Local Spotlight: Bayou on the Beach Cafe & Oyster Bar
About Bayou on the Beach
Bayou on the Beach first opened in 1999 and for the past two-plus decades has served up only authentic Cajun cuisine with family recipes brought by owner Donna from Lafayette to Panama City Beach. They offer daily lunch specials and full menus. Everything in the restaurant is made from scratch and that includes everything from their tartar sauce to their gumbo and etouffee.
They seek to be a family-friendly establishment run by southern family values where everyone can find something they’ll love, and memories can be made with you and your nearest and dearest.
Charmingly Casual and Refreshingly Unique
The interior of the restaurant has been called “charmingly casual,” and it’s very much true. When you walk into this wood-plank-on-the-floor establishment it’s almost like being forced into a mindset of fun and relaxation. Kids love the fun atmosphere and appreciate the fact that the menu is diverse enough to offer them something they’re sure to love as well.
What really sets this restaurant apart from others is that it brings a sense of authentic Cajun flavor to Florida. That alone says a great deal.
Steamers and Mercantile
A newer addition to the restaurant is their Steamers and Mercantile attachment which serves up steamed seafood to go, as well as a regionally curated and fun gift shop. Grab their famous smoked tuna dip and chips to snack on back at the beach house, a Sno Ball to top it all off, then grab some memorabilia to dress up your home, like a scented candle, beach bags, coffee mugs, sugar scrub, welcome mats, t-shirts, gifts, and home décor. It’s all a quirky and fun complement to the fine food and fun atmosphere in the bar.
The Menu
The menu is as unique, delicious, and down-home as the shop and atmosphere. From their classic hand-breaded popcorn shrimp to their gumbo, from their oysters to their sandwiches you’re sure to find something to whet your appetite. They also have a special kids’ menu which goes beyond your typical chicken fingers and fries (though that’s certainly an offering!) If you’re looking for craft cocktails, they also have a range of those available.
Just a few of their menu highlights include:
- Who Dat Shrimp
- Fried Boudin Balls
- Muffalettas
- Crawfish Etouffee
- Gator bites (Kids menu)