Vin’tij Food & Wine

Vin’tij Food & Wine has anchored Grand Boulevard’s dining scene for more than 25 years, pairing seasonally inspired plates with one of the most extensive wine lists on the Emerald Coast. Founder and owner Todd Reber opened Vin’tij in 1998 after a decade working in acclaimed restaurants across the Emerald Coast, building the concept around a simple idea: pair thoughtfully prepared food with wine chosen to match it, and let guests explore both together. Nearly three decades later, that formula still drives the restaurant, and Reber remains its owner today.

Chef Ignacio Bernal has become just as central to the Vin’tij story. He joined the kitchen in 2018, worked his way up to Chef de Cuisine, and now serves as partnering chef, shaping a menu of seasonally inspired dishes that changes with what is available locally. His work earned him the Best Chef Award from VIP Destin Magazine in 2025, adding to a growing list of accolades for the restaurant as a whole. Vin’tij has also been named Best Restaurant in Walton County by Emerald Coast Magazine readers and took the same title in the 2023 Perfect in South Walton Awards, along with a Best Special Occasion Restaurant nod from VIP Destin Magazine.

The menu at Vin’tij leans into comfort with a refined edge. Pecan Chicken and Balsamic Glazed Meatloaf sit alongside Pan Fried Oysters, Shrimp and Grits, and Mango Ginger Salmon, giving guests a range from Southern classics to coastal seafood. Desserts close things out with options like Lemon Pound Cake. Every dish is built with wine pairing in mind, and the restaurant backs that up with an on-site wine shop where guests can buy bottles to go with dinner or purchase a full case to take home, a feature that sets Vin’tij apart from most restaurants along Grand Boulevard.

The Wine Down happy hour is one of the restaurant’s signature draws, offering special pricing on wine each afternoon and giving visitors a reason to stop in between a beach day and dinner elsewhere. It has become a fixture for regulars who treat Vin’tij as much as a neighborhood wine bar as a full restaurant, dropping in for a glass and a light bite without committing to a full dinner. The restaurant also hosts winemaker dinners and special events throughout the year, drawing on nearly three decades of relationships built with wineries and distributors.

Vin’tij sits at 500 Grand Boulevard, Suite 100K, in the heart of the Grand Boulevard at Sandestin town center, within walking distance of the district’s other shops and restaurants. The location is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., giving visitors flexibility to stop by across most of the day rather than only at dinner. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak season and around the Wine Down hours, when the bar area fills quickly with locals and visitors alike.

For travelers building a Sandestin dining itinerary, Vin’tij offers something few casual beach restaurants can match: a genuine wine program backed by a chef with real accolades, in a setting that still feels comfortable enough for a weeknight dinner. Call 850-650-9820 to check availability, or stop by 500 Grand Boulevard directly to see the wine shop and dining room in person.