The Grand Marlin: Fresh Gulf Seafood with a Grand Lagoon View |
Panama City Beach Dining with a Caribbean State of Mind |
When the craving calls for fresh Gulf seafood, waterfront views and a dinner that feels a little more special than the average beach meal, The Grand Marlin Restaurant & Oyster Bar is one Panama City Beach destination worth putting on the foodie list.
Located along Grand Lagoon, The Grand Marlin combines an upscale coastal menu with a relaxed atmosphere inspired by boating, sport fishing and the laid-back Caribbean lifestyle. The Panama City Beach restaurant opened in 2016 after the success of the original Grand Marlin in Pensacola Beach, which debuted in 2010.
What really drives the restaurant, though, is seafood.
The Grand Marlin says its menus are printed daily so the kitchen can take advantage of the freshest available catch. Under the direction of award-winning Corporate Chef and Partner Gregg McCarthy, the philosophy is simple: start with quality seafood and let fresh, local ingredients do the rest.
Start With Seafood — And Don’t Skip the Oyster Bar
The Grand Marlin has built much of its reputation around fresh Gulf seafood, including an extensive oyster bar with oysters shucked to order.
For the table, current menu listings include tempting starters such as Crispy Lobster Fingers, served with vanilla bean honey mustard; TGM BBQ Shrimp with BBQ butter sauce and Gambino's bread; and Salt & Pepper Calamari paired with banana peppers, pickles and habanero-lime aioli.
Soup lovers should also keep an eye out for the She Crab Soup, prepared with local blue crab, cream, sherry and chive oil, along with the seafood gumbo featuring shrimp, crab, oysters and andouille.
The Grouper Piccata Is a Standout
If there is one dish closely associated with The Grand Marlin, it may be the Grouper Piccata.
The entrée features Parmesan-crusted grouper with sautéed spinach, whipped potatoes, crispy capers and brown butter. It is also one of the restaurant's most frequently mentioned dishes by diners.
Other seafood selections currently appearing on menu listings include Loved & Rubbed Salmon with a caramelized house rub, sweet potato hash and lemon butter sauce; Ginger Soy Tuna with wasabi whipped potatoes and shiitake mushroom jus; Shrimp & Grits with jumbo Gulf shrimp and creamy stone-ground grits; and Maryland Style Lump Crab Cakes.
Because The Grand Marlin emphasizes fresh catches and prints menus daily, selections and pricing can change, which gives returning diners an excuse to see what the kitchen is featuring that evening.
Not Just for Seafood Lovers
Although seafood is the star, there are plenty of options for someone who would rather have steak or chicken.
The restaurant's offerings include steaks such as a grilled ribeye, along with poultry dishes and other entrées. The beverage program is equally substantial, featuring a full bar and a wine list with more than 80 bottles.
That makes The Grand Marlin a particularly good choice when you're dining with a group where everyone wants something different.
Save Room for Something Sweet
Dessert shouldn't be an afterthought here.
Current offerings include Key Lime Pie with key lime mousse, raspberry coulis and a coconut-macadamia graham cracker crust, as well as a Chocolate Brownie Sundae with vanilla bean ice cream, candied pecans, caramelized banana and chocolate sauce.
And if you happen to spot the restaurant's Praline Basket, it's another dessert that has earned enthusiastic comments from recent diners.
Head Upstairs to The North Drop
Part of what separates The Grand Marlin from a typical seafood restaurant is the setting.
The restaurant overlooks Grand Lagoon, and upstairs you'll find The North Drop Bar, designed to bring a little Caribbean atmosphere to Panama City Beach. It's a comfortable spot for an island-inspired cocktail and a view of the water before or after dinner.
The combination of seafood, cocktails, boats and the Grand Lagoon setting fits naturally with the story behind the restaurant, which began with friends fishing the North Drop waters of the Virgin Islands and dreaming up a restaurant built around great seafood and carefree coastal living.
Sunday Brunch Is Another Reason to Visit
The Grand Marlin isn't only a dinner destination. Sunday brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Brunch selections currently include dishes such as Bananas Foster French Toast, Steak & Eggs, the St. Andrews Skillet, Chicken & Waffles and a smoked salmon bagel. You can also pair brunch with a Grand Mimosa made with sparkling wine, fresh orange juice and Grand Marnier.
For seafood fans who don't want to wait until dinner, the Grouper Piccata and Gulf shrimp options also make appearances on the brunch menu.
Panhandle Fork Take
The Grand Marlin hits a sweet spot between special-occasion dining and relaxed coastal dining.
You can dress up and make it a date night, bring visiting family for a memorable seafood dinner, celebrate an anniversary overlooking Grand Lagoon or simply head upstairs for cocktails and seafood after a day on the water.
For first-time visitors, we'd start with something from the oyster bar or the BBQ shrimp, order the Grouper Piccata as a main course, and finish with Key Lime Pie or one of the restaurant's specialty desserts.
And if you've only experienced The Grand Marlin at dinner, Sunday brunch gives you another completely different reason to come back.
The Grand Marlin Restaurant & Oyster Bar
Location: 5323 N. Lagoon Drive, Panama City Beach, Florida 32408 Phone: 850-249-1500
Restaurant Hours:
The North Drop Bar:
Website:The Grand Marlin Panama City Beach
Menus & Specials:View The Grand Marlin Menus
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50 Comments
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Big group menus are helpful. My picky teen found stuff she liked.
Steak was actually really good for a seafood place!
Do they do takeout? That key lime pie is calling my name.
Sundays are packed but lively. Chicken & waffles for me every time.
Always packed during tourist season but still worth it for the view.
The wine list is impressive. Found a new favorite last time.
Love spotting dolphins while eating outside. So FL!
Cool spot to hang out after fishing all day.
Loved our dinner. Our waiter recommended the lobster fingers and they were divine.
Really wish the parking was better. Always have to circle for a spot.
Not a seafood fan but wife loves it. I stick to the ribeye and cocktails.
Their salmon is amazing, but the crab cakes are hit or miss.
Great place to dress up a bit but still feel relaxed, not too fancy.
Never had whipped potatoes with tuna before. Interesting mix!
Wish they had more vegetarian choices on the menu.
Honestly the drinks at North Drop are the highlight for me.
They took my favorite off a few years back. But can’t beat the view and drinks.
We took my parents for brunch and everyone found something they liked.
Favorite date spot on the beach! We always get the crab cakes to share.
Grand Mimosa hits hard! Be careful if you’re driving after brunch.
Wish they stayed open past 10, some of us like late snacks.
I only go for the BBQ shrimp and cold beer upstairs.
Best gumbo I’ve found this side of NOLA. Don’t miss it.
Is it kid friendly? My grandson wants chicken and fries, haha.
I’m allergic to shellfish so glad they’ve got steak too.
If you sit upstairs, you get breeze and boats. Nice vibe for anniversaries.
Never tried their brunch. Bananas Foster French toast sounds fire.
Prices jump around a lot but quality’s always up there. I like that you get fresh stuff.
Really crowded during summer but worth the wait. Locals know!
Been going since 2017. The menu always surprises us! Love that it changes.
Lobster fingers with honey mustard? Sounds wild. Gotta try it next.
I usually do steak, but their she crab soup turned me into a seafood person. So good!
Drinks at The North Drop hit different when the sun is setting. So pretty.
Key lime pie is a must-try every time. That crust is unreal.
I wish they’d add a veggie dish or two. My husband loves the grouper though.
Love their oysters. Never had a bad plate there yet.
The view of Grand Lagoon is so peaceful. Good for anniversary dinners.
Appreciate that they switch up the menu. Always something new to try.
That praline basket dessert just sounds incredible.
Never tried oysters before, guess I need to go and check them out.
Was disappointed last time, service was super slow but food was worth the wait.
A little pricey but you get what you pay for with the fresh seafood.
Love the atmosphere, feels like vacation even if you live here.
Their she crab soup is the best I’ve tried in PCB.
Wish there were more non-seafood options. Not a seafood fan.
North Drop bar is my favorite spot for a sunset drink.
Had brunch last month. The bananas foster french toast was wild!
Key lime pie is my weakness. Glad they have a good one.
Oyster bar is top notch! Love bringing out of town friends.
The grouper piccata is always so good here.