#12 of 131 Pensacola Beach Restaurants

Peg Leg Pete’s

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Peg Leg Pete's is Pensacola Beach's Happy Place
Local Expert's Rating:
4.5 / 5
The Bottom Line:

It doesn’t matter whether you arrive by boat, drive your car, or walk up the beach to this casual eatery; there’s no limit to good food and good times at Peg Leg Pete’s. It’s a happening place, with live music beginning at 6 p.m. every night during the summer and on many winter evenings as well. Established in 1991 with only oysters, shrimp and a limited number of sandwiches on the menu, its popularity has grown in direct proportion to the crowds. Today, Peg Leg Pete’s has a busy catering service and an online store, but at heart, it’s still just a local beachfront bar.

- The FloridaPanhandle.com Local Expert Team

Great food at reasonable prices and friendly service distinguish this local raw bar, where fresh Gulf seafood rules! Peg Leg serves up Cajun specialties and gumbo, as well as chicken dishes, pasta, and specialty salads, but purists come for the oysters, which are available a dozen different ways.

If there’s one rule to follow at Peg Leg Pete’s, it’s: “Come Hungry.” Going with a group is even better, not just for the camaraderie, but also because sharing is the best way to sample the extensive menu!

Even though it’s housed in a two-story building and has both indoor and outdoor seating, the place can get crowded, so a wait is often inevitable. But it’s worth it. Hang out at the extra-long bar, watch the busy oyster shuckers or just people-watch and listen to the lapping waves. The pirate theme may be a bit kitschy, but it adds to the atmosphere, and a selfie with Peg Leg is a suitable memento!

Most pub grub is better with a libation, and servers will keep your glasses filled, no matter what you’re drinking. Peg Leg Pete’s features bottomless soft drinks, iced tea, and coffee. Try the Shipwreck if you choose to imbibe: It’s filled with rum and a bit on the fruity side, but good!

If oysters aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other options to tempt you, including Maine lobster! You bet, and cold-water snow crab as well! And you can top off your shellfish or grouper sandwich with a slice of Key lime or peanut butter pie! Either one is an indulgence you shouldn’t miss. If you like bread pudding, it’s served here with amaretto sauce, and there’s a daily special dessert selection. Remember what we said about sharing?

On a recent visit, we knew we were ordering too much, but it’s hard to stop!

The following are just some of our menu favorites:

Buffalo Blue Oysters
We first encountered this unique combination as part of Peg Leg Pete oyster sampler, but then we had to order another half-dozen! Topped with blue cheese crumbles, hot sauce, and bacon, they’re hot, spicy, and delicious. Crab-stuffed oysters with Alfredo sauce ran a close second with our group.

Grouper Sandwich
Stop in for a simple lunch, and you’ll find the grouper sandwich is an overwhelming favorite. Plain fried is great, but the grouper BLT is pretty darn good! It’s also available blackened or chargrilled, and it can be topped with cheese, grilled onions, peppers, and mushrooms. Even with just a side of cole slaw, it’s a spectacular choice.

Blue Crab Claws
From the appetizer menu, the blue crab claws are almost sinfully good. They sell out quickly, and they’re not always available, so catch them if you can. If you’re hungry, get two orders and don’t share!

Stuffed Shrimp
Delicious Gulf shrimp stuffed with crabmeat is available as an appetizer or entrée, and they never disappoint! For dinner, the tasty baked shrimp topped with white sauce is accompanied by rice pilaf, sugar snap peas, and garlic toast.

Crawfish Julie
Until you sample it, you may just laugh, but it’s a sauce that is sooooo good you’ll order it on everything from grilled shrimp to fried fish to filet mignon. Yes, we’re serious. We could almost sip it as soup; it’s that good, and it can be added to any entrée for a small additional charge.

This is a seafood restaurant, and people stand in line to get a table, so don’t be in a hurry. Refreshing drinks, cool breezes, and live music help pass the time. Peg Leg Pete’s has become an institution in Pensacola, and you’ll want to return again and again to work your way through the menu.

Insider Tip:
You can’t make an actual dinner reservation at Peg Leg Pete’s, but you can download an app on your phone that allows you to add your name to the waitlist before you arrive. Then, make your way to the children’s play area downstairs, order a drink from the outdoor bar, and while away wait with your toes in the sand and a cool drink in your hand!