Summer is the perfect time to try something new, whether it’s meeting up with friends for Saturday brunch or making a toast with seasonal watermelon basil margaritas. In our latest batch of News Bites, we’ve got all the hottest dining updates for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Let’s dig in.
New summer menus
Reservoir
524 N. Hayne St.
Old East Hill hotspot, Reservoir, has debuted an exciting new menu for the summer.
“New menus drop today!” Reservoir shared on May 23. “Our chefs have been hard at work tweaking your favorites and adding some new dishes we know you’ll love. Join us today! We’re just steps from downtown with plenty of free parking.”
Here are a few standouts to try:
Coastal Cajun Cuisine
8961 Pensacola Blvd.
Coastal Cajun Cuisine brings a true taste of Louisiana to Pensacola, including a variety of new items to taste this summer:
“We’ve added some brand new Bayou favorites to the menu and trust us… you’re gonna want to pull up hungry,” Coastal Cajun Cuisine shared in a social media statement on May 12.
Here are a few menu highlights to try:
New Santa Rosa County brunches
Bar-Celona Tapas Bar and Restaurant
5642 Woodbine Road
Starting at noon on May 17, Bar-Celona welcomed guests for Sunday brunch, bringing “delicious Mediterranean-inspired dishes, cocktails, and good vibes.” They also offer bottomless mimosas, Bloody Marys, and other fun cocktails.
Andy D’s Roadhouse
5887 U.S. 90 E., Milton
Andy D’s is offering a new Sunday brunch, including breakfast boards, bottomless mimosas all day on Saturdays, and more. Some of the new brunch features include the following:
New summer sips
Agave
200 S. Palafox St.
Agave has rolled out its new summer cocktail list that’s sure to help beat the heat.
“Fresh flavors, new favorites, and plenty of tequila waiting for you on our brand new cocktail menu,” Agave shared in a social media statement. “Come sip your way through the latest lineup and find your next go-to drink.”
Wisteria Tavern
3808 N. 12 Ave.
Wisteria Tavern has added a refreshing new summer cocktail lineup to sip on this summer.
“Summer’s lookin’ real good under the trees,” Wisteria shared in a social media statement.
A few new drinks include the following:
Summer sweet treats
Sammy Barker’s
875 E. Nine Mile Road
Sammy Barker’s has a sweet update to its American Street Food-inspired menu, perfect for summertime.
“Our Frozen Custard Dessert Menu is here and it’s loaded with creamy, dreamy goodness!” Sammy Barker’s said. “Every dessert is made fresh and served with the signature Sammy Barker’s touch. Come treat yourself today!”
Hours of operation change
A Mano Panino hours change
1010 N. 12 Ave. Suite 128
Italian-inspired panini shop A Mano Panino made headlines after being recognized by the Michelin Guide as a Bib Gourmand destination. Due to a recent surge in guests, owners have temporarily adjusted their hours to 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and have paused online ordering.
“The response from our community and visitors has been beyond anything we could have imagined, and we are deeply honored to represent Pensacola on an international culinary stage. As many of you know, A Mano Panino is a small, family-operated restaurant built around handmade food and fresh-baked bread produced daily in our limited kitchen space. Every loaf is made from scratch, and there is only so much we can physically produce each day while maintaining the quality and consistency that are at the heart of everything we do,” A Mano Panino’s statement read.
“With the recent surge in guests, we have been selling out of bread much earlier than expected. While this is an incredible challenge to have, we never want anyone to make a special trip only to find that we are unable to serve them…We ask for your patience and understanding as we navigate this exciting new chapter. Our team is working tirelessly behind the scenes to serve as many guests as possible without compromising the quality that brought us here in the first place. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support, your encouragement, and for making this moment possible. We look forward to welcoming you soon.”
Foodie events to check out
Jackson’s Steakhouse cooking demos
400 S. Palafox St.
Jackson’s chef Jeremiah Taylor will be leading guests through a series of cooking demonstrations on the third Wednesday of every month called Tailor Made. There are two classes each night, from 5-6:30 p.m. and from 7:30-9 p.m. Classes are $55 per person and include the demonstration, tastings, wine pairings and a take-home recipe booklet. Reservations are required and can be made by emailing marthaanne@goodgrits.com or calling 850-777-0412. The class schedule is as follows:
Taste of Gulf Breeze 2026
800 Shoreline Drive
Tickets for this year’s Taste of Gulf Breeze are now on sale at their lowest price. The event will run from 6-9 p.m. on Oct. 23 at the Gulf Breeze Community Center. The event is limited to those 21 and older.
“Taste of Gulf Breeze, or “Taste” as we like to call it, is an annual food festival hosted by the Gulf Breeze Area Chamber of Commerce. At Taste, you’ll have the opportunity to sample from local restaurants, bars, caterers, bakeries, food trucks, and businesses!” the Gulf Breeze Area Chamber shared in an event post. “Our event features 50+ unique vendors handing out bite-sized samples of their menus and products for your party to try.
“In addition to more food than is probably healthy to eat in one evening, you can enjoy dancing to tunes from a live DJ plus special live performances!”
Attendees will receive four color-coded chips to vote for their favorite appetizer, beverage, snack and dessert of the night.
A limited amount of VIP tickets will be sold, allowing special access during VIP hour from 5-6 p.m., access to a VIP room with seating and complimentary beer and wine.
Tickets are now on sale through Eventbrite with early bird pricing for general admission ($25 through June 30) and VIP ($65 per person through June 30.)
Hungry for more? Stay up to date on the latest restaurant news by subscribing to our free Pensacola Eats newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign up for the newsletter at profile.pnj.com/newsletters/pensacola-eats/.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola restaurants debut new summer menus and sips | News Bites
Reporting by Brittany Misencik, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Brittany Misencik, Pensacola News Journal | USA TODAY Network
