Gulf Shores & Orange Beach are home to a number of restaurants, but because we do not have a protective bluff (you know, those towns where you have to walk down steps to reach the beach), we don't have a huge number of restaurants built right on the beach. That said, there are some great options ranging from upscale dining (Coast, Perch, Voyagers) to bathing suit & flip flop casual (Pink Pony, Sea N Suds, FloraBama) to the stylish atmosphere of The Gulf.
We hope your beachfront Gulf Shores Vacation Rental will also be a favorite place for beachfront dining. If you would like a restaurant-quality meal at your home away from home, let us know, and we can help arrange that!
If you are in the mood for food with a beach view, these are the restaurants you are looking for. We started at Fort Morgan and headed East along the Alabama Coast to the Florida line. All of the beachfront restaurants on this list are directly on, or overlooking, the sugar-white sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico.
2023 List of Gulf Shores Area Best Beachfront Restaurants
#1 - Coast Restaurant & Sushi Bar at The Beach Club
- Location: Fort Morgan
- Hours: Open seasonally from 5-9 PM, Tues-Sat.
- Details: More upscale, with lovely views.
#2 - Bahama Bob's Beachside Cafe
- Location: Gulf Shores
- Hours: Open daily from 11 am - 10 pm
- Details: While the view of the beach is now partially obscured, it is still one of our favorite local spots & close to all of our West Beach homes.
#3 - The Hangout
- Location: Gulf Shores at the main public beach
- Hours: Open daily from 9 am - 11 pm
- Details: Whether this is really beachfront is the source of debate, but it is definitely beachside and parts of the restaurant have direct Gulf views. Catch live music here.
#4 - Pink Pony
- Location: Gulf Shores at the main public beach
- Hours: Open daily from 11 am - 10 pm
- Details: Really beachfront, with outdoor seating and live music.
#5 - Sea N Suds
- Location: Gulf Shores
- Hours: Open daily from 11 am - 9 pm
- Details: Local favorite is known for gumbo, oysters, and more. So casual you can wander in off the beach.
#6 - Island Pancake House
- Location: Gulf Shores in the Best Western on the Beach
- Hours: Tuesday - Sunday from 7 am - 12 pm, Closed Monday
- Details: Breakfast and lunch with a beach view!
#7 - ByWater Beachside
- Location: Gulf State Park Pier
- Hours: Monday - Sunday from 10 am to 10 pm
- Details: Come here for food, music or just to enjoy the view with a cold beverage
#8 - Perch
- Location: Gulf State Park
- Hours: Wednesday - Sunday from 5 pm - 11 pm
- Details: Upscale restaurant at The Lodge at Gulf State Park. So cool you won't believe it with indoor & terrace dining, and a bar on the terrace, too. Dinner & Late Night Only. We recommend reservations for dinner.
#9 - Foodcraft
- Location: Gulf State Park
- Hours: Monday - Sunday from 7 am - 2 pm; 5 pm - 9 pm
- Details: Casual dining at The Lodge at Gulf State Park. Family-oriented dining from breakfast (buffet & a la carte) to dinner, indoors or on the patio.
#10 - CoastAL
- Location: Orange Beach
- Hours: Sunday - Thursday from 11 am - 10 pm and Friday - Saturday from 11 am - 11 pm
- Details: Casual dining with delicious seafood dishes. Perfect for date night or a family night out with both indoor and outdoor seating.
#11 - Voyagers at Perdido Beach Resort
- Location: Orange Beach
- Hours: Monday to Sunday from 5 pm - 10 pm
- Details: Fine dining at the Perdido Beach Resort. A longtime favorite in this area. Reservations recommended.
#12 - The GULF
- Location: Orange Beach
- Hours: Open daily from 11 am - 9 pm
- Details: Waterfront at Alabama Point, so it is Gulf-front but not beachfront. But you won't care when you see how cool it is; outdoor restaurant with great places to lounge and enjoy watching the boats.
#13 - Flora-Bama Lounge & Package Store
- Location: at the Alabama/Florida border
- Hours: Open daily from 9am - 2:30 am
- Details: Ok, it's really a bar, and known for live music. But it is relatively family friendly for lunch and has some tasty casual food options. They also have some really good food across the street and waterfront on Ole River, but those aren't beachfront and we told you this list was beachfront!
Plan the Ultimate Gulf Shores Vacation
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