4 Best Southern Restaurants in Pensacola

“Restaurant Iron has long been our go-to destination in downtown Pensacola. Its intimate ambiance, dedicated upscale menu, and consistent quality made it stand out above any other establishment in the area. We’ve brought out-of-town guests to showcase the richness of the local cuisine, always confident that the experience—from the first cocktail to the last bite of Nutella or raspberry ganache pie—would impress. Our typical order was a ritual: shareable truffle fries, a perfectly cooked ribeye (always photo-worthy), and a decadent dessert to close. These elements, paired with the cozy atmosphere, were what made Iron so special. Unfortunately, our most recent visit on May 9 was deeply disappointing. Despite the torrential downpour, we didn’t think twice about keeping our reservation. But upon arrival, we were met with an entirely different experience. The menu, which now features sliders and sandwich-style dishes, felt more suited for a casual lunch spot than the refined dining experience we had come to love. Several signature dishes were removed, and the new offerings didn’t align with the elevated identity Iron once upheld. Even the menu design itself no longer reflects the restaurant’s original charm. Service also fell short of expectations. We were served the wrong salad, and the correct one arrived without dressing. Dessert—though eventually comped—took an unexpectedly long time to be served, rounding out an already lackluster evening. We truly hope this is a temporary shift. Restaurant Iron was once our top choice for special occasions and recommendations. But based on our last visit, we no longer feel confident choosing it for a date night or referring friends and family. Please reconsider restoring the signature dishes and experience that made Iron exceptional.“

“My wife and I had dinner there. To start my wife had the blueberry lemon drop martini and I had an Old Fashioned. Her martini was excellent, my Old Fashioned was a little too sweet for my taste and a little pricey at $16.50. We had the wedge salad which was excellent. For dinner I had the grouper over risotto. It was a very nice size of fish and cooked just right. My wife had the tenderloin tournedos. Both dishes we outstanding. For dessert we received a complimentary Blueberry Cheesecake because it was my birthday. It wasn't the typical cheesecake in that it was heated with ice cream on top. It was delicious. We can't say enough about our waiter Brandon. He was very engaging and excellent in every way. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, while being a bit pricey with our meal topping over $200 for the two of us. That is why we only go to Jackson's for special occasions.“

“We enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and the delicious food! Excellent!“

“Very nice people and food was great!“