Best Grouper in Destin

One of the most popular fish in Destin restaurants is the grouper.  Grouper is a deep saltwater fish and is in the same family as the sea bass. There are 400 different types of grouper. The Red, Black, and the Gag grouper are popular in the Panhandle.

Grouper can live to be about 40 years old. The Goliath Grouper can grow to be 8 feet long and weigh up to 800 pounds. This species, in particular, is in jeopardy of being overfished. They have a very narrow reproduction window. AND, fun fact, Grouper are protogynous hermaphrodites. They can change sex after they reach maturity.  If there are too few males, the more dominant ladyfish will change to males. So the next season, there will be plenty of men for the ladies!  Pull that fun fact out the next time conversation is flagging. Your friends will be somewhat weirded out but truly impressed!

Grouper is a mild-flavored fish and has a slightly sweet taste to it – almost like lobster. It is easy to see why it appears on so many menus and in any way you can imagine. Grouper is a very versatile fish to prepare. It can be pan-fried, baked, broiled, grilled, bronzed, or blackened.  If you are not a fishy fan, this one is for you.

We’ve put together a collection of grouper dishes and where to find them.  If you are a big fan of this fish or have never tried it, this is the perfect guide to know where to go!

The Back Porch 

Gulf Grouper Sandwich – available fried, chargrilled, bronzed, or blackened Served with lettuce & tomato w/ fries and coleslaw. 

Grouper Destin – Gulf Grouper, grilled and topped with shrimp. Served with Southern corn medley and a choice of twice-baked potato, mashed potatoes, French fries, green bean medley, lemon-dill rice, or slaw.

Grouper and Grit Cake – Blackened Gulf Grouper over a panko-crusted cheese grit cake. Served with the choice of one side. 

Back Porch also serves grouper fried and in combo platters.  

Website: http://www.theback-porch.com/

Menu: http://www.theback-porch.com/destinmenu

Phone: (850) 837-2022

Address: 1740 Scenic Hwy 98, Destin

Louisiana Lagniappe

Grouper Pontchartrain  – Fresh Gulf Grouper, pan sautéed and topped with fried jumbo soft-shell crab, hollandaise sauce, and honey roasted nuts. Served with homemade hushpuppies, house salad, and a twice-baked potato.

Bayou Grouper – Fresh Gulf Grouper, pan sautéed, topped with jumbo lump crabmeat and jumbo shrimp, then finished with Meniere sauce. Served with homemade hushpuppies, house salad, and a twice-baked potato.

Stuffed Grouper – Gulf Grouper, stuffed with jumbo lump crabmeat, rice, and cream cheese. Served with homemade hushpuppies, house salad, and a twice-baked potato.

Louisiana Lagniappe has several other delicious grouper options as well. 

Website: http://www.thelouisianalagniappe.com/

Menu: http://www.thelouisianalagniappe.com/destin-menu

Phone: (850) 837-0881

Address: 775 Gulf Shore Dr, Destin

Dewey Destin’s Harborside  

Grouper Parmesan Lightly seasoned and covered with a zesty cream & white wine sauce, Parmesan cheese & broiled to a golden brown. Served with a choice of two sides. 

Pecan Crusted Grouper – Lightly seasoned, covered with a zesty cream & white wine sauce, Parmesan cheese, broiled to a golden brown. Served with a choice of two sides. 

Catch of the Day Grouper – Available Fried, Grilled, Blackened, or Bronzed. Comes with two sides. Sandwiches come with one side order.

Website: http://DestinSeafood.com

Menu: http://www.destinseafood.com/Harborside-Restaurant/

Phone: (850) 837-7525

Address: 202 Harbor Blvd., Destin

790

Gulf Grouper Sandwich – Fillet of Gulf Grouper grilled, blackened, or fried. Served on a toasted Brioche roll with lettuce and onions. Choice of one side and house-made Remoulade sauce on the side.  

Grouper and Avocado Salad  – Fillet of Gulf Grouper offered grilled and blackened. Served over a bed of mixed greens with sliced Avocado, Red Onions, ripe Tomatoes, shredded Mozzarella, seasoned Croutons, and boiled eggs.  

Grouper Fingers and Fried Shrimp – Fillets of tasty Grouper and Gulf Shrimp lightly floured and golden fried. Served over a bed of thick-cut natural fries with ColeSlaw, Hushpuppies, and dipping sauces. 

Make sure to see the Lunch and Lunch Specials menus!

Website: http://eatmoregumbo.com

Menu: Lunch Dinner

Phone: (850) 650-4853

Address: 14073 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin

Captain Dave’s

Grouper Pontchartrain – Market Broiled Grouper, topped with a whole soft-shell crab, sweet basil, bearnaise sauce, and homemade honey roasted almonds. Served with one side and salad or coleslaw. 

Captain Dave’s also offers grouper fried, chargrilled or blackened. 

Website: https://www.captdavesonthegulf.com/

Menu: Captain Dave’s Menu

Phone: (850) 837-2627

Address: 3796 Scenic Hwy 98, Destin

So many flavors, so little time! We hope you found something that you want to try. 

Let us know if you found something new to try or if we have missed one of your favorites. We’d love to hear from you!

Pompano Joe’s 

Fish Tacos -Three tacos with fried Mahi Mahi and Gulf Grouper on soft flour tortillas with lettuce, pico de gallo, queso fresco, and chipotle mayonnaise. Served with our Caribbean black beans and rice.

Garlic Crusted Grouper with Lobster – Fresh Gulf Grouper baked with a garlic crust, topped with a half Maine Lobster tail, served with a garlic-basil cream sauce. Served with hushpuppies, vegetable medley, and your choice of one of the following: french fries, Caribbean black beans & rice, baked potato, or twice-baked potato.

Grouper Guadalupe – Spicy pan-roasted Gulf Grouper topped with jumbo lump crabmeat and sun-dried tomato butter. served with hushpuppies, vegetable medley, and your choice of one of the following: french fries, Caribbean black beans & rice, baked potato, or twice-baked potato

Website: http://www.pompano-joes.com/

Menu: http://www.pompano-joes.com/destin-menu/

Phone: (850) 837-2224

Address: 2237 Scenic Gulf Dr, Destin