Since starting our vacations at the gulf, 26 years ago, we have slowly traveled up the pan handle of Florida searching for the best balance of beautiful beaches, great restaurants, state parks, museums and entertainment. Happily we have found it all here in the Pensacola / Perdido Key / Orange Beach Area. There are plenty of state parks with miles of beach and bike trails, great fishing both in-shore and off-shore, awesome beaches and amazing restaurants and entertainment. Pensacola has a great downtown with charming shops and eateries. They provide a full calendar of fun events to celebrate every season. Go see a Blue Wahoo baseball game and dine at a open air food truck park just down the street or enjoy a parade! Don’t miss a visit to Joe Patti’s Seafood Market. It’s one of the few family owned fish mongers still in business. If you are here and planning a trip back into Pensacola, Perdido Key Seafood Market is a great option for local fish, shrimp and dips. They even steam your shrimp to your desired spice level.

Here a list of some of our favorite restaurants:

In Pensacola, we love Five Sisters Blues Cafe'. This is a fun Creole restaurant with daily specials and a rich history. For decades this area was the epicenter of African-American business and social life. It was here that the progression of musical culture made it’s mark in Pensacola. Well know Black artist from B.B. King to Clarence Carter would pass through on there way along the Mississippi Blues Trail. Wednesday is wing night, a definite - don’t miss!

Captain Joey Patti’s Seafood - This casual restaurant has awesome food specials and a bottomless Mimosas on the weekend at a price point that is easy on the wallet. The staff is great and the food is amazing as you would expect with a name like Joey Patti’s in the name.

In Perdido Key don’t miss JellyFish. It’s across the street from the condo and walking distance. It has daily drink specials and excellent seafood and pasta. It a nice way to take in a sunset on the outdoor patio. In the same building they also have a pizzeria, ice cream shop and Daiquiri bar downstairs.

Within walking distance toward the bridge is the Perdido Key Sports Bar. It has great food, great drinks, plenty of TV’s to watch you favorite game and a pool table. They are a great anytime of day place but they stay open late along with their kitchen and always has a fun crowd.

Fisherman’s Corner is just over the bridge and is excellent. Whether you are hungry for a burger, pasta, or a fish platter, they do a great job and have very reasonable pricing.

Next door to the Fisherman’s Corner is the Salty Pearl. It’s more laid back with outdoor seating and great happy hour specials. Great chargrilled oysters, four different ways.

The Shrimp Basket has a laid back vibe with a variety of fish and shrimp options and great specialty drinks. Don’t miss their Alabama Eye Opener.

Whether you choose the Flora-Bama Yacht Club, Flora-Bama Grill or The Flora-Bama, you can’t go wrong. There’s always live music, great drinks and a laid back atmosphere. The food is fine but is surpassed my the low key vibe and the scenery.

The Flying Harpoon and Flying Harpoon II ones you don’t want to miss. What ever you get, ask for Swamp Sauce on the side. It’s creole based dipping sauce/soup that is amazing. They normally have live music on the weekends.

Our newest go-to-restaurant is Coastal. It’s huge with both outdoor seating and indoor. It was build by the owners of Flora-Bama so there is normally live music playing and great drinks. The bartenders are amazing and will go out of their way to make you the perfect drink…whatever it may be. Their Char-grill oysters is excellent. It’s served on a hot metal plate strait from the broiler with garlic butter and oyster liquid collecting is a delicious pool just ready for you dip your ample supply of toasted baguette slices.

If you want the best cheesesteak sandwich in the world, go the the Sloop. This is the sandwich you will be talking to your friend about when you get home. Simply amazing with you choice of types of cheese or cheese wiz. Add the cherry peppers to spice it up a notch and if you just need seafood, make it a Yacht and add grill shrimp and queso cheese. The staff is great and you will feel like family my the time you leave…or at least distant cousins. Their menu is in the condo! It’s that good.

For a great burger, try The Cove. It’s a local dive bar with music on most nights. It’s not fancy. It is kid friendly if you are eating. They have a great burgers, a fun staff and did I mention it not fancy.

If you want fancy, ACME Oyster is a block down the road from the Sloop and the Cove. The building is nice and bright, the food is good, with the feel of a type of seafood place you would expect at the beach. In the summer kids can play cornhole in the back. It can easily handle large parties.