Top 5 Must-Try Restaurants in Gulf Shores, AL
Aside from its picturesque shorelines and crystal-clear waters, Gulf Shores also has a thriving culinary scene. Hungry locals and tourists have plenty of top-notch dining spots to choose from in the area, so be sure to check out these five must-try restaurants in Gulf Shores during your visit!
1. Fish River Grill #3
Somewhere along Gulf Shores Parkway is a welcoming neighborhood restaurant with a friendly, funky vibe. Its fancy decor and cozy atmosphere may be one of the reasons that visitors come to eat here. But what Fish River Grill #3 delights its guests the most with is its savory cooking!
You can kick-start your lunch or dinner with a serving of Creole Shrimp & Crabmeat Gumbo, Cajun Crawfish Pistol, or Fried Gator Bites. For the main course, make sure you try their Mississippi Catfish, which may be served up as strips or filets. Don’t forget to enjoy their fried oysters, too, or a Large Bayou Seafood Basket that’s loaded with shrimp, oysters, stuffed crab, fish, gator bites, and frog legs!
Fish River Grill #3 also makes delicious burgers, such as the Hurricane, which is slathered with mayo, ketchup, and mustard and loaded with bacon, Swiss cheese, jalapenos, and other fresh ingredients. And don’t miss out on their “OMG” Shrimp Feast Po’Boy in crawfish sauce, which is served with French fries and swamp soup. This dish is definitely one of the Chef’s favorites! If you have a hearty appetite to fill, consider adding a side of coleslaw, French fries, or fried onion rings to your order!
And if you have the time to really chillax, be sure to linger for a while and catch up on some post-meal chit-chat over a glass of Redneck Pina Colada, Amaretto Sour, or a pitcher of their Domestic Draft Beer.
Fish River Grill #3 is open Mondays through Saturdays, from 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Ratings:
| Source | Rating | Number of Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Trip Advisor | 4.5 | 928 |
| 4.6 | 1,988 | |
| Yelp | 4.5 | 380 |
2. Bahama Bob’s Beach Side Cafe
Want to dine only a few feet from the water? Well head on over to Bahama Bob’s Beach Side Cafe to enjoy some delectable Caribbean fare just a few steps from shore! Bahama Bob’s is one of Gulf Shores’ most recommended restaurants. Why? Because its welcoming atmosphere will make your tropical dining experience a real delight, whether you’re seated indoors or beside the shore.
For starters, try the local favorite, Crab Cay Crab Claws, paired with cocktail sauce. You can have it fried or scampi style and in small or large servings. Other popular appetizers include Coconut-Fried Shrimp, Hurricane Hole Fried Mushrooms, and Treasure Island Seafood Gumbo.
For your main entree, try the Paradise Island Fried Pecan Flounder, where a perfectly golden-fried Pecan-crusted flounder filet is served with French fries and coleslaw. Have a large group of seafarers? If so, add a Fried Captains Platter for the table to share in a mouthwatering plateful of whitefish, shrimp, oysters, and scallops! Craving something healthier, like steamed seafood? Go for their Island Combo, a combination of spiced deep water shrimp and crab legs, served with garlic butter.
If you’re in the mood for steak instead, you can order The Big Kahuna, which is chargrilled to your liking. Bahama Bob’s also offers a selection of burgers, grilled sandwiches, and beverages. And don’t forget to take in the scenery while sipping a glass of their famous Bahama Mama, a cocktail made of vodka, coconut rum, pineapple juice, peach schnapps, and cranberry juice.
Ratings:
| Source | Rating | Number of Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Trip Advisor | 4.5 | 2,328 |
| 4.5 | 3,294 | |
| Yelp | 4 | 1,034 |
3. Cosmo’s Restaurant & Bar
Tucked away along Canal Road in Orange Beach is Cosmo’s Restaurant & Bar, which has a relaxed ambiance. Cosmo’s is a casual and colorful restaurant that serves Southern-inspired contemporary cuisine and seafood, which you can enjoy on their spacious patio or cozy main indoor dining room.
If you happen to arrive during their Happy Hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., you can order a discounted draft beer or a glass of wine, and pair it with a delectable appetizer. Try their fried Firecracker Shrimp dish that features fried bay shrimp with a light coating of flour and spicy remoulade sauce. Why? Because this fan-favorite appetizer is one of the reasons why Cosmo’s is among the most popular restaurants in Gulf Shores. Note that with each meal, you can also add a Soup Du Jour or an upgraded bowl of their Duck and Andouille Sausage Gumbo to your order.
For the main course, try a platter of Fried Gulf Seafood—your choice of lightly dusted oysters, fish, or shrimp—served with coleslaw and fries. Hankering for some seafood pasta instead? You can chow down on a plateful of their pappardelle pasta mixed with tender bay shrimp, blue crab meat, broccoli florets, sweet green peas, and sun-dried tomatoes. This dish is delicious and sure to please your palate with its flavorful medley of chardonnay cream sauce and parmesan cheese sprinkled on top!
But don’t forget to save room for dessert! You cannot leave before indulging in their fried sugar- and cinnamon-dusted Cosmo’s Banana Fritters, which comes a la mode with vanilla ice cream and chocolate banana sauce.
Cosmo’s operates from 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m on Fridays and Saturdays.
Ratings:
| Source | Rating | Number of Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Trip Advisor | 4.5 | 2,875 |
| 4.5 | 2,202 | |
| 4.6 | 1,201 |
4. Sunset Cork Room
Off the beaten path along 16th Avenue is Sunset Cork Room, an elegant and charming restaurant whose patio sparkles with warm bistro lights in the evening. Open Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunset Cork Room makes an ideal spot for a romantic dinner with your significant other.
After arriving, you can begin your casual fine dining experience with a bottle of Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc, Barone Fini Merlot, or any of their world-class wines. Why? Because Sunset Cork Room specializes in wine and offers a wide variety of reds, whites, and everything in between. If you’re unsure of which wine to pair with your dishes, just ask their knowledgeable staff who is eager to help you with your wine selections.
Start your meal with a delicious appetizer, such as their Grilled Mushroom Skewers and Mornay or Portabella Mushroom and Spinach Quiche. You can also enjoy a bowl of their Soup Du Jour or their Watercress and Poached Pear Salad for a starter before your main course.
For your entrée, consider choosing one of their Chef Specialties, such as Crab Cakes with French Remoulade and the Coquilles (Scallops) St. Jacques Broccolini. Not feeling seafood tonight? Not a problem. You can order one of their delectable grilled meat dishes, like their 8-oz Filet Mignon or New Zealand Lamb “Lollypops.”
Although not necessary, it’s best to make a reservation ahead of time because the Sunset Cork Room is one of the most popular special occasion restaurants in Gulf Shores among locals and visitors alike.
The restaurant is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Ratings:
| Source | Rating | Number of Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Trip Advisor | 4.5 | 289 |
| 4.7 | 372 | |
| Yelp | 4.5 | 105 |
5. Kitty’s Kafe
Before heading out on your beach adventure, start your day with a scrumptious breakfast at Kitty’s Kafe. At Kitty’s Kafe, make yourself at home in one of their booths or tables, where you can relax and enjoy the lovely atmosphere of Southern hospitality.
If you’re looking for a hearty breakfast, you can fill up on country fried chicken, hamburger steak, or pork chop, all served with eggs, potatoes, and country gravy. Alternatively, you can also order a simple omelet with grits, potatoes, toast, or a biscuit. And don’t forget to check out their eggs benedict varieties! These are a local favorite because you can choose to order your eggs benedict with Canadian bacon, fried tomato, or crab cake! Want something more comforting? Then try out their Southern benedict, which combines sausage and biscuit with a medium egg and gravy.
If you prefer to enjoy a sandwich rather than a full breakfast, be sure to try their Reuben Sandwich, which is a savory combination of slow-roasted corned beef, sauerkraut, and swiss cheese slathered with a delectable 1000 island dressing. Kitty Kafe also offers a variety of delicious wraps, including chicken bacon ranch, fish taco, and homemade chicken salad.
Want to try some of their house specialties? Get the Greek Chicken, a breaded and grilled chicken breast served with artichoke, tomato chutney, and feta. This dish is served with a Greek salad and pita bread.
Kitty’s Kafe also offers tasty desserts to round out your meal. So don’t leave without indulging in their yummy bread pudding with whiskey sauce or their homemade cobbler.
Ratings:
| Source | Rating | Number of Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Trip Advisor | 4.5 | 808 |
| 4.6 | 1,016 | |
| Yelp | 4.5 | 478 |
Want to know more about the best restaurants in Gulf Shores? Just shoot us an email at hello@mightyvacay.com.
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NOTE: While this article has been written for your general enjoyment and personal informational use, it should not be relied upon because we cannot warranty the accuracy of information. Please be sure to contact each business directly to verify rates and terms of service.
