As if the sand in your toes and legendary sunsets weren’t enough, Alabama Gulf Coast restaurants are crushing the competition on reasons to visit the area. The beach might bring you here, but the thriving foodie scene will be added to the reasons you keep coming back.

It’s time to shed the southern expectation of if-it-ain’t-fried-it-ain’t-cooked mentality because there’s a lot more sophistication under the surface to be discovered. From hearty breakfasts to scrumptious desserts and everything in between, here are 11 of the best restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach that you must experience when you visit.

Reading: Best food in gulf shores

And don’t forget to check out our list of the best things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, when planning your trip.

Table of Contents

1. The Southern Grind at Indigo

If you enjoy a great cup of Joe in a charming space head over to The Southern Grind at Indigo.

Think craft coffee meets nautical modern chic.

Inside The Southern Grind at Indigo in restaurants Gulf Shores, Alabama. — I told you it’s a beachy vibe! The Southern Grind at Indigo is a great place to grab coffee, breakfast or shop.

Southern Grind at the Indigo in Gulf Shores, Alabama. — Gone to the Beach book display at The Southern Grind at Indigo, one of the best Gulf Shores restaurants to hit up for breakfast.

Located right next to the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail entrance on the first floor of the hotel, the coffee house not only features fantastic breakfast and lunch with killer coffee (like the salted caramel one I splurged on) but they also sell specialty items like books from local authors, beachwear, coastal home decor, and much more!

A breakfast burrito at the Southern Grind inside the Indigo Hotel in Gulf Shores, Alabama. — I’d definitely order the Breakfast Burrito again at The Southern Grind at Indigo.

A breakfast bagel at the Southern Grind inside the Indigo Hotel in Gulf Shores, Alabama. — The Southern Grind is one of the easy takeout restaurants in Gulf Shores. They have tables inside and out, but if you want to grab and go, the breakfast sandwiches and bagels are perfect for it.

Where: 22843 Perdido Beach Boulevard, Gulf Shores

Full Disclosure: We were hosted on this trip, but all opinions and thoughts shared are my own.

2. Hog Wild Beach & BBQ

Where do the locals eat in Gulf Shores? The license plates in the parking lot told us it’s Hog Wild Beach & BBQ, that’s where.

The outside of Hog Wild Beach & Barbecue in Gulf Shores. — Yes, that’s a smiling pig, a dancing pig, and a surfing pig!

From the entrees to the banana puddin’, everything at Hog Wild is delicious.

The slow-smoked meat is super tender, the sides are I-don’t-want-to-share good and all the BBQ sauces – Original, Surfin’ Whiskey, Nana’s Sweet Q, Hog’s 911, and their famous White BBQ Sauce – are made from scratch.

If you’re asking yourself where do the locals eat in Gulf Shores, check out Hog Wild Beach & Barbecue. It is open Monday – Sunday 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM.

Along with the typical barbecue menu items, Hog Wild also offers wings, shrimp, fried pickle chips, nachos and tacos.

Pair any entree with one of the popular sides like the mac and cheese, Cait’s tater salad, baked beans, sweet potato fries or “Not Your Traditional” coleslaw and you’ll leave there a happy diner!

Regardless if you have the taste for pulled pork, brisket, ribs, chicken, or a little bit of everything, Hog Wild has you covered. It’s a must-visit Gulf Shores restaurant!

Pulled chicken, baked beans, and macaroni cheese at Hog Wild Barbecue. — Pulled Chicken sandwich, baked beans, and macaroni cheese at Hog Wild Barbecue.

Where do the locals eat in Gulf Shores? Hog Wild BBQ that — One of the fantastic places to eat in Gulf Shores is Hog Wild BBQ. Above is a super tender pulled pork sandwich with sweet potato fries. Yum!

Where: 911 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores

3. Ginny Lane Bar and Grill

Whether you are outside overlooking the water and boats at the marina or inside enjoying the family-friendly atmosphere, dinner at Ginny Lane Bar and Grill has the makings for a pleasant night.

Outdoor patio at Ginny Lane, one of the Orange Beach restaurants on the water at The Wharf. — Ginny Lane is one of the Orange Beach restaurants on the water, it has an outdoor patio at the Wharf.

Part of a locally owned, family-operated group of restaurants, including Villaggio Grill and YoHo Run and Tacos, the owners know what they are doing!

From appetizers, soups, salads, and sandwiches to seafood, pasta, and steaks, the menu is huge.

Check online for daily lunch and dinner specials, plus live music on certain nights.

The Pecan Encrusted Chicken Dinner at Ginny Lane Restaurant at the Wharf. — Pecan Encrusted Chicken at Ginny Lane Bar breaded in candied pecans and lightly fried, served with gouda mashed potatoes and shaved Brussel sprouts.

Bayou Grouper dinner at Ginny Lane Restaurant, one of the Orange Beach restaurants on the water at The Wharf in Alabama. — Bayou Grouper at Ginny Lane Bar topped with crab and lemon beurre blanc, served with mushroom risotto and glazed carrots.

Lava cake at Ginny Lane Restaurant, one of the Orange Beach restaurants on the water at The Wharf in Orange Beach Alabama. — Don’t forget dessert – we ordered the chocolate lava cake but the bread pudding is a favorite as well.

The bayou grouper and pecan-crusted chicken were excellent and we couldn’t resist ordering a chocolate lava cake to cap off the night.

Where: 4851 Wharf Pkwy E, Orange Beach

4. Sunliner Diner

In the heart of downtown Gulf Shores lies Sunliner Diner, a throwback to the good old days.

The 50s-style Sunliner Diner in downtown Gulf Shores, Alabama. — Poodle skirts and bee boppin at the 50s-themed breakfast diner, Sunliner Diner.

From the retro sign and classic cars out front to the black and white floors and baby blue and white booths inside, it’s like stepping right into the 1950s.

Play your favorite golden oldie on the jukebox and try to snag one of the booths inside a classic Sunliner convertible.

A sunliner booth at the Sunliner Diner in Gulf Shores, Alabama. — How cool that you can sit in a Sunliner to eat?!

An omelette and waffle at Sunliner Diner in Gulf Shores, Alabama. — The menu at Sunliner Diner comes on an old 1950s newspaper. We split an order of Strawberry Belgian waffles and a western omelet with hashbrowns.

The diner offers hand-spun milkshakes and ample breakfast options all day long. Ordering a sweet and savory dish to split is the way to go!

Where: 100 E 2nd Ave, Gulf Shores

Looking for a place to burn all these calories? Head over to the hiking trails at Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge

5. The Gulf

Does it get any cooler than an entire restaurant created from recycled shipping containers? Indeed, it does.

Throw in the great views and spectacular food and we have a grand slam of a venue.

The Gulf in Orange Beach — You notice the bright blue containers at The Gulf the minute you cross over the Perdido Bridge.

The outdoor oasis at The Gulf is high class on the surface but casual underneath offering good vibes and spectacular food.

Orange Beach Restaurants include The Gulf with awesome views of the water. — The Gulf is one of the best restaurants in Orange Beach – the vibe, views and food are top-notch!

Expect a rotating menu to go with the season, fresh and local ingredients, and service with a smile.

The menu at The Gulf in Orange Beach, Alabama. — Waiting to take our lunch order at The Gulf!

We devoured the cauliflower bites which are fried and tossed in a house Chimichurri sauce – so simple yet so delicious.

The Tuna Poke Bowl comes with sushi-grade tuna, heirloom tomatoes, cucumber, pineapple & seaweed served over rice topped with housemade spicy mayo and ponzu, a citrus-based sauce. A perfect lunch option for a hot day.

Lunch at The Gulf, one of the best restaurants in Orange Beach, Alabama. — Everything we ordered was delicious but those cauliflower bites tossed in house-made Chimichurri Sauce are da bomb! The Gulf is one of the fun Orange Beach restaurants on the water.

And the mahi-mahi tacos topped with salsa verde, pico de gallo, purple cabbage and cilantro are fresh and went perfect with my ice-cold craft beer.

Fish tacos at the Gulf is one of the fun Orange Beach restaurants on the water. — Blackened Mahi-Mahi Tacos at The Gulf.

Whether you go for a drink, the view or a meal, The Gulf is guaranteed to be a wonderful visit.

Where: 27500 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach

6. Voyagers at Perdido Beach Resort

If you are looking for a special dinner option, look no further than Voyagers at Perdido Beach Resort. With panoramic views of the Gulf and innovative dishes, you are in for an unforgettable fine dining experience.

Expect an elegant and intimate space with floor-to-ceiling windows and a seasonal menu featuring unique regional flavors and authentic Gulf Coast cuisine.

The view from Voyagers Restaurant inside Perdido Beach Resort in Alabama. — Fine dining Gulf Shores. Photo Credit: Voyagers Restaurant

Begin your epicurean journey with fried green tomatoes stacked with crab salad and trickled with spicy diablo sauce.

I promise you’ll never want to eat fried green tomatoes any other way.

The fried green tomato crab stack at Voyagers Restaurant, one of the best restaurants in Gulf Shores. — The fried green tomato crab stack has me like…

For your entree, order a steak – any steak. Dry aging over 35 days must be the key to the most succulent and flavorful meat because the Mishima Reserve Petite Filet Mignon was the best steak I’ve ever had!

Pair it with purple sweet potato gnocchi sprinkled with parmesan and you’ll be talking about this meal for months to come like I am.

A filet mignon at Voyagers Restaurant in Gulf Shores. — The steak I’ve been dreaming about for months.

Sweet potato gnocchi topped with parmesan cheese at Voyagers in Orange Beach, Alabama. — Purple sweet potato gnocchi is a thing and it’s the best thing ever!

Or maybe you’re in the mood for seafood, the Plancha Seared Diver Scallops with roasted root vegetable gratin dressed with smoked bacon satsuma red pepper chimichurri is exquisite.

Fun Fact: Featuring the Gulf Wild brand, Voyagers ensures that all seafood served is responsibly caught and harvested by local fishermen operating in the Gulf of Mexico.

The scallops dish at Voyagers in Gulf Shores. — Voyagers at Perdido Beach Resort is the best restaurant in Orange Beach.

End your meal with one of the many delectable desserts. 9 layers of chocolate starts with a chocolate cookie crust, has a variety of flavored mousses in between and topped with coffee toffee crunch, dark chocolate glaze, milk chocolate gelato, and mocha sauce.

The caramel corn on the cob is a unique option with sweet corn mousse, salted caramel peanut butter cake and caramel peanut crunch.

Voyagers is one of the best culinary delights on the Gulf Coast. We are already looking forward to our next meal there.

Where: 27200 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach

7. Woodside Restaurant

Woodside Restaurant is a casual hideaway where the rustic setting complements the tasty food and friendly service. Located on the western side of Gulf State Park, it is a relaxing spot for breakfast, but they also offer lunch and dinner.

You can eat in the main dining room, a screened porch – where you’ll find Jenga or Connect 4 on every table – or find a spot outside under the lights and beautiful oak trees.

Woodside in Gulf State Park — Woodside Restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The outdoor patio at the Woodside Restaurant inside Gulf State Park is — And then there was one. We arrived early for breakfast at Woodside before our kayaking trip and had the whole place to ourselves.

Our meals were appetizing and the coffee is good, but I recommend visiting for dinner when a local band is playing up on stage and the bonfires are lit for a livelier atmosphere. Take advantage of the free s’mores and the outdoor yard games, I know we will on our next visit!

woodside breakfast — A breakfast sandwich at the Woodside Restaurant inside Gulf State Park.

Note: The Woodside Restaurant is one of the shuttle stops if you are staying at The Lodge at Gulf State Park – read our review here.

Where: 20249 State Park Road, Gulf Shores

8. Cobalt, The Restaurant

What’s not to love about this place? Lights are strung above a massive outdoor patio. Outstanding views of Perdido Bay Bridge. Live music as the sun goes down overlooking the bay. A contemporary yet beachy vibe. And last but not least, phenomenal cuisine.

Cobalt Restaurant, one of the best restaurants in Orange Beach, Alabama. — Photo Courtesy of Cobalt the Restaurant

Cobalt is another place I’d list as one of the best restaurants in Orange Beach. Our absolute favorite thing to order there is the full-flavored and rich firecracker shrimp – lightly dusted bay shrimp fried and tossed in spicy remoulade sauce.

Visit between 3 pm and 5 pm and you’ll get to take advantage of their happy hour deal that includes specials on appetizers, wine and beer.

Firecracker Shrimp at Cobalts, one of the best restaurants in Orange Beach. — The firecracker shrimp at Cobalts is fire alright! Mmmmm

Four raw oysters at Cobalt Restaurant in Orange Beach, Alabama. — One of the best things to do in Alabama: EAT, EAT, AND EAT!

Where: 28099 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach

Other establishments that always make the best seafood restaurants in Gulf Shores lists are the Original Oyster House and Fisher’s Restaurant at the Orange Beach Marina. We haven’t made it to either yet, but both were recommended by many people we’ve met over the years in the area. We plan to check both of them out on our next visit.

9. The Hangout Gulf Shores

Whether you are traveling solo, as a family, or a couple, one of the fun places to eat in Gulf Shores is The Hangout, at the corner of Beach Boulevard and Gulf Shores Parkway.

Take your pick from dining with a beach view out front, indoors in the massive bar area, or out on the backyard patio.

Outdoor stage at The Hangout Gulf Shores — The Hangout is known for having live music throughout the year and in May has one of the biggest music festivals in the area.

Throughout the restaurant – indoor and out – make note of all the unusual decorations and statues including the wall of Pez dispensers, an oversized hang loose hand, and the Wish Wall.

Fish sandwich at the Hangout Gulf Shores. — A blackened fish sandwich at The Hangout, one of the fun places to eat in Gulf Shores.

Before you leave, browse their large souvenir shop – I’m still kicking myself that I didn’t pick up a keepsake. They have a nice selection of quality t-shirts, hats, and beach bags.

Vacationing with kids? Schedule a Pirate and Princess Breakfast that features sing-alongs, games, treasure hunts, and magic tricks with the pirate crew. And parents get the real perk of Bloody Mary’s and Mimosas.

Offered daily from 8:00 am to 10:30 am in the summer months.

Where: 101 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores

10. Tacky Jacks

Tacky Jacks is just that: tacky! The restaurant, located on the Intracoastal Waterway, is covered in colorful duct tape and obviously casual to the core.

Colorful duct tape all over the staircase at Tacky Jacks in Gulf Shores, Alabama. — Duct tape is all over Tacky Jacks! Make sure to grab a piece when you check in to leave your mark!

The waterfront at Tacky Jacks Gulf Shores, Alabama. — Tacky Jacks was voted local’s favorite hangout and best happy hour.

Open all day, breakfast starts at 7:30 am serving up their award-winning farmer’s omelet, shrimp n’ grits, breakfast burrito, and $3.00 eye-opening bloody mary’s and mimosas.

Along with chicken, burgers, steak, and seafood entrees, the restaurant offers daily lunch and dinner specials with live music, karaoke, bingo and other activities throughout the week.

Tacky Jacks lunch special. — Lunch special half sandwich with a cup of soup at Tacky Jacks.

If you’re wanting a laid-back atmosphere, relax downstairs in Jacks Bar, and enjoy a wonderful view and live music.

Where: 240 E 24th Avenue, Gulf Shores

11. The Yard Milkshake Bar

If you are searching for Instagram-worthy desserts, the Yard Milkshake Bar gives you plenty of crazy good photo opportunities and the ice cream is delish.

Where: 3800 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores