Home to the Blue Angels, Fort Pickens and the infamous Historic Pensacola Village; Pensacola has a little something else up its sleeve – a collection of fine dining experiences.
If you’re looking for a new collection of restaurants to visit on your next trip, why not check out these 5 amazing establishments? In this article, we’ve put together a list of five of our favorite restaurants in Pensacola.
Whether you’re craving a high-end, fine-dining experience, ambient date-night location, or casual dining establishment for you and your friends, you’ll find something to suit your needs (and your budget) on this list!
Ready? Let’s take a look at these 5 amazing restaurants in Pensacola.
First on our list is Mcguire’s Irish Pub. Mcguire’s is THE place to be in Pensacola if you want to experience traditional Irish pub grub in a beautiful, friendly setting!
Mcguire’s has been voted the best steakhouse for the 8th year in a row, so if you’re a steak lover… need we say any more!? It’s also been voted best for appetizers, burgers, and all-round restaurant.
Some of the most popular items on the menu include Shepherd’s Pie, Homemade Meatloaf, Chicken Pot Pie, and classic Fish and Chips.
Their late-night happy hour is also a hit with the locals and those from further afield, offering ½ price draft beer and house wine every night from 11 pm until close!
If you’d rather stop by earlier in the day, why not treat yourself to an Irish coffee brunch?
Treat yourself to a variety of omelettes (including steak with Swiss cheese), eggs benedict, waffles, a salad, soup, or a classic cut of steak, with a generous helping of coffee (or something stronger if you need it!).
There’s no place in Pensacola quite like Mcguire’s Irish Pub. If you’re looking for something quirky and unique with mouthwatering dishes, this is one place you’ll want to check out!
Carmen’s Lunch Bar and Tapas can be found at 407 South Palafox St, Pensacola, and they’re open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm.
Carmen’s offers its visitors a truly exceptional and eclectic range of dishes and flavors from all over the world, so you’re destined to find something for everyone!
Carmen’s is also celebrated for its cozy, casual atmosphere which makes diners feel instantly at ease on arrival.
You’ll feel spoiled for choice from the moment you walk through the doors, and with so many intriguing options to choose from on the menu, you’ll want to come back for more!
However, if you like your restaurants with a lot of floor space and a fair amount of distance between you and your guests, you may find Carmen’s a little cramped. This restaurant is super cozy and small, but it gets pretty busy – so be prepared!
Carmen’s is busy for a reason. Some of the tastiest meals on their menu include Chicken Tikka Masala, Carmen’s Cheese Plate, a selection of heavenly sandwiches (including Stracotto Slow-Roasted Beef!), and plenty of pies and BBQ pork plates.
Don’t forget to round off your meal with a delicious dessert, which is either a cake special or a gluten-free dessert special (remember to ask the server on the day what this is before ordering).
If you’re local to Pensacola and fall in love with the food here (who wouldn’t!)Carmen’s is also available for curbside take-out! This delightful lunch and tapas bar is destined to become your new favorite restaurant in Pensacola.
Even the fussiest of eaters will find something to love here!
Next up, we have Jackson’s Steakhouse. Jackson’s Steakhouse is one of the most ambient, high-quality restaurants in the whole of Pensacola, and if you love steak, this is one place you NEED to visit.
Jackson’s Steakhouse can be found at 400 S Palafox St, Pensacola, and before you even set foot in the door, you’ll feel immediately welcomed into this beautiful, dimly lit restaurant.
Jackson’s Steakhouse is a refined, quiet, cozy restaurant that has the ideal atmosphere for a romantic dinner. With welcoming staff and ambient vibe, you’ll know you’re in a high-quality establishment the second you walk through the door.
Jackson’s Steakhouse has been serving Pensacola since 1999, and all ingredients are local, seasonal, and personally selected by the chef. Expect unparalleled quality!
Some favorites on the Jackson’s Steakhouse menu include Bacon and Oysters, Lobster Tempura, Sea Scallops, Prime New York Strip, and a stunning range of desserts including Key Lime Phyllo Purse and Chocolate Mousse.
However, as you’d expect, the steak is really what makes Jackson’s Steakhouse so special. Each unique steak dish is of the highest quality, cooked to your preference, and perfectly tasty.
There’s no steak quite like this steak – trust us when we say you’ll be coming back for more every time!
Don’t forget to round off your meal with a delicious drink from their extensive menu of red wine, white wine, handcrafted cocktails, beer, and soft drinks. This is one Pensacola establishment you’ll keep coming back to!
We’re on a roll – let’s keep it up with another fine Pensacola establishment – The Melting Pot! The Melting Pot is one of Pensacola’s finest dining experiences, and it’s perfect for those seeking a more casual, relaxed restaurant vibe.
The Melting Pot has an eclectic menu, serving everything from Charcuterie Boards and Steaks to Fondue and Coq Au Vin. The Melting Pot also offers some fantastic deals if you’re dining for two.
The Complete Experience for Two package includes a four-course dining experience for you and your friend, date, or family member.
You can even choose the Big Night Out for Two package which includes some of the restaurant’s most extravagant meals, and a choice of cheese fondue, salad, entree, and chocolate fondue.
If you’re looking for the perfect date location, don’t forget to check out Thursdate at The Melting Pot.
You can choose your four-course dinner for two, and the staff will set the scene with candles and a sprinkling of rose petals on your table. What’s not to love!?
If you fancy something a little sweeter, their chocolate fondue also comes highly rated! You can now head to The Melting Pot every Wednesday and dive into three courses of cheese, salad, and chocolate fondue for $32 per person.
The Melting Pot has a little something for everyone, and plenty of great deals and events to help you save money, and get the most bang for your buck!
Next on our list, we have Restaurant Iron. Restaurant Iron provides its customers with a fine-dining experience that combines the contemporary with a little southern kick.
Restaurant Iron can be found at 22 N Palafox St, Pensacola, and advance bookings are highly recommended for this stylish, in-demand restaurant!
If there’s one thing diners love about Restaurant Iron, it’s the imagination. Here, your traditional Southern cuisine is reimagined and bought to life, and you’ll also get to drink some extremely quirky cocktails – a favorite amongst regular diners at Restaurant Iron!
Some of the most popular menu items at Restaurant Iron include Chicken Sausage Gumbo, White Truffle Fries, Foie Gras, Black Garlic Butter Gnocchi and Escargot, and Artisan 3 Cheese Plate.
Some of Restaurant Irons’ most popular specialty cocktails also include The Iron Goddess, Smoked Old Fashioned, and Palafox Mule.
In our opinion, though, Restaurant Iron’s desserts are one of the best parts about this establishment.
Icebox Nutella Pie, New York Cheesecake, and Blueberry Coconut Cream Tart are three desserts you NEED to try when you come here – trust us, they’re SO good, you’ll need to find room for seconds (or thirds!).
Restaurant Iron is an unforgettable dining experience, loaded with fine food, friendly service, and a calming atmosphere. We can’t recommend it enough!
The Bottom Line
Pensacola is home to some of the most beautiful attractions in Florida, but its equally diverse selection of restaurants may surprise you.
If you’re searching for a new restaurant to treat yourself, your friends, or your family to, we’d highly recommend taking a trip to one of these five highly-rated eateries in the Pensacola area.
Whether it’s a steak from Jackson’s Steakhouse, a Shepherd’s Pie from Mcguire’s Irish Pub, or fondue from The Melting Pot, you’re destined to find something to tickle your tastebuds!
If you’re local to the area, we hope you find your new local eatery on this list – you won’t know until you try, so take the leap and get ready to explore the best of Pensacola’s restaurant scene!
Hello, it’s great to have you here. My name is Julia and I am a travel blogger! I have been writing all of my life, and previously worked for a travel agency where I would recommend the best places to visit in the states.
If you are ready to take on the world, explore the sights, and see some of the most incredible places on offer, then take a look at some of my articles!
