Where to Feast in Destin This Holiday Season Cook, Cater, or Dine Out

The holidays are one of the most magical times to visit the Emerald Coast. Cooler weather, fewer crowds, and plenty of festive events happening in and around town, Destin makes the perfect backdrop for a memorable Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s celebration.

Guests at Destin Gulfgate enjoy a unique advantage: each condo offers a full kitchen ready for cooking, along with spacious dining and living areas that are ideal for gathering with family and friends. At the same time, the property’s central location puts you within minutes of Destin’s best restaurants and markets. Whether you prefer a home-cooked feast, a catered spread, or a reservation at one of the area’s top restaurants, this guide will help plan your holiday meal with ease.

Cook Up a Feast  from the Comfort of Your Condo

For many families, the holidays just wouldn’t be the same without cooking together. At Destin Gulfgate, the full kitchens make it easy to bring traditions from home, whether that’s roasting a turkey, baking a ham, or creating a coastal twist with fresh seafood.

• Nearby grocery stores: Publix, Winn-Dixie, The Fresh Market, and Whole Foods are all just minutes away, making it simple to stock up on essentials. These stores also carry holiday staples like cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and pre-made sides if you want to save time.
• Seafood specialties: While certain fish are seasonal, Destin’s markets always offer something fresh. Local favorites like Destin Ice Seafood Market keep holiday staples like shrimp, snapper, and grouper available year-round. A shrimp cocktail or baked grouper entrée can be a great way to add a taste of the Gulf to your holiday table.
• Grocery delivery services: For ultimate convenience, Destin Gulfgate partners with a locally owned and loved grocery service, Be My Shopper, to handle your grocery shopping before you arrive. Imagine walking into your condo with the fridge and pantry already stocked for the week… a lifesaver during the holidays. 
• Pro tip: Shop a day or two before the holiday itself. Locals know that grocery stores in Destin get busier the closer you get to Thanksgiving or Christmas, and popular items like pies, rolls, or holiday hams sell out quickly.

Cooking in your condo also means enjoying your meal with a view. Many families love gathering around the table, then stepping out onto their private Gulf-front balcony for sunset – the perfect ending to a holiday feast. Actually, with 30 feet of space, you can even fit the whole family out there for your holiday feast if you’d like!

Skip the Cooking: Catering & Take-Out Options

If you’d rather keep the oven off this holiday season, Destin offers plenty of ways to bring a festive meal to the table without the hours of prep. From ready-made feasts to personalized charcuterie boards, these local options make celebrating in your condo effortless.

• Publix Holiday Meals - Just minutes from Destin Gulfgate, Publix makes holiday hosting easy with fully prepared dinners available through its Order Ahead service. Choose from traditional turkey dinners with all the fixings to spiral-sliced ham meals. Everything is cooked and ready to heat, so all you have to do is pick it up and serve.
• The Board Chef - Based right here on the Emerald Coast, The Board Chef creates custom charcuterie boards and grazing tables that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Perfect for holiday snacking, pre-dinner appetizers, or even a centerpiece replacement for those who want something unique. Personalized boards can be tailored to your family’s preferences, from artisanal cheeses to seasonal fruits and sweets.
• Local Bakeries - Dessert is best left to the pros, and Destin has no shortage of them:
• Cakemasters Bakery II in Fort Walton Beach offers scratch-made holiday pies like pumpkin, pecan, apple, and sweet potato. Large pies are available by request, but orders must be placed well in advance.
• Donut Hole Bakery Café in Destin is a longtime local favorite, famous for its pies (especially key lime) and baked goods. While they don’t always post a formal holiday preorder menu, their pies are consistently a crowd-pleaser; just call ahead to check what they’ll be baking for the season.

 Insider Tip: Place orders early. Publix cut-off dates can be a week or more before the holiday, and bakeries often close their order lists once capacity is reached.

Dine Out for a Stress-Free Holiday Meal

For those who’d rather let someone else handle everything, the best of Destin’s restaurants are just minutes from Gulfgate.

• Harbor Docks- About 10 minutes away, Harbor Docks has been serving Destin since 1979. On Thanksgiving Day (for the last thirty years!), they host a traditional holiday meal where guests pay what they can. Every dollar goes directly to Destin Harvest and Habitat for Humanity, making it a festive feast that supports the local community.
• Marina Café- Just a 5-minute drive from Gulfgate, Marina Café is an upscale spot overlooking the harbor. Known for elegant holiday menus and sweeping views, it’s ideal for Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve.
• Louisiana Lagniappe -  A short drive from the property, Louisiana Lagniappe blends upscale seafood and steakhouse favorites in a related setting. Perfect for families or couples wanting a special holiday night out.

 Pro Tip: Planning ahead is essential for dine-in holiday meals. While Louisiana Lagniappe does not take reservations, Marina Café books up quickly, and Harbor Docks’ Thanksgiving operates on a more “community meal” model.

Insider Holiday Dining Tips

 Want your holiday meals in Destin to go smoothly? Keep these local tips in mind:

• Mix it up: Cook breakfast or brunch in your condo, then order Publix or charcuterie for dinner.
• Don’t forget dessert: Holiday pies from Donut Hole or Cakemasters sell out quickly. Reserve early.
• Bring your must-haves: Specialty spices or family-favorite ingredients aren’t always available locally; tuck them in your suitcase.
• Enjoy the view: No matter how you celebrate, remember that Destin’s best “side dish” is always the Gulf sunset.

Why Destin Gulfgate is Perfect for Holiday Gatherings

Beyond the dining options, Destin Gulfgate offers the space and comfort you need for holiday travel. Every condo has:

• A spacious kitchen and dining area for holiday cooking.
• Private, 30-foot Gulf-front balconies perfect for morning coffee or nightcaps.
• A private beach for post-dinner walks.
• A central location close to Destin’s restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores.

 It’s more than a place to stay. It’s a home base for holiday memories.

Book Your Holiday Stay

Whether you’re preparing a full holiday meal in your condo, ordering charcuterie and pies to go, or dining out a local favorite, Destin Gulfgate makes it easy to celebrate the season your way. Book your holiday stay today and start planning a festive escape filled with incredible food, family traditions, and unforgettable Gulf Coast views.