So, my family and I have been vacationing in Santa Rosa Beach for 15 + years. Almost always, we stay in Old Florida Village. I've driven by Cafe Tango a multitude of times but for some reason, never eaten there.Until last night.After a late afternoon at the beach, I called Cafe Tango and was able to make a reservation for 7:30 p.m., probably because the real crowds arrive for spring break next week. When we arrived, all of the tables in the small restaurant were filled with diners, all of whom appeared to be enjoying their meals.What followed for my family and me - including my sons, 15 and 12, was one of the best meals we have ever had in or around 30A (and we've eaten at a lot of restaurants). Impeccable, friendly service, absolutely delicious food, and excellent wine.The dishes - Dancing Fish, Basque Fish, and Lobster Ravioli were, literally, to die for, and I mean that. The Baked Brie appetizer was worth the trip alone. My 12 year old raved about it!Honestly, just a fantastic dining experience at a local restaurant that is independently owned and has been in business for 25 years. I promise you we will return again and again in years to come when we drive down from Nashville.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alan Meldrum
You have to go here, it's awesome from the service to the food great wine choices.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Matt Ro
We finally ate dinner here after years of driving past it. The food was very good and the server (Kendall) was warm, engaging, and attentative. We will be back to try a few other things.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: The Dancing Fish
Bradley Brown
Ken and Kendal were outstanding for service,prompt and shared the history of the building/restaurant. Which was great to learn. I liked the home feel of the environment but the food was the highlight! We visited while chef #1 was away, chef #2 was great and held it down for sure. Look forward to the next visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak
Lauren Ohara
Thank you Patrick, Kendal & Ken for making our holiday party of 24 guest one of the most memorable. You guys were attentive to every detail, friendly and on top of everything. The food was superb. So happy we decided to go with Cafe Tango for our party. You knocked it out of the park! Had so much fun, I forgot to get more pictures, too busy making memories and enjoying your food?Ps the peppers are a MUST!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Baked Brie, Salad, Seafood Stuffed Peppers, The Dancing Fish
Amy H.
Amazing experience!! This restaurant is very small and intimate, it is a perfect date night spot. The service was amazing, very friendly and attentive. My family ordered a variety of items off the menu and every dish was amazing, you really can't go wrong. I highly recommend this restaurant!
Cayleigh Chadwell
Husband says it's the best steak of his life, we come every year for his birthday.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
joseph orgiefsky
An outstanding meal and experience. Each course was spectacular, including dessert. One of the best restaurants anywhere. And the service from Kendall is five star. A real hidden gem along 30A. YOU MUST GO! The only problem is you will want to go again and again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: The Dancing Fish, Lobster Ravioli, Tango Wedge
blakelyyoung13
I swear to you when I say this is the best meal I have had in years. We have the seafood stuffed peppers for an app, the pistachio crusted grouper, and the chimichurri steak followed by the salted caramel cheesecake for dessert. All were incredible. It is a tiny place. Very romantic and quaint. Reservations are a must. Small parties are probably best since the restaurant has about 8 tables. Highly recommend
Meggan D
Very disappointing. We have been to this restaurant many times, and we were excited to go back. We always get the Gorgonzola filet, and it has always been delicious. When asked how I’d like mine cooked, I said “Rare. I don’t mind a cold center.” (Which I say every time I order a steak) Mine came out medium at best. My husband sent it back and the chef said that was their “cool red center” and there was nothing they could do about it. Unacceptable for a $62 steak. Spent over $300 and all we got was “I’m so sorry”. Will never go back.
An intimate setting with an outstanding chef curated meal paired perfectly with warm genuine service and fine wine.This hidden, low profile, 9 tables, family owned and operated personal dining experience should be on everyone's list when in the Grayton and Santa Rosa Beach area. There is a good reason they have been here for 30+ years.This was our second evening at Cafe Tango (2015 & 2023) and each time we've walked out the cottage door feeling like we had experienced a "once in a lifetime" moment.The lovely, delightful and humorous Anna Katherine took care of our every need. We enjoyed the melt-in-your-mouth Seafood Stuffed Peppers, the exceptionally prepared Dancing Fish which featured fresh Grouper and the Filet with Portobello (delicious and tender) elevated with a bottle of Pinot Grigio from Zenota Italy. Oh my... how I wish we had room for the Key Lime pie! We will be back! D&S
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood Stuffed Peppers
Jack Fletcher
Anna Catherine was fantastic. A must visit restaurant if your staying on 30a
Tracy Spencer
Superb dining, perfect wine and wonderful ambience. Heartily recommended for the cuisine and the service.
Chad McFarland
We come to Destin every year for our anniversary, and this is always a reservation we make ahead of time. It has 2 services 6pm, 8pm. And is done all by one chef. Which I just love. Love the ambiance and the experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Bill A.
4 stars does not do this place justice so I will rate this a 5 star. We had the dancing fish, pistachio crusted grouper and lobster ravioli. We started with the crab stuffed peppers. It was all outstanding. The best of three was the dancing fish. It was sauced and seasoned the perfect amount. Ample portions of crab were on the fish to add another layer of flavor. The jalapeño sauce provided flavor but was not spicy. The pistachio encrusted grouper was also very good, it was slightly on the sweet side. The lobster ravioli was great. Was not too fishy and the sauce was nice and buttery. The crab stuffed peppers were great.
So, my family and I have been vacationing in Santa Rosa Beach for 15 + years. Almost always, we stay in Old Florida Village. I've driven by Cafe Tango a multitude of times but for some reason, never eaten there.Until last night.After a late afternoon at the beach, I called Cafe Tango and was able to make a reservation for 7:30 p.m., probably because the real crowds arrive for spring break next week. When we arrived, all of the tables in the small restaurant were filled with diners, all of whom appeared to be enjoying their meals.What followed for my family and me - including my sons, 15 and 12, was one of the best meals we have ever had in or around 30A (and we've eaten at a lot of restaurants). Impeccable, friendly service, absolutely delicious food, and excellent wine.The dishes - Dancing Fish, Basque Fish, and Lobster Ravioli were, literally, to die for, and I mean that. The Baked Brie appetizer was worth the trip alone. My 12 year old raved about it!Honestly, just a fantastic dining experience at a local restaurant that is independently owned and has been in business for 25 years. I promise you we will return again and again in years to come when we drive down from Nashville.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
You have to go here, it's awesome from the service to the food great wine choices.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We finally ate dinner here after years of driving past it. The food was very good and the server (Kendall) was warm, engaging, and attentative. We will be back to try a few other things.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: The Dancing Fish
Ken and Kendal were outstanding for service,prompt and shared the history of the building/restaurant. Which was great to learn. I liked the home feel of the environment but the food was the highlight! We visited while chef #1 was away, chef #2 was great and held it down for sure. Look forward to the next visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak
Thank you Patrick, Kendal & Ken for making our holiday party of 24 guest one of the most memorable. You guys were attentive to every detail, friendly and on top of everything. The food was superb. So happy we decided to go with Cafe Tango for our party. You knocked it out of the park! Had so much fun, I forgot to get more pictures, too busy making memories and enjoying your food?Ps the peppers are a MUST!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Baked Brie, Salad, Seafood Stuffed Peppers, The Dancing Fish
Amazing experience!! This restaurant is very small and intimate, it is a perfect date night spot. The service was amazing, very friendly and attentive. My family ordered a variety of items off the menu and every dish was amazing, you really can't go wrong. I highly recommend this restaurant!
Husband says it's the best steak of his life, we come every year for his birthday.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
An outstanding meal and experience. Each course was spectacular, including dessert. One of the best restaurants anywhere. And the service from Kendall is five star. A real hidden gem along 30A. YOU MUST GO! The only problem is you will want to go again and again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: The Dancing Fish, Lobster Ravioli, Tango Wedge
I swear to you when I say this is the best meal I have had in years. We have the seafood stuffed peppers for an app, the pistachio crusted grouper, and the chimichurri steak followed by the salted caramel cheesecake for dessert. All were incredible. It is a tiny place. Very romantic and quaint. Reservations are a must. Small parties are probably best since the restaurant has about 8 tables. Highly recommend
Very disappointing. We have been to this restaurant many times, and we were excited to go back. We always get the Gorgonzola filet, and it has always been delicious. When asked how I’d like mine cooked, I said “Rare. I don’t mind a cold center.” (Which I say every time I order a steak) Mine came out medium at best. My husband sent it back and the chef said that was their “cool red center” and there was nothing they could do about it. Unacceptable for a $62 steak. Spent over $300 and all we got was “I’m so sorry”. Will never go back.
Restaurantji Recommends
An intimate setting with an outstanding chef curated meal paired perfectly with warm genuine service and fine wine.This hidden, low profile, 9 tables, family owned and operated personal dining experience should be on everyone's list when in the Grayton and Santa Rosa Beach area. There is a good reason they have been here for 30+ years.This was our second evening at Cafe Tango (2015 & 2023) and each time we've walked out the cottage door feeling like we had experienced a "once in a lifetime" moment.The lovely, delightful and humorous Anna Katherine took care of our every need. We enjoyed the melt-in-your-mouth Seafood Stuffed Peppers, the exceptionally prepared Dancing Fish which featured fresh Grouper and the Filet with Portobello (delicious and tender) elevated with a bottle of Pinot Grigio from Zenota Italy. Oh my... how I wish we had room for the Key Lime pie! We will be back! D&S
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood Stuffed Peppers
Anna Catherine was fantastic. A must visit restaurant if your staying on 30a
Superb dining, perfect wine and wonderful ambience. Heartily recommended for the cuisine and the service.
We come to Destin every year for our anniversary, and this is always a reservation we make ahead of time. It has 2 services 6pm, 8pm. And is done all by one chef. Which I just love. Love the ambiance and the experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
4 stars does not do this place justice so I will rate this a 5 star. We had the dancing fish, pistachio crusted grouper and lobster ravioli. We started with the crab stuffed peppers. It was all outstanding. The best of three was the dancing fish. It was sauced and seasoned the perfect amount. Ample portions of crab were on the fish to add another layer of flavor. The jalapeño sauce provided flavor but was not spicy. The pistachio encrusted grouper was also very good, it was slightly on the sweet side. The lobster ravioli was great. Was not too fishy and the sauce was nice and buttery. The crab stuffed peppers were great.