
The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House
A beloved beachfront seafood institution since 1974, known for pioneering the Amberjack sandwich and offering stunning Gulf views.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A beloved beachfront seafood institution since 1974, known for pioneering the Amberjack sandwich and offering stunning Gulf views.
"Enjoy fresh Gulf seafood with unbeatable ocean views at this iconic beachfront spot!"
Try the Amberjack
This restaurant popularized the Amberjack sandwich; it's a must-try for seafood lovers.
Happy Hour Deals
Visit during happy hour for good value and special deals on drinks and appetizers.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Seafood
Price
$$$
Phone
(850) 233-1750
Address
16220 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32413, USA
Website
theback-porch.com/#homeHighlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Legendary Amberjack
Pioneering the Amberjack sandwich, this local favorite offers it chargrilled, bronzed, or blackened.

Prime Pier Park Location
Enjoy fresh Gulf seafood with vibrant outdoor seating and people-watching in the heart of Pier Park.

Oysters on the Half Shell
Savor freshly shucked oysters, a classic seafood starter with a beautiful beach view.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Try the Amberjack
This restaurant popularized the Amberjack sandwich; it's a must-try for seafood lovers.
Happy Hour Deals
Visit during happy hour for good value and special deals on drinks and appetizers.
Gluten-Free Options
They offer a wide variety of gluten-free options, catering to those with dietary restrictions.
Don't Miss Appetizers
Appetizers like Firecracker shrimp and crab dip are highly recommended by diners.
Tips
from all over the internet
Try the Amberjack
This restaurant popularized the Amberjack sandwich; it's a must-try for seafood lovers.
Happy Hour Deals
Visit during happy hour for good value and special deals on drinks and appetizers.
Gluten-Free Options
They offer a wide variety of gluten-free options, catering to those with dietary restrictions.
Don't Miss Appetizers
Appetizers like Firecracker shrimp and crab dip are highly recommended by diners.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House receives mixed reviews, with many praising its prime location on Pier Park and the flavorful seafood, especially the Amberjack and raw oysters. However, some diners have found the food to be average or overpriced, with occasional issues like overcooked dishes or inconsistent service.
"Stumbled across this gem while staying close to Panama. Worth the drive! Had a party of 8 people, no wait, seated very quickly and had great service. Drinks were delicious as well as the shrimp tacos! Atmosphere was good, not too loud!"
Brooke Flowers
"Great Service. Great Atmosphere and Location. Okay food. I got the angry amberjack and it was okay. Nothing particularly special. It’s a little spicy which I liked. The location and great service made the visit worth it.
The Firecracker shrimp appetizer was good. The sauce it comes with is well balanced and very good."
Clayton Tibbetts
"Came at a busy time and they got us seated right away. The crab dip I recommend trying, the steak was over cooked and didn’t have much flavor. My hubs fish was super good and so was the double baked loaded potato
Super pricey here tho"
Saydie Hughes
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The Back Porch is famous for its pioneering Amberjack sandwich and its prime beachfront location in Pier Park.
Yes, they have a wide variety of gluten-free options available.
Popular appetizers include Firecracker shrimp, crab dip, and oysters on the half shell.
Yes, the restaurant has ample colorful outdoor seating, perfect for enjoying the beach view.
The restaurant is considered upscale, with some diners noting it can be pricey.
While some reviews mention being seated quickly even during busy times, reservations might be a good idea during peak season.
Mentioned in
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Bon Appetit! Waterfront Dining in Panama City Beach
Located on Pier Park, a short walk from the water, Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House is the second location of the popular restaurant, which started serving Gulf seafood, raw oysters and ice-cold beer out of a rustic beach shack in Destin over 48 years ago. Colorful umbrellas dot the spacious outdoor terrace, which offers a prime spot for people-watching. Whet your appetite with fried pickles, a Gulf Coast favorite, before moving on to Back Porch’s signature amberjack sandwich or a variety of grilled or fried seafood.
Waterfront Dining in Panama City Beach
Located on Pier Park, a short walk from the water, Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House is the second location of the popular restaurant, which started serving Gulf seafood, raw oysters and ice-cold beer out of a rustic beach shack in Destin over 48 years ago. Whet your appetite with fried pickles, a Gulf Coast favorite, before moving on to Back Porch’s signature amberjack sandwich or a variety of grilled or fried seafood.
Top 3 Gluten Free Dining Choices in Panama City Beach
Back Porch is a family favorite, gluten-free and otherwise, so when I found out that they had celiac-friendly dining, I was more than relieved. They have a wide variety of gluten-free options, which is refreshing for those of us on a gluten-free diet. It’s nice to receive a menu with something other than salads (although, ironically, my favorite dish was the Crab and Shrimp Salad).
Top 3 Gluten Free Dining Choices in Panama City Beach
Back Porch is a family favorite, gluten-free and otherwise, so when I found out that they had Celiac friendly dining, I was more than relieved. They have a wide variety of gluten-free options, which is refreshing for those of us on a gluten-free diet. It’s nice to receive a menu with something other than salads (although, ironically, my favorite dish was the Crab and Shrimp Salad).
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Giant open windows offer expansive views of white sand and emerald water. The Back Porch takes pride in popularizing amberjack, a firm white fish seldom found on menus before the restaurant began featuring it in sandwiches. (You can order the fish fried, chargrilled, bronzed, or blackened.) Another solid pick is the gumbo, which is packed with fish, shrimp, and crab meat.
Dining and Drinks
A GULF COAST TRADITION FOR OVER 40 YEARS A favorite with the locals since 1974, The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House in Destin got started in a small A-frame building on the beach. They instantly made a name for themselves by serving delicious Gulf seafood with the best Gulf views. A few years later, they invented the Amberjack sandwich, and the rest is history!
The Best Sandwich in Panama City Beach
A longtime staple for both locals and visitors, The Back Porch knows how to do seafood right. Their Chargrilled Grouper Sandwich is a highlight, served with just the right balance of seasoning and sear to let the flavor of the fish shine. Pair it with a side of hushpuppies or seasoned fries and you’ve got a meal that captures the taste of the coast in every bite.
Beachfront Panama City Beach Restaurants
Head to The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House for a longstanding local favorite. Established in 1974, this restaurant offers delicious Gulf seafood with unbeatable Gulf views. Their signature dish, the Flounder Florentine, features a flounder loaded with a crabmeat and spinach mixture, baked to perfection, and topped with a tangy lemon buerre blanc sauce.
Top Waterfront Restaurants in Destin and Panama City Beach: Dining with a View
Known for its laid-back atmosphere and unbeatable ocean views, The Back Porch has been a Destin favorite since the 1970s. Situated right on the sand, this iconic seafood spot offers fresh Gulf seafood with the perfect waterfront ambiance. Start with their famous chargrilled oysters, then dig into the grouper parmesan or the crab-stuffed mahi-mahi.
Top 10 Seafood Restaurants in Panama City Beach, FL
Conveniently located inside Pier Park, this family-friendly restaurant offers something for everyone. The Back Porch is known for their chargrilled Amberjack sandwich, which they invented and first served at their original location in Destin, FL and carried forward to their Panama City Beach restaurant. Take one bite and the rest is history.
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A fixture in the community since 1974, The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House started in a quaint A-frame building on the beach. It quickly gained a reputation for serving tasty Gulf seafood accompanied by stunning Gulf views. The restaurant introduced the now-famous Amberjack sandwich, which played a part in its rise to local fame.
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Nestled right by the Gulf of Mexico, The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House offers a quintessential coastal dining experience. With its laid-back beachside setting, it's the perfect spot to savor fresh seafood. The menu is brimming with ocean-fresh options, but don't miss their succulent oysters and the catch of the day.
The Back Porch - Panama City Beach, FL
A bustling seafood spot conveniently located in Pier Park, The Back Porch is great for groups and families, and offers good value during happy hour. A popular tourist destination, diners should expect to pay slightly higher prices in exchange for beachfront views and plenty of outdoor seating across from the beach.
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At The Porch Restaurant, we have many incredible offerings, from our signature dishes, seasonal entrées, specialty spritzers, top-quality steak, fresh fish, and a vast selection of beer and wine to choose from. A truly sought-after dining experience within one of the first homes built in Anna Maria.
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Check out The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House or Pompano Joe’s Seafood House to round out your immersive gulf coast seafood tour. The Back Porch features gulf grouper, fresh oysters, yellowfin tuna, shrimp, scallops and so much more, delivered and prepared daily. It’s a seafood extravaganza!.
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The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House is another local favorite Seafood Restaurant, serving up local favorites like smoked tuna dip, oysters, and grilled amberjack!. Their hours of operation are Monday to Saturday 11 AM - 9 PM and Sunday 11 AM - 8 PM. Follow The Back Porch PCB on Instagram!
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You will find this special restaurant to be located directly inside the Pier Park. It is a family friendly restaurant, so even those in your party that might not be into seafood will find something on the menu that they enjoy. You will love their chargrilled Amberjack sandwich.
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16220 Front Beach RdPanama City Beach, FL 32413(850) 233-1750 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. This eatery is just one of The Back Porch locations in Florida, serving incredible seafood dishes including its famous char-grilled amberjack.
Top 10 Beachfront Restaurants in Panama City Beach
This rustic gem serves up some of the best amberjack around. Their screened porch keeps the bugs out while letting in those amazing Gulf breezes. The smoked tuna dip is a must-try appetizer, and their key lime pie might just be the best in PCB.
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Dining & Restaurants at Pier Park® - A Shopping Center In Panama City Beach, FL
Seafood | $$ | View Location of Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House. OUTDOOR DINING TAKEOUT HAPPY HOUR. A local favorite since 1979, serving the finest smoked tuna dip, ice-cold oysters and their famous char-grilled Amberjack.
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Fresh seafood restaurant right across the street from the Gulf of Mexico. Dine on traditional seafood platters in a casual and laid back atmosphere. Sandwiches from $10 to $14, and dinner from $16 to $25.
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16220 Front Beach Rd | Panama City Beach | theback-porch.com. The Back Porch has been a gulf coast tradition for over 40 years. They made a name for themselves serving delicious seafood with Gulf views.
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Located in the popular Pier Park shopping and entertainment complex, The Back Porch offers Gulf-front dining and a menu filled with seafood classics like oysters and shrimp.
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From a slice at Great White Pizza to chicken wings at Buffalo Wild Wings, or seafood and oysters at The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House, Pier Park has it all!
best burger in panama city beach
The Back Porch Burger: This burger is an all-time favorite at The Back Porch, featuring a juicy beef patty topped with bacon, cheddar cheese, and BBQ sauce.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit