Florida News

Cajun Dining and Nightlife Concept Opening in Pensacola

Coastal Cajun Cuisine is preparing to open its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Pensacola after nearly a decade.

8961 Pensacola Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32534 | Google Earth Pro

PENSACOLA, FL — Coastal Cajun Cuisine is preparing to open its first brick-and-mortar restaurant at 8961 Pensacola Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32534, owner Kain Vinette told Business Debut. Vinette said he is targeting an opening around February 28, with March 1 as a backup, following nearly a decade of building his business from the ground up.

Vinette grew up in Delcambre, Louisiana, a small bayou town where his family owned shrimp-processing plants, seafood markets, and restaurants. He said seafood and cooking were central to everyday life, from watching shrimp boats come in to serving plate lunches made from Gulf seafood.

Pictures courtesy of Coastal Cajun Cuisine.

What to Expect

The restaurant will offer a large-scale Cajun dining and nightlife experience, with seating for approximately 160 to 200 guests throughout the building. The space includes two bars, dining areas with booths and tables, and a large outdoor area supported by an almost three-acre parking lot.

“The front’s going to be a bar, 21 and up,” Vinette told Business Debut. “We’re going to have a 40-foot custom bar, a big wine cabinet, draft beer, bottled beer, and signature cocktails.” Guests can also access a separate, more family-oriented dining room through the side or back entrance, which Vinette said will welcome families until 10 p.m.

The menu will center on Cajun and coastal Louisiana cooking, featuring dishes like chicken and sausage gumbo, crawfish etouffee, crawfish fettuccine, boudin, ribs, dirty rice, mac and cheese, sweet potato crunch, red beans and rice, seafood chowder, and po-boys on fresh French bread.

“I’m just going to try to pride myself on having some of the best bread around,” Vinette told Business Debut. “When it comes to a sandwich, it’s all about the bread.”

Personal favorites include crawfish fettuccine, Cajun chicken alfredo, and chicken and sausage gumbo served with homemade potato salad and French bread.

Pictures and images courtesy of Costal Cajun Cusine.

Ownership and Roots

Before this location, Vinette spent five years cooking under a tent with a grill and folding table, serving food late into the night. He then operated a food truck for another five years, which he described as his real-world education in running a business. This restaurant marks his first brick-and-mortar location as he approaches his 10-year anniversary in business.

Throughout that journey, Vinette said his mother, Monica Vinette Duhon, played a central role in helping him build the business. She traveled from Louisiana nearly every weekend for six years to help cook in the trailer, brought ingredients from home, and assisted with decorating the restaurant. “She’s just given me everything she has, love and time,” Vinette told Business Debut.

He also said the restaurant reflects the support of his entire family. Vinette credited relatives who stood by him through long nights and difficult years, adding that this milestone would not have been possible without them.

Community Connection

Vinette said the large outdoor space will allow the restaurant to host community-focused events, including farmers markets, cookoffs, classic car days, and vendor pop-ups. “I want it to be a place where people can come together,” he told Business Debut.

Opening Timeline

Vinette said he is targeting a mid February opening, with late February or early March as possible alternatives as final preparations are completed.

Hours

Coastal Cajun Cuisine plans to open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Monday through Thursday will include late-night service until 2:30 a.m., with live music planned after 10 p.m.

Weekend breakfast and brunch are expected to roll out gradually, starting with Friday and Saturday, featuring items like bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys.