Hightide Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar

We've been coming to this restaurant every year while here on vacation. Always great, food, drinks and service.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food was good. Service was some of the laziest I’ve ever seen. From the jump it was clear our server, an older lady, didn’t want to be there. She forgot one of our drinks. No big deal. She took our order, then brought out a salad that had something on it that was asked to be left off. No big deal, picked it off myself. Then she brought out one entree. Didn’t say the rest would be out later or anything, just dropped it and left. She also didn’t ask if any condiments were wanted, so I had to go inside to get them myself. 12-15 minutes later she returns with the rest of our food. Food was good, which is why this is a two star review and not one. Service was some of the laziest and uninspired I’ve ever encountered. When it came time for the check she said “I’ll go ahead and take that from you” as soon as she placed it down which felt unwelcoming since the person I was with and I were in the middle of a direct eye contact conversation. I don’t know if it was a bad night or what, but hopefully this older lady whoever she is doesn’t set the standard for service here. Either way, I probably won’t be trying it again

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 1

Stopped in for an early dinner, my wife ordered a grilled fish sandwich. It came out just fish and bun, we asked the server, isn’t this supposed to come with lettuce and tomato (the menu says it does) she said no, would you like lettuce and tomato. I ordered a cheese burger, no cheese came on the burger but I was still charged $2.50 for a slice of invisible cheese. The food was good but they weren’t that busy, again we went early (5pm), management or an expo need to be checking orders before they leave the kitchen

Foods is good. It's not a tourist place so no crazy crowds but it's $$$. Family of 4 ate for $215.

The table in front of us order came out in correct. The waitress apologized to the table and offered free dessert for the delay in her correct plate coming back out.

The waitress told us she forgot to enter our order. So there was a significant delay on our food. But we were offered nothing for our inconvenience.

This was a really disheartening experience.

Best place to eat on Okaloosa. Perfectly prepared oysters, the best hush puppies, and wonderful staff.

We took our mother out for a special dinner tonite. She’s from Maine so I wanted to show off our local seafood. Knowing High Tide had been here forever, I rolled the dice and hoped for the best to avoid going to Destin. We ordered a dozen oysters to start. As soon as they came out I began to worry. (I’ve shucked oysters for 10+ years at oyster bars in Destin). The oysters were dark, zero moisture in shell, a bit scary. I took the high road to keep a positive vibe and ate them. I’m hoping we’ll feel ok tommorow. Grouper was super thin, super bland. Cole slaw was discolored on top layer, most likely sitting uncovered. I checked the High Tide web-site before coming, and the actual menu prices in the restaurant were $10+ the web site menu prices. The 3 of us drank water. The bill was $120+. The waitress was pleasant and we tipped 15%. Please read this as constructive criticism to help the next customers. Perhaps at least moisten the half shell oysters, they were sticky to the shells.

If I could leave 0 stars I would! The service is TERRIBLE, the manager is a joke, along with the owner! Do not even waste your money and if you have kids don't go!! I've never had such poor service, or witnessed such poor leadership as a business owner or in management!!!!

Its very creative with oysters on the wall a 3 boats hanging and a marlin

This is one of our go to favorites when visiting the area! The food is always wonderful. We love to sit out on the patio. It’s close and peaceful, with wonderful food and service

Visited here in Oct 3, 24 it had been a few years, I'm just now getting around to leaving feedback on Nov 15; shows the effect of my experience to be thinking and moved to leave feedback about it a 1 1/2 months later. I ordered a mixed drink for a whopping $13, ( Hey, I was on vacation) wasn't anything special just what I thought was a TALL glass-fruity cocktail. The drink glass was so small it was like a miniature cocktail glass, I was not just disappointed, I was offended that they would think I would pay that much and only deserved a miniature! Supposedly they put the standard minimum of 1.5 or 1.25 ounces of alcohol their mixed drinks weather its in a 5 gallon bucket or a 12 oz glass. So the most expensive ingredient is the alcohol. They could not afford to put a few more ounces of juice and ice? They did not respect me as a customer. The food is high priced, but so is everyone, but again, such a small portion of fish. The quality was good but the best tasting part again, left me disappointed.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 5

It used to be good when it was more affordable, but this past year or two they jacked up the prices, It’s not worth the price that are listed these days, in the atmosphere really isn’t anything to write home about it’s next to a gas station

Food: 4

Service: 4

Edited:
Based on the reply from I guess owner(?) I am adjusting my review to three stars to say that I did have one of the best burgers of my life there several years ago (can't remember when exactly) and the place is locally owned, which is a HUGE plus given how fast the area is growing and chain-restaurants are coming around; corporatization of what was once a more down-home friendly place.

I've been coming to this area since the 1970s and moved here 10 years ago. It is really nice that The High Tide has retained that old-south seafood restaurant feel to it in terms of decor. If you're looking for that this is a great place to go for dinner if you're on Okaloosa Island especially since it is within walking distance to most hotels! They have an outside area now I think, which would be great if you are someone who likes to sit outside.

I don't know the owners personally, I may have met one once on the Harbor in Destin, hard to say, if I do know them I don't know who they are. However, I would like everyone visiting to know I don't get paid for reviews. I am honest. I like to review local places because when people visit here they often ask me where to go and I figure I can just put that info here and say you can see my reviews online. I don't go to a lot of places though so if you haven't been reviewed it's likely because I haven't been there OR I haven't had a great experience... As for the Oysters, well, I didn't take pics of my sickness (!!) yet the first time I ate them this year as early in the afternoon/evening they'd just opened and they tasted fine and I got sick and didn't correlate the two together. Then, I went a week or so later with some friends much later at night and ordered the same thing and they did not taste as good and I got sick again, but worse (both times, potty issues identical issue :0). I'm sure it was just my luck because I loved oysters and can't smell them now without remembering/feeling sick.

I had that issue with black olives got sick off them and it was years before I could eat them again. Hopeful I can smell/eat oysters again someday because they hold a very special place in my memory for me. I used to eat them with my dad when I would visit him in The Golden Isles of Georgia when I was home from college. The Golden Isles are also a great place to visit like the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area.

Borderline slander is a weird thing to accuse an honest reviewer for and I hope the person who said that understands now I wasn't attacking your restaurant. I have met people who used to work there recently and that made me want to give the review. I hope your business continues to do well it is a landmark for sure! It's going to be really cool to eat there once all this bridge work is completed! I think I'll order the burger (:!

Original Review:
Don't know why yet everytime I've eaten here this year (2024) I get sick. A recent visit was so bad I'm not sure I'll ever be able to eat oysters again ? ashame; used to be one of my favorites growing up in and around the SE USA.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

So yummy! Best meal I've had in a long time. Got the "Seafood Delight" and it's the perf mixture of deliciousness. Highly recommend. We will be coming back each time we visit Fort Walton Beach ❤️

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Had the seafood Kebab with fried pickles for appetizer.. All was good and the service was good except for the coleslaw..which I ordered as a side, it came in a little plastic cup and it was just soaking in vinegar..if they would fix that.. it would be just fine. Overall, a good experience.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5