Gulf Shores, a resort city known for its white sand beaches, takes pride in its waters and cuisine.
It doesn’t matter what food you want to eat; Gulf Shores has a place for you to satisfy that craving.
So if you want the best dining experience, this guide will help you find the best Gulf Shores restaurants.
21 Gulf Shore Best Restaurants to Fill Your Stomach
Gulf Shores doesn’t run short on the list of restaurants with absolutely delicious fusion, homemade, and original dishes.
These local restaurants can be your favorite, too, once you have tried their bestsellers and hidden gems.
The Hangout
The Hangout is a famous dining spot in Gulf Shores that gives live entertainment, delicious food, and a memorable experience.
It is a full-service dining area with beach access, a foam pit, a shopping area, a play area, and more.
They have many dishes on their menu, like burgers, salads, sandwiches, appetizers, po’ boys, sides, and Gulf Shores’ favorites.
But the natural charm of The Hangout is in their live music, where they host a music festival every May.
Visit: 101 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-948-3030
Bahama Bob’s Beach Side Cafe
Bahama Bob’s Beach Side Cafe is a casual beach dining that offers Gulf Shores’ best comfort and beach food.
The dishes they serve include gumbo, popcorn shrimp, mushrooms, stuffed jalapenos, crawfish, scallops, oysters, and more seafood.
You can also try their specialties, like pecan-crusted whitefish filets, hand-cut steak, po’boys, burgers, and chicken fingers.
To finish your meal properly, you can order their milkshakes, floats, key lime pie, New York cheesecake, cocktails, beer, and wine.
Visit: 601 W Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-948-2100
Tacky Jacks
Tacky Jacks in Gulf Shores is this restaurant’s newest branch that offers beachgoers a complete dining experience.
They are open from breakfast to dinner, so you never run out of dishes to try when you visit their restaurant.
Their menu includes seafood, steak, burgers, salads, appetizers, omelets, chicken, desserts, and their famous Bushwacker.
The place is never quiet with its entertaining live music, karaoke, open mic, and bingo activities.
Visit: 240 E 24th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-948-8881
De Soto’s Seafood Kitchen
De Soto’s Seafood Kitchen is an award-winning restaurant that many families from Alabama enjoy.
Their lunch specials will keep you wanting more with their fresh seafood, steak, sandwiches, chicken, burgers, and freshly baked rolls.
You can choose from their appetizers and seafood favorites for dinner, whether you like grilled, fried, steamed, broiled, blackened, or with Cajun sauce.
You can also try their chicken and pasta dishes with their Hawaiian Ribeye steak and excellent wine choices.
Visit: 138 W 1st Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-948-7294
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Sea N Suds
Sea N Suds is the original family-friendly restaurant in Gulf Shores since it opened in 1975.
Many people also love the restaurant because of the owners’ love for seafood, family tradition, and magnificent view.
You can try their famous and original seafood dishes, such as Shrimp sandwiches, Fried Crab Claws, and gumbo.
Their gumbo is mainly the owners’ grandmother’s recipe, a family tradition passed down to generations.
Visit: 405 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-948-7894
Island Wing Company
Island Wing Company will give you the time of your life with their mouth-watering food, refreshing drinks, and exciting atmosphere.
They have the perfect recipe for baked, steamed, and grilled favorites, including chicken wings and burgers.
Try their various drinks, such as draft beer, cocktails, and frozen drinks, while catching up with live music for a more laid-back vibe.
Visit: 3947 AL-59 Suite 100, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-970-1337
Hog Wild BBQ
If you are craving Southern BBQ, Hog Wild BBQ brings in their slow-smoked meat with homemade sauces.
They have everything you could think of regarding barbecues, from ribs, pulled pork, smoked chicken, and sandwiches.
But it would be best to taste their specialty dish, The Nasty G BBQ Sandwich, which has chopped ribs, shrimp, chicken, pork, white BBQ sauce, and coleslaw.
They also have an allergy and gluten-free menu for people who follow a specific diet and a children’s menu for the kids.
Visit: 911 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-540-9453
LuLu’s Buffett
LuLu’s Buffet makes their menu options from scratch before serving them to their buffet, which people of all ages can enjoy.
They have different seafood dishes like fish tacos and an allergy menu, so there is something for everyone.
You don’t only get a mouthful of delicious food in LuLu’s because they have a lot of entertaining activities to try.
They have live music, rope courses, a beach arcade, a caricature artist, hair wrap, and henna for a great beach time.
Visit: 200 E 25th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-967-5858
Original Oyster House Boardwalk
Original Oyster House Boardwalk offers a variety of seafood options, steaks, pasta, chicken, and salads.
All their menu items are fresh and flavorful, with the right amount of spices and sauces to complete your meal.
Their signature dishes include homemade seafood gumbo, gulf oysters, Blackened Mahi down on the Bayou, and more.
They also serve their signature and original bread and desserts like peanut butter-chocolate chip pie.
Visit: 701 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-948-2445
Fish River Grill
Fish River Grill is the best restaurant that serves burgers and fresh seafood in Baldwin County with its original dishes.
They serve cocktails, seafood, oysters, crawfish, gator, catfish, frog legs, and their famous Swamp Soup.
You can guarantee you get the authentic Southern flavor from the freshest seafood caught in the Gulf waters.
Visit: 1545 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-948-1110
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Cactus Cantina
Cactus Cantina brings an authentic Mexican taste to the Gulf Shores beach if you are craving some Mexican food.
It is an excellent restaurant for families who want a casual dining experience but want extraordinary Mexican dishes.
Their bestsellers are seafood tacos, nachos, salsa, cheese grits, and margaritas, which are great for meals.
You get large portions to share with your family for an affordable price, so you get the best service.
Visit: 3849 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-943-8115
Acme Oyster House
Acme Oyster House is originally from New Orleans but now serves its famous seafood dishes in Gulf Shores.
Their specialty dishes are different varieties of oysters which they carefully harvest from their private oyster beds.
You only get the best, juiciest, and plumpest oysters at their oyster bar with the best presentation.
They also serve other dishes like po’ boys, Cajun-Creole classics, gumbo, and authentic New Orleans seafood dishes.
Visit: 216 E 24th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-424-1783
Mikee’s Seafood
Mikee’s Seafood is a family-owned restaurant, one of the local’s favorite all-you-can-eat restaurants in Gulf Shores.
Its location across the beach gives you the perfect beach dining experience, along with its various food choices.
You can choose from seafood, beef, chicken, and pasta with a Southern flair and fresh from the waters.
They can also cook your fresh catch and serve it with hushpuppies, corn fritters, and plenty of side dishes.
Visit: 205 E 2nd Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-948-6452
Gulf Shores Diner
Gulf Shores Diner is an excellent place to go for your breakfast cravings, but they also have brunch and dinner.
Their affordable breakfast menu includes eggs, pancakes, French toast, omelets, and waffles.
They also have lunch and dinner choices like burgers, salads, sandwiches, desserts, and steaks that you will enjoy.
You also shouldn’t miss their Philly Cheesesteak as it is one of their menu’s best and tummy-filling dishes.
Visit: 3639 Gulf Shores Pkwy #4, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-948-0088
The Village Hideaway
The Village Hideaway features a wide selection of craft beers, wine selections, and cocktails while offering other entertainment activities.
Their famous dish is a made-to-order salad or wrap and pizza, where you can choose the toppings for your pizza.
They also have a seafood platter if you are craving some beach vibes that are best with their drinks.
You can enjoy watching a sports game with their 11 flat-screen TVs and playing golf with their HD simulator and arcade.
Their food items have packaging that makes it convenient for you to travel around when you explore the village.
Visit: 925 Beach Club Trail, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-224-3650
Related Reading: Top Places To Eat In Mobile – Click Here To Find Out.
Brookman’s Smokehouse
If smoked meat is your cup of tea, you can trust Brookman’s Smokehouse to deliver the best-smoked food in Gulf Shores.
They prepare everything from scratch, so you know you’ll get a consistently flavorful dish, whether it’s fish or meat.
Their specialties include smoked salmon and trout, smoked chicken, turkey breasts, pork butts, baby back ribs, and ribeyes.
However, you need to place your order a day in advance so they can make your custom order to perfection.
Visit: 1544 AL-59 Suite C, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-215-5332
Crico’s Pizza & Subs
Crico’s Pizza & Subs is a traditional pizza parlor that serves specialty pizzas made from the freshest ingredients.
They also have made-to-order salads, chicken wings, breadsticks, sandwiches, and dessert pizzas to accompany your meal.
But another great thing about this restaurant is its all-you-can-eat lunch buffet that features delicious meals.
Visit: 309 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-948-3100
King Neptune’s Seafood Restaurant
King Neptune’s Seafood Restaurant is a 25-year-old restaurant in Gulf Shores that is undeniably also one of the best.
Your seafood adventure begins from lunch to dinner with menu items like fried shrimp, po’boys, and more seafood.
Their bestseller is the royal red shrimp they catch from the Gulf of Mexico that makes it fresh.
You cannot miss their seafood delicacies, whether fried, grilled, or steamed, paired with desserts like bread pudding and beverages.
Visit: 1137 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-968-5464
Sunliner Diner
Sunliner Diner is a nice restaurant for that 1950s throwback, complete with its menu and interior design.
For a classic diner, they offer milkshakes, burgers, breakfast, and more dishes that will take you to that American culture.
Their diner has collector cars, a jukebox, newspaper menus, and more decorations that will bring you that retro vibes.
Visit: 100 E 2nd Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-937-6590
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Hazel’s Nook
If you can’t get enough of Gulf Shores’ breakfast dishes, Hazel’s Nook brings you their all-you-can-eat buffet.
You have many to choose from in their breakfast and lunch buffet; they never mess with the flavor and variety.
The restaurant will give you that retro feel with the checkered tablecloths and retro-themed design.
It is the best place to reminisce on good old times while eating their specialties that take you back in time.
Their buffet menu includes home-cooked meals so you can fill your tummy with your favorite comfort food.
Visit: 120 E Fort Morgan Rd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-968-7065
LongHorn Steakhouse
LongHorn Steakhouse has almost every steak dish you can think of alongside their appetizers and bar.
Their place is excellent for those who want access to the entertainment district and a place to chill.
They have crafted steaks with the best quality cuts and grill them to perfection, so it melts in your mouth.
Visit: 3810 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-967-3480
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12 Gulf Shores Sweets and Coffee Shops
A meal can never be complete without starting with a cup of coffee and ending with sweets.
In this section, you’ll look at some famous shops that serve coffee, breakfast, pastries, candies, and ice creams.
TCBY Frozen Yogurt and Mrs. Fields Cookies of Gulf Shores
TCBY is a yogurt shop that serves frozen sweets, drinks, ice cream cakes, and Mrs. Field’s cookies.
You will never get enough of their frozen yogurts and soft serve because you get to try 26 flavors.
They also have sorbets, sundaes, shakes, fruit smoothies, and shake malts to complete your sweet experience.
If you prefer dairy-free and nonfat, they also have frozen goods with chocolate almond, ruby red grapefruit, and orange sorbet flavor.
Visit: 1301 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-968-8229
Lickin Good Donuts
Lickin Good Donuts is the home of fresh and handmade donuts and delicious kolaches.
They make their donuts and kolaches from their kitchen, so you know it’s new, original, and flavorful.
Visit: 229 E 20th Ave #14, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-233-3968
Cafe Beignets of Alabama
Cafe Beignets is a local coffee shop from New Orleans that serves the fusion of New Orleans and French coffee.
They serve their famous beignets, deep-fried pastries from France, always fresh and hot.
The beignet has a crispy outer crust with a soft center filled with different fillings like vanilla pudding with chocolate syrup.
Visit: 200 W Fort Morgan Rd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-948-2311
Beach Girl Coffee
Beach Girl Coffee introduces its signature roast, serving hot to prepare you for a beautiful day.
Whether you are heading for work or another destination to visit, Beach Girl Coffee can awaken your taste buds.
All their drinks, whether cold, hot, blended, or child-friendly, are fresh according to your preference.
Visit: 3500 AL-59, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-948-0474
Foam Coffee
Foam Coffee is the first craft coffee shop in Gulf Shores that serves fresh and local roasted coffees.
They also have other grab-and-go drinks, smoothies, and lattes for those who want a quick fix.
You can also try their cold-pressed juices to refresh you while you pair them with their healthy snacks.
Visit: 313 E 22nd Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-948-0660
A Sweet Secret Bakery & Cafe
A Sweet Secret Bakery & Cafe makes the freshest and most comforting desserts, teas, and coffees.
For breakfast, they serve croissants, muffins, and scones which are all fresh-made and delicious.
Their products include brownies, lemon bars, pecan bars, devil dogs, gourmet espresso, magic bars, eclairs, and more desserts.
Visit: 1538 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-307-2014
Hope’s Cheesecake
Hope’s Cheesecake has been a Gulf Coast local favorite for over 20 years, serving gourmet desserts and pastries.
They serve the best cheesecakes, cupcakes, and other desserts, whether you want to enjoy them alone or for a party.
Their specialty gourmet cheesecakes have a unique crust made from Kraft Philadelphia cream cheese and the freshest ingredients.
You can choose from over 30 flavors of homemade cheesecakes and taste how good 30 years of baking experience can do.
Visit: 210 E 20th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-968-5858
FLAVR – Ice Cream Lab
FLAVR – Ice Cream Lab offers a fun and unique way to enjoy ice cream using nitrogen.
Kids and kids at heart can try a “scientific” way to eat ice creams by customizing your order.
First, you can choose your cream from their choices: dairy-free, regular, sorbet, and sugar-free.
Their ice cream sizes are available in kids, regular, cone, bowl, and large for sharing and solo eating.
Next, choose from their 21 ice cream or sorbet flavors like bubble gum, cookie dough, flavr of the week, s’mores, and more.
Visit: 1544 Gulf Shores Pkwy Suite B, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-200-5498
New Orleans Original Snoballs
New Orleans Original Snoballs brings their shaved ice to Gulf Shores to share their unique way of beating the heat.
Their flavors range from the usual fruity and standard strawberry and blue raspberry to unique flavors like king cake and bananas foster.
You can mix it with syrups and toppings like condensed milk to create your signature snowball.
Aside from their famous snoballs, they also serve snacks like nachos, Frito pies, burgers, hotdogs, and more.
Visit: 320 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Chocolate Corner & Ice Cream
Chocolate Corner & Ice Cream is a local ice cream business specializing in all chocolatey goodness.
Some of their best products include homemade chocolates, gourmet truffles, pecan caramel paws, and butter fudge.
But they also sell other sweets like frappuccinos, smoothies, lattes, sundaes, key lime pines, and many more.
They also offer a wide selection of Blue Bell ice cream that you can order in cones, cups, or shakes.
Visit: 200 W Fort Morgan Rd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-948-2462
The Yard Milkshake Bar
The Yard Milkshake Bar is the best place to go if you are craving milkshakes and overload sweetness all in one shop.
They don’t only bring the boys to the yard, but they will also charm you with their specialty flavors like milk chocolate gelato, floats, and cookie dough.
Their ice cream varies in 28 flavors, while their cookie doughs have eight flavors to choose from when you order.
Visit: 3800 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Call: 251-948-0121
Matt’s Ice Cream
Matt’s Ice Cream takes pride in its homemade Alabama ice cream and dessert products with custom flavors.
They have over 60 ice cream flavors, banana splits, floats, milkshakes, old-fashioned sodas, and sundaes.
You can always find something for your sweet tooth in this traditional shop for beach lovers and locals.
Visit: 1308 Gulf Shores Pkwy AND 701 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL, United States, Alabama
Call: 251-948-7098
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Tips When You Eat at Restaurants in Gulf Shores AL
Gulf Shores is famous for its beautiful white sand beaches, but they also have a lot of great restaurants in the area.
If you plan a vacation in this city, this guide can be helpful when looking for places to eat.
Check If Restaurant Has Allergy Menu
As much as you want to try every food, some may have allergies that can limit their food explorations.
But don’t worry because LuLu’s Buffet is a paradise for people who have food allergies or follow a specific diet.
Their allergy menu has options for people who don’t eat gluten, egg, shellfish, seafood, dairy, and soil.
Although they have this long list of “-free” menus, you will still enjoy their delicious food like their standard menu.
If you want to experience this service, you’ll have to be on the waitlist on their website ahead of your visit.
It can help you save more than two hours of waiting during peak seasons and save you from long lines.
Share Food With Large Portions
Some restaurants in Gulf Shores serve their dishes in a generous amount that you cannot finish by yourself.
For example, if you are eating at Tacky Jacks, it is best to share your food with your companion to save more.
Not only are you saving, but you can also taste more dishes if you share them and order different dishes.
Walk When You Go to Seaside Restaurants
Some restaurants, even Orange Beach restaurants, sit near the waters to give you the ultimate beach dining experience.
However, some restaurants do not have ample parking space to accommodate their guests’ vehicles.
So parking can be an issue if you are dining by the bay, especially during peak hours or seasons.
You’ll have no problem accessing restaurants if you can go early to reserve a spot.
But if you think you have nowhere else to park within the restaurant’s vicinity, it is better to walk along the beach.
Before walking, you can find an alternative parking space that is usually far from the restaurant.
You can also better appreciate the sea breeze and Gulf Shores beach when taking a stroll.
Check Websites Before Dining In
Restaurants have websites that you can access if you want to check their schedule, menu, and reservations.
But another advantage of checking sites is that you can sometimes land on coupons you can use once you dine.
You can get a free dish or a discount on your total price if you have the luck and patience to check every minute.
Related Reading: Other Things To Do In Gulf Shores – Check Out Here
Takeaway
Visiting Gulf Shores and Orange Beach will let you explore its beautiful landscapes, fresh air, and diverse wildlife for a nice treat.
But while you’re here, you shouldn’t miss out on the chance to taste the best seafood dishes in the city.
Apart from seafood, you can also try other food choices in Gulf Shores, like Mexican, Italian, pastries, ice creams, and more.
Nothing can match the best food and a good location if you have the coastal waters in front of you.
So if you want a perfect dining experience for you and your family, take them to these tummy-filling restaurants.
