#61 of 95 30A Restaurants

FOOW – Fish Out of Water Restaurant

See all photos (36 Photos)
Fish Out of Water Restaurant - Locally Sourced Seafood and Southern Cuisine
Local Expert's Rating:
4.5 / 5
The Bottom Line:

Fish Out of Water serves up locally-sourced Southern Cuisine right on the Emerald Coast. Plenty of menu items come directly from the waters that the restaurant overlooks, but you’ll also find choices that aren’t from the sea. For a fresh catch (or salad) and a fine glass, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a nicer place to dine.

- The FloridaPanhandle.com Local Expert Team

Fish Out of Water serves locally-sourced Southern Cuisine, and locally sourced has to include from-the-sea when you’re this close to the water. From the fresh catches to the fine adult beverages, this is the perfect place for a meal along the shore.

The seafood options at Fish Out of Water are extensive, and almost all of them come directly from the Gulf of Mexico waters. Entrees include Swordfish, Gulf Fish, Grouper and Louisiana Gulf Shrimp, and there are also seafood options in the Salads (add grouper) and Starters. Some of the more popular starters are Gulf Oysters, FOOW Banger Shrimp and Smoked Gulf Coast Fish Dip.

The Southern-style of cooking really comes across especially strong in the non-seafood options. Carolina Pimento Cheese, Sweet Tea Chicken and Stone-Ground Grits showcase the true Southern flair. Of course, there’s Sweet Tea available in the beverage section.

Other beverages include juices, sodas and adult drinks. A full bar offers virgin cocktails, house-specialty cocktails, beers and wines, as well as almost anything else you might want.

All of this is served in a beachside atmosphere that’s officially “watercooler casual.” Shorts and flip flops are strongly encouraged, even though the atmosphere is somewhat classy. You shouldn’t have to change specifically for dinner after a day full of fun, after all.

With fresh seafood, an extensive bar and a prime location, Fish Out of Water has everything that a great seaside eatery should. Go deep-sea fishing for your own catch if you like. If you aren’t an experienced angler, though, you’ll find just as good fish here — and they come already prepared on your plate.

A few of our menu favorites at Fish Out of Water include:

Smoked Gulf Coast Fish Dip
Start off the meal with the Smoked Gulf Coast Fish Dip. The green tomato jalapeno chow-chow, smoked fish and house-made salted crackers give everyone something to compliment when they take that first bite.

Sweet Tea Chicken
Southerners are serious about their sweet tea, but few restaurants use it as a chicken marinade. Order the Sweet Tea Chicken, and you’ll wonder why this isn’t a more widespread staple. Chances are it’ll become a go-to in your home.

Gulf Fish
The menu description simply reads “seared or blackened.” There’s no need to dress up a fresh catch that’s this good with any other fancy words. Simple and scrumptious.

FOOW Burger
A burger might seem like an odd choice when there are so many good seafood options. Even seafood lovers will be tempted by the Raines Farms Louisiana Wagyu Beef Blend that comes with garlic aioli and a house-made pickle. This isn’t your ordinary burger.

Paddleboard Paloma
Tequila, lime, grapefruit and egg white combine for a refreshing, crisp cocktail that’s perfect on a hot day. Get the Paddleboard Paloma yourself, or at least talk your tablemate into ordering it and try a sip of theirs.

Insider Tip:
– Musicians perform live on some weekend nights. Call ahead if you’re in town for a while, and ask when the next performance is. The only thing better than a good meal along the shore is a good meal along the shore with some sweet tunes playing in the background.