The Ultimate Guide to Restaurants and Places to Eat in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Alabama

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Alabama are known for fresh, delicious seafood but there are also plenty of other great food choices as well.  Eating out during the summer and busy tourist season can mean traffic jams and long waits at many of the most popular spots – usually an hour, but I have seen 2 hour waits as well.  Consider going early or late for less of a wait or choose a spot a little off of the main drag.  Please see the individual websites to see if you can get on the list from home.  Not many take official reservations but some of our date night choices might.  Regardless of your eating style, you will be sure to find good food in both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

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Best Restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on Vacation

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach both have several restaurants that are set up to not only feed you a good meal but also offer some entertainment. Many of the newer restaurants have outdoor activity areas while you wait and make dining out an experience.

LuLu’s: Lulu’s original location was a tiny little raised cottage in Week’s Bay where everyone once in a while word would spread that LuLu Buffet’s famous brother was visiting and locals would jump in the car and speed over. Today’s Lulu’s in Gulf Shores is part amusement park and part waterfront restaurant. Lulu’s commonly has music, an outdoor bar and play area, ropes course, and souvenir store.  At times the wait can be 2 hours but Lulu’s now offers an on-line check in. I still recommend arriving early and enjoying some of the activities.  The food is typical of the area with several options including seafood, burgers, salad and several other specialties.  Although the food is good, you go to  LuLu’s for the experience.

The Hangout: The Hangout is located at the public beach area of Gulf Shores at the end of hwy 59 where it runs into the beach road.  This is another restaurant turned entertainment complex. The food is decent but the atmosphere is a lot of fun. Visit the Hangout for a lunch break when playing at the public beach or go later to take advantage of many of the activities.  Check out the event page you will find specific activities for kids and adults including live music and pirate and princess activities. For kids there are foam parties and a huge sand pit to play in.

Tacky Jacks: The original Tacky Jacks is in Orange Beach overlooking Cotton Bayou.  This location was the place to go to pull the boat up and get some food – especially for Sunday morning brunch after a long tough weekend of being anchored at a random island somewhere.. It still is popular with local boaters but can be pretty busy in the summer. The location in Gulf Shores hosts several fun activities including fun (and free) events for kids around lunch time certain days of the week.

GT’s on the Bay:  GT’s on the Bay is located in a more “local” area of Orange Beach on Wolf Bay.  GT’s has a relaxed atmosphere. Outdoors you can listen to music, play many of the large yard games, watch sail camp float by, and count the dolphins.  Inside there is a large aquarium where you can watch a small shark.  The relaxed atmosphere of this restaurant is a huge plus and the Cajun Empanadas are really good.

The Gulf: The Gulf is an outdoor beachfront restaurant made from shipping containers that offers yummy food that you can eat at tables with your feet in the sand.  If you just can’t get enough of Orange Beach’s beautiful beach but need to take a break to eat, this is your place

Picnic Beach:  This fun themed restaurant is about a block from the public beach and brings your picnic inside.  The menu features smoothies and BBQ.  The jackfruit bbq is amazing but too spicy for kids.  There are not as many choices for fast items and kid friendly items as would be expected with this theme and food, at times, is not quick. 

Where the Locals eat in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

• Kitty’s Kafe: Kitty’s Kafe is probably the local favorite restaurant in town.  Lunch menus are simple and quick with many great choices. The staff is super friendly. Lunch can get busy so come early or late.  Actually – skip this one, I kind of like knowing most of the people at the restaurant and I don’t enjoy waiting 

• Amelia’s: Amelia’s Deli in Gulf Shores main business is catering but it’s also a fabulous place to get a low stress and yummy lunch.  The menu is mostly sandwiches and salads.  It’s no frills but super yummy.  Save room for desert – they always have something great on the countertop.  

• DeSota’s:  DeSota’s is a local hotspot about 2 blocks from the public beach. It has fabulous lunch specials – try the broiled flounder, it’s so good.  Lunches come with the best fresh bread and fee tea

• Mikee’s: Mikee’s has been a local staple for many years and still has pretty much the same menu. The food is good. The fried shrimp is probably some of the best on the island.  Gumbo is always great and the sides, appetizers and deserts are super yummy.  My favorites are the buffalo chicken, cheese sticks, lightly blackened fish of the day (especially triggerfish) and  peanut butter pie …. Just fabulous (and probably enough calories to blow any diet).

• El Toro:  El Toro Mexican Restaurant is where the locals go when we want low stress, delicious Mexican Food. 

• Cactus Cantina Mexican Grill: Cactus Cantina (especially the one on canal road) is the place to go for Mexican food in Orange Beach.  It’s tasty and generally easy to get in and out.

• King Neptunes: King Neptunes, located across Hwy 59 from Waterville is another popular local stop for good, low stress food.The atmosphere is very relaxed and the food is very good.

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Best Family Friendly Restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are both very family friendly vacation destinations.  Both also offer many choices for family friendly dining options.  When choosing a family friendly restaurant a few things are important.

1. Small or no wait
2. Things to do if there is a wait
3. Simple menus for kids with healthy options, all fried food menus are out
4. Affordability
5. Tables where the kids can wiggle and not break anything
6. Quickness, having restless kids while waiting for food or the check is not fun.

Family Friendly Restaurants to try in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach include:

• The Fun Ones:  GT’s, The Hangout, Lulu’s,The Gulf, and Tacky Jacks
• The low key and fast ones: El Toros, Kitty’s Kafe, DeSoto’s, Nikki’s Seafood and Thai, Aji Sai
• or may be a Diner, there are 3: Sunliner Diner, Gulf Shores Diner and The Ugly Diner
• Most other restaurants would be very good for kids but in the off season or for lunch.  Some have such a long wait for dinner that eating out with kids in the summer is not very much fun

Waterfront and Beachfront Restaurants and Bars in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Do you enjoy your food more with a view? There are numerous choices for waterfront dining in both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

• The Gulf: Can’t get anymore beachfront than The Gulf.  Put your feet in the sand while a burger is in your hand.

• The Anchor Bar and Grill: Back bay restaurant and bar with a simple menu paired with a fabulous view.

• Flora Bama Ole River Grill:  This fun beach restaurant is across from the famous Flora Bama Bar and is a fun place to get good food and enjoy the atmosphere.  My favorite time to visit? Just after a Flora Bama church service Sunday morning.

• Bahama Bob’s Beachside Cafe:  Beachside dining in West Beach of Gulf Shores with good food and beautiful views. 

• GT’s on the Bay: Family friendly, fun and on the water … win,  win, win

• Pink Pony Pub: Beachfront restaurant and bar in the public beach area of Gulf Shores. Serves food and drinks until late and just drinks even later.

• Sea and Suds: This classic Gulf Shores restaurant is over the water just east of the public beach in Gulf Shores. If you were any more waterfront, you would be on a boat.

Best Places to Eat for a Date Night in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach may be known for their delicious local seafood that most budgets can afford but they both also have outstanding choices for fine dining.  If your dining budget has some extra room and you’re craving a date night away from the kids these popular fine dining restaurants offer an exceptional experience with outstanding food.  Most also have nice wine lists and take reservations. 

• Fishers Upstairs: Upscale fine dining restaurant located in Orange Beach Marina perfect for a special occasion night. If you’re looking for a more low key off the boat experience then just go downstairs to Dockside.

• Louisiana Lagniappe: High end food based on a Louisiana theme in SanRoc Cay, Orange Beach.

• Sunset Cork Room: Described as a wine bar with casual fine dining in a quieter area of town.  Reservations accepted and the food sounds amazing.

• Voyagers: Beachfront views with fine dining food and relaxing atmosphere. 

Best Places to Eat Seafood  in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores – Classic Beach Town Food

• Mikee’s: Great seafood and a Gulf Shores staple

• The Original Oyster House: Located just a little north of the public beach area in Gulf Shores, the Original Oyster House has great classic seafood in a beautiful setting. 

• Gulf Shores Steamer: If fried seafood is not your thing, then try is steamed

• Doc’s Seafood: Located on Canal Road in Orange Beach, this seafood restaurant has great seafood but what I really like is making my own cocktail sauce.  

• Shrimp Basket: Simple, good and mostly fried (but have added other options as well)

• King Neptunes: More classic Gulf Shores good seafood

• DeSoto’s:  One of my favorite Gulf Shores lunch spots

Best Seafood Restaurants in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores with a Twist

• Big Fish – Locally owned with delicious Seafood, Sushi, Steaks and Pasta

• Acme – Specializing in Cajan foods and Oysters, don’t forget the Bloody Mary

• Playa – Casual atmosphere featuring seafood, steak and tacos

• Cobalt – Coastal Cuisine overlooking Perdido Key Pass.  Indoor and outdoor dining is available.

• Cosmos – Canal road area of Orange Beach serving “fresh & eclectic” food

• Ginny Lane – The Warf. Good food in a low key atmosphere. Take out family meals available.

Best Places to Eat Steak in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Generally most people don’t tend to travel to the beach to eat steak.  However, if you are craving a previously land roaming meal, there are several great choices. Many of the predominantly seafood restaurants do have fabulous steak options but the restaurants best known for steak are:

• Cottons: Long term local restaurant in Gulf Shores, serving high quality food since 1985

• Tin Top: It’s a drive and in the middle of nowhere but the steaks are absolutely delicious.

• Carvers Steak House: Newer restaurant on the beach side of hwy 161 and beach road

• Big Mike’s Steakhouse: Canal Road in Orange Beach, near hwy 161, smell pretty good from street

Best Italian Food and Pizza in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

• Villaggo Grill:  Described as Italian Fusion. Family meals available.  Located in the Warf

• Tuscany Pizza and Grill:  Pelican Place, Delicious Italian meals and pizza

• Crico’s Pizza and Subs:  Locally owned local pizza shop

•  Papa Rocos:  The motto is Warm Beer, lousy pizza … wait, what?  It actually is really good

Best Asian Food in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

• Niki’s Seafood and Thai:  Small unassuming building canal road. Great food friendly staff

• Aji Sai: Pelican Place area of Gulf Shores.  Yummy food – good prices and the staff is always so nice.

Best Mexican Food in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Cactus Cantina and El Toro are my favorites for Mexican Food in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.  Both offer delicious food that is generally quick and affordable.  El Toro is more laid back and simple.  It has more traditional Mexican foods where Cactus Cantina is more Americanized.   We love El Toro for a low stress, kid friendly quick place to eat after very busy days and activities.

Best Quick Bites in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach don’t have many fast-casual options.  It’s generally a full meal, fast food, or subway.

Chronic Tacos: Fast casual tacos that are super yummy in Gulf Shores

Best Place to have Food Thrown at you … in Foley

This one goes to Lamberts Cafe.  It’s a large fun restaurant with huge servings of Southern Food.  Food is passed around and handed out on napkins at times and rolls are thrown.  It’s an experience.  Go for lunch or off hours or you will be waiting awhile.

Best Lunches in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

• Kitty’s Kafe: Wonderful lunch menu, quick and welcoming staff

• El Toro: Mexican food, fast and great prices

• DeSota: One of the best lunch menus in town, free rolls and tea

• King Neptunes: Good local seafood 

• Aji Sai: Sushi  and Bento boxes, super friendly staff

• Amelia’s: Sandwiches and delicious cake

• Mikee’s:  I really enjoy Mikee’s for lunch, less wait, same good food, and cheaper menu

• Ginny Lane’s: Simple and good food at the Warf

• Southern Grind: Cafe food and sandwiches

The Best Breakfast in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores

From classic Gulf Shores and Orange Beach staples like Hazel’s Nook with it’s breakfast buffet to new spins on breakfast like Ruby Slipper Cafe.  There are many delicious choices for breakfast and brunch on the island including:

• Ruby Slipper Cafe: Brunch with a New Orleans Twist

• Brick and Spoon: High quality southern breakfasts with flair and atmosphere

• Hazels Nook: Classic Gulf Shores and Orange Beach with breakfast buffets

• Island Pancake House: In Best Western, traditional pancake house style options

Plus Many of the already mentioned restaurants have excellent breakfast menus as well: Kitty’s Kafe, Southern Grind, Sassy Bass, The Ugly Diner, Gulf Shores Diner, Ginny Lane

The Best Brewery in Gulf Shores

There’s just one Big Beach Brewery in Gulf Shores.  A relaxing and low key place to enjoy a local brew. Check out their website for entertainment schedules.

Bars and Music – Best places to Hang Out

Many of the local restaurants will often have live music but some get busier at night. Some of the local bars include:

• Flora-Bama – A must see if you’ve never been to the Gulf Coast.  The Flora Bama is an event

• Papa Roccos – Pizza, beer and live music 

• The Cove – More of a locals hang out with pool and foosball. 

• Live Bait – Restaurant during the day, music at night

• Pink Pony – Beachfront bar with live music at night

The Best Desserts in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

The Yard: The Yard is a “milk shake bar” that makes the craziest milk-shake and ice cream inventions.  It’s always busy – plan for a long wait.

Other more traditional Ice Cream and Yogurt shops: TCBY, Scoops, Sweet Cone Alabama, and Kilwin’s

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach both offer so many delicious choices for a wide variety of food.  You definitely won’t starve and you may find yourself some wonderful culinary treats.  

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