Pet Friendly

BELOW YOU WILL FIND:  Where to find fresh seafood, Cape San Blas Restaurants & Grocery Stores ,  Guest Restaurant Recommendations and Pet Friendly Restaurant Information. 
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<----  Don't miss the complete menu on the Left! 

There are  plenty of great restaurants in Cape San Blas, Indian Pass, Apalachicola, Mexico Beach and Port St. Joe: (To help you decide where to dine first, you will find menus to many of the area restaurants in the Guest Book located in each of our Barrier Dunes Vacation Rentals!)

Cape San Blas / Indian Pass

• Loggerhead Grill--Formerly Beachcombers (1 mile from C30 junction)  980 Cape San Blas Rd., Cape San Blas FL.  229-9703    (allows pets on their outdoor patio).  Menu includes local Seafood prepared in a tropical fusion style.  Some of their best sellers are:  Gulf Black Grouper, Gulf Shrimp and Jumbo Lump Crab Cake.
• Conehead’s is located .2 miles  (a 5 minute walk) from Barrier Dunes. 
  You can enjoy breakfast, or a GREAT burger, among other things, and an ice cream cone.  They also have gift items!   (You can walk, bike or scooter from Barrier Dunes to Coneheads--even the kids!)
• Indian Pass Raw Bar     Rt. C-30  227-1670 Wendy says "Our favorite, very informal and the kids love it." We enjoyed Indian Pass Raw Bar--if you can get Gator to shuck a few oysters :-) (Fritz and Cathy, Aspen CO 11/04) The Raw Bar was good--an interesting place (Jeanette and Bill, WI 1/05)    Great Place!  (Alan and Angela, 5/05),  The Raw Bar was "an experience"!  Not what we expected! (The Stewart, 4/05)     January & February Hours:  Thursday, Friday and Saturday:  12-9 p.m.  Winter:  Tues. - Saturday, 12-9 EST.

Note:  The Loggerhead Grill is currently closed.  I will post updates as they become available.

Apalachicola, FL (also called Apalach by the locals!):

• Apalachicola Seafood Grill and Steakhouse  100 Market St.   850-653-9510. 
  Very casual atmosphere--home of the worlds largest fish sandwich!  Enjoy a grouper sandwich, shrimp, oysters, hush puppies and much more.  Grilled or fried to perfection.    Closed on Sundays!  Lunch, Dinner and Take Out.  Hours:  Mon. - Sat. 11 - 4.
  Rita Sikora (winter 2008) - One our our favorites
• Bay City Lodge   Bay City Road   850-653-9294
  Breakfast, Dinner and Take Out
• Boss Oyster   123 Water St.   850-653-9364    Per 1 guest, may allow your dog on the deck...please call first! 
  Dining on the Apalachicola River.  Enjoy raw oysters, baked oysters, oyster Rockefeller, Oyster Monterey, Oyster Jalapeno or design your own baked oysters!
   Boss' in Apalachicola is a great place!  (Alan and Andrea, GA 5/05). We ate there twice and really liked it!  (The Shook's, GA 10/05)   Eat with a view of the bay and the boats!
• Breakaway Restaurant   Waddell Road   850-653-9988 
• Cafe con Leche.  850-653-2233.  Market Street & Avenue D
• Caroline’s On The River   123 Water St.   850-653-8139.
  On the water on the bank of the Apalachicola River.   Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  Rita Sikora (winter 2008) - One our our favorites!
• Chef Eddie’s Magnolia Grill   99 11th St.   850-653-8000
  Elegant dining - enjoy gourmet chef's delights that include a variety of favorites like prime rib, oak grilled steaks, grilled shrimp, rack of lamb, gumbo and delectable deserts.    Dinner only starting at 6.  Closted on Sunday.  Outside dining available.  Extensive wine list and childrens menu available.
• Delores’ Sweet Shoppe   29 Ave. E   850-653-9081
  Breakfast and Lunch.  Salads and desserts.e
• Old Time Soda Fountain   93 Market St.   850-653-2606.  Cute Old Fashioned Store!  Has lots of shells, T-shirts and other gift items!  The kids enjoyed poking around the shop and we enjoyed our cones too!  (The Jackson's 7/05)
• Papa Joe’s Oyster Bar & Grill   301 Market St.   850-653-1189
  Waterfront dining on the Apalachicola River.  Full oyster bar.  Closed on Sunday.  Lunch and dinner.  Our favorite restaurant was Papa Joe's in Appalach. (Fritz and Cathy, Aspen, CO 11/04)   Enjoyed a GREAT lunch at Papa Joe's--the Oyster Po Boy was outstanding, but so was everything!  (The Jackson, November 2007).  "Went to Papa Joe's tice...YUM!"  The Freeburgs March 2008
• Risa’s Pizza   83 Market St.   850-653-8578
• Seafood Reef   511 W. Hwy 98    850-653-9228
  Fresh seafood broiled, steamed or fried, steaks, burgers and salad bar.  Open 7 days a week from 11 - 9.  Lunch and dinner.
• Steamer's Raw Bar.  518 Hwy 98 West.  850-653-3474   
  Lunch and dinner.  **Allows dogs on leashes on outside patio!   Steamers has all you can eat crab legs one night during the week--worth a stop!    NOTE:  CALL FIRST...this one may have closed!
• Tamara’s Café Floridita   17 Avenue E    850-653-4111
  Caribbean/South American dishes served in an old-town setting.  Relaxed atmosphere and eclectic mix of flavors blend into savory dishes like pecan encrusted grouper, paella, pastas and vegetarian dishes--food from the Gulf with a Caribbean flare.   
• The Gibson Inn   57 Market St.   850-653-2191
• The Great Wall   133 W. Hwy 98   850-653-8888
  Lunch and Dinner.  (not my favorite!)
• The Hut Restaurant    426 W. Hwy 98   850-653-9410  
  Casual family waterfront dining serving fresh seafood, steaks, chicken and pasta.  Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.
  From Lynn 'Last night we ate at The Hut. It was delicious.' "Very fresh seafood (The Lattners 5/05)
• The Owl Café   15 Avenue D   850-653-9888  
  Local seafood, steak and pastas and an excellent wine list.  Lunch and dinner.  Closed Sundays.  Serving the ocean's finest crab cakes, crab dip, Apalachicola oysters, soups, salads, sandwiches, daily specials and desserts like chocolate mousse and caramel flan that melts in your mouth!
  I have heard the Owl is one of the best restaurants on the Panhandle and a local favorite.  Serving the ocean's finest crab cakes, crab dip, Apalachicola oysters, soups, salads, sandwiches, daily specials and desserts like chocolate mousse and caramel flan that melts in your mouth!  
  "The crab dip is out of site"  Burt and Joyce Wagnon October 2007
• The Red Top Café   238 W. Hwy 98   850-653-8612
  Family style restaurant serving steaks, seafood, sandwiches, chicken & kid's meals.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Closed Sunday and Monday.
• Verandas Restaurant and Wine Bar.  Upstairs at the corner of Avenue D and Market Street (US Hwy 98).   850-653-3210.   Per 1 guest, may allow your dog on the deck...please call first! 
  Overlooking historic downtown Apalachicola.  Signature pastas, salads, soups, steaks and more.
• Viscardi's at Night   100 Market Street  850-653-9510
  Italian Seafood Steakhouse specializing in organic produce, fresh seafood and authentic Italian cuisine.  Menu changes monthly.  Full bar.
• Wheelhouse Cafe  313 Water Street   850-653-2177
  Serving Apalachicol oysters raw or steamd and locally caught steamed shrimp and blue crabs.  Dine inside or out along the seawall to enjoy a great view of the Apaalachicola River.  Open Tues - Sun.  Located on the Scipio Creek waterfront.

Mexico Beach / St. Joe Beach, FL:  (all area codes are 850 and Mexico Beach is on Central Standard Time!)

• Amanda's Bistro.  2904 Hwy 98.  648-5102.  Featuring a European/American style cuisine.  Call for reservations for our weekend dinners.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Tuesday - Saturday.  8 a.m. - 8 p.m.     Beer and wine served.
• Beach Pizza   3200 Hwy 98   648-4600
  Lunch, dinner and take-out.  Outdoor seating.
• Brown Cow's Ice Cream Shoppe.  2802-A Hwy 98.  648-5118
• Fish House Restaurant.   3006 Hwy 98   648-8950
  "The freshest Seafood from the Gulf of Mexico"
• Gulf Sands Restaurant   8010 W. Hwy 98   647-5013
• Half Shells   1304 Hwy 98   648-2000
  Fresh seafood--eat in or take it home and cook it yourself.  Lunch and dinner.
• Kevin's Seafood  Corner of 40th Street.  648-2228.
  Great seafood, fish tacos and hamburgers.
• Killer Seafood  820 Highway 98  648-6565
  Lunch and Dinnner.
• Lazy Grouper.  Highway 98 & 40th Street.  Winter hours 3-9 & 11-9 Friday to Sunday.
  Specializes in steamed shrimp & fresh oysters.  Includes a variety of dishes including non-seafood items.  Some of their specialties are freshly made smoked Tuna Dip & the Lazy Tomato Salad (tomato stuffed with crab served on a bed of greens.)  They also have TV's for games, darts, beer & wine!
• Mango Marley's.  3104 Highway 98. 
  Great fried and steamed seafood or enjoy burgers and wings while you watch the big games.  Fully liquor bar.
• Neon Palm Bar and Grill.  In the Mexico Beach shopping center, down from Ace Hardware.  850-648-1111.  Family friendly bar and grill open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.  Enjoy wings, burgers and seafood.
• Regans Pub & Oyster Bar   8066 Hwy 98   647-2800
  Great oyster bar as well as other fine gulf seafood.  Very casual restaurant on 1 side and a lounge on the other if you want to enjoy pool, darts and a jukebox.
• Sharon’s Café   1100 Hwy 98   648-8634
  Breakfast and lunch spot on Mexico Beach which features the giant Happy Face Pancake.
• Slice & Ice -- Pizzas & Subs.  Highway 98, Across from Toucan's.  648-8222
  Pizza, subs and specials. 
• Subway Express.  714 Hwy 98.  648-8840
• Toucan’s Restaurant   812 Hwy 98   648-8207. 
  Serves fresh local seafood, Apalachicola oysters and live Maine lobster.  Located on the beach and has an outdoor volleyball court.  Fun for the kids!  Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.  Happy hour daily from 4 - 6.  
  It was so so compared to Boss Oyster and Sunset Coastal Grill!  The Shooks 10/05. Right on the beach with an outside sand volleyball court to entertain the kids (and adults)--fun atmosphere!  The Jacksons 10/5.  Toucan's has live bands sometimes and all you can eat steamed shrimp one night during the week!  Definitely one of the better choices for large groups!   "Toucan's was another big hit with everyone in our group."  The Monnett Family 6/07
• Sea Level Café   8141 W. Hwy 98   647-9920

Port St. Joe, Florida:

• Burger King.  601 Monument Ave.  229-7060
• Dockside Café   (Port St. Joe Marina)  342 Marina Drive.   229-5200  
  Casual with views of the St. Joe Bay.  Will pack lunches and have a kids menu!  Open 7 days a week.  ** Pet friendly on the outside deck!
  "It had good variety and a children's menu. The kids had fun because they could see the deep sea fishing boats coming in and look at what they caught."  The Jacksons  "We really  enjoyed it! (The Rushbrooks 4/05) We ate at a lot of new places, Dockside Cafe was one of the best. Loved the food and the atmosphere and the price was reasonable. (The Monnett Family 6/07)
• Hungry Howie’s   418 Monument Ave. (Hwy 98)   229-9222
• Linda’s Restaurant   203 E. 4th St.   227-1109
• Paul Gant's Bar-B-Q  227-1473
  Any kind of BBQ sandwiches, chicken, steaks and ribs.  Lunch and dinner.  I haven't eaten here, but have heard from the locals that it's good!
• Pepper's Mexican Grill.  224 Reid Avenue.  229-8540.  Pepper's has TV's if you're wanting to watch a ball game!  "Great Mexican food if you want something other than seafood---nice atmosphere in downtown Port St. Joe!"   Rita Sikora (winter 2008) - One our our favorites.    "We've been twice already (in 3 days) and the girls love it."  Sharon Goodman March 2008.
• Philly's Finest.  At the corner of 2nd Ave. and Reid Avenue
• Provisions.  301 Williams Ave.  229-9200.   Newest Port St. Joe restaurant.  Now open for dinner!
• Ryan’s Sugar Shack   236 Reid Ave.   229-7121
• Sister's Restaurant  236 Reid Avenue.  229-7121.  In historic downtown Port St. Joe. 
  Sandwiches and salads.  Breakfast and lunch.
• Sub Shop   401 Monument Ave. (Hwy. 98)   227-1323
• Subway.  101 Monument Ave  229-8883  
• The Great Wall      501 5th St.  227-9999  Very mediocre Chineese! (Wendy Jackson 1/05)
• Sunset Coastal Grill   602 Monument Ave. (Hwy 98)   227-7707
  City pier can be seen from nearly every seat in the place.  Serves seafood, steaks and chops, chicken and pasta.  Closed Tuesdays!  Dinner and brunch.
   Would recommend it for special occasions!   "A nice place for "grown-ups". (Jeanette and Bill, WI 1/05),  "Best dinner we had all week!" (K. Simms, Atlanta, GA 5/05).  "We ate there twice and really liked it!" (The Shooks 10/05)   One our our favorites.  Rita Sikora (winter 2008)" Loved Sunset Coast Grill!)  The Freeburgs March 2008.  "We ate there the last night in Florida and had a spectacular meal (and drinks!).  The Wheelers -March 2008

NOTE:  You will find all of this information and also MANY of the menus in the Guest Information books provided in all of our rentals!  Please call first to double check hours and openings!

For your "beverages" of choice, try, The Port Fine Wines and Spirits  just past the Port St. Joe Piggly Wiggly and on the right (opposite side as the Pig!).

Carrabelle

• Crooked River Grill  151 Laughing Gull Lane.  850-697-9070.
• Julia Mae's  1558 Highway 98 W Carrabelle, (850) 697-3791. Wendy says: Julia Mae's is closed! We never ate at Julia Mae's and Carrabelle is a haul (about 50 miles) from our place. But it is many folk's favorite restraurant. It's was a causal, family oriented fish house with awesome home made pies. Maybe they will reopen somewhere else.

WHERE TO BUY FRESH SEAFOOD TO ENJOY WHILE YOU'RE AT CAPE SAN BLAS OR TAKE HOME

• Allen's Seafood . (850)653-9882.   Family owned and operated!  We offer fresh local seafood~ Fish, Oysters, Shrimp, and Crabs. Call or E-mail us allensseafood@mchsi.com.   We pack for travel with advance notice .   

• St. Joe Shrimp Co.  850-229-6224.  We pack for travel.  Fresh shrimp, grouper, oysters & crab.  Located 4 miles south of Port St. Joe on Hwy. 30A just past Simmons Bayou Bridge.

GUEST COMMENTS:

We all agreed that that Loggerhead Grill and Sunset Coastal Grill restaurants were exceptional....(The Caudill Family, May 2007)

We recommend Beachcombers, Butlers, Toucans, The Hut, Sunset Coastal Grill and Owl Cafe (had a burger at lunch..... (Bette Grogans, Kathy Simms and Janice Waters 4/30 - 5/7/05)

Toucans in Mexico Beach was good...(The Palmiscino Family 5/7 - 5/14/05)

Butlers Fisherman's Platter and Carolines Fried Shrimp...(The Maxwell's)

Nearby grocery and convenience stores:
Although Cape San Blas is quiet, peaceful and without the dense high rise condo’s of Destin or Panama City, it does not mean that you can't find “the basics” on the Cape.   There are 2 outlets on the Cape San Blas, FL for groceries and other “beach basics”:

• The Grocery Stork:  Great news!  Now you can have your groceries purchased and delivered to your vacation rental before you even arrive!  Call The Grocery Stork with your shopping list and they will deliver your groceries the next morning.  850-229-2400

• Scallop Cove: You can get gas, convenience store basics, general beach and camping and fishing supplies, beer wine and some produce.  You can also rent anything you need for your beach vacation: Canoes, kayaks, crab traps, fishing supplies, videos and much, much more!  Scallop Cove rents grills and diver down flags if you have the need!  It also has hot dogs, seafood gumbo and hand-dipped ice cream cones if you need a snack!
  
  
  
  
• The Tradin' Post:  It's near between Scallop Cove and offers much the same as Scallop Cove. Wendy says: They make their own pizza for carry-out, just call them at 229-8775.
  
  
  
  
• Piggly Wiggly: If a full-service grocery store is more of what you need, on the way into Cape San Blas, FL you can stop at the Piggly Wiggly in either Port St. Joe, FL (20 min) or Apalachicola, FL (25min.). Great place to stop on your way in!
  Guest Comment:  We thought the Piggly Wiggly is a 1000 times better than the Kroger's in Lexington.  Everything I cooked from there was so much better and not because we were on vacation!  It really was!  Gina and Gavin June 2006)  ** Piggly Wiggly does have GREAT seafood!  Just a fresh as anywhere you can find it!  Locals just call it The Pig!

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FULL PHOTO ALBUM OF THE AREA 

The Indian Pass Raw Bar is close by and a favorite of locals and the Jackson Family!  Very casual!

Of course, you can always catch your own dinner in a variety of ways:

Surf fishing right in front of Barrier Dunes!

Crabbing is one of our favorite activites and meals!  This is one of our guests showing off her catch!