34 locals recommend
Taqueria El Asador
7955 N Davis HwyThis taqueria has been ranked within the top five in the United States. I have frequented taquerias in Mexico, Texas, and California and I would agree. It's always busy but worth it.
Not only is this place down the street, but their barbeque is legit!
42 locals recommend
Hot Spot Barbecue - BBQ
901 E La Rua StNot only is this place down the street, but their barbeque is legit!
This is a nice lunch spot. We love their fried chicken and Gouda macaroni.
9 locals recommend
Four Seasons Catering & Eatery
212 S Palafox StThis is a nice lunch spot. We love their fried chicken and Gouda macaroni.
We haven't yet tried their breakfast, but this is a great spot for splitting a sandwich (they're huge!) and having a cup of soup. Chris loved the Brunswick Stew. It would be a nice place to sit down for some coffee as well.
58 locals recommend
Polonza Bistro
286 N Palafox StWe haven't yet tried their breakfast, but this is a great spot for splitting a sandwich (they're huge!) and having a cup of soup. Chris loved the Brunswick Stew. It would be a nice place to sit down for some coffee as well.
Tacos Mexicanos
3000 N 12th AveNice place to sit outside and enjoy a few tacos.
Union Public House
36 S Reus StThis is a popular spot for food and drinks.
Lamonte Gelato
Nice local gelato spot!
This is a great place for picking up some Middle Eastern food.
14 locals recommend
Taste of Jerusalem and More
2805 W Cervantes StThis is a great place for picking up some Middle Eastern food.
Zaytouna Greek and Lebanese
This place is good and it's close to the house.
Entertainment & Activities
If you're an aviation buff, don't miss this free museum! The lighthouse museum is nearby as well.
468 locals recommend
National Naval Aviation Museum
1750 Radford BlvdIf you're an aviation buff, don't miss this free museum! The lighthouse museum is nearby as well.