Down Island | Restaurant Review

Best restaurants in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

Down Island restaurant is a dream come true by Chef Janca whose legacy lives on in this Santa Rosa Beach chef-owned and family-operated restaurant. Specializing in wood fired Gulf South seafood favorites, local farm-to-table daily specials, raw bar selections and New Orleans Jazz Fest posters adorning the walls - Down Island feels and tastes like home.

I don’t typically start with dessert, but it was that good. Wood-Fired Pies: made to order and flavors vary depending on season. Ours was a Blueberry-Blackberry and it was perfect.

Catch of the Day Po-Boy: Mahi dressed on toasted Gambino’s bread with fries, y’all. Do shoestring fries taste better in a crabmeat container? Yes, they do.

What could make a Cobb Salad even better? Put Blackened Mahi on top. Also including: house greens, grilled cherry tomatoes, avocado, corn, crispy bacon, deviled eggs, spiced pecans and red wine vinaigrette.

You simply can’t go wrong with their kids’ Fried Shrimp and fries. Their shrimp is always sweet and perfectly cooked.

And if that wasn’t enough…there’s just something about a Root-beer Float with seafood.

Take it from this New Orleans native turned 30A local - Down Island is a favorite spot. Add this restaurant to your list the next time you’re visiting South Walton (especially if you’re trying to avoid Highway 30A crowds)! Find Down Island on Highway 98 in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.

Dreaming of becoming a 30A beach local? Contact Russ Harris, 30A Realtor at 850-427-2640 & russell@live30a.com for the latest information on the Real Estate market.