Whether you are heading to the Alabama Beaches for summer fun or off-season relaxation, there are some Orange Beach and Gulf Shores restaurants that just shouldn't be skipped.
Breakfast? Date Night? Sweet Tooth? Whatever you desire, we have you covered next time you head to the Alabama Gulf Coast of things we learned from our vacation.
There wasn't time for Sue and I to visit ALL the Gulf Shores restaurants, as well as all the Orange Beach restaurants during our visits. But we did amass a great checklist of top picks from the greater community that we'll be working down on subsequent trips. We'll start with the local favorites, then we'll tell you our top picks.
We mentioned on Facebook this was our first visit to the the Alabama beaches and holy cow did the community come through with suggestions for the best Gulf Shores restaurants, as well as the best places to eat in Orange Beach. We boiled it down to these favorites.
It's not just us! Here are some more ideas from another Gulf Shores foodie!
Read More: Gulf Shores Restaurants You Need To Try
Looking for a unique Orange Beach foodie experience on the water? Try the Bushwacker/Restaurant Tour! This tour focuses on everything bushwacker, a cocktail invented in the Virgin Islands in 1975 that is similar to a creamy, chocolate piña colada. On this tour, explore the peaceful and meandering waterways of Orange Beach, Alabama as you visit multiple locations to try out this signature drink and various food specials. So, sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty of Alabama's Gulf Coast with this Private Bushwacker and Restaurant Cruise. Book yours today!
We at 365 Atlanta Traveler have only skimmed the surface of the best restaurants in Gulf Shores AL and the best restaurants in Orange Beach, AL - which is why we looked to our FB audience to help us with this post.
However, based on our experience, here are our picks (subject to change with future visits) of 11 must-visit eateries on the gorgeous white sands of the Gulf, plus a foodie festival you MUST add to your bucket list!
Let me be honest - I was nervous about going to LuLu's Gulf Shores. I was sure it was just a tourist trap. I mean, everyone always mentions it, right? But OMG! It was so fun and amazing - and filled with locals - and they had delicious food. So don't skip this dining destination. It lives up to the hype.
We visited off-season, so there was not a crowd. We did notice that there were plenty of things to do if you find yourself waiting in line - games outside (like rings and cornhole,) a gift shop, photo ops, spike ball and plenty of space to roam with a drink while you wait for a table.
We also enjoyed live music on our visit. Though we were near the band, the noise level was perfect (and the band was super)!
Start with the smoked tuna dip, served with crackers. It's delicious.
Kid's meals are only $8 - both boys went for the burger and give it a thumbs up when paired with the fries. Fish, chicken, and other options are also available.
I picked the shrimp and grits - two servers told me it was their favorite selection, and now I know why! Besides the shrimp, this dish includes bites of andouille sausage with a tasso ham gravy served over gouda grits. YUM!
For those who aren't aware, Lucy (aka LuLu) is Jimmy Buffet's sister.so we couldn't visit without having a margarita!!
I highly recommend a stop here when you visit Orange Beach. I'm so glad we did it!
Flora Bama is technically a restaurant near Orange Beach, BUT it's an institution, so I included it. Everyone has to go at least once (or if you are with my husband, numerous times).
Listen to bands. Watch people play volleyball on the beach. Enjoy the famous Bushwacker. (You'll see those a lot at ALL the Orange Beach and Gulf Shores restaurants.) And just so you know what you're getting into, the place looks like it's held together with plywood and duct tape. Before 9 p.m. you'll see lots of kids in here too.
The Gulf is another great place to hang out, but it couldn't be more different than the Flora Bama. There are two kitchens on either side of this quick serve Orange Beach restaurant made from shipping containers.
One is a taco bar, the other offers chef selections. There is a cute shop and two bars in-between. But the real star of the show is the dining room, which is completely outside on the beach. Kids and adults never tire of seeing the boats coming through the channel. This is classic Orange Beach dining.
The Ruby Slipper Cafe is known for its amazing breakfasts and brunches. This restaurant hails from NOLA and you can tell that in the menu.there's a bit of creole in almost every selection.
There are plenty of things to grab from this breakfast menu - The Costa Rican (black beans & rice over a tomato salsa, two eggs and spicy chorizo sausage) or the Bananas Foster, maybe the Louisiana omelet or a Creole Reuben.but for me, the piece la resistance were the Benedicts.
There are nine Benedicts to choose from, featuring shrimp, pork, corned beef, chicken, salmon.but if you're indecisive like us, then get the Peacemaker. It allows you to mix and match two of any of the selections.
Pictured above are the Eggs Cochon (slow-cooked, apple-braised pork) and the Chicken St Charles (fried chicken breast finished with a pork tasso cream sauce). Both were mouth-watering, but the crispy crust and juicy cut of the chicken was my favorite. And tasso cream over a poached egg may be my newest vice. WOW!
The Bloody Mary here was the best one I found on our visit. Maybe it was their award-winning mix, or maybe it was the bacon-infused vodka. Either way, I will return to The Ruby Slipper again and again.
Oh! And bring the kids. Our little ones adored the Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Batons, which were stacked like Jenga pieces high on their plate!
The Southern Grind at The Wharf is a funky coffee shop that has two locations in Orange Beach, one located in The Wharf and the other in the Hotel Indigo.
We visited the Wharf location. Leave time to shop before or after your meal. I came away with the need for a necklace and a painting. If only I could have gotten the painting in the car for the way home.
But I digress, we're here to talk about the food. I ordered a standard breakfast biscuit with fluffy eggs, crispy bacon, smothered in cheese on a true southern biscuit - because why would you choose the 'other' bread?
It was delicious, but I had a bit of entree envy after I saw what my companions ordered! One ordered an vegetarian Garden Omelet with fresh baby spinach, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers and cheddar cheese with a side of salsa. It was a delicious-looking dish!
The other ordered a breakfast that's perfect for vacation - a Belgian waffle with strawberries & cream. The strawberries and the raspberry drizzle made it pretty and then there was some totally healthy fruit, too! Ha!
Looking for something quick? Try City Donut for both over-the-top and standard yeast and cake donuts. Go early though, there are no pre-made donuts here. They're all are baked fresh each morning, and when they're gone, they're gone!
We ditched the kids one night to enjoy some time alone, with a date night dinner at this romantic escape within the Perdido Beach Resort. No, we weren't staying here.that isn't necessary for a visit to Voyagers.
Be sure to make a reservation and plan for an unhurried, two-hour culinary vacation. This quiet retreat tucked in a popular beach resort can 'sit at the table' with James Beard award-winning restaurants in any large city. The food was top-notch; the service was high class; the wine list selection was impeccable, and the view was gorgeous.
Start with the oysters.I enjoyed the Rockefellers with Swiss chard, but my favorite were the Bienville, which included shrimp and crab, covered in a savory mornay sauce.
Seafood not your thing? The charcuterie board is also a smart selection, with local cheese and meats. We especially enjoyed the accompanying chutneys and sauces.
Main selections include meats, chicken and seafood. From the red meat category, Hubby went with the Veal Short Rib, which had been braised in red wine for several days. Divine.
I couldn't be at the beach without taking advantage of the seafood, so I selected the Swordfish, which was caramelized with root veggies and sitting on a beautiful wedge of ham and polenta gratin. It was so rich and juicy.so delicious.
And don't skip dessert. You'll be full - it's a ton of amazing food - but take a moment, enjoy a cup of coffee, and then order that dessert. Imagine the "9 Layers of Chocolate," which features chocolate cookie crust, coffee mousse, white, milk, and dark chocolate mousses, coffee toffee crunch, dark chocolate glaze, milk chocolate gelato, and dulcey mocha sauce! Or bread pudding with caramelized apples and a white chocolate bourbon custard. Mmmmm.
When your coffee is gone and you've eaten the last bite of chocolate, don't miss the opportunity to pop out onto the beach and enjoy the full moon over the Gulf.
I knew I was going to like Brick & Spoon when I pulled up and the sign read, "Bloody Mary. Because adulting is hard."
Then inside, when the waitress handed me a Build Your Own Bloody Mary Menu.well, that's when I fell in love. Pick your vodka, pick the heat level, add veggies, meats, and all the garnishments your heart desires.
And she's not just a pretty face.that drink was pure joy. Delicious! Best part? This isn't Georgia, so we enjoyed this beauty on a Sunday morning well before 12:30! There are no Sunday liquor laws here.
As for the food.also great. I enjoyed my American Breakfast with eggs, bacon, etc.but I coveted hubby's selection. He picked the Breakfast Taco, and wow, I still have dreams about those!
The shell isn't a typical crispy corn wrapper - it's a light, flaky wonton shell, filled with chorizo eggs and cheddar jack cheese - with a perfect mango salsa. Oh my!
You'll notice a nod to New Orleans here, much like The Red Slipper, so it was no surprise to see beignets on the menu.something my boys noticed immediately. And devoured!
Be sure to practice beach safety after enjoying these tasty treats!
Let's start with the need-to-know about The Yard Milkshake Bar. You're going to have to stand in line for a while.and then wait for your dessert for a while.even in the off-season.
It will be worth every minute.
Bring a game for the kids. Maybe a card game or some coloring books. But don't use that as an excuse not to go.
When you do finally make it near the front of the line, you'll mark your order on a menu using a wax pencil.picking your ice cream flavors, toppings, cookie dough selections, and more.
Or you can do what we did and pick a pre-compiled selection.
We opted for the Caramel Cheesecake Cookie Monster. It's Salted Caramel ice cream topped with whipped cream, a slice of New York Cheesecake and caramel drizzle. Oh - plus there is a chocolate icing dipped along the top of the souvenir jar that you get to bring home with you.
One hour in line.15 minutes for four of us to guzzle this masterpiece.
And yes, I'd do it again.
The Hangout Oyster Cook-Off & Craft Beer Weekend is an annual festival that allows chefs from around the Southeast to show off their talents with oysters and Bloody Marys.
Chefs compete for the best recipes in the categories of Rockefeller, Gulf Coast Cajun, and Raw Oysters.and the best part? We were able to sample everything! Tasting tickets were $1 each, and a single ticket allowed you to sample the oysters, organized in booths outside of The Hangout. There are cheap and free things to do!
We didn't make it to Friday night's festivities, which also included dozens of micro-brews, with unlimited tastings and live music. But we DID enjoy sampling wares from the Bloody Mary Invitational. WOW!!
There was also a raw bar, a shucking contest, and plenty of other food and fun happening inside The Hangout. We also really enjoyed the Cooking Demos from famous local and TV chefs.
Truth time. This was SUPPOSED to be a date night weekend for me and hubby, but we had some logistical issues at the last minute. It wasn't really an issue. Kids are free.and while there are no "kid" activities, it's pretty family friendly. They don't eat oysters, but they just played a little Pokemon Go and ate gelato while we sampled the good stuff.
My friend Tamara has a few more ideas: check them out here.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in Alabama are best known for their amazing seafood! Grilled shrimp, fresh fish, and southern favorites are all popular in the area.
You can absolutely swim in the ocean at Gulf Shores. Many public beaches in the area have lifeguards in the summer months.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are definitely worth a visit! You'll find so many great things to do here u002du002d including water activities, family-friendly adventures, and of course.amazing restaurants!
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