Atlas Obscura - Latest • Jan. 26, 2026, 5:13 p.m.

Nothing tastes more definitively of the sea than oysters. Whether they’re served raw, steamed, baked, grilled, stewed, roasted, sautéd, or deep-fried, oysters offer diners a pure connection to the ocean.

And every variety is distinct, with flavors and texture that speaks to the exact location and conditions where they grow. And no place celebrates this meaty, briny bivalve more thoroughly than Panama City, along the coast of Northwest Florida.

The city’s storied fishing culture and its prime Gulf location make it the ideal destination for lovers of the finest and freshest seafood available. They take their seafood seriously here, serving the bivalves in dishes from simple to refined.

Related