#22 of 161 Panama City Beach Restaurants

Hook’d Pier Bar & Grill

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Hook'd Pier Bar & Grill: Local Seafood Served Alongside a Spectacular View
Local Expert's Rating:
4 / 5
The Bottom Line:

Hook'd Pier Bar & Grill brings local seafood to one of the most beautiful restaurant locations in Panama City Beach. If you can put up with a potentially long wait, you'll be rewarded with an enticing array of flavors and the freshest seafood you've enjoyed in a long time.

- The FloridaPanhandle.com Local Expert Team

Hook’d Pier Bar & Grill epitomizes the iconic culinary style of Panama City Beach. Conveniently located near Pier Park, this restaurant is ideal both for a quick stop during your shopping trip and a more leisurely visit as you take in the sunset. Ideally, however, you will set aside at least an hour or two to make the most of the restaurant’s wonderful ambiance.

At Hook’d Pier Bar & Grill, you can expect to find not only wonderful hospitality but also heaping platters of fresh seafood from the Gulf. Shrimp, scallops, grouper, and crab can all be found in abundant supply, as can catches of the day that are so fresh, you won’t be surprised if they hop off the plate.

A Little Hooks menu is offered for younger visitors, who can enjoy picky eater favorites such as burgers and chicken tenders. Kids who love seafood, however, will definitely want to try the fried popcorn shrimp or grouper fingers. 

The food is amazing, of course, but it’s only a small element of the Hook’d Pier Bar & Grill experience. The establishment’s patio is not to be missed. You’ll love the views and the friendly vibes.

A few of our favorite menu items include the following:

Cajun Gumbo
Made and served fresh, this enticing gumbo is definitely worth ordering. While it’s available by both the cup and bowl, you’ll want to order the larger serving — it’s just that good! 

Zesty Shrimp and Grits
Jumbo shrimp and Cajun flavors come together in this mouthwatering entree, which is sauteed to perfection and served with mushrooms, onions, and pico de gallo. The dish’s Creole sauce is simultaneously zesty and creamy. A side salad completes your meal, although you’re also welcome to add on one of several extra side orders. 

Vegged Out Guacamole Tacos
If you prefer to avoid meat, you’re in luck: these guacamole tacos at Hook’d Pier Bar & Grill are delicious enough that you won’t feel as if you’re giving anything up. Served with beans and rice, these veggie-filled tacos prove that meat is not necessary for a good meal. That being said, you can add a variety of extras for a small additional fee. Favorites include mango pico, salsa verde, and remoulade. 

Fried Grouper Fingers
One of several available fried baskets, this amazing meal is best enjoyed when you have a huge appetite. In addition to delicious grouper, you’ll enjoy French fries, slaw, and best of all, hush puppies. These three sides also come with the restaurant’s other fried baskets.

Bread Pudding
Warm and delicious, this dessert is served with a delectable rum sauce and a scoop of ice cream. Don’t worry if you’re too full to enjoy dessert right away. All desserts served at Hook’d Pier Bar & Grill are also available to go. If you’re able to make room, however, you’ll want to eat this bread pudding right in the restaurant, as it’s best enjoyed fresh. 

With so many flavors, it can be difficult to arrive at a final selection as you browse the Hook’d Pier Bar & Grill menu. You can take solace, however, in knowing that any appetizer or entree will deliver a wonderful culinary experience. 

Insider Tips:
– Appetizers and meals are often available for takeout, but restrictions may apply based on how busy the restaurant is at the time you order. 
– During peak hours, it’s common for wait times to exceed half an hour. Thankfully, Hook’d Pier Bar & Grill offers a convenient text messaging system to alert you when your spot is ready. Feel free to wander the beach or Pier Park as you wait for your table — but don’t go too far, as you’ll lose your place if you take too long to return.
– This pet-friendly restaurant welcomes well-trained dogs, who receive water and treats. As such, this is a wonderful destination for anybody who hits up the nearby dog beach at Pier Park.