Pensacola Area
Pensacola is inland about 5 miles from the beach, with its big attraction being the naval air school with its Blue Angels, activity around the docks, and a very pretty downtown full of gracious people who have seen hurricane destruction too many times, that history beginning as far back as the 1500′s. The waterfront area south of Main St. is all built on ships’ ballast. Museums and historic district walks make for a good stroll.
Just across Pensacola Bay Bridge you’ll find protected beaches of the justly famous Gulf Islands National Seashore. Ranked in the top 20 beaches in the US, Perdido Key is 12 miles of unspoiled sand to play on. You’ll find restaurants, and facilities for all sorts of water sports. On Santa Rosa Island there is an additional 45 miles to wander about on. Across on the mainland is Big Lagoon State Park, with a salt marsh area for hiking and bird watching, as well as a good beach.
Breakfast & Coffee:
End of the Line Cafe: Good vegan breakfasts, lunch, coffees in a laid back atmosphere with poetry readings etc.
610 E Wright St. (850) 429-0336
Bagelheads: Great bagels and coffee with a patio overlooking the bay.
916 E Gregory St(850) 444-9661
Et Cafe: Hip coffee, teas, muffins, and lunch in a cool, funky setting in a 19th century basement.
1010 N 12th Ave. (850) 433-2630
Seafood:
The Crab Trap: Great view of the bay with good fresh fish.
455 Main St, (850) 912-8775
Fish House: Great waterfront spot with rich seafood dishes and a good happy hour scene.
600 S Barracks St, (850) 470-0003
Jerry’s Cajun Cafe & Market: Cajun fare at its best with big portions and good pricing.
6205 N 9th Ave, (850) 484-6962
Bonefish Grill: Creative seafood dishes at good prices.
5025 N 12th Ave, (850) 471-2324
Pizza:
The Tuscan Oven: Real brick oven pizza just like in Italy.
4801 N 9th Ave, (850) 484-6836
Hopjacks Pizza Kitchen & Taproom: Good beer & good pizza! What else is there?
10 S Palafox St, (850) 497-6073
Mediterranean Plus Restaurant: Best Greek food and real good pizza.
6895 N 9th Ave, (850) 469-9225
Chinese, Sushi, Thai, etc:
Teriyaki Cafe Sushi & Grill: Fabulous sushi and real fresh chinese food in a TINY place.
8084 N Davis Hwy, (850) 912-8838
Hunan Chinese Restaurant: Good Chinese, a local favorite.
3102 E Cervantes St, (850) 438-4787
Tu-Do Vietnamese Restaurant: Best Vietnamese anywhere! Outrageous BBQ pork.
7130 N Davis Hwy, (850) 473-8877
Steaks, burgers, & barbecue:
McGuire’s Irish Pub & Brewery: All fun as an Irish pub should be, and the food is fantastic.
600 E Gregory St, (850) 433-6789
Jackson’s Steakhouse: Expensive, but impeccably classy and very, very good.
400 S Palafox St, (850) 469-9898
Blue Dot Barbecue: Ribs & burgers. That’s it and they’re both plenty good.
310 N De Villiers St, (850) 432-0644
King’s Bar-B-Q: Small joint, but powerfully good barbecue.
2120 N Palafox St, (850) 433-4479
Bars & Nightlife:
Seville Quarter: Big, loud, and crowded, but it’s the big scene in Pensacola.
130 E Government St, (850) 434-6211
Jack & Ron’s Piano Bar: Hip downtown piano bar/pub with a good happy hour and great martinis.
101 S. Jefferson St., (850) 434-0291
Watercolor by Peter Bailey