#122 of 198 Destin Restaurants

Cabana Cafe

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Cabana Cafe - A Top-Notch Cafe Featuring Live Music and a Late-Night Bar
Local Expert's Rating:
4 / 5
The Bottom Line:

Though its location on the bottom floor of a resort isn't the most charming, the Cabana Cafe makes up for it with excellent live music, beautifully-prepared cocktails, and hot, fresh food that's worth a drive. The atmosphere feels like the perfect haunt for old friends to hang out, and it's a favorite stop for locals and tourists alike. 

- The FloridaPanhandle.com Local Expert Team

When you step into the Cabana Cafe, you’ll be met with warm smiles, top-notch customer service, and fabulous music–just what you’d expect from a local cafe/bar pumped full of local flavor. The Cabana Cafe’s menu offers something for everyone–from next-level build-your-own burgers to mouthwatering quesadillas, house-made pizzas, and seafood baskets that’ll keep you coming back for more.

Though the venue won’t knock your socks off, the staff keeps the dining area spotlessly clean, and excellent music selections–including live music most nights–creates a one-of-a-kind ambiance that makes the cafe feel like the perfect gathering place for old friends. Also operating as a late-night bar, the music and drinks keep flowing well into the night–the perfect place to unwind for a while after a day of exploring the Destin area. 

Some of our favorite menu items include: 

Build Your Own Quesadillas
Choose from seven different types of meat and eight fillings to craft the fresh quesadilla of your dreams. There’s good reason the quesadillas are a local favorite; the Cabana Cafe’s quesadillas are hot, made to order, and packed with flavor every time, whether you opt for a Mexican classic like ground beef with peppers and onions, or an Italian-esque twist, with pepperoni, spinach, and tomatoes. 

Stonefired Pizza 
Choose from a menu pizza or build your own; you’ll find that the Cabana Cafe’s chefs are unexpectedly generous with toppings. The sauce, cheese, and crust flavors of their pizzas give all the local pizza joints a run for their money. They’re that good. 

Fried Cobia Basket 
A local favorite, fried cobia is served hot with fries, tartar sauce, and coleslaw–the ultimate fish ‘n chips, served Florida style. Expect crispy, tender fried fish that isn’t dripping in grease, perfectly-salted fries, and beautifully-balanced tartar sauce to pull it all together. 

Margaritas
The Cabana Cafe is known for its cocktails, but its margaritas really shine. 

The Cabana Cafe is located in Ariel Dunes at Seascape Resort. Just off Seascape Drive in Miramar Beach, the Cabana Cafe is a convenient stop when you’ve been exploring the Destin-Miramar Beach area; it’s worth a stop even if you’re not staying at the Ariel Dunes or a nearby resort. 

Insider Tips:
– The Cabana Cafe isn’t just for dining in; they cater events like beach weddings and birthday parties as well, at surprisingly competitive prices. 
– If you’re looking for an off-the-charts rum drink, the Million Dollar Rum is tough to beat. 
– Free parking is available just in front of the restaurant entrance; just pull into the Ariel Dunes hotel/condo complex. Despite the signage at the entrance, you don’t need a pass to park at the restaurant.