The Citizen

We had our welcome dinner for our wedding at The Citizen and it exceeded our expectations by a million! We worked directly with Courtney via email since we live in Chicago and couldn’t plan in person. She was so kind, accommodating and patient. She helped us customize a menu for our party and event created a custom decorated menu for the night of the dinner. She is the absolute best! Our waiter was Jay him and the rest of the wait staff were excellent. Jay was very nice, funny and attentive. We never had to “look” for him, he was always there and happy to serve us. The food was phenomenal - I didn’t get pictures of everything but I will share the ones I got. The seafood tower and appetizers were a hit! Our guest said they had the best oysters they have ever had! I could have eaten just the apps and been happy! The main entrees were so delicious, warm and just as everyone ordered them. The desert was also our do this world. The Atlantic Beach Pie was to die for! We can’t thank everyone at the Citizen enough for the smiles, laughs, service, amazing food and vibes! We can’t wait to come back!

The Citizen in Alys Beach offers a unique blend of coastal cuisine with a chic, upscale atmosphere. The restaurant features a mix of modern and retro elements, including a marble bar and vintage decor. The menu is diverse, with seasonal changes, and includes popular dishes like oysters, whipped feta, and charred avocado salad. They accommodate dietary restrictions well, offering gluten-free and vegan options. The service is excellent, and the ambiance is both romantic and trendy. Reservations are recommended, especially for larger groups. Overall, it’s a great spot for both casual and special occasions.

By for the best oysters I’ve ever had in my life and I’m from the Gulf Coast! Murder Point farm raised oysters are amazing! Check out their oyster happy hour. Don’t spend money on the fish dip, unless you’re from a square state without saltwater. So I went back a month and half later for the awesome oyster happy hour and ordered the Citizen Double Stack. Great burger! Also the whipped feta appetizer were great too!

Hands down the best oysters I’ve ever had. They were incredibly fresh and shucked right in front of us, which made the experience even better. The mignonette flavors were spot on and were bright, balanced, and a perfect match for the oysters. There was a great variety to choose from, and the happy hour pricing made it an unbeatable deal. We walked in on a Friday afternoon with no wait. Absolute gem!

This place was incredible! The service was top-notch! The food was so delicious. We had the whipped feta which came with honey and almonds. It was so delicious. We also had the avocado toast and an eggs Benedict with fresh pork. The atmosphere was fresh and calm. I really eating at The Citizen!

We did wait an hour before being seated. We decided to order a bottle of wine and enjoy the outdoor space while we waited. So keep in mind, there will most likely be a wait. But u will b happy u waited. The waiter was great. He had a personality. We ordered lots of food. Everything was delicious and fresh and portions were appropriate. We shared. We never felt rushed. It was an amazing evening 😍.

An excellent experience all around! Our waiter, Jay, was very kind & helpful. The food came out quickly. Each dish was lovely with superb & complex flavors and great presentation! And I loved the interior design - coastal, upscale, sophisticated, warm. 💛

First time here. Very impressed with the interior design. Relaxed, spacious, and the ambient noise level was good. Got terrific service the entire time. Started out with the "Warm Angel Biscuit". So good, that we could have just ordered several more of those and skip the meal. For the meal, we ordered Avocado Toast, Short Rib Hash, Charred Avocado Salad. The Avocado entrees were very good. The Short Rib Hash was a bit disappointing. The potatoes were over cooked , to the point of almost being mashed. We would come back again, but skip the Short Rib Hash for something else.

The Southern Eggs Benedict was one of the most delicious riffs on an Eggs Benedict I've ever eaten. Pork shoulder was tender, juicy, and well-seasoned, cheddar biscuits would've been amazing alone and were a glorious choice for the bread base, perfectly cooked eggs, and a tangy hollandaise...amazing. Aside from that gem, the overall menu looked similarly excellent, lots of choices for lots of tastes. Cocktails were quite enjoyable. Ambiance is comfortably elegant--bright and welcoming (I see where one reviewer commented on acoustics, and I could see that as an issue with a crowd, but it was fine while I was there). Service was exceptional--welcoming, attentive, helpful. Would very much recommend this spot (and, yes, like a lot of things in the area, it's on the pricier side, but not to where I'm shocked given where it's located and the quality).

My second time dining here and I had one of the best dinners yet, at The Citizen. The right ambience, wonderful design, food, and service are the ingredients to happiness! Sebastian and David were beyond hospitable and had so much authentic enthusiasm explaining the menu offerings and all things Alys Beach. Mint Ty cocktail with three different rums was distinctive and so very good. Hats off to the chef. I'd recommend the shrimp ceviche with Gulf prawns, a smattering of mango, shallots, and peppers, served with the most comforting and delicious warmed buttered saltine crackers. WOW! Main dish was pork tenderloin over a bed of polenta, buttery roasted butternut squash medallions and sautéed vegetables.

First time here. Very impressed with the interior design. Relaxed, spacious, and the ambient noise level was good. Got terrific service the entire time. Started out with the "Warm Angel Biscuit". So good, that we could have just ordered several more of those and skip the meal. For the meal, we ordered Avocado Toast, Short Rib Hash, Charred Avocado Salad. The Avocado entrees were very good. The Short Rib Hash was a bit disappointing. The potatoes were over cooked , to the point of almost being mashed. We would come back again, but skip the Short Rib Hash for something else.

Nice interior and happy hour but we needed an extra chair for our table. Dozens outside but hostess said they needed them in an hour for dinner long after we'd be gone. Just rude overall. Not a good look having two teens be your first impression.

Great service! We came in on a day when there was nearly no one there. They had incredible French toast and different options for brunch and lunch. Great bright and open ambiance.

The citizen is our favorite spot in 30A. Located in stunning Aly's beach, there's a chic indoor and outdoor seating available as well as bar seating. We opted for bar seating since we wanted more apps & drinks tonight. Service is always great. And the menu changes often seasonally. I absolutely loved the fleur de vie cocktail, will be ordering every time from here on out! We also always order the whipped feta as an appetizer, which is deliciously paired with honey, pita, and rosemary almonds. Other appetizers we've enjoyed in the past include the blue crab beignets and the cheddar biscuits. Tonight, we decided to try their specialty seasonal dessert - pumpkin spice tres leches. It came with a thick layer of mocha chantilly cream which I felt took away from the tres leches, but the dessert was still enjoyable. The Citizen's flavors and menu items are always unique and delicious. Praying they bring back the cheddar biscuits. Can't wait to come back!

One of my favorite stops every time I am in town. I love the cold bar with the shrimp cocktail and the lobster. The mahi mahi and the short rib were phenomenal. 10/10 must go

The Citizen was one of our favorite meals in the area! The ambiance is sophisticated but not overly stuffy. We had a group of 6 and arrived around 5:45/6 PM shortly after they opened. We were able to be seated right away at the bar, but would've had to wait an hour if we didn't want to do that. Everyone enjoyed their meal! Would highly recommend everything we ordered which was: the Gulf Fish Ceviche, Hot Fried Chicken Thighs, the Wild Gulf Fish, Grilled Yellowfin Tuna, Wild Shrimp and Grits, and the Filet Mignon. The cocktails were fantastic as well! Would definitely come back!

Ive never left a review on Yelp but downloaded the app because of our experience tonight. A group of 6 girls and myself sat down at the cocktail area for drinks after dinner. We waited 30 minutes for beer, after asking a server who wasn't our own. After the interaction we observed our server discussing her interaction with employees in a condescending manner. Immediately uncomfortable. No apology or remorse from the manager who we pulled to express our concerns. We were simply left feeling confused about how we were perceived. Felt horrible

Brunch was incredible. Great service, delicious food. Our favorite Oyster place. Always very fresh, love the oyster variety and seasonal sauces they have. We tried the new hot chicken pimento cheese biscuit and it was amazing. We also tried the scallops and loved the raw texture of the scallops.

Tried the citizen last week in Alys beach and it was a super cute inside/patio and had a great ambiance. The citizen just recently got a new chef so the menu is pretty different from the fall but overall had a good experience. Service was very good and helpful. The best things were the cheesecake and drinks!

Start with whipped feta. Try it. It's Aazaing. Got the bbq shrimp. Good but not great. I tried a friends lemony pasta. That's the one to try. Fresh pasta with great flavors.

This is by far place in Rosemary Beach. The best part is the happy hour where they have great craft cocktails, wine, beer, and a selected menu for a great price. They only serve the happy hour at the bar, but the bar is very beautiful. Service is always excellent here my favorite dishes are the smoked fish, dip, oysters, and burger. PLEASE check out this great happy hour!

A good brunch place if you want good aesthetics and service. Make reservations for sure though! They have indoor and outdoor seating. Drinks took a while to come to the table. The oysters came out first and they were pretty fresh. Was not a big fan of the shrimp and grits. My friend had ordered a spinach ricotta quiche and found a piece of plastic in her salad... they were able to bring out a new one. I would only come back for the drinks though.

Went to oyster HH at citizen and had a wonderful experience. Got a dozen and split a bottle and also tried the charbroiled oysters and shrimp, both of which were excellent. Service was friendly and inside was upscale but casual!

It's urbane Casual chic Sunday brunch is visually delightful Eggs Benedict, yes Wedge Salad, yes The lemon version of Key Lime Pie, yes

We didn't have reservations, but were able to snag a seat at the oyster bar! The bartender was great and super attentive. It was very cute and I would definitely recommend it for a "nicer dinner" on your next beach trip - Pretty pricey! We really enjoyed the hummus plate and fresh oysters. The crabcake was good, but I probably wouldn't get it again.

Our group of girls had to hit up the citizen for oyster hour on our trip to 30a! We were able to walk in and get cozy seating in the lounge towards the end of oyster hour with no issue which was good. The cocktails and mocktails were amazing. The options for different sauces with oysters were fun to try and see what everyone's favorites were. The Calabrian shrimp was a knock out dish - perfectly seasoned and cooked. The crowd favorite of the food was the whipped feta board. The staff was incredibly attentive and friendly. Such a modern, industrial yet nautical vibe inside- highly recommend!

Your acoustics are terrible. That's why I don't go there. It's not difficult to solve but man is it painful to hear the noise while you are spending a few hundred bucks and want to hear the people at your table. Service is fine. You probably charge service charges and credit card fees...which us complete BS as far as I am concerned...bake it into your menu prices...inwont know the difference in a 22 dollar soup or a $23 soup.

Very cute spot! Great cocktails and good mocktail options! The oysters were so good we went back a second time. Must try. Waiters were helpful and nice!

Came here with a large group (~25 people) and had a great time. The service was friendly and fast and the food was incredible. We didn't have a bad meal or drink. Enough said. Can't wait to go back!

The Citizen has to be hands down my favorite restaurant in the Destin/Panama City area. Where the restaurant is located is so clean and beautiful. I want to just go walk around on a sunny day. The our server was great. My friend and I celebrated our birthdays with 7 of our friends and everything was spaced out perfectly. For appetizers we got whipped feta, crab beignets, and the corn bread. The beignets were incredible. It sounds strange, but it didn't disappoint. I probably could have licked the plate clean it was so good. It had a little kick that made it even better. I didn't try the cornbread , but heard it really good. I got the filet and it was cooked perfectly. A couple of others got the short ribs. One person thought it was a little bland, but the other one loved it. The size of the pork schnitzel could have fed 3 people. It was great to take home and heat back up in an air fryer. For dessert I got the brownie pie sundae. It comes out piping hot and the brownie was so moist. Would definitely go back for a special occasion. Reservations aren't taken unless you have a party of 7 or 8.

The food is amazing. We ate at the bar. The bartenders were very attentive. We had the Whipped Feta app, shared a bowl of soup, and the grouper entree. It was all delish. Also had the Andiamo cocktail and hubs had the White Linen. Unique cocktails.

It's Friday and after stopping by NEAT to grab a unique sparkling wine, I decided to cruise into CTZN for some Friday fish! I ordered the dozen Murder Point raw oysters and an order of the tuna tartare and accompanying with a glass of Cava sparkling wine! Wow yummy and the presentation - well the pictures speak for themselves. The tuna was my fav with well seasoned tuna, chili strips sesame and red pepper on a perfect cracker. hats off to Quanjay at the raw bar and my server Taylor. CTZN has never failed me so whether a quiet evening for dinner or a quick raw bar fix ! This is your place in Alys Beach. Background noise is low to medium allowing for a wonderful experience. Hats off to the chef also for a fine quick lunch - Thanks

Delicious food in sunny Ally's Beach! Went with a group of 6 adults and one toddler. Very open airy restaurant. The decor is very sleek and clean. We sat outside which I probably wouldn't recommend but it was the only way to get us all seated together as they weren't taking reservations. We got the char grilled oysters, and bread and butter app and the cobia. My husband who is not a big oysters fan LOVED them! They were very well seasoned. The cobia fish dish was a new one for us the fish was cooked very well and had great flavor my son liked dipping into the green a sauce. The bread and butter came with prosciutto butter which was tasty but woulda have been better if we sat inside. Key lime cheesecake was also a hit with my son! Highly recommend going there!

TLDR: amazing place with amazing food and drinks. Great customer service. Food and customer service is well worth the price! 5 This place was immaculate. Our server was Harrison, I believe and when I tell you he was the best damn server my fiancé and I have ever had. He truly gave impeccable customer service and was super knowledgeable about the menu and curated our experience for us. We had the Oysters, the Fried Fish and the Wedge Salad. Not pictured but we also had the short rib. The ambiance is great and the restaurant is nestled into a beautiful little area. I highly recommend coming here for special occasions or a date night. I believe in total, we spent $300.

We went to a lot of restaurants along and 30A and The Citizen is without a doubt our best pick! The restaurant has elevated beauty. It's modern with beach feel. The service was impeccable, our server had just moved to the area and it's like she had been serving there forever. And the food, wow. We tried many options and one thing was better than the next. They were very accommodating to making swaps in the dishes. We started with the whipped feta and broiled oysters. Wow! The oysters were a full mouth drool. I had the braised short rib over whipped potatoes. My boyfriend has the wood grilled Cobia, a fish we had never had! It was light and flakey, delicious. My parents had the schnitzel and my daughter had the chicken tenders. All were 10/10! I'd give a higher rating if I could. If you're visiting 30A this should definitely be top on your list! Also, all the cocktails were excellent, and different interesting options!

This place was so tasty we went back twice! First, the servers are so knowledgeable and have really helpful recommendations. We had a group of four, so across both nights I think we tried the whole menu. There is nothing I wouldn't recommend! The restaurant was such a welcome break from the expensive, same seafood options that most other restaurants have. A few personal favorites: the fettuccine, short ribs, ceviche, and wedge salad.

Outstanding service and dinner ... will definitely recommend. Wish they took reservations.

My family and I had a beautiful meal at The Citizen. We decided oysters at the last minute and didn't have reservations but luckily got seats at the oyster bar. The staff was on top of their game and super attentive. My cousin really enjoyed her baked oysters and the fried rice was a unique menu item but delicious. This is a happening place on 30A. Can't wait to visit again.

Just loved my meal and the experience. Food was delicious and the atmosphere was charming. We didn't have reservations so we sat at the bar. Our bartender was lovely and took great care of us. She was knowledgeable about the menu and had recommendations. My meal was the charred avocado salad with quinoa and lots of arugula. My dinner was the pineapple fried rice minus the eggs. Both options were vegan and delicious, I was thrilled. The only complaint I had was the time it took to get from the kitchen to our seats. My salad was served promptly but our meals took a long time. Our server even went and checked on it. I would definitely return and I do recommend it.

Great initial vibe, drinks and apps are solid, although very late in delivery. Staff is friendly but likely bound by a slow kitchen. However waiting over an hour for brunch offerings is nuts. Now here over an hour, with no entries. If your time is valuable, maybe consider this establishment when you have nothing else to do. I hate being negative, as people are trying, but I enjoy my time...

The Citizen is a cute restaurant on 30A in Alys Beach. There's seating at the tables inside or on the high chairs at the bar. This place has unique delicious cocktails that rotates often. We got the Southern Polynesian and Margarita Verde. Both were very good. Our bartender was very nice and friendly. He was the only one working when we were there so he was very busy. It took awhile to get his attention sometimes because there were so many people he had to cater to. I think they needed more bartenders that day. The food was yummy. For an appetizer, we got the whipped feta which came with nuts and pita bread. They are known for their oysters and seafood. Parking is free at the spaces next to the restaurant. There aren't many spaces so it can be full on a packed day. I would recommend this place to other people.

Top notch. Service, food, ambiance- it has it all. Always a pleasure to visit when here.

Spring Break 2023 @thecitizenalys We had cocktails many ways and on multiple days. There are unique flavors and the bartenders are willing to create anything you want. On the food side, we had the carrot hummus. This appetizer could also be served in a bowl with a spoon! The granola with the hummus and buttery bread is a great bite. Then we went back for brunch. We ordered seafood gumbo (dark bitter base with so much crab), charred avocado salad (refreshing with a little sweet dressing) and chocolate croissant French toast (the name says it all, butter and chocolate ).

Visiting the area and this restaurant came highly recommended. Love that they offer indoor and outdoor seating. Our server Harrison was very knowledgeable of the menu and did a great job! We started with the Pork Belly Bao ($23). They are very good and surprised us with a barbecue flavor instead of the normal Asian flavors. We also had the whipped feta ($15) that is a must try! Great flavors, warm pita and delicous almonds! For entrees, we chose the Wedge ($15), Yellowfin Tuna Tartar ($25), Smoked Beef Short Rib ($41), and the 8oz Filet of Beef ($59). Everyone enjoyed their food and the atmosphere!

We tried the whipped feta which was great. The oysters were a wide selection with our waiter very knowledgeable. The snapper and swordfish and whole flounder were all excellent. The sides we tried were. Cheese grits and collards which were good. The squash was our only disappointment. Wine selection & cocktails very good.

We made reservations as soon as they opened them because it was going to be 11 of us. They said we had asked for the patio and when we arrived it was pouring and we hadn't asked for that. THANKFULLY they agreed to sitting us indoors and made it happen quickly! I didn't expect the check to be everyone separate but they did not tell us it would be just in one which was really annoying to break a part but it's okay we made it work. The drinks and food was excellent! They had allll kinds of options which was really nice to see because literally anyone could enjoy this place. They had multiple servers and assistants and every single one was super nice!

Absolutely DELICIOUS! What a gem. We adored the oysters and drinks at happy hour here; the Bartenders were superb. Shoutout to Mattie, who was friendly, attentive, and went above and beyond with service. We have quickly made this place our favorite so far on 30A! I recommend the Hemisphere Dancer drink (their take on a spicy Marg that's delicious) and their happy hour. We'll be back to try dinner and brunch soon!!

Good drinks. Enjoyed the cocktails on the menu and ordered off menu. Carrot hummus and whipped feta were yummy. Pork schnitzel was surprisingly large and not boasting with flavor. Service was nice

After dining at the classic George's the night before, it was time to try The Citizen. Several foodies had told me this was their favorite Alys Beach restaurant, and it exceeded our expectations. I marvel at how the décor and energy of a restaurant can influence your dining experience. When you first walk in, you see the raw bar, the open kitchen, and the long cocktail bar. You might think you're dining in Miami or a swanky Caribbean resort. We arrived before 5pm on a Thursday and were seated in about 10 minutes. Stuart, our server, warmly greeted us and advised us on signatures to order and even showed me the whole fish that was being served to another table. The bar at The Citizen is worth a visit all alone. It's super long, maybe 50 feet. And it was certainly a gathering place for guests celebrating the end of another sun-drenched day. The menu provides many options, and I like that. We were told the go-to-starters were the Whipped Feta and Tuna Tartare. Both were spot-on and super delish. You must try the herbed Valencia almonds with your bite of feta. It was heavenly. The tuna tartare is served with pickle onion, jalapeno and crispy potato chips. It brought just the right amount of heat. For entrees, I had read that the Poulet Rouge - Joyce Farms Fried Chicken was a signature. Having read up on this bird, elite chefs consider it to be the best tasting chicken in the world. And I'll give them that. The portion served was the size of a small breast. Super juicy and tasty, just smaller than I expected. The Smoked Beef Short Rib was out-of-this-world. I'm typically not a big fan of this cut of meat, since it has rich marbling. But this serving was unlike any I've previously had. I wished I had ordered the Short Rib rather than the Chicken. Probably the only disappointment was the Southern Field Peas. Having never ordered them before, I totally misunderstood what I getting. It almost resembled baked beans. Can't wait to return to The Citizen!

Perfection. Owners are a couple, not a corporation. They care about the smallest details. The food is truly a notch up. Oysters great and fresh. Lots of sensible dishes for those of us that eat healthy but some guilty pleasures as well. They also own Fonville which is a more casual vibe but so so good. Have no idea how they get such flavor into shrimp. Lots of gluten free options too. Try the macaroons for a small bite sweet. Both Fonville and The citizen are across the square from each other. You have to do both.

The oysters were amazing a bit over priced but excellent. The appetizers were also over the top good. We highly recommend the Calabrian Shrimp. Melt in your mouth delicious. The front door staff were a bit rude when we entered with my service dog but the manager warmly greeted us and sat us in an out of the way place!!

Hands down, my fave restaurant in the area! The cocktails and oysters were amazing. I loved the twice baked crackers that came with the oysters and the accompanying mignonette. Our server was very knowledgeable about everything on the menu. The bathrooms had Malik + Goetz dark rum hand wash,which I happened to have the roll on perfume oil in my purse (such a lovely scent).

This was one of my favorite meals we had while in town. We had a reservation on a busy night and actually weren't seated until a bit after it but it wasn't terribly bad. All the food we had was delicious here, especially the biscuits- don't sleep on those. We also had two different fish dishes and both were lovely. Definitely gets busy during peak times so make sure you make a reservation.

My go to oyster place on 30a . It's not cheap but everything I've tried has been phenomenal

Wonderful food and service. The blue crab beignets are amazing and the key lime pie was to die for. Swordfish and squash ( yes, squash) was just so good. Shout out to Cameron. Service was outstanding. Love how everyone helps each other. Will be back soon.

Beautiful ambiance (esthetically pleasing) and delicious food! We came for brunch and it exceeded our expectations. The smash breakfast burger melted in your mouth and had excellent flavor. OJ was fresh too! Would come back again!

*FOOD POISONING ALERT* My two friends and I ate at the Citizen on Friday 9/27/24 around 6pm. We ordered the shrimp appetizer for the table and a half dozen of oysters for myself. The shrimp was rubbery and tasted as if it had been frozen. After around 30 minutes, I started to get terrible stomach pain, sweats, and nausea. My swordfish arrived and I started to try to eat it - it was delicious! But the stomach pain was unbearable. We had to quickly leave dinner and once we got back to our rental I became violently ill - vomiting 5 times in a row. My friend who ordered the lobster tail on top of her pasta said it tasted rubbery and frozen - much like the shrimp. A big bummer for an additional $39. On our third night we spoke with a server at a different restaurant who had previously worked at The Citizen and said he left there as they have had multiple health code violations and would keep oysters open and 4 degrees above proper temperature. We are so disappointed we wasted a night of fine dining on The Citizen. Lots of money and a night we could've spent eating elsewhere. Save your money and your stomach and dine elsewhere.