Four Winds International Market — Restaurant in Pensacola

UPDATED 2021 REVIEW: Came to buy beer while in town visiting family (I am a huge beer nerd). This is my first time back since the original owner James Tarabay sold this business and it was renovated. From what I'm led to believe, the fresh prepared food in the back is mostly the same quality continued on with the new owners. The new store is clean and very bright, however product selection feels like a lot less than it was before; the beer selection is certainly less than it used to be. I remember it being a place with items stacked from the floor to the ceiling, now it's just four aisles of merchandise. If you had visited the original, the new one almost feels empty. With the old owner gone, I was also thinking how there is no longer a huge pressure to buy stuff...until I tried checking out and the new POS system at the register wanted me to give a tip (I can understand giving tips to the employees who prepare hot food, but tips for someone to just check me out buying beer is kind of ridiculous). It will certainly be interesting to see what happens with this place in the future.

ORIGINAL 2015 REVIEW: This place operates like a foreign market - lots of product suggestions (pushed on you) from the owner, and maybe even price negotiations on unmarked items. You have to have a strong demeanor to visit, or you will spend way more than you wanted. I can live with that, but what I don't like is the owner being the only one who can check you out at the register... If he's in the back you can be held hostage for 10 minutes waiting to checkout. The sandwiches and fresh made food are absolutely delicious. I've been here at least half a dozen times over the last decade. What's brought me back has been their beer selection, because it's probably the best in the area. Inventory changes each time I visit. My only real negative experience is one time I realized I had paid more than the prices on the labels when I got home, so you have to be careful that the price on the labels is what you actually get. You do not get an itemized receipt, so if you want one, ask beforehand. Lastly, the owner has been operating for decades, so unfortunately I doubt he'll ever modernize his business practices, unless he sells or hands the business to...

My wife and I stopped in Four Winds International Market in Pensacola (located at the corner of Creighton and Ninth Avenue). We had been to this establishment in the distant past when it was under different management and we recall it was quaint and stocked with a variety of cheeses, meats, and dry goods representing a swath of foreign countries—which is still true. What has changed is its updated, modern, clean and organized interior. It is as if elves came in at midnight to make a perfect and enchanting place to have a quick bite of Tabouli or some scrumptious olive feta! You must try it! It would…and should…earn awards in some culinary contest—somewhere. They serve a selection of sandwiches (like GYRO, THE GERMAN, FALAFEL, and MUFFALETTA, plus classic options like ROAST BEEF & TURKEY and SALAMI), salads, coffee, and tea—which may sound underwhelming until you take a taste and experience the place. We believe you may just find as we have, a new place to enjoy breakfast, brunch, or lunch. For vegetarians, you can find a variety of sandwiches that can be made without meat, but be aware the Belgian fries are cooked in beef tallow. My wife enjoyed the fries very much and she really enjoyed informing me how wonderful they were knowing I wouldn’t take one.

And there are desserts: Baklava, Cannolis, cheesecakes galore, chocolate mousse, and bread pudding, to list only a few.

They also stock a wide variety of foreign, specialty, and exotic foods and spices for those from diverse cultures, or those who have traveled extensively and fallen in love with a particular delectable like Turkish Delight or Dubai Chocolate, like many of the military personnel assigned and stationed in the Pensacola-area who have lived in many places all around the world.

The owner, Devin Spencer, and the counter assistant and barista, Brittany, clearly possess the desire to serve and please every customer. Take time. Make time. Next time you are in the area to stop in and see what has changed. We think you will be as impressed as we were…to see something...

We stumbled upon Four Winds market by chance, and I’m so glad I did—and it’s definitely going to be my to go place from now on -whenever I’m craving something fresh and flavorful. From the moment you walk in, the smell of the coffee and grilled hits you in the best way. The menu is thoughtfully crafted with a wide range of options—from classic turkey clubs to inventive creations like their spicy Gyro. I ordered the Parma with prosciutto,mozzarella, arugula, and peppers, and every bite was absolute perfection. The ingredients were incredibly fresh, the bread had the perfect crunch on the outside and softness on the inside. The quality of the product is something I haven’t seen in the area in a long time. The selection throughout the shop is clearly chosen with intention and care. From the dips to the market shelves, everything is premium. The cheese and cold cuts are truly next level—absolutely amazing. The cheese selection features varieties from all over the world, and it’s honestly on par with what you’d find in top gourmet shops internationally… aged Gouda , creamy bries, or bold European imports, they have it all. The cold cuts are equally impressive: perfectly sliced, full of flavor, and clearly sourced with quality in mind. Jill, the new owner, was incredibly welcoming and even offered us samples of their amazing dips. Hands down, the sun-dried tomato and turkey dips were our favorites—they were packed with flavor and incredibly fresh. We also tried the pesto, BBQ chicken , hummus among others and every single one was a hit. It’s clear that even the smallest details here are treated with care. The staff was absolutely amazing-They made us feel right at home and gave us thoughtful recommendations that really made our visit special. Prices are very fair for the quality you’re getting, and there are plenty of options for all the different tastes. If you're looking for something with real quality and AMAZING taste, this is the place to go. CAN WAIT...