Cool & Unique Specialty Foods
in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Trying new food and drinks is one of the best parts of vacationing, and on the Alabama Gulf Coast, there are so many great places to get a taste of the beach. While you’re here, you’ll discover a variety of cool and unique specialty foods and drinks in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Enjoy them during your trip, or bring back tasty gifts for friends and family to snack on!
Specialty Foods on Alabama's Beaches
Blalock’s Seafood & Specialty Market
You can’t visit the Gulf Coast without picking up something at a local seafood market. If you’re staying in a condo or beach house with a kitchen, stop by Blalock’s Seafood & Specialty Market and grab some fresh catches like mahi, grouper, or triggerfish to cook for dinner. Add an order of their famous shrimp bisque and incredible smoked tuna dip to your shopping list for a full-course meal courtesy of Blalock’s.
Gourmet World Market
Head to Gourmet World Market at Pelican Place. This store offers gourmet snacks, wine, and groceries from all over the world. They also offer fresh pastries, meats and cheeses, and deli sandwiches. Grab a few snacks from the shelves and a drink from the fridge, and you’ve got the perfect picnic meal!
Yumm Twister & Ice Cream
A beach vacation isn't complete with ice cream, and Yumm Twister & Ice Cream takes its desserts to a whole new level! The creations here feature scoops of authentic, creamy gelato served inside freshly baked, chocolate dipped twister cones. That's not all! Toppings like graham crackers, roasted marshmallows, fresh fruit, candy, and cookies make these sweet treats even more delicious.
The Yard Milkshake Bar
Sip on a specialty milkshake at Yard Milkshake Bar. These giant, creamy creations aren’t your typical milkshakes, as toppings range from cookie dough and donuts to brownies and cheesecake slices. Order one of their signature shakes like The Mermaid or Green Mint Monster, or make your own. A shake from The Yard will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth and help you beat the Southern heat.
Pepper Palace
Turn up at the heat at Pepper Palace! This hot spot has everything that spicy food lovers could ask for. Browse the shelves of hot sauces, salsas, rubs, seasonings, pickled veggies, spicy snacks, and more. You can even sample the store's offerings, so you can find your favorites.
Chocolate Corner
You can never have too much chocolate, especially on vacation. Chocolate Corner in Gulf Shores hand makes its specialty chocolate every day. Choose from fudge, pralines, truffles, turtles, clusters, and more sweet treats. Their shell and starfish-shaped chocolates make great gifts!
Beach Jerky
Beach Jerky in Gulf Shores is a must-stop for jerky fanatics. In addition to traditional beef jerky, this spot offers rare flavors such as boar, ahi tuna, salmon, and shark jerky. If you’re not a meat lover, grab a bag of their deep fried peanuts!
Mythic Beach Banana Bar
When you need a sweet and frozen treat, head to Mythic Beach Banana Bar, a cute, beachfront shop that is sure to curb your sugar cravings. Here you'll find hand-dipped frozen bananas, cheesecakes, and ice cream sandwiches rolled in your choice toppings and drizzled in sauce.
Hope's Cheesecake
Say "cheese" for cheesecake! Hope's Cheesecake is a locally-owned dessert shop that offers a variety of exquisite cakes, cupcakes, and other sweet treats. Made with simple and fresh ingredients, the offerings here are carefully crafted and baked in special rotary ovens, giving them an irresistible flavor and texture.
Bagel Boy
Made with love and crafted by hand, the freshly made bagels at Bagel Boy are the perfect meal to start your day. Offerings include breakfast bagels, flavored bagels with shmear, and plain bagels. Bagel Boy ferments the bagels for 24 hour then boils them to give them a perfect center.
Pop Popcorn
Serving handcrafted gourmet popcorn and freshly made lemonade to order, Pop Popcorn and Lemonade has one-of-a-kind snacks and drinks. Choose one of the unique popcorn flavors like dill pickle, hot honey, and cheddar or build a popcorn sundae, complete with chocolate drizzle and toppings. Wash it all down with a glass of hand-squeezed lemonade.
Parlor Doughnuts
If you’re looking for a totally off-the-wall treat, check out Parlor Doughnuts. This sweet shop features specialty flavors such as strawberry pistachio, peanut butter cup, and turtle cheesecake. You’ll also find savory pizza-inspired creations like Hawaiian BBQ chicken, margherita, and chicken bacon ranch. Parlor Doughnuts also has keto, vegan, and gluten-friendly options!
Unique Beach Coffees & Cocktails
High Tide Daiquiris & Mimosas
Nothing gets you in beach mode like a coastal drink, and High Tide Daiquiris and Mimosas is the perfect place to sip on a cocktail and watch the sunset. High Tide takes the art of drink-making to the next level with its delicious daiquiris and one-of-a-kind mimosas. Ask to try some of their fun flavors, such as the pink flamingo mimosa, the chocolate-covered banana bushwacker, or get a daiquiri flight and try multiple! They even serve mocktails for those who prefer no alcohol.
Isla Wine
Red, white, or pink - you'll find a bottle match your taste at Isla Wine! Located next to Foam Coffee, this neighborhood wine shop offers a curated collection of wines from across the world. Isla has a wine professional on-site who will help you pick out the perfect selection.
Big Beach Brewing Company
There’s nothing like cracking open a cold one while relaxing by the water. Big Beach Brewing Company crafts its beers in a 10-barrel brewhouse in the heart of Gulf Shores. Whether you prefer your beer hoppy, light, or malty, you can find the perfect brew here. Be sure to pick up a six-pack to take the taste of Alabama’s Beaches back home with you.
Southern Grind Bushwacker Coffee
Bushwackers are the signature drink of Alabama's Beaches. Unfortunately, you can’t take these irresistible frozen drinks home with you, but you can grab a bag of Southern Grind's Beachwacker coffee. Order one while you're there to taste just how delicious it is! Most people prefer it over ice, but it's still great hot.
ShoreFizz
When you need a cold refresher to help beat the Alabama heat, pick up a fun drink at ShoreFizz. This vintage-inspired soda shop serves dirty sodas, milkshakes, and lemonades, perfect for quenching your thirst. Craft your own unique drink or choose from of the shop's list of curated sodas.
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.
