#165 of 198 Destin Restaurants

Soleil – Destin

Soleil – Upscale Coastal Cuisine Served with a Smile in Destin
Local Expert's Rating:
4.5 / 5
The Bottom Line:

For upscale coastal cuisine made using fresh, local ingredients, you cannot go wrong with a trip to Soleil. Chef & Sommelier Michael Sichel serves as the star of the show, creating seasonal fare with artistic flair. Gorgeous Gulf Coast views and friendly service complete the picture of perfection, so you always enjoy the finest dining experience in Destin.  

- The FloridaPanhandle.com Local Expert Team

Decadent seasonal menus and stunning Gulf Coast views come together beautifully at Soleil. As a premier Destin waterfront restaurant, this venue goes big on the coastal cuisine made using only the finest local ingredients. Then, they add in Gulf Coast views, friendly service, and handcrafted drinks to remember to create the ultimate dining experience.

Chef & Sommelier Michael Sichel leads the way to greatness at Soleil by creating seasonal menus all throughout the year. Each menu takes advantage of in-season seafood and produces to create sustainable dishes filled with all the best flavors. The chef puts his all into handcrafting every dish, too, and then adds endless artistic flair during the plating process. So, expect your order to look just as good as it tastes, making it well worth taking a moment to snap a photo for the ‘Gram.

For the full Soleil dining experience, you’ll want to pair your meal with a handcrafted cocktail. Their talented mixologist can whip up whatever drinks you want, including putting a modern spin on the classics. If you prefer something a bit more sophisticated, they have wine by the glass and bottle as well. You can find the chef’s recommended wine pairings on the menu next to each entrée option if you’re not sure what to get. 

Since they keep the restaurant open for lunch and dinner, you can drop by whenever hunger strikes. Upon walking through the doors, you’ll instantly feel enamored by the homey, yet stylish feel of their indoor dining space. The real magic at Soleil lies in grabbing a table out on the patio where you can gaze in awe at the waterfront scenery. As the waves lap against the shore, the sights, sounds, and smells of the Gulf set the stage for an amazing meal.

Can’t miss items on the menu include:

Casino Oysters
For a delightful flavor explosion in every bite, kickstart your meal with their Casino Oysters. Made six at a time, these oysters get topped with bacon, celery, and peppers before baking in the oven. Pecorino bechamel goes over top right at the end to take the flavors to the next level in an instant.

Warm Crab Roll
A lunchtime favorite at Soleil is the Warm Crab Roll offers pure decadence in every last bite. The chef prepares this dish by wrapping jumbo lump crab in a soft, freshly baked roll. After that, it’s elevated by drawn butter and scallions. Housemade fried chips come alongside unless you’d prefer a side salad instead.  

Seared Scallops                                     
Perfectly Seared Scallops are an art form all their own, but when paired with radiator pasta, they’re even more divine—and that’s exactly what you get when you order this dish. The chef creates this entree by putting scallops in a hot pan until they’re seared on the outside and juicy in the middle. Then, he prepares the pasta using lemon, herbs, and cherry tomatoes. Bread crumbs are sprinkled over the pasta before it’s baked. It is then served alongside the scallops.

Are you planning a private event for up to 50 people? Consider renting out the private dining room at Soleil. Their superb dining space is great for wedding receptions, milestone birthdays, and business retreats. And their food and drinks will have your guests feeling more than impressed from start to finish.  

Insider Tips:
-Want to come in for happy hour specials? Time your visit between 4 pm and 6 pm daily.
-If you want to skip the wait for a table, make a reservation by giving them a call or going through their website.
-Although they try to keep the menus on their website updated, that’s not always the case. So, try to keep your mind open to the possibilities before you arrive and see the current menu for yourself.