Mike’s Cafe and Oyster Bar is a delightful combination of diner foods plus an oyster bar. A family-owned business, Mike’s Cafe & Oyster Bar got its start in the early 1970s at the original Thomas’s Donuts location on the west end of Panama City Beach. From there, they opened Mike’s Diner in 1986 before finally expanding to the cafe and oyster bar in 2011.
The cornerstone of this family’s enterprises is to provide excellent service and the best in food. If you’re in the mood for a sweet start to the day, duck into the donut shop to enjoy a few at your hotel room. If you’d like a sit-down breakfast, order a full plate of eggs, grits, and toast. And if you’re starting to heat up under the Florida sun, come in to down a cold beer and a dozen raw oysters.
You’ll also find a full lunch menu, full of Southern classics like fried green tomatoes, catfish baskets, and shrimp & andouille kabobs. The portions are big, the prices are reasonable, and the variety can’t be beaten. Plus, the staff is there to help you navigate the menu, refill your drinks, and give you a little local advice about how to really get the most out of Panama City Beach.
When you’re at Mike’s Cafe and Oyster Bar, keep your eyes peeled for the following menu items:
Corn Beef Hash Topped with 2 Eggs & Cheese
When you wake up on the hungry side of the bed, the grilled corn beef hash plus eggs and cheese can be exactly what you need to get your morning going. Served with toast, there’s enough flavor, richness, and balance in this dish to give you a reason to smile.
Rockefeller Baked Oysters
You don’t have to make the salary of a Rockefeller to enjoy the garlic, onion, butter, and cheese of this famous dish. With spinach and bread crumbs, these dressed-up oysters may just give you a new perspective on this beloved treat from the sea.
Bloody Mary
If you’re going to have a Bloody Mary in the morning anyway, why not try it with a slice of crispy bacon right in the glass? At Mike’s Cafe and Oyster Bar, that’s exactly how it’s served. With a full array of accouterments floating on top of the glass, including a lemon, pickle, top of a celery stalk, and olive, you might just have a tough time figuring out how to drink it. But we promise the results are well worth the effort.
The Lifeguard
When lifeguards are expected to go toe-to-toe with the waves of the Emerald Coast, they need to have enough energy to go at it with gusto. This dish is two hotcakes or one waffle plus two eggs and breakfast meat. Choose from bacon, sausage patties, small links, or smoked large links.
Mike’s Cafe and Oyster Bar has so much to offer its patrons because the family cares about the experience of locals and tourists alike. The beloved cafe is located right in the middle of all the action, giving everyone an easy way to stop in for anything from a cup of coffee in the morning to a cocktail at the end of the day.
Insider Tips:
– Mike’s Cafe and Oyster Bar often have a line, especially for breakfast. Be prepared to either come early or wait a bit.
– Large portions and central location in Panama City Beach make this place beloved.
– Mike’s Cafe and Oyster Bar offers a happy hour at the oyster bar from 2 – 6 p.m.