While the Emerald Coast is best known for its world-renowned seafood, Destin also has a ton of different Italian restaurants as well. Vacation is no place to count carbs, so if you're craving pizza, pasta, or a calzone at the beach, you'll have no problem finding the perfect place to eat. From family restaurants to celebrity chefs, Destin's dining scene has a little bit of everything. Check out some of the best Italian restaurants in Destin!
1. Mimmo's
Mimmo's is one of the incredible Italian restaurants you can enjoy in Destin. This amazing restaurant is the perfect place to have a business lunch, family dinner, or a romantic evening. The menu features delicious options like Mimmo's Famous Italian Garlic Rolls, pasta, meat dishes, pizza, and more. Plus, with a dessert menu that includes tiramisu, cannolis, spumoni, cheesecake, and Nutella Pizza, it's safe to say there's something for everyone. Additionally, they feature an expansive assortment of cocktails and wine.
2. Pazzo Italiano
Pazzo Italiano was nominated "Best Italian Restaurant in Destin 2019" and "Best Pizza in Destin 2019," so you've got to stop by the next time you're in town. If you're craving authentic Italian cuisine like wood-fired pizza, calzones, eggplant parmigiana, pasta, and more, Pazzo Italiano won't disappoint. In addition, their dessert menu also includes Italian favorites like flourless chocolate cake, Nutella Calzones, tiramisu, and cannolis.
3. Ciao Bella Pizza
Located in Silver Sands Premium Outlets, Ciao Bella Pizza has just what you need when you've shopped till you're ready to drop. Ciao Bella Pizza has an incredible menu that features authentic Northern Italian cuisine and gourmet pizza. Chef and Founder, Guglielmo Ianni has been serving his delicious Italian food to the Gulf Coast for over 20 years. They're open daily for lunch and dinner, and with a convenient location inside the outlet mall, you won't want to miss out on Ciao Bella Pizza!
4. Tuscany Italian Bistro
Tuscany Italian Bistro has been an established fine dining restaurant in Destin for twenty-three years. This amazing Italian restaurant features live music in the piano room, nightly Happy Hour specials, and an expansive menu featuring unbelievable Italian cuisine. They even have gluten-free and vegetarian options available. Additionally, Tuscany Italian is a great place to host a wedding reception, rehearsal dinner, business lunch, or birthday dinner.
5. La Famiglia Italian Restaurant
If you're visiting Destin and searching for some authentic Italian food, look no further. La Famiglia is located in the heart of Destin and features a menu everyone will love. With a menu that offers a wide selection of pasta, pizza, calzones, calamari, coffee, and more, there's a lot to love at La Famiglia. Overall, whether you're craving handmade pasta, traditional bruschetta, tiramisu, or Expresso Italiano, La Famiglia is the perfect place for you.
6. Carrabba's
While Carrabba's isn't exclusive to the Destin area, it's still a great place to enjoy a delicious family meal while on vacation. Located at Silver Sands Premium Outlets in Miramar Beach, Carrabba's offers remarkable Italian dishes like Chicken Marsala, Eggplant Parmesan, Lobster Ravioli, and so much more. In addition, Carrabba's also has an Under 600 Calorie Menu and a Gluten-Free Menu for mindful eaters. Overall, there's something you're sure to enjoy at Carrabba's.
7. Fat Clemenza's
Another one of the tasty Italian restaurants in Destin is Fat Clemenza's. You'll love Fat Clemenza's if you're looking for classical Italian food with fresh ingredients. They actually import most of their ingredients straight from Italy and their sausage is delivered from Chicago twice a week. Furthermore, the menu features customer favorites like pasta, salad, wood-fired pizza and calzones, dessert, wine, and Italian Roast coffee. Altogether, you'll find that dining at Fat Clemenza's is a wonderful experience.
8. Emeril's Coastal Italian
Finally, you absolutely have to check out Emeril's Coastal Italian in Grand Boulevard. If you're searching for an amazing Italian Restaurant with some coastal flare, Emeril's is sure to impress. Emeril's Coastal Italian was the first of Emeril's restaurants in Northwest Florida and features incredible cuisine. Enjoy Brick Oven Roasted Gulf Oysters, Fettucine Nero, Quattro Formaggi Flatbread, and other specialties when you dine at Emeril's Coastal Italian. They even offer a wide selection of desserts including Gluten-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Mile High Pie, Limoncello & Blueberry Cheesecake, Cookies & Milk, Olive Oil Cake, and more.
Overall, there are so many amazing Italian restaurants in Destin. In fact, the real challenge is simply picking one place to eat for dinner! With so many great options, you might need to stay awhile to try them all before you leave! Be sure to check out Destin's fabulous BBQ, Mexican, and sushi places as well.
Image Credit: @mimmosdestin Instagram