Whether you have a gluten-free allergy or just prefer to eat gluten-free, the selection of restaurants with gluten free food in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is great. In fact, every time we visit, we find more options that make planning a gluten-free vacation easy. There are countless restaurants to choose from on Alabama's Beaches, and you really cannot go wrong! During our last trip to the beach, we kept talking about how much we enjoyed the food. As someone with a gluten-free allergy, that’s not always easy to say. We made it a point to try several restaurants we had not been to before, which is always fun on vacation. Explore our top six recommendations:
1. Hog Wild Beach & BBQ
We have passed Hog Wild Beach & BBQ several times on our way to the beach but never stopped in, and man, were we missing out! They have tons of gluten-free foods that are specified on their menu. BBQ nachos are one of my favorite meals, so I was thrilled to see that they were gluten-free.
2. Coast Restaurant at The Beach Club
A highlight of our recent trip was eating ate at Coast. We both ordered a pound of Royal Reds, which is a variety of jumbo shrimp that Alabama Beaches is famous for. We have not stopped talking about how amazing they were! Peel-and-eat shrimp is our favorite thing to get when we’re at the beach, and I think Coast takes the cake for the best ones we’ve ever had.
The view from the veranda at Coast is also unmatched — this restaurant is right on the property at The Beach Club and overlooks a pool and the beach. It was such a romantic dinner with this beautiful view. In fact, Coast was voted the “Most Romantic Restaurant at the Beach in 2023” by Gulf Coast Media.
3. Southern Grind Coffeehouse
Breakfast at The Southern Grind at The Wharf is a must-stop. We had been there for coffee before, but we had never ordered food. We both got an avocado egg breakfast, and it was incredible! It was super yummy, with lots of fresh ingredients. We met the owner, and he was a really cool guy. His wife (a former interior designer) is the one responsible for how cute the store is! The best part? Gluten-free food is marked on their expansive menu, making it easy to quickly point out.
4. Sunliner Diner
Another favorite is Sunliner Diner for brunch. We fell in love with this place immediately. It’s designed like a retro 50s diner, and the waitresses even dress the part. The menus look like old newspapers from the 50s with fun trivia and facts about what the area was like during that time. I ordered a classic breakfast. The waitress offered me some gluten-free bread, too. I didn’t see it on their menu, so make sure you ask them about gluten-free options since they do have them! We were told they have amazing milkshakes, so we are already planning to stop in for some on our next trip to the beach.
5. LuLu’s
Lulu’s is a familiar favorite for us because they have a VERY extensive allergy-friendly menu, which is perfect when traveling gluten free. They have two full pages of gluten-free food on their allergy-friendly menu. I usually go for the grilled shrimp tacos. They also offer gluten-free chips and queso, which will always be a major win in my book!
Be prepared for a potentially longer wait at LuLu’s. They are popular, so it’s normal to wait for a table. Visit their website to use the “get in line” feature to shorten your wait. There is a ton to do to pass the time. They have activities for kids, including ropes courses, cornhole, and other games. There is usually live music playing in the evening. They also have a big gift shop for grabbing a souvenir or two. There is an arcade as well, plus so much more!
6. Picnic Beach
Picnic Beach is such a cute spot right in the middle of the most popular part of the beach, known to locals as the “T.” Their menu indicates which items are gluten-free, and their manager was so attentive, making sure every table was happy with their food! She even offered to take a photo of us with their swing photo-op.
More Restaurants with Gluten Free Options
There are a couple of spots with gluten-free food that we plan to try soon!
Vinny’s Pizzeria at The Wharf offers gluten-free crust options! You can dine inside or outside with views of the Ferris wheel and the nightly Spectra Light & Sound Show. They also deliver!
Ristorante Carmelo is new in Orange Beach and offers a gluten-free penne that is available with any of their proteins and sauces. I am excited to try it! You can make reservations online, as well as place orders online.
If you have a gluten allergy like me, rest assured you will have tons of delicious GF options when you visit Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!
