Sal de Mar, Pensacola Beach's outdoor bar and grill, is back and better than ever

Pensacola Beach’s beachside bar and grill, Sal de Mar on 12 Via De Luna Drive, is back open after its first full remodel since its initial opening in 2020.

The beach bar, meaning ‘sea salt’ in Spanish, highlights refreshing cocktails, small plates, sandwiches and eight frozen daquiri varieties. Although the beach bar is on the Hilton's property, it is open to the public to enjoy.

Pensacola chef Manny Rodriguez, the corporate director of food and beverage for Innisfree Hotels, is spearheading the concept, along with a variety of other restaurants he has rolled out on Pensacola Beach this year, including Salt, Fish Heads and New York style pizza shop Piazza.

Though 68-seat Sal de Mar is perfect place to walk up to from the beach — the coastal-themed, covered outdoor beach bar provides a polished place to sip on a craft cocktail and escape the sun, but you're still just inches away from sinking your toes deep in the sand.

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The new-and-improved Sal de Mar boasts eight flavors of frozen daiquiris that hit the spot during hot months, including the Key Lime Colada, Orange Cream and Bushwhacker. The Cheeky Tiki drink is served inside an actual pineapple, combines Bacardi rum, Orgeat, and fresh strawberry, pineapple and lime juices, and is sure to get you in the island spirit.

The restaurant provides lighter options to accompany the Hilton’s brand-new indoor sit-down restaurant, Salt, that focuses on elevated Mediterranean cuisine.

Sal de Mar’s small plates are intended to be easy to snack on, but are still made from scratch, like the fan-favorite loaded Sal de Mar Nachos topped with queso, black beans, salsa, jalapenos and sour cream.

One of the new starters to grace the menu are the empanadas, including three different flavors to choose from of ground beef, pulled chicken and spinach and cheese.

There will be a classic fish and chips among the entrees, comprised of fried fish served with fries, coleslaw and tartar sauce, along with a spin-off of shrimp and chips, served with fries and either cocktail sauce or sweet Thai chili aioli.

Those looking for a more filling lunch have options such as the Angus Burger, triple-decker Beach Club and signature Sal de Mar tacos.

Most of the food on the menu is under $20, aside from the Fish & Chips and Shrimp & Chips entrees.

The poolside bar creates an atmosphere comfortable enough to bundle up with a towel or order up a coconut mojito in a pair of swim trunks before heading out into the Gulf.

The revamp also adds a new line of margarita flavors, include the Beach Blossom, made with butterfly pea infused Maestro Dobel, Cointreau, lemon, lime and agave.

The cocktail list is intended to help compliment the Pensacola Beach experience, like the Pensacola Sunset made with blueberry vodka, lemonade, cranberry and orange juice.

Sal de Mar had already established a positive reputation, but staff, such as Terry Branch, general manager of the Hilton Pensacola Beach, hopes that the changes will take it to the next level.

“We are very excited for guests to experience the new Sal de Mar, whether it’s the spectacular views and relaxed atmosphere, the delicious food and drinks, or the warm hospitality of our bartenders and servers,” Branch said. “Coupled with the recent opening of Salt, our new upscale Mediterranean restaurant inside the property with its own kitchen, Sal de Mar adds another layer of food and beverage enjoyment for our guests and locals.”

Sal de Mar is open from 10 a.m. to sunset, and the grill is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The restaurant welcomes walk-ins and services the 170-seat Hilton pool deck and cabanas. For more information, visit hiltonpensacolabeach/sal-de-mar.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Sal de Mar, Pensacola Beach bar and grill, is back and better than ever