Tacos have long been popular for their portability, their play of textures, and, well, their fun factor. After all, who can look serious eating a taco? Tacos are the ultimate street fare, but when you’re in a beach town, they’re also the ultimate beach fare, with their cool, crisp veggies, spicy sauces, salsas, guacamole and sour cream. But to fully beach-ify them, the best restaurants in Panama City Beach have taken the sensationally shell-driven concept and added the best Gulf seafood, using tender, freshly caught fish or shrimp to add the Emerald Coast flavor that really gets their guests hooked.
Guadalajara Mexican Grill
At Guadalajara's, the aroma of freshly made tortillas fills the air, welcoming you into a vibrant space that celebrates the rich flavors of Mexican cuisine. Their tacos are a culinary masterpiece, featuring soft, warm corn tortillas stuffed with a variety of fillings. Each taco is crafted with care, showcasing different meats, such as fish, shrimp, lobster, beef, and of course chicken. Topped with a medley of fresh ingredients—crisp cilantro, zesty onions, and a drizzle of homemade salsa—each bite bursts with flavor.
Picos on Back Beach
Pico’s on Back Beach is a hidden gem where the laid-back coastal vibe meets mouthwatering Mexican cuisine. The star of the menu? Their tacos, each a delightful journey of flavor and freshness. Made with hand-pressed corn tortillas, these tacos are generously filled with an array of options, from perfectly grilled shrimp and spicy fish to savory beef and flavorful vegetarian choices. Each taco is topped with vibrant, house-made salsas and crisp, fresh toppings like avocado, pico de gallo, and a sprinkle of queso fresco, elevating the taste to new heights. The open-air setting, adorned with beach-inspired decor, invites you to enjoy your meal with the sound of waves in the background, making every bite feel like a mini getaway. Whether you’re dining in after a day at the beach or grabbing a quick bite to go, Pico’s tacos are crafted with love and bursting with the essence of coastal living, ensuring a memorable culinary experience that will keep you coming back for more.
DIEGO’S BURRITO FACTORY
Traditional meats such as chicken and beef aren’t the only lures you’ll find in the tackle box at Diego’s Burrito Factory. Offering fish tacos made with grilled mahi-mahi in your choice of corn or flour tortillas lightly warmed on the grill, Diego’s has a wide variety of toppings to make your taco all the more craveable. Take your pick from fresh garnishes, including house-made mango pico de gallo, crunchy veggies, hearty beans, cheeses, sauces, fresh guacamole, creamy cheese dip and even their own signature Southwest coleslaw. Suckers for shrimp will love their shrimp tacos, but if your appetite is shark-sized, order a fully loaded mahi-mahi burrito or their ever-popular spinach tortilla shrimp quesadillas. Whether you’re craving the street food classic in its more traditional form or are hooked on the cooler coastal version, Diego’s casts a wide net on a tide of flavor.
FINNS ISLAND STYLE GRUB
Anyone who has tried the fish tacos at Finns Island Style Grub is sure to get hooked. Using seasonally available freshly caught mahi-mahi or cobia, the white corn tortilla taco shells are lightly toasted to enhance their flavor and loaded with juicy chunks of grilled fish seasoned in their signature “Finns Crack” blend of spices and topped with fresh veggies, shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, shredded cheeses and a drizzle of mild taco sauce. That’s all topped off with a dollop of Finn’s house-made yogurt sauce and a lime wedge. Other featured faves on the taco menu include special catches like grilled red snapper, ahi tuna, grouper and even swordfish.
Runaway Island
Offering the freshest seafood with a local flair on each unique menu item, Runaway Island Beach Bar & Grill has something to please every palate, especially when it comes to their tacos. Full of flavor and almost too pretty to eat, their taco offerings are sure to not disappoint. Dive into their Blackened Mahi Tacos with a spritz of pico de gallo for a spicy twist or enjoy their Asian Tacos, filled with sashimi tuna and served with sriracha coleslaw and wasabi lime cream. With two floors of savory specialties, live entertainment and frosty drinks providing a breathtaking view of Panama City Beach like no other location on the Coast, Runaway Island will have you coming back for more and giving you much to "taco" about.
