Alright, so I was down in Destin, Florida, not too long ago. First morning there, woke up absolutely starving. You know how it is on vacation, the first mission is always finding a solid breakfast spot. Didn’t want anything too fancy, just good food to start the day right.
So, I got myself dressed and decided to just drive around a bit. Didn’t have a specific plan, figured I’d see what looked popular or caught my eye along the main drag, Highway 98. Passed a few places right off the bat. Some looked like typical chain restaurants, which, honestly, I was trying to avoid. Wanted something more local, you know?
First Attempts
Saw this one spot, looked kinda like an old-school diner. Pulled into the parking lot, but man, it was packed. Cars everywhere, people waiting outside. Okay, maybe popular, but I wasn’t in the mood for a long wait. Patience isn’t my strong suit when I’m hungry. So, back in the car I went.
Drove a little further. Found another place tucked away in a little strip mall. Looked quieter. Went inside. It was alright, seemed clean, but the menu looked… well, a bit pricey for just eggs and bacon, if you ask me. Felt more like a brunch place trying too hard. Wasn’t the vibe I was going for. Decided to keep looking. It’s kinda frustrating when you’re just trying to get some simple breakfast and it turns into a whole expedition.
Finding Some Options
Finally, I headed a bit off the main highway, just exploring some side roads. That seemed to be the trick. Found a couple of smaller, less crowded spots that looked more promising.
- The Busy Cafe: Stumbled upon this cafe that was busy, but not insane like the first place. Looked like a mix of locals and tourists. Decided to give it a shot. Went in, got seated pretty quickly. The menu was straightforward – pancakes, omelets, biscuits, the usual stuff. Ordered some eggs, sausage, and toast. It hit the spot. Nothing mind-blowing, but solid, dependable breakfast food. Just what I needed.
- Another Diner Spot: A day or two later, tried another place, more of a classic diner feel again, but maybe a bit newer. This one was decent too. Good coffee, which is important. The service was quick and friendly. Seemed like a reliable choice if you’re in that part of town.
- The Pancake House: Couldn’t go to a beach town without checking out a dedicated pancake house, right? Found one that wasn’t too crazy busy early in the morning. They had all sorts of pancakes and waffles. Tried their standard buttermilk pancakes. They were good, fluffy, exactly what you’d expect.
What I Learned
So, after a few days of trying different places, I kinda got the lay of the land. My takeaway? You gotta get off the main tourist drag sometimes. The places right on Highway 98 tend to be either chains, super crowded, or a bit overpriced for what you get. The smaller spots, tucked away a bit, seemed to be the better bet for a simple, satisfying breakfast without a huge wait or a big bill.
Overall, Destin has plenty of breakfast options. You just gotta spend a little time looking around, maybe drive a few extra minutes. Avoid the obvious tourist traps right on the beach road if you want something more relaxed and reasonably priced. That was my experience, anyway. Just sharing what I found out poking around down there.
