Looking for the best restaurants in Gulf Shores, Alabama? We got you.
Gulf Shores is located in Baldwin County, in the southern part of Alabama, and it has a population of about 15,000 people.
Just as Gulf Shores is home to a lot of amazing restaurants, it is also home to a lot of amazing tourist attractions like Gulf Shores Public Beach, Gulf State Park, and Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.
Due to the number of restaurants in Gulf Shores, choosing a restaurant that is worth dining at can be a big task.
After in-depth research and testing, we have curated a list of the best restaurants in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
By the end of this post, you should be able to find a restaurant that serves the type of food you are craving.
With that said, here are the best restaurants in Gulf Shores
1. Hangout Seafood Restaurant
The Hangout Seafood Restaurant is one of the best places to eat on Gulf Shores.
We visited this place in a group of 14+ people and our experience was way better than we expected.
Although our number was large, our drinks, appetizers, and food came out very quickly.
The restaurant also has a menu that has a wide variety of options you can choose from.
We had Cobb Salad with Blackened Shrimp, and it was one of the best meals I’ve had in Gulf Shores.
I also tried their burgers and cocktails and it was absolutely fantastic.
If you’re not familiar with the place, it can be a little confusing to find.
Once you get to the entrance of the restaurant, look for a big sign that says “hostess” hanging from the ceiling on the opposite side of the building.
The restaurant has a sand play area for kids, so the adults can talk while the children play.
Parking cost $20, but they give you a voucher for the souvenir store worth $20, so it’s worth it.
I’ve been to this place more than three times and so far, I have no complaints.
Service Options: Dine-in · No takeaway · No delivery
Recommended Dishes: Shark Attack, Chicken Nachos, and Cobb Salad with Blackened Shrimp
Address: 101 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States
Phone: +1 251-948-3030
2. Lulu’s Gulf Shores
Lulu’s Gulf Shores is another restaurant in gulf shores that is worth dining at.
The atmosphere is great, the staff is friendly, and our waitress was very helpful and nice.
The food came out quickly and tasted great.
The frozen drinks were delicious, and we each had a different one.
They have something for everyone here, including games and a play area for both kids and adults.
There is plenty of parking and seating with great views.
The fried green tomatoes were especially tasty!
Lulu’s is one of the best places in the Orange Beach/Gulf Shores area for fun for everyone!
If you go for lunch, it’s not as crowded as during dinner.
This means you can get seated and served quickly.
However, if you go for dinner and it’s really busy, you can join their online waitlist and enjoy the fun drinks, do some shopping, and watch the kids play at the many kid-friendly attractions on the property.
Service Options: Dine-in · Takeaway · Delivery
Recommended Dishes: Pulled pork nachos, Green Tomatoes, Sauce, Seafood, Fried
Address: 200 E 25th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States
Phone: +1 251-967-5858
3. Tacky Jacks
I heard a lot of amazing things about this restaurant, so I decided to check it out myself.
Even though we went an hour before they closed, it was still lively with a band playing and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Our waitress was really nice, and both of our meals were affordable and delicious.
There are a lot of seating spaces with different levels.
I had the special, which was Shrimp and Sausage Grits with Hush Puppies, and it was amazing!
We also tried the grits and grilled popcorn shrimp, and hush puppies, and it was amazing.
Oh, and make sure to try the brownie with ice cream.
You’ll thank me later!
Service Options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery
Recommended Dishes: Mahi Mahi Tacos Blackened Fish Tacos
Address: 240 E 24th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States
Phone: +1 251-948-8881
4. Sunliner Diner
Sunliner Diner is one of the best places I’ve been to for burgers.
The whole atmosphere feels like the 1950s.
The staff is quick, attentive, and their uniforms are really cool.
The prices are great for a restaurant of this caliber.
I highly recommend trying the berry stack – the waffles were made perfectly and so fluffy.
If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, Sunliner Diner is very accommodating.
I also tried the turkey avocado Reuben with candied bacon instead of sauerkraut and it was just too good.
I highly recommend this place.
Service Options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery
Recommended Dishes: Sunliner Diner, Hamburger, Sandwich, and Country Fried
Address: 100 E 2nd Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States
Phone: +1 251-937-6590
5. Acme Oyster House
Acme Oyster House is one of my favorite places to eat in Gulf Shores.
We ate chargrilled oysters and crab cake, and it was delicious.
Sometimes this restaurant can get busy because of the amount of people that visit, but wait, because it’s definitely worth it.
The portions are generous, so I usually end up with leftovers to take home.
Give Acme Oyster House a try, you’ll love it!
Service Options: Dine-in · Kerbside pickup · No delivery
Recommended Dishes: Shrimp, fish, fried oysters, hushpuppies, soft shell crab, fries, and onion rings
Address: 216 E 24th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States
Phone: +1 251-424-1783
6. Picnic Beach & Bar Grill
Out of all the beach bars we visited during our stay, this was the best by far.
The restaurant is beautiful and very clean.
I especially liked the outdoor seating, which is lovely at night.
My friend and had a Buffalo chicken sandwich, chicken tender, and fries, and it was absolutely delicious!
I also tried their shrimp boil, and it was fantastic, the shrimps were large and cooked perfectly.
The seasoning for the boil was refreshing, with a lemon/citrus flavor instead of the usual spicy Old Bay flavor.
The homemade house herb tartar sauce was really nice, and I also enjoyed the other sauces I tried.
This place provided a much-needed retreat, and we will definitely visit again!
Service Options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No-contact delivery
Recommended Dishes: The Caribbean, and Fried Shrimp
Address: 128 E 1st Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States
Phone: +1 251-540-0117
7. Ugly Dinner
The Ugly Diner is one of the restaurants on the Gulf Shores that have the best atmosphere.
The walls are adorned with vintage-looking signs to admire while you wait.
The food menu is conveniently posted on the wall, making it easy to view without touching another menu.
The portions are satisfying, and the prices are reasonable.
They have an impressive selection of hot sauces, with many options to choose from.
The interior is a bit small, which means that this place is not that suitable for large parties.
Parking was relatively easy with plenty of spaces available when we arrived.
Our favorite dish was the country-fried steak and eggs.
The gravy was creamy, the house fries were deliciously crispy, and the steak was tender and well-seasoned.
We also tried omelets and pork chops, and they were super delicious.
I highly recommend this place!
Service Options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No-contact delivery
Recommended Dishes: Country Fried Steak, Gravy, Home Fries
Address: 2200 E 2nd St, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States
Phone: +1 251-224-3182
8. Gulf Island Grill
We decide to check this place out since we were in the area.
I ordered grilled chicken, and it was tender, flavorful, and accompanied by excellent rice.
If you’re looking for unique daiquiri flavors, this is the place to go.
They are smooth, creamy, and delicious.
I also tried their orange flavor, which resembled an orange creamsicle.
We ordered fried pickles, and blackened shrimp queso, peel, and eat shrimp for appetizers.
For takeout, we ordered snow crab, a cheeseburger, chicken Alfredo, shrimp scampi, and fried grouper.
If you’re visiting this place area, be sure to stop by Gulf Island Grill.
You won’t be disappointed.
Service Options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No-contact delivery
Recommended Dishes: Chicken Alfredo, Steamed Veggies, Hushpuppies
Address: 244 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States
Phone: +1 251-968-4440
9. Fish River Grill
The receptionist at the hotel I was staying at recommended this restaurant, so we had to check it out.
Fish River Grill may have a limited menu, but their servings will definitely fill you up!
We started with an appetizer of gator bites, which were breaded and tasted delicious.
I ordered the River Burger, which was larger than my hand!
My friend got the Seafood Basket, which included two fish fillets, fried oysters, shrimp, okra, French fries, hush puppies, and a cup of coleslaw.
We also tried their seafood bayou basket, which had everything from stuffed crab, frog legs, and more gator bites.
I’ve been to this restaurant more than four times, and so far I have zero complaints.
If you are looking for a good seafood restaurant in gulf shores, then you should definitely visit this restaurant.
10. Original Oyster House
The Original Oyster House is my absolute favorite restaurant in Gulf Shores! It’s my go-to place.
We ordered the Shell Shocked Baked Oyster Sampler and James’ Ultimate Shrimp Platter, and It was more than enough to fill both of us.
The menu at the Original Oyster House has something for everyone, and we tried a little bit of everything.
All the dishes were cooked perfectly and had amazing flavors.
If you have to wait for a table, there are plenty of shops to explore while you wait with the beeper they give you.
We also tried gumbo, salad bar, and blackened shrimp, and oh my God! I can’t even explain how delicious they were.
My personal favorite is the crab-stuffed flounder, and the salad bar is amazing too.
I’ve visited this restaurant so many times, and so far I have nothing negative to say.