The Grand Marlin

Great atmosphere on the bay. Items marked as GF are limited. Tacos on menu states corn tortilla, but server told me they were flour. Out of the limited items marked GF, the only thing I liked was shrimp. It was delish but I got nauseated a few hours later.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Had a wonderful anniversary dinner here. Randall was our server and did a wonderful job taking care of us and making sure my food was celiac safe. I tested every with my Nima and it was all safe, my body agreed and I didn’t get sick. Food was delicious. Highly recommend the oysters Rockefeller if you’re an oyster fan. Update: tried to go here again for lunch on 8/5/23 (after peg leg Pete’s failed to make safe gf crab legs) and the oysters Rockefeller tested gf per Nima and I ate them. Then the server came out with my tuna which had grill marks on it…Randall (who had been our server the first time we dined here) told us that they don’t put gf food on the grill or flat top, they use a fresh pan to sear it. So since we were told that my husband asked our current server about the grill marks, and the server said, “chef knows so it should be fine”. I was already putting a sample of the tuna and other components of the dish into a Nima capsule to test for gluten, and my husband said that he was going to go find a manager. He found the manager and she claimed it was fine, that it’s only the flat top they have gluten on. Well as she stood there rudely telling us that my dish was gf and made with the proper precautions (in a how dare you question us attitude), Nima popped with a “gluten found”, and the gluten found line on the back of the capsule was so dark it was comparable to when I tested regular macaroni to make sure that my testers worked back in 2018 when I first got my Nima. Essentially that means that this wasn’t light cross contamination, there were no precautions taken for my dish. After that she asked if I wanted them to make me another and based on what I saw I said “no”. After that she asked me several times more if I wanted them to remake it or make me something else, a salad, essentially badgering me to eat something there which made me even less comfortable and each time I said “no”. The badgering ended when my husband (who had had enough of her BS) told her we wanted the check and to see that the food was entered in the system as gf. She initially refused to show him the receipt showing the food was entered into the system properly, then a few minutes later (after she went and checked herself and saw that the server entered it properly) she brought it to shove in my husband’s face as if to say “see it was done properly”. Sadly though Nima doesn’t lie like people do, the food had a high level of gluten in it and would have made me severely ill. This manager was horrible to us. I would say go here at your own risk. If you do go here, go for dinner during the week and specifically request Randall…and please test your food before eating it. Sadly we ended our vacation (anniversary and birthday trip) early due to this and every other place we tried to go in Pensacola area not being able to make celiac safe gf food.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Not at all

Safety Feature Ratings

• Other dedicated kitchen equipment (oven, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Average

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good selection of healthy options
• Offers outdoor seating
• Reservations recommended

Coming to Pensacola beach I was a little afraid trying new foods just like any other celiac. We are at the grand marlin the last night on vacation. I had the lobster tail with fingerling potatoes and the GF brownie desert. It was the best food I have had at a restaurant in years. The lobster was cooked perfectly and the GF brownie dessert was perfect. We will be coming back anytime we are near Pensacola beach.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free space in the kitchen
• Other dedicated kitchen equipment (oven, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good for keto
• Good for kids
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegetarian options
• Good with other allergies
• Offers outdoor seating
• Reservations recommended

GF brownie dessert is a MUST! Also got grilled Mahi Mahi with mashed potatoes and veggies with a GF white wine sauce

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Offers outdoor seating
• Reservations recommended

The wait staff was knowledgeable. They have many entrees that are GF and GF Desert options. We had the Lobster Tail and Brownie Sundae.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Food is delicious. Waitstaff know what's up and the setting is beautiful. Will definitely be back.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

We went for our anniversary! Great place, great food. Our server (Randal) was amazing. He explained everything and said he’d make sure chef knew I had celiac.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

My daughter had the ribeye and the chocolate brownie sundae. All of it was delicious! We alerted the hostess that seated us so when our server came over, he knew one of us had a severe gluten allergy (celiac) and the chef had been alerted. We called ahead and were told they have a separate area to prepare gf food. Great atmosphere, especially if you can eat on the more outside area.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

We were offered open air, covered seating but chose the dining room due to approaching storm. The hostess was attentive and polite, and our server was quickly at our table.

From the bringing of water, to ordering appetizers, recommending wines, choosing menu items and presenting an incredible gluten & dairy free brownie for dessert — our server was a wonderful guy.

Five of us had 5 different seafood entrees and we all agreed they were superbly prepared!

It’s a pricey menu, but so worthwhile!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for lunch
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good with other allergies
• Offers outdoor seating

I always find great gluten free options here. They oysters Rockefeller and scallop risotto were amazing and so filling! You can’t go wrong here- best on the beach!!!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Had the ribeye steak, was great!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Staff was knowledgeable and willing to answer questions. Menu has designated gluten free items. Awesome food! Strongly recommend for a nice evening out.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Excellent food, staff, and atmosphere. Although the GF options marked on the menu are few, ask and your selection can be prepared GF. Key Lime Lobster Tail is delicious. They also have a GF brownie sundae.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Ordered GF salmon and it failed the Nima test. They remade it and it passed. Even though it is listed as GF, if you don’t specify that it needs to be GF, they will prepare it on the same flat top as breaded fish.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I have eaten here MANY times,and have enjoyed everything I have every tried. Great food,beautiful view,friendly staff. Gluten-free beer served as well.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Food was delicious! Nice place. They were accommodating! Good experience!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I am very allergic and had no reaction. The gf choices are marked on the menu. The chip appetizer was wonderful as was the salad I had with grill shrimp. If you are in the area and hungry I would recommend stopping.

Amazing service! Chef Gary came out to talk with me right away and personally took care of my meal prep! More than 8 locals recommend this place too. Best GF experience at the beach! Ever!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Great fish and nice to have multiple GF options.

The curry chicken and corn chowder was exceptional. My friends had grilled grouper, pan fried flounder and scallops which were wonderful. The waiter, Matthew, was very courteous and helpful. I would definitely come back whenever I get a chance.

Wonderful! Highly recommended for gluten intolerant people!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Their menu indicates their GF options. I have eaten here several times and have never had a bad experience. Excellent!

Excellent experience! They have an impressive GF menu. I had the oysters Rockefeller and lobster with vanilla butter sauce. On 5/5/12, we celebrated our anniversary in Pcola and had lunch here. The menu changes daily, but always has GF options clearly marked on it. The GF jerk chicken salad was great and the salmon was the best i've ever had! I had it on top of sweet potato hash....sinfully good!