12 Restaurants Locals Love
in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Looking for the best restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach? Locals know exactly where to find the freshest seafood, the juiciest burgers, and the friendliest service along Alabama’s Beaches. From casual hangouts to long-loved staples, here are the 12 restaurants where our beach residents love to eat.
Beach House Kitchen & Cocktails
Beach House Kitchen & Cocktails
At Beach House Kitchen & Cocktails, you'll find a variety of dishes prepared with fresh produce and seafood. This relaxed restaurant is a favorite amongst locals looking for a bite to eat and a tasty cocktail after a day on the beach. Stop by for one of the best happy hours on Alabama’s Beaches and enjoy their coastal-inspired menu.
Fish River Grill #3
Fish River Grill #3
With nearby Fairhope and Foley locations, Fish River Grill in Gulf Shores is the restaurant's third establishment. Hailed as the original seafood restaurant of Baldwin County and a self-proclaimed funky junky redneck joint, it’s famous for Cajun gator bites, burgers, and swamp soup. The unique menu and atmosphere make Fish River Grill a one-of-a-kind spot for authentic southern seafood.
Desoto's
Desoto's
If you're craving seafood and soul food, look no further than Desoto's. Locals love this spot for its daily specials and laid-back patio. Crab, grouper, shrimp, oysters, and tuna are just a few of the items fresh from the Gulf you’ll find on the menu. The delicious eats aren’t the only thing that drives locals here. Desoto's also serves irresistible bushwhackers and daiquiris that are the perfect pairing for a Gulf meal.
Moe's Original Bar B Que
Moe's Original Bar B Que
Finger-licking barbecue is essential to Alabama cuisine, and Moe's Original Bar B Que is a favorite restaurant among residents for barbecue and comfort food. This relaxing spot serves up incredible smoked meats, soul food, and daily specials featuring southern staples. Dine outside at the picnic tables in the backyard beach and enjoy your meal in the coastal air.
Luna's Eat & Drink
Luna's Eat & Drink
Are you a craft beer connoisseur? Then, you definitely need to add Luna's Eat & Drink to your vacation itinerary. With 32 local and regional beers on tap, Luna's has become a popular spot for casual dining and craft brews. The menu is filled with delicious, Southern-inspired dishes and a grassy courtyard perfect for outdoor games on a sunny day.
Wolf Bay Lodge
Wolf Bay Lodge
There's nothing quite like a filling, savory meal, and Wolf Bay Lodge is the perfect place for authentic local cuisine. This longtime Orange Beach seafood restaurant is known for hearty seafood platters, mouthwatering sandwiches, and delicious pasta dishes. It's conveniently located right across from the beach, so it's the perfect place to grab a bite to eat after a day by the water.
Papa Rocco's
Papa Rocco's
The "home of warm beer and lousy pizza," Papa Rocco's has been a staple in the community since 1985. A tried-and-true local establishment, here you'll find mouthwatering pizza, oysters, and an array of drinks. Along with their delicious eats, they offer nightly live music, daily lunch specials, and happy hour from 11 am to 7 pm. If you want to eat like a true local, you need to stop and grab a slice.
Lauria's
Lauria's
Lauria’s by the Beach is a go-to spot for many locals for dinner and drinks. This beach wine bar serves incredible flatbreads, specialty bagels, and beautiful charcuterie boards. Grab a glass of wine or cocktail and savor a fantastic meal in an intimate setting.
The Cove
The Cove
Every destination has its beloved local dive bar, and on Alabama's Beaches, it's The Cove Bar & Grill. If you're searching for a spot to hang out and enjoy a few brews, The Cove Bar & Grill is the place for you. They serve up hand-pattied burgers, Philly cheese sandwiches, wings, wraps, and other bar favorites. Grab a beer, shoot pool, and enjoy live music while savoring one of the best casual dining experiences in Gulf Shores.
Big Fish
Big Fish
Every now and again, our locals feel like getting a bit fancy. Big Fish Restaurant in Orange Beach offers an elegant yet relaxed ambiance and exemplary cuisine. Open for dinner only, this restaurant has a robust menu filled with fresh seafood dishes, sushi, steaks, and more. It’s the perfect restaurant in Orange Beach for a special night out or date night by the coast.
Gulf Island Grill
Gulf Island Grill
A relaxing atmosphere, refreshing drinks, and a diverse menu are what you'll find at Gulf Island Grill. This beach restaurant serves Caribbean-inspired seafood dishes with undeniable tropical flavor. Located just across from the Gulf, Gulf Island Grill is a favorite watering hole and eatery for locals. Stop by after a day at the beach to savor this restaurant’s delicious dishes and sip on fabulous cocktails.
Acme Oyster House
Acme Oyster House
The name says it all at Acme Oyster House. This waterfront restaurant offers fantastic raw and chargrilled oysters with Cajun classics like po'boys, gumbo, red beans and rice, and jambalaya. You’ll also find fantastic seafood in the menu as an impressive cocktail and dessert list.
Want to dine like a local? Our destination offers a variety of great restaurants that locals love
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Sydnie Lee
A Gulf Coast native and Travel Marketing Professional, Sydnie is Alabama's Beaches Content Specialist (AKA taste tester and destination researcher.) She spends time visiting restaurants, attractions, activities, and events in the area to get the inside scoop on all things happening in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan.
