Welcome to Pensacola, where culinary delights meet coastal charm! Whether you’re a visitor exploring our city and beaches or a local in search of new flavors, finding the perfect spot for lunch can transform an ordinary day into a memorable one. Whether you are craving seafood or Southern comfort food with a twist, Pensacola offers something to satisfy every palate. Here are five restaurants to check out for lunch in Pensacola that will not disappoint.
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Best Restaurants for Lunch in Pensacola
Carmen’s Lunch Bar
Carmen’s Lunch Bar is in Downtown Pensacola and features a menu of delicious soups, salads, tapas, homemade sandwiches and plate lunches, many gluten free. The restaurant offers a flavorful Southern and International cuisine paired with boutique wines, imported beers, and signature iced teas. There is limited seating indoor and outdoor, so be sure to plan.
Try some goat cheese and pepper jelly or a cheese plate as a tapa or starter. Carmen’s offers many salad options, and their sandwich selection is extensive including Pork BBQ Sandwich, Chicken Tikki Masala Sandwich and Chicken & Artichoke Melt.
Location: 407-B South Palafox Street Pensacola, FL 32501
Hours: 10am – 4pm Tuesday – Saturday
New Yorker Deli and Pizzeria
The New Yorker Deli and Pizzeria has been in business since 1991. The restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating, and they have packed in as much seating as possible into a limited space. When you enter the restaurant, you will notice that they have several salad selections and offer a salad bowl on their menu where you can choose several of their salad options.
The New Yorker has a unique and expansive menu ranging from soups and salads to cold and hot sandwiches, cold and hot subs, Calzones and Strombolis, and dinners that include Spaghetti, Vegetable Lasagna, and Chicken Parmesan.
The pizza at the pizzeria is authentic New York pizza with their own sauce and hand-tossed dough.
Location: 3001 E Cervantes St
Pensacola FL 32563
Hours: 11am – 9 pm Monday to Saturday
Jaco’s Bayfront Bar & Grille
Jaco’s is located at the end of South Palafox Street overlooking the Palafox Pier Marina. The view of the Bay makes this an excellent restaurant with a great atmosphere. You can enjoy a great meal and walk around the pier and downtown afterwards.
Jaco’s lunch menu includes monthly specials. The restaurant offers a wide range of seafood dishes, but also offers something for everyone, even those who don’t enjoy seafood. My personal favorite is Jaco’s Tacos that you can order with blackened, grilled or southern fried Mahi-Mahi. Jaco’s also has a selection of flatbreads, and they offer a wide range of items that are vegetarian and/or gluten free.
You can pair your meal with a seasonal cocktail, something from their wine list or domestic or craft beer.
Location: 997 South Palafox St Pensacola, FL 32502
Hours:
11 am – 9 pm Monday – Thursday
11am – 10pm Friday – Saturday
10am – 9pm Sunday
Lunch Hours: 11am – 3pm Monday – Saturday
Ruby Slipper
The Ruby Slipper is a great option if you are looking for brunch for lunch in Pensacola. If you are looking for something sweet their pancakes are amazing and huge, and they have a few French toast options. They have several egg and omelet options for someone looking for something savory. The menu includes 6 different benedicts, which is my favorite thing to order when I visit the Ruby Slipper. My personal favorite is One Tomato, Two Tomato, and my husband loves the Eggs Cochon Bennie. For those in your party who may not be interested in breakfast, there are salad and sandwich selections sure to please everyone.
The Restaurant is located downtown and offers indoor, outdoor, and bar seating. The outdoor seating area is covered, and they have several heaters in the winter to make the area cozy.
Location: 509 S Palafox St Pensacola, FL 32502
Hours:
7am – 2pm Monday – Friday
7am – 3pm Saturday – Sunday
McGuire’s Irish Pub
McGuire’s is an excellent location for both the food and the atmosphere. In the main dining area, bar and entry, the restaurant has an Irish Saloon theme, and the ceiling is covered with dollar bills, signed by patrons. There is local information and history available at each booth and in each area of the restaurant. The restaurant first opened in 1977 and has been at the current Pensacola location, which used to be a firehouse, since 1982.
McGuire’s is a great spot for lunch in Pensacola because they offer a weekday lunch special from 11am – 3pm, or until they run out of the special. Friday is my favorite day to go to lunch because they serve up their fish and chips on the daily special. If you aren’t interested in the specials, they have an extensive menu of Irish specialties, salads, burgers, steaks and chops.
When dining in, they offer Senate Bean Soup for 18 cents. The same recipe was served in the US Senate for 18 cents in 1977 and they have been selling the soup at that price since.
Location: 600 East Gregory St. Pensacola, FL 32502
Hours:
11am – 2am Monday – Saturday
10am – 2am Sunday
