Destin, Florida, sees more than 4.5 million visitors each year, making it one of the state’s most popular tourist destinations. If you’re planning on visiting Destin this year, you may be planning to take a fishing trip. But once you get back to the docks with your catch, what are you supposed to do with it?
Luckily, there are several restaurants around Destin that have a “hook and cook” setup readily available. Read on to discover some of the best restaurants for this service in Destin.
What Is Hook and Cook?
Before we dive into the different restaurants that offer hook and cook around Destin, let’s talk some about what it is. You may want to take a fishing trip while you’re visiting Destin, but your hotel room may not have a kitchen to cook what you catch. Luckily, several restaurants in the Destin area will cook your catch for you and serve it along with several fabulous sides.
In general, a deckhand will clean the fish you catch once the fishing charter boats get back to the dock and give you the cleaned filets. You can take that to any of the restaurants we’re about to discuss and ask them to prepare the fish for you. In general, you can get your fish fried, grilled, or blackened, although some restaurants offer additional preparation options.
Popular Catch Around Destin
When you start planning your fishing trip in Destin, one of the first questions you may want to ask is what you can expect to catch. Destin has a wide array of native species, including red snapper, grouper, tuna, mahi, and mackerel. You can also catch trout, redfish, and flounder in the waters around Destin.
Harbor Docks
Harbor Docks has been a local favorite for more than four decades and is a popular option for hook and cook. They’re located right next to the docks, so you can carry your fish over once it’s cleaned and have fish about as fresh as it comes. You can also enjoy it along with sides such as fried green tomatoes, Yukon gold mashed potatoes, and coleslaw.
Harbor Tavern
Harbor Tavern is a more recent addition to the Destin restaurant scene, but they’ve already found a loyal following. Like Harbor Docks, they’re located on the harbor, and their kitchen is operated out of a food truck. You can enjoy your catch on their shaded patio or in their indoor open-air seating area.
Boathouse Oyster Bar
The Boathouse Oyster Bar is another favorite in the Destin harbor, and they’re famous for their wonderful atmosphere. The restaurant has a casual, laid-back vibe and hosts live music on a regular basis. You can get your catch served with new potatoes, corn, green beans, coleslaw, and more.
Brotulas
Brotulas is probably the most famous Destin hook and cook restaurant, and for good reason. They offer a family-style spread and sides that locals and tourists alike rave about. You can get your catch grilled, blackened, fried, or a combination of all three, and it will be served alongside Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, fries, asparagus, and cheese grits.
Dewey Destin’s
Dewey Destin’s is baked into the DNA of Destin, since the owner, Dewey, is descended from Leonard Destin, the man who founded the city in 1835. The restaurant not only has their original location on Calhoun Avenue but also has a location on the harbor for easier access. You can opt to have your fish fried, grilled, blackened, or bronzed, and you’ll get two sides to enjoy with it.
Tailfins
When you pull up to Tailfins, you’ll see a mural on the side of the building proclaiming “You hook it, we cook it.” Their multilevel dining decks and eager acceptance of fresh catch makes them a perfect spot for fishers. You can get your catch prepared several different ways, and they’ve got fabulous sides to enjoy alongside your fish.
AJ’s Seafood and Oyster House
If you want dinner and a view, it’s hard to beat the one you’ll find at AJ’s Seafood and Oyster House. This restaurant also hosts the Destin Fishing Rodeo, as well as several other popular annual events. It’s important to note that, while AJ’s can usually accommodate fresh catch, they may not be able to do hook and cook during their peak rush hours.
Harry T’s
Harry T’s is located on the Destin Harbor Boardwalk, making it a great option if you want to wander the town for a while after dinner. They have outdoor dining with gorgeous water views and a multitude of TVs inside, making it a great place to watch football. You can get your catch cooked blackened, grilled, or fried and served alongside fries and your choice of a side.
Best Ways to Fish Around Destin
It should come as no surprise that Destin is a prime fishing location in the United States. Depending on what you want to catch, there are plenty of opportunities for hook and line fishing off of piers around the Destin area. But the best way to experience Destin fishing is with a fishing charter, like the Sea Winder.
There are several time frame options for fishing charters, depending on your budget and how long you want to spend on the water. You can go out for four to six hours at a time, go out for the full day, or even go on an overnight adventure.
Discover the Best Restaurants for Hook and Cook
Fishing in Destin is a one-of-a-kind experience, but thanks to hook and cook restaurants, you don’t have to stick to catch and release. You can get your fish prepared in a variety of ways, enjoy delicious sides, and take in the gorgeous scenes of the Destin harbor.
If you’d like to discover the best restaurants for hook and cook, check out the rest of our site at Sea Winder. We offer fishing charters that can give you the deep sea adventure of a lifetime. Book a charter with us today and make your Destin trip one to remember.
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