10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Pensacola

Try Taqueria El Asador for some of the best Mexican food on the Gulf Coast. The trailer-style Mexican grill serves delicious tacos and burritos in a casual outdoor setting.

The food lorry is family-owned and prides itself on authentic Mexican fare, complete with sides of beans and rice with jalapenos, as well as Southern-fusion options and delicious salsas. You can also get samplings to try a bunch of different flavours and pick your favourite. Taqueria El Asador offers both dine-in and take-out options.

McGuire’s Irish Pub is a must-visit for a fun night out during your trip. Located within an original 1927 Old Firehouse and modelled on turn-of-the-century Irish saloons, McGuire’s serves classic and creative cocktails and beers brewed in copper kettles for a unique experience.

You can stop by McGuire’s Irish Pub for lunch or dinner, then stay for drinks and the live music that’s available most nights. While you're here, stop by the gift shop to pick up some pub merchandise and unique treasures to take home.

The Fish House is a traditional Southern restaurant that offers fresh seafood cuisine in an upscale dockside dining area that overlooks the harbour and bay. Located near Seville Square, they serve an array of seafood dishes like Gulf shrimp, catch of the day, and sushi.

If you want a change from seafood, they also do favourites like steak, grits, mushrooms, cheese, onions, and bacon. They also have a full bar with beer, cocktails, and wine, as well as a late-night menu for evenings out drinking and socialising on the waterfront.

The Oar House is a tiki-style restaurant and bar located in scenic Bayou Chico, overlooking the marina. The restaurant serves American fare like burgers, steak, and chicken, as well as local favourites like grits, gator bites, and tuna dip.

Along with lunch and dinner, The Oar House offers an evening out. You can get speciality cocktails, beer, and wine and enjoy a night out listening to live music and watching the boats at the marina.

SaBai on Jefferson is one of the best places for Thai food in Pensacola – a great choice if you’re looking for something different during your stay. The restaurant serves just about every Thai dish you can think of, including wok noodles, curries, and fried rice, as well as Asian favourites like wontons, spring rolls, satay, and dumplings.

Some of the top menu options include the pad Thai, drunken noodles, and the tamarind duck, which is only available on occasion. You can also get vegan menu options and desserts, which include the delicious mango sticky rice and fried banana.

Jerry’s Drive In is a casual area restaurant for quick bites on the go. It offers dine-in options, but many enjoy picking up burgers, fried fish, and other quick food in the carhop-style car park to take on picnics or on sightseeing adventures.

Keeping with the friendly, retro style, the walls of Jerry’s Drive In are covered in sports memorabilia, as well as signs and bumper stickers with clever puns and jokes. They were all given to the restaurant by regular customers and visitors.

Tacos Mexicanos is a local hot spot for authentic Mexican eats. The restaurant has counter service and offers an array of taco options using authentic Mexican ingredients. You can find plenty of other Mexican options, such as huarache, quesadilla, and burritos.

If you’re not sure what to try, you can opt for the taco sampler to have a few different types of meat and toppings and pick your favourite. There’s also a “build-your-own” option for a few of the menu items. Tacos Mexicanos is open for lunch and dinner.

Another Broken Egg Cafe is a Gulf Coast favourite. After establishing the original location in Destin, they opened a second location in Pensacola. Serving only breakfast and brunch, they specialise in egg dishes and traditional breakfast foods and brunch sandwiches in a casual setting.

Many unique items are found on the menu, such as creole shrimp benedict and tzatziki tots. There's also shrimp and grits, crawfish bowls, crab cakes and fried green tomatoes, and smoked salmon.

Fisherman’s Corner is a Southern-influenced seafood restaurant with a nautical theme and casual setting. Located on Perdido Key, the restaurant brands itself as “casual fine dining with a creole flair,” emphasising seafood from the Gulf of Mexico and sauces and seasonings made from local sources.

Some of the menu highlights are the New Orleans bread pudding, Cajun mac and cheese, gumbo salad, and New Orleans BBQ. You could also indulge in cocktails, wine, or a stop in the gift shop for unique souvenirs and Fisherman’s Corner merchandise.

Sky’s Pizza Pie is a casual pizza joint and local hot spot with dine-in, carry-out, and delivery options. The menu features pizza-place classics like onion rings, fries, garlic knots, and fried ravioli for starters, chicken wings, whole classic and speciality pizzas, salads, and sandwiches.

You can also get calzones and stromboli with a mix of classic Italian ingredients, such as lasagne, mozzarella, and Florentine. You can even build-your-own stromboli with your choice of ingredients.