The Black Pearl

The sunset specials are a great way to go. They still offer the full menu then as well. I really appreciated that they offered fresh grilled fish on the kids menu since I want my kids to get in on the yummy fresh fish as well.

Was not impressed. The food portions were small and my food was cold. It is also very pricey! I don’t know how they are still in business.

This is one of those places that I figured was just a local tourist trap kind of place, so never really gave any thought to eating here. On a quick trip down for my wifes birthday, we were staying close by, so decided rather than driving into Destin, we would just give this place a try. Good Choice. Both my wife and I really enjoyed our dinners here, with a plus of having good service and discount prices due to going in time for the sunset specials. It is rather small, so I can see where during the peak season it might get very crowded and you may experience a long wait. My wife had the swordfish special and I had the grouper special, Both were very tasty and well prepared. For the price, it was as good as any that we have had in the area. Of course, if you are willing to pay more, there are some better places to eat, but for the price and the plus of having a good view of the Gulf, you will find this place hard to beat.

We tried this place passing through, as a local acquaintance recommended it as having «the best key lime pie in town», knowing that my wife loves key lime pie. We had grilled shrimp and mahi, ceviche, and a shrimp bruschetta appetizer. The food was excellent, and much better value than we expected.
And, lest I forget, the key lime pie was amazing, the best that I have tasted in years.

Food was very good and the service was excellent. Long wait was the only reason it didn’t get 5 stars. Loved sitting out on the patio and watching the spring breakers play volleyball. Prime rib was slightly over cooked but very tasty and the Caesar salad was absolutely amazing. Bruschetta was the best I’ve ever had and Key lime pie was killer too. All in all would strongly recommend if you’re hungry!

The name is what drew us in the first time. This was our second time to the Black Pearl while visiting Destin. We were looking forward to another great meal and we were not disappointed. The 4:00 — 6:00 early bird menu has some of the same selections as dinner menu, but more reasonably priced. Grilled shrimp are large and fresh and wood fired veggies are delicious. Bacon wrapped scallops were very good. Presentation of food is as good as higher priced restaurants. Service was excellent. View of beach and pier is lovely and watching the volleyball games was fun. Will be back again on our next trip :-)

Tried this restaurant for the first tine, and we won’t be back. Grilled shrimp were very very salty. Was supposed to be served with dirty rice and mixed vegetables. Asked to substitute fries for mixed veggies. Was served fries AND mixed veggies but no rice.

Had the Shrimp and Grits. Over cooked and couldn’t eat it. Wasn’t busy but took forever for a server to come to our table. Tourist trap. Won’t be back.

Great dinner! Our family enjoyed several of the Sunset Specials with yummy food and lots of variety. We will definitely visit again. Can’t complain about the gorgeous view either.

Food was average but service was terrible. Restaurant opened at 4pm and they would not let us in at 355, not even to sit at the bar, even though the hostess was already on duty out front. Our waiter touched our food every time he brought something out. Thumb in the oil-​vinegar, palm on the bread loaf, hand grazing the vegetables. Gross! When we pointed out a long black hair in the salad he did not apologize but instead said, «Oh look at that, a hair.» Lots of flies and bugs everywhere, and don’t stare too long at those waving decorative fans or you will see they are actually covered in a layer of filth. I will not go back.

Surprisingly impressed! I didn’t have high expectations going in because it seemed like a very tourist-​y spot. I’m more of a hole-​in-​the-​wall amazing food person.
Blackened grouper was delish! Crab cakes were yummy. Kid’s grilled fish was yummy! Bartender, Joe, was great! He made us a raspberry daiquiri that was oh so great! We also had the ceviche and it was good. The filet was fantastic! The lobster mac and cheese was alright.

If I could give it a worse ranking I would. They claim to have the best seafood in destin. Now that’s funny. The kids food was a joke. The crab cakes were made with bottom of the barrel crab meat but they charge a premium for three cakes. Here is some advise. By better product and only give two good cakes instead of three terrible cakes. When you start with crap product you only end up with a crap result. Let’s not forget about the horrible roasted vegetables and dirty rice that comes with every meal. You would think that having such limited options for sides that it might be executed well. Wrong. I guess that is what I get for getting suckered into the stereotypical tourist trap of a seaside restaurant like this. Jokes on me.

I was pleasantly surprised by my trip to the Black Pearl. I was expecting just another tourist trap, but it was much better. Our meal included very well crafted cocktails (watermelon margarita) from the bar, delicious filet medallion and crab legs combo and friendly service. The crab legs were tossed on the grill with a nice spice mix on the shell. Our meal was served with bread and oil mix as well. This is definitely a step up in quality from the other restaurants in the area. Probably our best dinner during a week filled with overly — commercialized restaurants.

Had a great date night at Black Pearl with our hometown neighbors who happened to be in the area on vacation too. Ordered appetizers of shrimp cocktail and oysters Rockefeller. The shrimp was fresh with a twist of mango added which was a nice touch. The oysters had more of a crumb topping, but also good.
For entrees we had the grouper papillotte, shrimp and grits, mahi/​shrimp combo, and mahi/​steak combo. All were good, fresh, well prepared. Nothing new or exciting here but solid, simple food. The waiter said the kitchen made the wrong grouper dish and so he was taking it off the bill. He brought us the wrong dish «as a snack» and the the correct dish as well, not charging is for either. Both grouper dishes were good, and I frankly liked the «wrong» one better. Very considerate and service oriented. We were also seated right next to a open beach window at dusk which was exceptionally charming as the weather was beautiful. I’ve been here twice before and will come again. Standard seafood fare, good service and an exceptional view.

We were seated promptly in an open air area. Back home this would be unacceptable and we’d all be whining. Something about an ocean view, though! Food was good and our server Brandon was great. Sounds frim some reviews that it can be hit or miss. We got a hit tonight!

I’m a foodie and picky. Thanks s is my favourite restaurant in this area! The food is always fresh and has good flavour.

This place served my husband the most rotten, smelly filet ever!!! They literally cooked and served my husband an old steak that smelt like week old trash! The smell was so pungent– I can’t believe the cook prepared that food. He had to definitely smell the rotten meat smell while he was cooking it. My husband ordered the steak medium rare, but the cook tried to cook the shell out if it, and got the filet very well done. The waiter told us he could smell it as he was walking the food to our table. The waiter Travis should’ve never served the rancid meat to us. When we got home I threw up my dinner as well! I’ve never been served food this awful. Do not go there!
I would in NO way eat here again! Even locals told me not to eat at the Black Pearl. If I can give NO stars– I would!

I rarely post negative reviews on Unilocal and wasn’t going to, but I feel like I owe it to my fellow Unilocalers. There are so many great places to try in Ft Walton Beach, but the Black Pearl isn’t one of them.
The view is nice, but their windows are very dirty and make a clear day appear cloudy.
The menu appears to have very yummy options. Only we did not get what we ordered. My husband ordered a fish dish that was «pan seared» with a creole sauce. It arrived breaded and dry and was clearly baked. They served it with marinara on top — nothing like creole sauce. My fish was wayyyy overdone and tough. Oh and they clearly have no idea what goes into Oysters Rockafellar. Unless I missed something and sawdust is actually an ingredient.
Go to Boshamps. Every night you’re in Ft Walton. You won’t be disappointed!

Kind of reminded me of red lobster food. Pretty good nonetheless. My waiter Travis was super friendly. I had the miracle platter which has a thin fillet of mahi mahi, some small scallops, a crab cake, and a few grilled shrimp. I think the shrimp were my favorite.

The Black Pearl takes a lot of hits on review websites but we’ve had great service and good food, the 3 times that we’ve been there.
I’m a little miffed that they did away with their Cannonball Shrimp — it really was one of those most delicious things I had a couple years ago, while vacationing. But, what can you do?
Our last time there, we got the Sunset Platter, Crab Legs (wood fired!), Filet Medallions and a Blackened Mahi Sandwich. ALL good and service was fantastic. I don’t put it in our «must eat» category, while we’re vacationing but… it’s still worth a taste!