Restaurant · Destin, Florida
The Back Porch
How to book: walk-in — a casual beachside institution; go off-peak (early or late) and expect a wait at prime summer hours + sunset. The play: a beach-view table for fried/grilled Gulf seafood, oysters, and a frozen drink after a beach day. Confirm current hours before you go.
Best meal: A casual beach-view lunch or early dinner — Gulf oysters, fried/grilled seafood platters, and a frozen tropical drink with the sand and water right there. It's the relaxed post-beach meal, not a destination dinner. Confirm the current menu on site.
Who it’s NOT for: fine-dining seekers (this is casual beach-shack dining) anyone needing a guaranteed fixed-time reservation (largely walk-in — expect a wait at peak) diners wanting a quiet room (it's a busy open-air beach spot in season)
$$-$$$Research-based
Part of Destin, FL, Decided.
Common questions
Is The Back Porch worth it?
Destin's original (1974) on-the-Gulf-beach casual seafood + oyster house — toes-near-the-sand fried/grilled fish, oysters, and frozen drinks; a walk-in post-beach institution, not a destination dinner.
Who is The Back Porch for?
The Back Porch is for beach family, beach couple, and celebration group.
Who is The Back Porch not for?
The Back Porch is not for fine-dining seekers (this is casual beach-shack dining) anyone needing a guaranteed fixed-time reservation (largely walk-in — expect a wait at peak) diners wanting a quiet room (it's a busy open-air beach spot in season).
Do you need a reservation at The Back Porch?
walk-in — a casual beachside institution; go off-peak (early or late) and expect a wait at prime summer hours + sunset. The play: a beach-view table for fried/grilled Gulf seafood, oysters, and a frozen drink after a beach day.
How expensive is The Back Porch?
The Back Porch is in the $$-$$$ range. Meravella shows prices as bands and never publishes exact figures it hasn't verified.
How we know: basis research · last verified Thu Jul 30 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time). We never rank by commission.