Bite into fresh seafood caught along the Alabama Gulf Coast, enjoy made-from-scratch desserts while listening to live music, and sip cocktails as the sun sets over the lapping waves at Gulf Shores Beach…and that’s only dinner! Between playing at attractions, soaking up the sun, and kicking back in a boat, eat all you can at the best restaurants in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Our top 7 must-try Gulf Shores restaurants offer popular seafood dishes from the South — including po’ boys, country boils, and gumbos — outdoor seating, casual bars, ocean views, and fun things to do. Add to your romantic retreat, family vacation, or getaway with friends with a memorable Gulf Shores dining experience.
What are the most popular types of food at Gulf Shores restaurants? Wow your tastebuds with a mix of Southern, Cajun, and Creole — serving up delicious twists with Gulf Coast seafood, exotic meats, and local produce!
1. Lulu’s Gulf Shores | Fun for the Whole Family
Featuring a fun and funky atmosphere with a sandy place to dine and play among the palm trees, toe-tapping music performed live, and authentic coastal recipes by Lucy Buffett, Lulu’s Gulf Shores is a top place to eat in Gulf Shores for many reasons. Along with fun things to do, the menu is packed with flavorful combinations and offers gluten-free appetizers, too.
For more fun, check out seasonal events for all ages, get snapshots drawn by a caricature artist, challenge the ropes course, play at the beach arcade, and get Henna tattoos at the body art and braid bar! And don’t forget to bring home a few souvenirs from your memorable time at Lulu’s Store.
Menu Favorites
- Fresh fried blue crab claws
- Crazy Sista’s crab dip in cast iron
- Seafood gumbo with hand-stirred roux
- Blackened seasonal snapper
- Shrimp & grits with andouille sausage
- Corn & cheddar hushpuppies
- Pulled pork sandwich with Lulu’s lightning BBQ sauce!
Hours
Mon-Sun | 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location
200 East 25th Avenue
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Contact
251.967.5858
2. The Hangout | Lively Dining with Beach Access
Looking for one of the best restaurants in Gulf Shores, AL? The Hangout Gulf Shores offers more than a casual, fun dining experience. This family-friendly restaurant uses fresh local ingredients plus seasonal seafood pulled from the Gulf Coast waters and offers a variety of attractions to keep your group entertained.
At this Gulf Shores eatery, you can enjoy live music every weekend, grab drinks at the outdoor bar, walk straight onto the beach, and chat around the firepit between meals. Sometimes, the servers will dress up as pirates and boogie between tables. And there’s a courtyard with a foam pit, a giant sand pile, shopping, games, and more!
Menu Favorites
- Fried calamari with homemade Shaka sauce
- Chicken & sausage gumbo
- Ultimate seafood boil: snow crab, gulf shrimp & mussels
- Alabama Wagyu burger from sustainable farm
- Snapper po’ boy with chipotle aioli
- Hot dog sliders for the kids
- Southern Mai Tai for the adults
Hours
Sun-Thu | 10:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat | 10:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Location
101 East Beach Boulevard
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Contact
251.948.3030
3. Original Oyster House Boardwalk | Scenic Waterfront Views
Known for its phenomenal seafood and Southern hospitality, the Original Oyster House of Gulf Shores was established in 1983 and still serves some of the best seafood along the Alabama coastline. Waterfront views offer a peaceful atmosphere with every bite, and you’ll find shops to explore along the boardwalk.
At this Gulf Shores oyster bar, there’s a fresh salad bar daily, a full bar with handcrafted cocktails, plus gluten-free dishes on the menu. For kids, there’s a special menu just for them, and parents will appreciate the playground to get out their wiggles before leaving. Military Mondays offer special discounts, and there’s oyster shell recycling, too!
Menu Favorites
- Fried crawfish tails with gator sauce
- Natchitoches crawfish pies with creamy rémoulade
- Raw oysters on the half shell
- Southern fried flounder & cheddar cheese grits
- Grilled ahi tuna with herb butter & fried shrimp
- Crab-stuffed flounder with hollandaise
- Homemade bread pudding
Hours
Mon-Sun | 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (9:00 p.m. during winter)
Location
701 Gulf Shores Parkway
Gulf Shores, Alabama 36542
Contact
251.948.2446
4. Sea-N-Suds | Beachfront Dining on Deck
Another best Gulf Shores eatery has to be Sea-N-Suds! Family owned since 1975, this restaurant on the beach boasts gorgeous views of the pearl-white sand, crashing waves, and endless sea. Delightfully fresh seafood fried to perfection is served daily mere feet from the Gulf of Mexico, and all-you-can-eat mullet is offered on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Favorites at Sea-N-Suds include a 200-year-old gumbo recipe and freshly caught oysters. Add veggies to your meal from the salad bar, and stop by the gift shop filled with beachy souvenirs before you head out. Come enjoy relaxing beachfront dining with friends and family on your Gulf Shores getaway.
Menu Favorites
- Buffalo fried shrimp sandwich
- Fried crab claws
- Battered & fried fish of the day
- Spicy honey garlic chicken wings
- Steamed shrimp by the pound
- In-shell royal reds with butter
- Fried cod sandwich on sesame bun
Hours
Sun-Mon | Closed
Tues-Sat | 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location
409 East Beach Boulevard
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Contact
251.948.7894
5. Tacky Jacks | Casual Bar & Grill with Water Views
Nestled on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Tacky Jacks is a fun place where locals love to eat and hang out together. Offering indoor and outdoor dining with water views and a bright atmosphere, this Gulf Shores bar & grill is a great pick for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner any day of the week.
Listen to live music and sing at karaoke nights. Order a specialty cocktail at the outdoor bar— their bushwhackers (frozen booze) are the best! Let the kiddos have fun in the sandy play area. And pick up gifts from the souvenir shop. You’ll also find varied menus at Tacky Jacks in Orange Beach and Fort Morgan.
Menu Favorites
- Crispy pork shank on the bone
- Blackened gator tail
- Grilled gulf grouper on a brioche bun
- Shrimp wrap with firecracker sauce
- Flaky fish tacos with secret sauce
- Crab cake dinner with Cajun rémoulade
- Grilled ribeye with a baked potato
Hours
Sun-Thu | 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat | 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Location
240 East 24th Avenue
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Contact
251.948.8881
6. Bahama Bob’s | Beachside Cafe with Island Vibes
Get a taste of the Bahamas at Bahama Bob’s Beach Side Cafe in Gulf Shores, AL! After a near-death experience on a sailboat, Bob anchored in an island paradise that eventually sparked the idea for a laid-back eatery on West Beach. Fruity cocktails and delicious seafood with scenic beach views? Island life sure is relaxing!
Menu Favorites
- Bimini-style steamed shrimp with island spices
- Spicy Cajun crawfish tails with zesty sauce
- Golden scallops fried just right
- Char-grilled Nassau white fish
- Fried pecan flounder with French fries
- Grilled big kahuna steak
- 1-3 pounds of steamed crab legs!
Hours
Sun-Thu | 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat | 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Location
601 West Beach Boulevard,
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Contact
251.948.2100
7. Sunset Cork Room | Wine Bar & Casual Fine Dining
One of the best Gulf Shores restaurants has to be the Sunset Cork Room — an award-winning wine bar off the beaten path. It’s a great bistro to escape normal beach fare and enjoy a quieter evening with family and friends. Plus, their wine-pairing events are worth noting — serving exceptional wines from around the world.
Along with wonderful entrees to pair with a glass of rosé, pinot grigio, chardonnay, red blend, sauvignon blanc, merlot, or zinfandel, enjoy out-of-this-world desserts. This dinner-only restaurant in Gulf Shores even offers $3 house wine on Tuesdays! Private parties are welcome, live music is sometimes offered, and reservations are recommended.
Menu Favorites
- Portabella mushroom & spinach quiche
- Cheese plate with artisan jams
- Calamari with marinara
- Watercress & poached pear salad
- Fairhope chowder with andouille & potato
- Beef burgundy with mushroom & linguini
- New Zealand lamb “lollipops”
Hours
Sun-Mon | Closed
Tues-Sat | 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location
225 East 16th Avenue
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Contact
251.967.4773
Bonus Gulf Shores Restaurants Worth Trying
While we’ve narrowed down our top 7 eateries in Gulf Shores, there are so many more seafood restaurants, aromatic cafes, and sports bars worth your time and tastebuds along the Alabama Gulf Coast. So, here are some of our honorable mentions you might spot that we recommend giving a shot!
- Cobalt, The Restaurant
- De Soto’s Seafood Kitchen
- Fisher’s Upstairs
- Fish River Grill
- Flying Harpoon
- Kitty’s Kafe
- Papa Rocco’s
- Sassy Bass Amazin’ Grill
- The Beach House Kitchen & Cocktails
- The Sugar Shack & Cafe
- Villaggio Grille at The Wharf
Breezy Alabama Beach Rentals
Come to the Alabama Gulf Coast for mouthwatering seafood and stay along the beach with family and friends. At Alabama CFY, we have beachfront vacation rentals — houses and condos — near fun attractions, amazing entertainment, outdoor activities in the Gulf State Park, and some of the best restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Plus, you’ll have relaxing amenities, including resort swimming pools, beach access, balconies with ocean views, big screen TVs, and plush king suites…for starters.
Book your relaxing beach vacation today and enjoy unique dining experiences in Gulf Shores!
