Today I stopped in at Harbor Tavern in Destin for a late lunch. I haven’t been there since they opened and very much enjoyed it. I’m glad they are doing well.
This post will cover some information about this locals favorite spot, photos from my visit and details about my lunch, how to get here, and also some parking tips.
About Harbor Tavern
Harbor Tavern opened in July of 2019 on the Destin Harbor Boardwalk. The bar before them in that spot was called “Duck Duck” and they only lasted one season so it was great to see something else finally move into this spot.
Harbor Tavern is set back a little from the harbor across a gravel parking lot but you can still see the boats going by from the slightly elevated bar inside.
They have an outdoor shaded patio along with an indoor open-air bar and seating area.
The simple decor in the seating areas give the place a laid back feel and it’s become a favorite gathering place of Destin locals since it opened.
There are several TVs around the bar and indoor seating areas making it the perfect place to catch a football game. (For other great spots to watch a Football game on Destin Harbor, check out this other post I wrote: The 4 Best Places to Watch Football on Destin Harbor)
Harbor Tavern has a small but unique menu of offerings from the food truck they have on site serving fresh caught Gulf to Table Seafood.
Harbor Tavern is also one of the many places on Destin Harbor offering a “Hook and Cook” service where they will cook your fresh catch once you finish with your fishing charter. Always call first to make sure they are not to busy to accommodate this.
My Visit to Harbor Tavern
I stopped in Harbor Tavern for lunch today and decided to sit at the bar. It was a typical hot and muggy September day so I knew it would be cooler inside even though it’s still an open air indoor/outdoor area. I prefer to eat outside everywhere I go so I was happy to have a cool outdoor option.
It wasn’t very busy when I was there because it was a weekday in September after Labor Day. That’s a slower time of year and it was around 3pm, which is not the busiest time for restaurants anyway. They did say they had a nice busy summer which I was glad to hear.
I was debating between trying the blackened mahi fish tacos or the falafel Mediterranean bowl since both sounded really good. I decided to go with the tacos this time since that’s always one of my favorite meals but I will definitely try the bowl next time because that looked great too.
I am a vegetarian other than eating fish occasionally and it’s not easy to find good vegetarian offerings around here so I was glad to see some good options on the menu for my next visit.
My fish tacos looked good and the fish tasted really fresh and was cooked perfectly. They were fixed simply on flour tortillas with slaw and pickled onions. The flavors were fresh and all went together perfectly.
I did find myself wishing they came with something like chips on the side but the tacos were filling enough by themselves. The portion of fish on them was generous.
I stayed at the bar for a little while watching the boats and people walking by before heading out. I enjoyed the lunch and will be back soon for the Falafel Mediterranean bowl.
How to get to Harbor Tavern
Harbor Tavern is located in the cluster of popular local spots you will find when you walk east of the tourist area of Harborwalk Village nestled among the Boathouse Oyster Bar and the Red Door Saloon.
Harbor Tavern has a few parking spots around their place so if it’s not too busy you might be able to grab one of those. You can turn in off Highway 98 at the Red Door Saloon and proceed down the gravel hill to check in that lot.
You can also try the Heron Harbor parking lot just east of there off Highway 98 and walk down the hill from there. In 2021 all these spots became marked as paid permit parking where you are instructed to pay using an app.
I am not sure if they enforce the paid parking in off season or not because Harborwalk does not even charge for parking in off season so it doesn’t seem likely but I’m not sure since it’s a relatively new thing.
You can also park at Harborwalk Village and stroll along the boat docks on the water to get to Harbor Tavern. It’s a beautiful scenic walk where you will probably see fishing boats coming in along the way and it’s only about a half mile east of Harborwalk.
Have you been to Harbor Tavern? What did you think?
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Thank you for letting me know that Harbor Tavern has a few parking spaces nearby; if it’s not too crowded, I might be able to get one of those. My sister expressed her want to go to the outside pub. She travels there by car, so I’ll advise her to choose the outside bar with parking.
I went there a few nights ago and had no trouble with parking but it will change as it gets busier. There’s a new system now where you get your parking validated at Harbor Tavern so it’s free but otherwise have to pay.