👥 Who: The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach, led by General Manager Shea Cline
🌮 What: Opening of Cabana Cantina & Tequileria, a reimagined poolside restaurant and tequila bar
📅 When: Now open as of January 2026
📍 Where: Between the Grotto and Cabana pools at The Island Resort on Okaloosa Island
⭐ Why: To offer guests and locals a fresh, vibrant dining option inspired by coastal Mexico
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — A familiar poolside gathering spot at The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach has been transformed into a bold new culinary destination.
Cabana Cantina & Tequileria, the resort’s reimagined take on its longtime Cabana Bar, is now open to the public and resort guests, offering coastal Mexican-inspired cuisine paired with an expansive tequila-forward bar. Located between the resort’s Grotto and Cabana pools, the new venue blends vibrant flavors with the laid-back energy that has long defined the Emerald Coast resort.
The refreshed menu emphasizes shareable plates and street-style favorites, drawing on fresh coastal ingredients and traditional Mexican flavors. Guests can choose from shrimp ceviche, smoky Mexican street corn, carne asada, adobo chicken, burritos, tacos, and warm churros served with rich Mexican chocolate.
At the center of the experience is Cabana Cantina’s tequileria, featuring more than 50 selections crafted from 100% agave. The collection spans blancos, reposados, añejos, extra añejos, as well as mezcal and sotol, offering options for casual sippers and seasoned tequila enthusiasts alike.
A standout offering is The Island Resort’s exclusive Barrel Select Patrón Reposado, aged for 16 months in American oak barrels. The hand-selected spirit delivers a smooth profile with subtle notes of vanilla and toasted oak and is available only at the resort.
“We wanted Cabana Cantina & Tequileria to feel easy and welcoming, whether someone is stopping in for a margarita or sitting down for a full meal,” said Shea Cline, General Manager at The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach. “It’s designed to fit naturally into a day at the resort and an evening out for locals.”
Now open to the public, Cabana Cantina & Tequileria adds another dining option to Okaloosa Island’s growing food scene while reinforcing The Island Resort’s reputation as a destination where visitors can enjoy everything from poolside relaxation to elevated dining without ever leaving the property.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
Register or login with Mid Bay News and never get another pop up on our site!
