7-Day Foodie Itinerary

Your day-by-day plan

1. 1

   Harbor Classics

   Morning:The Donut Hole: one classic glazed, one absurd special.

   Breakfast & coffee:Another Broken Egg Cafe

   Afternoon:The original Back Porch for the chargrilled amberjack sandwich that built its reputation; boardwalk stroll for the 4 pm catch show.

   Lunch:Smallcakes of Destin

   Evening:Oyster flight at Boshamps, dinner at Marina Café under the harbor lights.

   Dinner:The Boathouse Landing

   Insider Tip:Ask every raw bar where today's oysters were pulled. Gulf beds vary, and the shuckers love the question.

2. 2

   The Fishing-Village Tasting Menu

   Morning:Coffee and pastry at East Pass Coffee Co.

   Breakfast & coffee:Cabana Cafe

   Afternoon:Paper-plate perfection at Dewey Destin's original on the water.

   Lunch:The Whale's Tail Beach Bar & Grill

   Evening:Counter seats at Harbor Docks; watch the kitchen work.

   Dinner:The Fresh Market

3. 3

   Catch Day

   Morning:Half-day charter or party boat; you are sourcing tonight's dinner.

   Fishing charter:O Sea D Fishing Charters

   Afternoon:Hand the catch to Harbor Docks; shower; anticipation.

   Lunch:Tailfins Waterfront Grill

   Evening:Your fish, three preparations. The format that beats every menu in town.

   Dinner:North Beach Social

   Insider Tip:One charter-to-kitchen day per trip, minimum. It is the single most memorable dining format on this coast.

4. 4

   The 30A Chef Day

   Morning:Black Bear Bread Co. in Grayton; the pastry case is a speedrun.

   Breakfast & coffee:Sugar Land Candy, Ice Cream, & Coffee

   Afternoon:Graze Seaside's Airstream row; one scoop at Blue Mountain Beach Creamery; beach hour to earn dinner.

   Lunch:Papa Surf Burger Bar

   Evening:Tasting-level dinner at Cuvee 30A or Café Thirty-A.

   Dinner:Tisano's

   Insider Tip:Reserve 30A dinners two to four weeks out in season. Walk-ins are a summer myth.

5. 5

   The Contrast Day

   Morning:Slow start; light breakfast on purpose.

   Breakfast & coffee:Big Bad Breakfast-Inlet Beach

   Afternoon:City Food Hall lunch crawl (split the table, order across every counter), dessert flight at The Yard Milkshake Bar.

   Lunch:amici 30A Italian Kitchen

   Evening:The formal counterpoint: Cafe Thirty-A with the 600-bottle wine list.

   Dinner:Ruby Slipper

6. 6

   Casual Icons Day

   Morning:Beach picnic breakfast from Camille's.

   Breakfast & coffee:Kwench Juice Cafe

   Afternoon:Lunch at Stinky's Fish Camp on 30A.

   Lunch:Cowgirl Kitchen Market & Cafe

   Evening:Chargrilled oysters at AJ's, then slow-smoked barbecue and a band at The Village Door on the bay.

   Dinner:McGuire's Irish Pub of Destin

7. 7

   Brunch & Provisions

   Morning:Boshamps Sunday brunch if the calendar allows, Fish Out of Water otherwise.

   Breakfast & coffee:Causeway Coffee

   Afternoon:Take-home run: smoked fish dip and local hot sauce travel beautifully.

   Lunch:PB&J Bistro & Café

   Evening:Drive home hungry for October's Seafood Festival.

   Dinner:Stewby's Seafood Shanty

   Insider Tip:Raw oysters do not travel. Eat the last dozen at the source like a professional.