The cuisine and prices at the Whale’s Tail Beach Bar & Grille are on the average side for the Destin area, but this casual eatery earns some extra point for its great location: right along the sugar sands at Seascape Resort, steps from the surf. Open every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it’s a particularly good place to grab drinks and some shareable bites and take in one of those awesome Emerald Coast sunsets.
In operation for decades, the Whale’s Tail offers both indoor dining upstairs, a downstairs bar right off the beach, and al fresco meals on its great outdoor deck—the all-around best place to eat, as long as the weather’s cooperative.
The cuisine is, as you’d expect, seafood-heavy, but there’s a decent variety in case you’ve got some pickier diners in your party. The food’s decent but not bowl-you-over incredible, though keep in mind the seaside setting and fun ambiance boost the flavor a bit.
Breakfast includes everything from Biscuits & Gravy, Steak & Eggs, and a variety of omelets to Belgian Waffles, breakfast sandwiches, and breakfast wraps. A Whale’s Tail Bloody Mary is sometimes exactly what the doctor ordered, meanwhile.
Lunch plates include such munch-able appetizers as Fried Calamari, Homemade Smoked Tuna, and Broccoli & Bacon Cheese Bites. The catch-of-the-day and other fresh fish dishes are popular choices for main courses. You’ll also find a wide variety of sandwiches on offer: the Homemade Crab Cake Sandwich, the Beach Burger, Caribbean Fish or Caribbean Chicken sammies (enhanced by pineapple), Fish or Shrimp Po’Boys, and BLTs, among others. Or maybe you’ll go the wrap route, or get your fingers greasy with a basket of fried chicken or fried fish fingers or popcorn shrimp, paired with fries or slaw.
The Whale’s Tail serves a variety of dinner entrees that come with rice, fresh grilled veggies, and corn on the cob. They include Fried Butterfly Shrimp, The Whaler’s Fish Dinner (yellowfin tuna or Mahi-Mahi), Malibu Chicken, and Crab Legs & Shrimp, to name only a few.
There’s a dedicated kids menu here, too: “Little Whalers” are sure to enjoy the Pirate Burger, the Popcorn Shrimp, the Chicken Fingers, or another tasty item served with French fries.
Drinks include all manner of cocktails, cold beer, and wine, plus some liquid desserts, including chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and Oreo shakes. Speaking of libations, the Whale’s Tail Happy Hour offers specials on both booze and starters.
Let’s have a closer look at some of the standout eats on the Whale’s Tail Beach Bar & Grille menu:
Fish of the Day
The char-grilled fresh catch of the day at the Whale’s Tail tends to hit the spot. You can opt between blackened or lemon-pepper seasoning, and you can convert the plate into a sandwich with fries or slaw or have it atop a green or Caesar salad.
Fish Tacos
Have your char-grilled fish nestled with lettuce and Pico de Gallo in either flour or corn tortillas. Your three fish tacos will be accompanied by your choice of fries or slaw.
Key Lime Colada
Among the homerun frozen cocktails whipped up in the Whale’s Tail bar is this tropical delight, a potent taste of the Sunshine State.
The food (and the service) aren’t always 100% awesome at the Whale’s Tail Bar & Grille, but there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself a soul-satisfying meal of comfort food and a refreshing beverage to go along with the topnotch sand-and-sun views.
Insider Tip:
Seascape Resort hosts a regular lineup of live entertainment, including concerts and trivia nights, so check the schedule to see if you can combine a meal and drinks at the Whale’s Tail with a show or other event.