Waterfront elegance paired with succulent seafood–it’s a tough combination to beat! At The Louisiana Lagniappe in Destin, loyal diners have been enjoying both the ambiance and the delicious dishes since 1984.
Boasting a welcoming atmosphere and reasonable prices, The Louisiana Lagniappe feels like a special evening out at an affordable price. Whether you sit on the patio, enjoy epic sunsets over the Gulf, or cozy up to an inside table decked out with a white cloth, you’ll feel right at home.
When you first arrive, don’t worry, it’s normal to feel like you’re in the wrong place. The Louisiana Lagniappe is actually situated inside the Sandpiper Cove condominium community, so you will need to drive through a guarded gate. In addition to valet parking (a small fee applies), there is limited self-parking available.
Inside, the atmosphere is pure beach elegance, with ample light streaming in through the patio and lighting up the warm wooden bar. We sat outside to enjoy the sunset while we selected a few dishes to try.
While many diners were taking advantage of their “wine and dine for $49” special, it’s clear that the entire menu offers incredible dishes. While the prices are certainly more than your average family restaurant, the portions are generous, the seafood is fresh, and both the presentation and overall atmosphere are quite upscale–money well spent on a splurge!
The menu offers appetizers, soups, and salads, a range of specials and “favorite” dishes, plus plenty of seafood and steak. A small children’s menu and a more expansive gluten-free menu are also available. On our recent trip, we enjoyed a number of items, including the following highlights:
Hush Puppies
These lightly fried cornmeal delicacies replace the traditional breadbasket and are served to all tables. Worth mentioning because they are quite addictive! Be sure to enjoy, but save room for the main course.
Blackened Scallops
Seared on the outside and sweet and tender on the inside, this appetizer was fresh and tasty, and the pineapple rum-butter sauce was just the right blend of tangy and sweet.
Shrimp and Grits
This entree is offered on the 2 for $49 menu, but it’s an incredible value on its own. A generous portion of large, fresh shrimp smothered in a smoky, creamy sauce made even better by the creamy stone-ground grits below. If you’ve never had grits like this, you’re in for a treat! Nothing “gritty” about them, instead they simply melt in your mouth and allow the spicy, smoky shrimp to shine.
Blackened Redfish
An indulgent treat that’s listed under Chef’s Selections, this dish is also quite generous, featuring ample portions of blackened redfish topped with succulent jumbo lump crab, tender lobster medallions, and finished with two decadent sauces, garlic beurre blanc, and hollandaise.
Bread Pudding
A true Louisiana Lagniappe specialty, this dessert delivered. A dense, rich serving of bread pudding was accented with a warm whiskey sauce, which really brought out the flavors and left us with a perfect final taste to this incredible meal.
The Louisiana Lagniappe has been serving excellent meals in an elegant atmosphere for decades, and it’s easy to see why. They focus on using quality ingredients prepared well in a beautiful environment.
Reasonable prices for the portion size and quality, as well as attentive service, make this a welcoming place to go treat yourself and your loved ones without being too stuffy. A great destination spot to cap off a vacation or celebrate a special occasion for locals. Bon appetite!
Insider Tip:
-The Louisiana Lagniappe offers a great deal for weekday date night diners on Sunday-Thursday evenings. Two people can enjoy a bottle of wine, plus two entrees off of a set menu for just $49. But it’s also good to know that upgrade options are available for entrees as well as wine selections