Destin · On the Gulf · Seafood
The Back Porch
Destin’s beachfront oyster house has grilled amberjack on the sand since 1974. Come in flip-flops and stay for the sunset.
Walk-in only. This opens The Back Porch’s Destin menu.
Details checked October 2026
Price
$$–$$$
Fish sandwiches $21–$27
Hours
Daily 11 am–9 pm
Happy hour 3–5 pm
Parking
Free lot across the street
Big-rig fit not confirmed
Reservations
Walk-in only
Expect a wait at sunset
Start here
What to order
Amberjack is the house fish here, so start with it and add oysters or tuna dip for the table.
The top go-to order
Chargrilled amberjack sandwich
A thick fillet of local amberjack grilled over flame and served on a bun with fries and coleslaw. The restaurant says it invented the amberjack sandwich.
Pro tip: Come between 3 and 5 pm for happy-hour drinks and discounted peel-and-eat shrimp before the dinner and sunset crowds.
More to try
- Smoked tuna dipA house recipe, served chilled with crackers.
- Oysters on the half shellCold Gulf oysters by the half or full dozen.
- Grouper DestinOne of the house specialties.
- Key lime pieA light finish after fried seafood.
The Back Porch story
A beach shack that never got fancy
The Back Porch opened in 1974 in a small building on the sand, and it says it has been a local favorite ever since. General Henry Cobb Jr. bought it in 1983.
Cobb tasted chargrilled amberjack at a Destin seafood festival and put it on the menu, and it became the dish people remember. The look has barely changed, and bathing suits are still welcome.
Why it made our list
- Right on the beach with open Gulf views
- Very casual; bathing suits welcome
- Kids’ meals come with a souvenir Frisbee
- Daily happy hour from 3 to 5 pm
What diners say about The Back Porch
The restaurant report card
We don’t copy other sites’ reviews, but the published scores are worth reading together. Scores checked October 2026.
A favorite with the locals since 1974.
The Back Porch, on its website · theback-porch.com
How diners rate it
Tripadvisor’s summary of recent reviews
FoodFresh
ServiceAttentive
ValueReasonable
AtmosphereRelaxed
What diners often mention
AmberjackCrab cakesBeach viewWorth the waitLong waits
From Tripadvisor’s popular mentions. Come before sunset or expect to wait.
Good to know
Price per personAbout $25–$50
Special dietsGluten-free menuKids’ menu
Happy hour3–5 pm daily
Scores as published by Google (shown via Wanderlog) and Tripadvisor; we could not read Yelp’s page. Prices and happy hour from the restaurant’s menu. Confirm details with the restaurant.
Know before you go
Plan your visit
The Back Porch
- Address1740 Scenic Hwy 98, Destin, FL 32541
- HoursDaily 11 am–9 pm
Happy hour 3–5 pm - Phone(850) 837-2022
- BookingWalk-in only
- ParkingFree lot across the street
The website gives the opening time only; the 9 pm close comes from Tripadvisor. Destin businesses reopened soon after Hurricane Isaias on Oct. 9, 2026, but call ahead.
Where to stay nearby
RV parks near The Back Porch
Park the rig for the night, then head to the beach for dinner. Henderson Beach is just down the road; the other two parks are a short drive along US-98.
Henderson Beach State Park
A 60-site state park campground behind the dunes, with full hookups, rigs to 60 ft and a boardwalk to 1.3 miles of beach. Book early.
Geronimo RV Park
A small, spotless park of 34 concrete full-hookup sites two blocks from Miramar Beach, with a free golf-cart beach shuttle.
Destin West RV Resort
A 54-site resort on the bay side of Okaloosa Island, with a waterfront pool, full hookups and the Gulf just across the street.
Helpful answers
Frequently asked questions
A few details before you head over.
Open daily from 11 am
Hungry for amberjack on the beach?
Grab a deck table, order the chargrilled amberjack and stay for the sunset over the Gulf.
Thank you to the people behind these photos and this video. Please support them by giving their work a look. Photos: Ebyabe (Destin beach) on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0); M.Fitzsimmons (pelican) on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0). These are area photos, not photos of The Back Porch; the images were resized. Video: NCMemoryMakers on YouTube (“The Back Porch Restaurant – Gulf Front Dining in Destin”). Review-site logos are trademarks of their owners.
Disclaimer
RV-Roundup is an independent, community-based resource created to help RV travelers and to support and promote the places we feature. RV-Roundup is not owned by, operated by, or officially affiliated with The Back Porch unless otherwise stated.
The information on this page was prepared using the most current details available at the time of publication, including the restaurant’s published materials and publicly available sources. Hours, pricing, menus, policies and other details are set by the restaurant and may change at any time without notice. Before you travel or book, please confirm all details directly with The Back Porch at theback-porch.com or (850) 837-2022. RV-Roundup is not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes made after publication.
We will always do our best to keep this page up to date. Thank you to everyone who contributes; we truly appreciate your help and support.