Pensacola Guidebook
Food scene
$-$$ 1.3 miles toward downtown (5 min car ride)
This was the first place we fell in love with when we moved to Pensacola. Tania and Bob run this shop. She is an ex-patriate from England and he is prior Airforce. We love London and making military connections so this was the perfect spot! They offer everything from a simple afternoon tea and scone to the full-monty Queen's high tea experience!
We recommend ordering the "Cream Tea" special with the Buckingham Palace blend and the scone with clotted cream and jam. Ask Tania how those from Cornwall as opposed to those elsewhere apply their clotted cream and jam to the scone!
The Sheppard's Pie is to die for if you need a lunch fare. If you're here during a holiday or festive season, they offer special holiday teas and events!
They offer reservation only and drop in tea. Outdoor and indoor seating. Bring your dog(s) on by- they have a cute pup of their own!
Tell them you're staying with Andrew and Haley!
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The Olde English Creamery
221 E Zaragoza St$-$$ 1.3 miles toward downtown (5 min car ride)
This was the first place we fell in love with when we moved to Pensacola. Tania and Bob run this shop. She is an ex-patriate from England and he is prior Airforce. We love London and making military connections so this was the perfect spot! They offer everything from a simple afternoon tea and scone to the full-monty Queen's high tea experience!
We recommend ordering the "Cream Tea" special with the Buckingham Palace blend and the scone with clotted cream and jam. Ask Tania how those from Cornwall as opposed to those elsewhere apply their clotted cream and jam to the scone!
The Sheppard's Pie is to die for if you need a lunch fare. If you're here during a holiday or festive season, they offer special holiday teas and events!
They offer reservation only and drop in tea. Outdoor and indoor seating. Bring your dog(s) on by- they have a cute pup of their own!
Tell them you're staying with Andrew and Haley!
$-$$ 1.3 miles toward downtown (5 minute car ride)
This place is fun and has many food options for the many and varied food allergy people out there! There is beautiful outdoor seating under Edison bulb lights or indoor booths in which to dine. Outdoors is dog friendly! The staff are friendly and intuitive.
We'd say the best meal there is the Pork Ribeye! Melt in your mouth pork (caramelized onions on top) with creamy mashed potatoes and greens on the side. For $16, it doesn't get any better! The Bacon Jam Burger is a close second- who can say no to a burger toped with "bacon onion jam"? This is America, right?
For appetizers, our go-to's are the blue cheese fries or the spinach artichoke dip. On Sundays, this place has bottomless mimosas! And though we haven't been for brunch yet, it always seems to be packed when we walk by!
When you're done with South Market, head next door to Pensacola Bay Brewery for a drink! South Market allows patrons to grab a beer from PBB and bring it to their outdoor seating area too if you'd like to get your brew with your meal! Our favorite tea shop is also around the corner! We recommend taking a stroll around Seville Square or heading toward the water at Bartram Park following your meal.
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South Market (Pensacola)
905 E Main St$-$$ 1.3 miles toward downtown (5 minute car ride)
This place is fun and has many food options for the many and varied food allergy people out there! There is beautiful outdoor seating under Edison bulb lights or indoor booths in which to dine. Outdoors is dog friendly! The staff are friendly and intuitive.
We'd say the best meal there is the Pork Ribeye! Melt in your mouth pork (caramelized onions on top) with creamy mashed potatoes and greens on the side. For $16, it doesn't get any better! The Bacon Jam Burger is a close second- who can say no to a burger toped with "bacon onion jam"? This is America, right?
For appetizers, our go-to's are the blue cheese fries or the spinach artichoke dip. On Sundays, this place has bottomless mimosas! And though we haven't been for brunch yet, it always seems to be packed when we walk by!
When you're done with South Market, head next door to Pensacola Bay Brewery for a drink! South Market allows patrons to grab a beer from PBB and bring it to their outdoor seating area too if you'd like to get your brew with your meal! Our favorite tea shop is also around the corner! We recommend taking a stroll around Seville Square or heading toward the water at Bartram Park following your meal.
$$-$$$ 6.5 miles north toward the airport (15 minute car ride)
George's has some of the best food either of us have tasted in the States. We kid you not! This is a hole-in-your-pocketbook place but worth every penny! The Chef, George Lazi, is originally from Soviet Georgia. While there he was a Dentist but after immigrating to the United States, his credentials did not transfer. George pivoted in his career and graduated from the culinary program at the Art Institute of New York. George has apprenticed under and worked with some of the most famous chefs in the world including the pedigreed Michelin-star monument to French cooking, Jean Georges. This international, culinary superstar landed in Pensacola to be near his wife's family and we could not be happier!
With that intro, it goes without saying that you couldn't go wrong ordering here. Regardless, our recommendations for appetizers include the George's fries and the Bone Marrow. For dinner, if you are in town over the weekend you cannot miss out on the Halibut plate. We can't say we have ever savored every single bite of a meal except for when we were treated to this! If dining during the week we have enjoyed thoroughly the Grouper, and Filet Mignon. Bonita's lobster roll is a staple dish and named after a fiery, Italian friend of the Lazi's here in town. The desserts and cocktails are ever rotating but are all fabulous! If you have any hesitations about how or what to order, their staff are highly knowledgable and equally friendly!
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George Bistro + Bar
6205 N 9th Ave$$-$$$ 6.5 miles north toward the airport (15 minute car ride)
George's has some of the best food either of us have tasted in the States. We kid you not! This is a hole-in-your-pocketbook place but worth every penny! The Chef, George Lazi, is originally from Soviet Georgia. While there he was a Dentist but after immigrating to the United States, his credentials did not transfer. George pivoted in his career and graduated from the culinary program at the Art Institute of New York. George has apprenticed under and worked with some of the most famous chefs in the world including the pedigreed Michelin-star monument to French cooking, Jean Georges. This international, culinary superstar landed in Pensacola to be near his wife's family and we could not be happier!
With that intro, it goes without saying that you couldn't go wrong ordering here. Regardless, our recommendations for appetizers include the George's fries and the Bone Marrow. For dinner, if you are in town over the weekend you cannot miss out on the Halibut plate. We can't say we have ever savored every single bite of a meal except for when we were treated to this! If dining during the week we have enjoyed thoroughly the Grouper, and Filet Mignon. Bonita's lobster roll is a staple dish and named after a fiery, Italian friend of the Lazi's here in town. The desserts and cocktails are ever rotating but are all fabulous! If you have any hesitations about how or what to order, their staff are highly knowledgable and equally friendly!
$ 1.4 miles away (4 minute car drive)
This Mediterranean fare hits the spot! When we aren't feeling like cooking or have a hankering for international cuisine, we love going to Taste of Jerusalem! There is no wrong way to order here, everything is delicious and fresh! They always provide free hummuses and bread but we also recommend the Kibbeh and Cauliflower Patty to start. As for a main dish, any of their Kebab meals is a win! Can't decide between all the delicious choices? That's our problem too! Go with the three meats plate. Lamb, chicken and beef should cover your cravings!
Available for dine in or take out. No outdoor seating.
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Taste of Jerusalem and More
2805 W Cervantes St$ 1.4 miles away (4 minute car drive)
This Mediterranean fare hits the spot! When we aren't feeling like cooking or have a hankering for international cuisine, we love going to Taste of Jerusalem! There is no wrong way to order here, everything is delicious and fresh! They always provide free hummuses and bread but we also recommend the Kibbeh and Cauliflower Patty to start. As for a main dish, any of their Kebab meals is a win! Can't decide between all the delicious choices? That's our problem too! Go with the three meats plate. Lamb, chicken and beef should cover your cravings!
Available for dine in or take out. No outdoor seating.
$-$$ 1.1 miles away (4 minute car ride)
Bodacious is such a multifaceted establishment- coffee shop, fine olive oil dispensary, cafe, novelty shop, and study spot for local naval flight students. Bodacious has outdoor, indoor, and upstairs seating. It's a beautiful location to sit outdoors and people watch or cool down with a beverage during a shopping break. Check out their event page- on top of everything else, Bodacious holds cooking classes regularly! We have yet to go but can't wait to try it out!
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Bodacious Brew
407 S Palafox St$-$$ 1.1 miles away (4 minute car ride)
Bodacious is such a multifaceted establishment- coffee shop, fine olive oil dispensary, cafe, novelty shop, and study spot for local naval flight students. Bodacious has outdoor, indoor, and upstairs seating. It's a beautiful location to sit outdoors and people watch or cool down with a beverage during a shopping break. Check out their event page- on top of everything else, Bodacious holds cooking classes regularly! We have yet to go but can't wait to try it out!
Neighborhoods
.7 miles away (3 minute car ride or a 14 minute walk)
Palafox is the epicenter of downtown Pensacola! If you leave our home, go south on Donelson, and take a left on Garden, you'll run into Palafox just six blocks east! This north-south stretch is always buzzing but you'll find it especially lively Thursday-Sunday.
If you take a left (north) on Palafox, you'll find Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza where the Palafox Farmer's Market is held every Saturday from 9a-2p, "rain or shine"! This north of Garden street side is also host to Restaurant Iron, a local favorite for fabulous mid-range price cuisine (if you can't get up north to George's Bistro + Pub, this is a close second!). Two more blocks North, you'll find Odd Colony Brewing Company. Andrew, a long time brew snob having grown up in microbrew heaven (Denver), enjoys this spot immensely!
Palafox Street south of Garden is much more populated with restaurants, bars, and boutiques so unless it's a Saturday (for the market) or we are intent on amazing food at Iron or brews with the garage doors open at Odd Colony, we generally head south! The Kennedy, on the west corner of Palafox and Garden, is a chic, metropolitan-esque cocktail bar touted to have the best drinks in Pensacola. We love it's open concept, corner lot that reminds us of nights we've spent in metropolitan city centers like Denver, Chicago and New York. Fosko Coffee, an all day coffee joint (turned alcoholic beverage service in the evenings as well!), is right across the street. Pop in to get your daily brew or carefully curated coffee creation to fuel up for perusing the shop windows of downtown. Fosko's is two doors north of our favorite outdoor watering hole, Wine Bar. The inventive appetizers, wine frozé, and people watching are what we go for! Enjoy cooling off in their airy, brick breezeway on a warm Pensacola evening to unwind for the day! If you're feeling energized still, Wild Greg's saloon is a country style dance club for the young and unbridled. They are host to the town's largest patio deck, a mechanical bull, and a bumping dance floor. Walking south and back across the street (east side) are Global Grill and V. Paul's Ristorante. We have heard great things about both! V. Paul's is especially renowned and last time we checked, had lovely outdoor seating!
On the next block south, The Tin Cow (east side) has the most scrumptious burgers and brews. A perfect lunch spot for an outdoor, mid-day fuel. The 5 Barrel Brewery (west side) is an open, warehouse floor style brew pub with plentiful seating (in and outdoor) and more board games than your party to get through in an evening. Next door, The Old Hickory Whiskey bar is home to some fine and rare liquors and turns into "Miracle on Palafox" in the winter! Saenger Theater is across the street from these two watering holes and features regular entertainment from wholesome children's choirs to expert symphonies! During the COVID pandemic, shows are continuing however capacity is 25% so make sure to purchase tickets early! Rusted Arrow Merchantile is next-door to Saenger and Haley's favorite boutique home goods and gifts store in Pensacola. We are pretty sure Pinterest was inspired by this shop. Don't ask how much we spent on locally crafted Christmas ornaments this year alone! This place is addicting!
The next block is home to Pensacola's famous World of Beer and Graffiti Pizza. Across the street from local government buildings, World of Beer and Graffiti Pizza make up a small zip code of food and entertainment of their own! It's common on the weekends to see crowds on both outdoor patios gathered together and watching the day's football game on the outdoor jumbo screen hung between the two buildings! Check out their events page to catch one of these games or an outdoor movie.
The block south of this includes the lovely Plaza Ferdinand VII where we enjoy walking post-meal or beverage and throwing the ball for our dog. This little square block of open space draws out memories of our times in European public spaces with its Spanish architecture influence and family atmosphere. Across the street is O'Reilly's Pub, another local favorite, often frequented by a younger crowd and booming with the top 40's best tunes.
These last two blocks of Palafox are the final two that we usually frequent. Carmen's Lunch Bar and Tapas is neighbor to the impressive coffee shop/cafe/specialty olive oil dispensary, Bodacious. Though we haven't yet dined at Carmen's we have both heard good things and observed that it seems lovely! Bodacious as mentioned above is multifaceted and alluring. Both restaurants have outdoor seating surrounded by colonial French style cast-iron architecture. Across the street and back up it a bit is Jackson's Steakhouse. A high-brow, anniversary dinner type establishment with the best steaks in town. Proper attire is required. The final block south is home to The Garden, an outdoor food court of sorts but with food trucks! It reminds us of our favorite food court style establishment in Denver and touts diverse and delectable fares.
Of mention, at the very southern tip of Palafox is Jaco's Bayfront Bar and Grille. You can't beat having a meal with a view! This restaurant is close enough to buzz around downtown after a relaxing seafood meal on the water.
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North Palafox Street
North Palafox Street.7 miles away (3 minute car ride or a 14 minute walk)
Palafox is the epicenter of downtown Pensacola! If you leave our home, go south on Donelson, and take a left on Garden, you'll run into Palafox just six blocks east! This north-south stretch is always buzzing but you'll find it especially lively Thursday-Sunday.
If you take a left (north) on Palafox, you'll find Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza where the Palafox Farmer's Market is held every Saturday from 9a-2p, "rain or shine"! This north of Garden street side is also host to Restaurant Iron, a local favorite for fabulous mid-range price cuisine (if you can't get up north to George's Bistro + Pub, this is a close second!). Two more blocks North, you'll find Odd Colony Brewing Company. Andrew, a long time brew snob having grown up in microbrew heaven (Denver), enjoys this spot immensely!
Palafox Street south of Garden is much more populated with restaurants, bars, and boutiques so unless it's a Saturday (for the market) or we are intent on amazing food at Iron or brews with the garage doors open at Odd Colony, we generally head south! The Kennedy, on the west corner of Palafox and Garden, is a chic, metropolitan-esque cocktail bar touted to have the best drinks in Pensacola. We love it's open concept, corner lot that reminds us of nights we've spent in metropolitan city centers like Denver, Chicago and New York. Fosko Coffee, an all day coffee joint (turned alcoholic beverage service in the evenings as well!), is right across the street. Pop in to get your daily brew or carefully curated coffee creation to fuel up for perusing the shop windows of downtown. Fosko's is two doors north of our favorite outdoor watering hole, Wine Bar. The inventive appetizers, wine frozé, and people watching are what we go for! Enjoy cooling off in their airy, brick breezeway on a warm Pensacola evening to unwind for the day! If you're feeling energized still, Wild Greg's saloon is a country style dance club for the young and unbridled. They are host to the town's largest patio deck, a mechanical bull, and a bumping dance floor. Walking south and back across the street (east side) are Global Grill and V. Paul's Ristorante. We have heard great things about both! V. Paul's is especially renowned and last time we checked, had lovely outdoor seating!
On the next block south, The Tin Cow (east side) has the most scrumptious burgers and brews. A perfect lunch spot for an outdoor, mid-day fuel. The 5 Barrel Brewery (west side) is an open, warehouse floor style brew pub with plentiful seating (in and outdoor) and more board games than your party to get through in an evening. Next door, The Old Hickory Whiskey bar is home to some fine and rare liquors and turns into "Miracle on Palafox" in the winter! Saenger Theater is across the street from these two watering holes and features regular entertainment from wholesome children's choirs to expert symphonies! During the COVID pandemic, shows are continuing however capacity is 25% so make sure to purchase tickets early! Rusted Arrow Merchantile is next-door to Saenger and Haley's favorite boutique home goods and gifts store in Pensacola. We are pretty sure Pinterest was inspired by this shop. Don't ask how much we spent on locally crafted Christmas ornaments this year alone! This place is addicting!
The next block is home to Pensacola's famous World of Beer and Graffiti Pizza. Across the street from local government buildings, World of Beer and Graffiti Pizza make up a small zip code of food and entertainment of their own! It's common on the weekends to see crowds on both outdoor patios gathered together and watching the day's football game on the outdoor jumbo screen hung between the two buildings! Check out their events page to catch one of these games or an outdoor movie.
The block south of this includes the lovely Plaza Ferdinand VII where we enjoy walking post-meal or beverage and throwing the ball for our dog. This little square block of open space draws out memories of our times in European public spaces with its Spanish architecture influence and family atmosphere. Across the street is O'Reilly's Pub, another local favorite, often frequented by a younger crowd and booming with the top 40's best tunes.
These last two blocks of Palafox are the final two that we usually frequent. Carmen's Lunch Bar and Tapas is neighbor to the impressive coffee shop/cafe/specialty olive oil dispensary, Bodacious. Though we haven't yet dined at Carmen's we have both heard good things and observed that it seems lovely! Bodacious as mentioned above is multifaceted and alluring. Both restaurants have outdoor seating surrounded by colonial French style cast-iron architecture. Across the street and back up it a bit is Jackson's Steakhouse. A high-brow, anniversary dinner type establishment with the best steaks in town. Proper attire is required. The final block south is home to The Garden, an outdoor food court of sorts but with food trucks! It reminds us of our favorite food court style establishment in Denver and touts diverse and delectable fares.
Of mention, at the very southern tip of Palafox is Jaco's Bayfront Bar and Grille. You can't beat having a meal with a view! This restaurant is close enough to buzz around downtown after a relaxing seafood meal on the water.
Basic Necessities
1.9 miles away (6 minute car ride)
Closest full service grocery store. See if you can spot the tribute to the local cat who passed away crossing Cervantes (as he did every day) to greet his favorite people in Pensacola!
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Publix Super Market at East Hill
1100 E Cervantes St1.9 miles away (6 minute car ride)
Closest full service grocery store. See if you can spot the tribute to the local cat who passed away crossing Cervantes (as he did every day) to greet his favorite people in Pensacola!
.3 miles away (1 minute car ride or 5 minute walk)
This is the closest grocery store to our house. We go here for more specialty foods as this place is a tad more expensive than your average grocery store but has the vegan/gluten-free/organic options that other grocery stores don't! They have a coffee shop and cafe attached to the store.
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Ever'man Cooperative Grocery & Cafe
315 W Garden St.3 miles away (1 minute car ride or 5 minute walk)
This is the closest grocery store to our house. We go here for more specialty foods as this place is a tad more expensive than your average grocery store but has the vegan/gluten-free/organic options that other grocery stores don't! They have a coffee shop and cafe attached to the store.
Exercise and Movement
Everman's Co-op has a community educational center attached to it and the community classes are worth looking into! Check out their website's event page to sign up for one of their many free yoga classes or group workout exercises. They also have vegan cooking classes and other interactive experiences for reasonable fees!
Ever'man Educational Center
351 W Garden StEverman's Co-op has a community educational center attached to it and the community classes are worth looking into! Check out their website's event page to sign up for one of their many free yoga classes or group workout exercises. They also have vegan cooking classes and other interactive experiences for reasonable fees!
This is the most beautiful YMCA we've seen! This is a full service, and up to date gym with all the equipment you would need to get a hard workout in. Their daily adult guest pass rate is $15 but signing up for a month membership is also $15 (from what we understand- hopefully this is accurate info!) so it could pay off to sign up if you'd use this more than once!
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Bear Levin Studer Family YMCA
165 E Intendencia StThis is the most beautiful YMCA we've seen! This is a full service, and up to date gym with all the equipment you would need to get a hard workout in. Their daily adult guest pass rate is $15 but signing up for a month membership is also $15 (from what we understand- hopefully this is accurate info!) so it could pay off to sign up if you'd use this more than once!
3.8 miles away (10 minute car ride)
Open to Military guests: This is the closest gym to our house that is military affiliated. They provide day care so this is very family oriented. This is a gym with the basics. For more intense lifting, we would suggest Radford Fitness Center on NAS Pensacola. It's only 5 more minute's drive. Obviously, our government ID will be necessary to come aboard Corey Station or NAS.
Family Fitness
3.8 miles away (10 minute car ride)
Open to Military guests: This is the closest gym to our house that is military affiliated. They provide day care so this is very family oriented. This is a gym with the basics. For more intense lifting, we would suggest Radford Fitness Center on NAS Pensacola. It's only 5 more minute's drive. Obviously, our government ID will be necessary to come aboard Corey Station or NAS.
.9 miles away (5 minute drive)
What's better for a centering yoga sesh than a Lululemon yoga center? This little oasis is a block off of Palafox so go get your downward dog on and then pop back on to the main drag for a muffin and coffee at Fosko's to round out the start to your day!
Disko Lemonade Yoga
120 S Jefferson St.9 miles away (5 minute drive)
What's better for a centering yoga sesh than a Lululemon yoga center? This little oasis is a block off of Palafox so go get your downward dog on and then pop back on to the main drag for a muffin and coffee at Fosko's to round out the start to your day!
Pensacola Famous
0.7 miles away (4 minute car ride or 14 minute walk)
Joe Patti's Seafood market is known far and wide! We've heard people come from across states to get the fresh filets here! Grab a ticket and stand in line for some of the freshest catch you'll experience in the area!
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Joe Patti's Seafood Company
524 S B St0.7 miles away (4 minute car ride or 14 minute walk)
Joe Patti's Seafood market is known far and wide! We've heard people come from across states to get the fresh filets here! Grab a ticket and stand in line for some of the freshest catch you'll experience in the area!
North Palafox Street
North Palafox StreetSee description under "Neighborhoods"
7.6 miles away (15 minute car ride)
Did someone say Blue Angels? This is the place to see them practice!
Check on the latest practice schedule at Visit Pensacola's Website: https://www.visitpensacola.com/events/signature-events/blue-angel-air-show/practices/?startDate=01%2F01%2F2021&endDate=02%2F28%2F2021#practice
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Museo Nazionale dell'Aviazione Navale
1750 Radford Blvd7.6 miles away (15 minute car ride)
Did someone say Blue Angels? This is the place to see them practice!
Check on the latest practice schedule at Visit Pensacola's Website: https://www.visitpensacola.com/events/signature-events/blue-angel-air-show/practices/?startDate=01%2F01%2F2021&endDate=02%2F28%2F2021#practice