Great service, wonderful food and a fabulous view: if you’re looking for all three in a Pensacola Beach dining experience, look no further than Hemingway’s Island Grill.
Overlooking scenic Santa Rosa Sound, Hemingway’s exudes the atmosphere one would expect from a restaurant named after the legendary, adventurous author of “The Old Man and the Sea” and “The Snows of Kilimanjaro.” Spacious and solidly built, Hemingway’s dark wood interior projects warmth and strength without feeling dark or oppressive. In fact, the decor — which includes numerous vintage posters promoting tourism in Cuba — and wall-to-wall windows facing the water provide a pleasant tropical ambiance. Not the garish, raucous kind, but the colonial-era, lounging=on-a-balcony, sipping-on-mojitos-at-dusk kind.
With a choice of indoor or outdoor dining, and well-stocked downstairs and upstairs bars, Hemingway’s offers ample opportunity for relaxation and soaking in the view … before, during and after meals.
Open for lunch and dinner, Hemingway’s serves the requisite variety of Florida seafood, along with steaks, pasta, soups, salads and a unique selection of signature flatbreads made with a variety of cheeses, seafood and meats. The flavors are anything but ordinary, with marinades and sauces seasoned with bright citrus, fresh cilantro and, in some of the shrimp dishes, dark rum. The tastes of Key West and Cuba also come through in the side dishes like the black beans and rice and, of course, cocktails like the mojito.
Whether you’re looking for a fine place to dine on a special date, or simply a warm, welcoming place to unwind after a day of fun and sun on Pensacola Beach, Hemingway’s is the place to go. Casual dress is OK, just not too casual (no swimsuits or bare feet, and you’ll probably feel more comfortable if you take the time to shower and change first if you’ve spent the day at the beach.)
The moderately priced Hemingway’s Island Grill is located at 400 Quietwater Boulevard on Pensacola Beach. For more information, call 850-934-4747.
Reference:
- Pensacola Beach visitor’s information at www.visitpensacolabeach.com
