When it comes to creating unforgettable meals, the best ingredients always come from the right source. Here along the Emerald Coast, we’re lucky to have a variety of family-owned seafood markets, boutique butchers, and produce stands that offer the highest quality products with a personal touch you just won’t find in big-box grocery stores.
While this isn’t an exhaustive list of every market worth visiting in our area, these seven are our go-to favorites — the places we trust to provide the quality, freshness, and service that help us deliver amazing dining experiences for our guests.
That being said, there are so many great markets in the area, it was hard to narrow down this list, but if we didn’t, this post would have been way too long. So, without further ado, here’s our top 7 specialty markets and why we love them. (The green text is a clickable link to each market’s website or google page.)
1. Shrimpers – Santa Rosa Beach, FL
A family-owned gem with a reputation for both quality and hospitality. Shrimpers has been a go-to in Santa Rosa Beach for years, offering Gulf-fresh shrimp, local seafood, and an unmatched commitment to service. If you’re looking for that personal touch and the freshest catch, this is your stop.
2. The Salty Butcher – Seagrove Beach, FL
For gourmet meats and hand-crafted cuts, The Salty Butcher is the area’s boutique butcher shop. Their specialty selections—whether it’s dry-aged beef, marinated proteins, or house-made sausages—are perfect for elevating your vacation dinners. They also have a nice sampling of produce and cheeses, perfect for crafting your vacation charcuterie board.
3. Blalock’s Seafood Market – Destin, FL
A long-standing staple in Destin, Blalock’s is loved by locals and visitors alike. From fresh Gulf shrimp to locally caught fish and a wide variety of sauces and spices, it’s the kind of place where you can build an entire seafood dinner from one stop.
4. Joe Patti’s Seafood Market – Pensacola, FL
An institution in Pensacola, Joe Patti’s is more than a seafood market—it’s an experience. Established in the 1930s, this bustling spot offers everything from fresh fish to specialty groceries, sushi, and even a gelato counter. It’s worth the trip just to take it all in (and walk out with a cooler full of seafood). Fun fact, it was the Patti fishing fleet that was used in the film “Forest Gump”, and they have a little story display by the check out cash registers to commemorate that piece of history.
5. Costello’s Butcher & Deli – Pensacola, FL
If you’re a meat lover, Costello’s is the place to be. This locally loved butcher shop is known for its prime beef, house-cured specialties, and hard-to-find gourmet items. Whether you’re grilling out or planning an elevated dinner, Costello’s has you covered. We recently purchased some camel meat there, and it was fabulous! If you’ve never tried camel, you should look for it when you go in.
6. Perdido Bay Seafood Market – Perdido Key, FL
Right on the water, Perdido Bay Seafood Market brings in the freshest catch directly from local fishermen. Their shrimp, oysters, and seasonal fish are as fresh as it gets—perfect for anyone who wants a true Gulf-to-table experience.
7. Bailey’s Produce & Nursery – Pensacola, FL
To balance out all that incredible seafood and meat, Bailey’s offers some of the best local produce around. This family-owned market features seasonal fruits and vegetables, local honey and other jarred products, local farm eggs, fresh herbs, and even plants for your garden. It’s the kind of place where quality and community go hand in hand. This past year we got some of the best peaches from Bailey’s for our Peaches Brulee dessert.
Why These Markets Matter
At Emerald Coast Chefs, we believe that memorable meals start with exceptional ingredients. These local markets allow us to bring the very best of the Gulf Coast to your table—whether it’s wild-caught seafood, premium cuts of meat, or vibrant local produce.
If you’re planning a trip to the Emerald Coast, stop into one (or all) of these specialty markets to taste the difference for yourself—or let us handle the shopping and cooking for you, so you can relax and enjoy!
Wondering what a private chef event might cost? Check out this article we wrote that lays out the different pricing models in the Destin area: “How Much Does A Private Chef In Destin Cost?“