Joe Patti’s is in downtown Pensacola, on the waterfront at South B Street near Main, which makes it a real drive from Perdido Key — roughly half an hour — not a quick beach errand. People make the drive anyway, and have for more than 95 years. It’s the seafood market in this corner of Florida, the one everyone’s parents took them to, and it’s still the first stop for stocking a rental kitchen with Gulf fish.
What you get
The fish counter is the main event: snapper, grouper, flounder, amberjack, catfish, lobster, and shrimp by the tub, with staff who will dress and fillet a whole fish while you wait, or steam your order if you’d rather not cook. The house specialty is Royal Reds — the deep-water shrimp that taste closer to lobster than to bay shrimp — and if you’ve never had them, this is where to start. Around the market are the other departments: Amangiari’s gourmet shop for deli meats, cheeses, breads, oils, vinegars, and caviar; Anna’s wine and craft beer room; Summer’s sushi bar; and the PattiWagon food truck outside.
When to go
Weekends and holiday weeks bring a crowd and a wait — that’s part of the experience, but bring patience and a plan. Weekday mornings are calmer. Bring a cooler in the car; it’s a long hot ride back to the Key with a bag of shrimp on the seat.
Good to know
They ship, so if the Royal Reds haunt you after you get home, the online shop solves that. Gift cards exist for the relative who’s impossible to buy for. If you’d rather not leave the beach, our shop guide covers markets closer to Perdido Key, and eat & drink has the restaurants that cook the same fish for you.
