Goatfeathers Seafood Restaurant — Restaurant in Santa Rosa Beach

I have eaten at Goatfeathers a number of times over the years. I had not been back in more than three years as a previous experience was not very good. Moreover, the 30A corridor has become increasingly popular with tourists swarming in and the traffic along the two-lane road can be very congested.

At this time of year, snowbirds are arriving, the heavier tourist traffic is down and driving along 30A can again be a good experience to see how many new and large buildings have become part of the landscape in the past several years.

Goatfeathers is a catchy, unique name. Obviously, goats like to eat just about anything and they do not have feathers. So why the name?

According to their website, a quote from 1913 is "Goatfeathers are the distractions, sidelines and deflections that take a man's attentions from his own business and keep him from getting ahead".

To highlight the unique name, there are goat images throughout the restaurant.

Whatever the problem may have been with Goatfeathers several years in the past, it has been corrected. On this occasion, the two of us dining here had a fried shrimp platter with green beans and grilled grouper with a baked potato.

Both were very well done. I would probably give a slightly higher nod to the Dewey Destin's restaurants in Destin on the fried shrimp as their batter was a little less thick but that is a minor point. The shrimp at Goatfeathers was very good and well worth ordering.

The grilled grouper was also very well done. It was not overcooked which can make it tough and dry. Instead, it was moist and very tasty.

The hushpuppies that came with the meal were also excellent. The "southern green beans" were spicy and very good. The last bite from the bottom of the dish was quite hot so I drank another glass of tea to cool off my throat. I think there may have been hot sauce in the recipe which added to the unique flavor.

The ambiance at Goatfeathers is informal. In the dining area in which we were sitting there is a wood floor and a wood ceiling. With a group of people sitting nearby, the sound level goes up as the acoustics reverberate. We were eating a late lunch so it was not very crowded but still very loud.

When we arrived, water was running down the windows. At first, I thought there was a window washing company at work. When the water stopped running, it was clear there is pvc pipe with holes over the windows and it had been running down the windows. Perhaps it is a way to wash the windows regularly with unsalted water. I was looking for leaks around the glass in anticipation of a problem but it did not leak. It looked strange, or at least unusual and certainly unique.

There is a bar area as well as dining areas in the restaurant. The bar has high top tables and there were a number of people eating and drinking there. The atmosphere was informal and reminiscent of a neighborhood bar found in cities and towns around the country.

Goatfeathers is not a chain. It has been in business for almost 35 years. The unique atmosphere and good food are probably the reason it has been in business for so long. For those who want a change from the more predictable chain restaurants, Goatfeathers can be a...

A Seafood Haven in Destin

During our recent vacation in Destin, Florida, my companions and I had the pleasure of dining at Goatfeathers Restaurant not once, but three times. Located just outside of Destin, this culinary gem, under the attentive management of Patrick, left an indelible mark on our taste buds and vacation memories.

Patrick's Restaurant is a seafood lover's paradise. From the moment we stepped through the door, the aroma of freshly prepared seafood greeted us, setting the stage for a remarkable dining experience. The ambiance is welcoming and relaxed, perfect for enjoying a leisurely meal after a day at the beach.

One of the highlights of our visits was the fantastic happy hour offered from 3:00 to 5:00. With an impressive selection of drinks and appetizers at discounted prices, it was the ideal way to unwind and indulge before diving into our main course. Patrick's Restaurant truly knows how to elevate the happy hour experience.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show: the seafood. Each dish we tried was a testament to the restaurant's commitment to quality and freshness. From succulent shrimp to perfectly grilled fish, every bite was bursting with flavor. The seafood is sourced locally, ensuring a true taste of the Gulf in every dish.

In addition to the exceptional seafood offerings, Patrick's Restaurant also boasts a diverse menu catering to all palates. Whether you're craving a hearty steak or a fresh salad, there's something for everyone to enjoy. The attention to detail in every dish is evident, reflecting the culinary expertise of the kitchen staff.

Of course, no dining experience would be complete without exemplary service, and Patrick's Restaurant delivers on all fronts. The staff is friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, always ready to offer recommendations or accommodate special requests.

In conclusion, Goatfeathers exceeded all expectations during our vacation. With its fantastic happy hour, impeccable seafood dishes, and top-notch service, it's a must-visit for any food enthusiast traveling to the area. Whether you're a local or a visitor, dining at Patrick's is an experience you won't...

Former employee of this establishment. Let me just start off by saying the slogan “if it ain’t fresh, it ain’t ours” is a contradicting statement considering the “fresh fish” from the fish market is left out over night and on the concrete ground where flies are allowed to sit and stay all they want until the next fish market employee comes in the next day. The fish market employees also do not bleach or clean the floor they store the fish on. The produce coolers (3 of them) are absolutely disgusting. If you like dead rotting crawfish with your salad or other vegetables then this is the place for you!

-The kitchen staff who cooks your food is not clean at all. Most of the guys on that line will go weeks without showering or washing their clothes. But they can’t go 10 minutes without a cigarette or doing some sort of drug in the parking lot! Let’s also mention whenever they partake in these activities they do not care to wash their hands.

-The servers also involve themselves with these various activities. If they aren’t smoking a cigarette ever 10 minutes they are most likely down stairs in the parking lot getting their high.

-The manager Megan is rude and mistreats her employees by belittling them and making you feel worthless. Gossips none stop about you and your problematic kids or family members. She is the most unprofessional manager I’ve ever had. They should have never fired Tina. Definite downgrade if you ask me.

-The bartenders are serving you fruit flies with your alcohol. They do not clean or cover the bottles correctly therefore the flies get into the bottles and die. They do not wear gloves. If they get cut cutting fruit they bleed on the fruit and then wash it off and put it back. Disgusting.

-The “fresh oysters” are left out of the cooler with no ice on them for hours at a time right next to the dish pit where they put your dirty dishes.

This place is absolutely disgusting and I would never recommend anyone to eating or drinking there.

If you want GOOD AND HIGH QUALITY FOOD AND SERVICE I suggest local catch, shrunk gully or any other restaurant...