Where to eat, play and stay in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama

on May 13, 2026

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If you’re planning a trip to the Alabama coast, you’re probably wondering what the food scene is like. I have great news for you. Alabama’s beaches have some fantastic restaurants, and I’m going to tell you all about them. One even boasts Kenny Chesney as a regular.

A woman in a patterned dress walks on a wooden boardwalk toward a sandy beach and blue ocean under a clear sky.

Read on for my restaurant picks in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, where to play, and where to stay so you can be in the middle of it all.

Where to Stay in Alabama’s Beaches
Where to Eat in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
Where to Play in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Where to Stay in Alabama’s Beaches

My travel partner, Fadra, and I were invited by Alabama’s Beaches for a few days to explore and share our experiences. I loved sharing about the exciting beach activities we did, like parasailing, jet skiing, circle boats, and bike riding. And now it’s time for the logistics, so you can plan.

I knew they would take care of us, but I did not expect a 2,301-square-foot waterfront condo on the 21st floor at Turquoise Place by Spectrum Resorts. Y’all, that’s bigger than my actual house!

Spacious living and dining area with tile flooring, beige sofa, dining table with six chairs, large windows, and balcony view.

A bedroom with a large wooden bed, white bedding, two bedside tables with lamps, a ceiling fan, mirrored closet doors, and neutral-colored walls.

A person stands in front of a mirror, holding a phone and making a peace sign, with a dining room and furniture visible in the background.

This 3-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom space sleeps up to 10 people, has in-unit laundry, an enormous kitchen, and a hot tub on the balcony. The balcony also includes a grill, a lounge area, and plenty of space for morning stretches.

To say we were comfortable is definitely an understatement. I slept so well in my giant bed, and thankfully, Fadra was on board with my vacation rules of keeping the A/C at 67°F at night.

As for amenities, Turquoise Place is two towers of condos with direct beachfront access to that glorious white sand and surf. They also have a gym, several pools (indoor and outdoor), and a lazy river. I would definitely stay here again.

We also had access to the Spectrum Club Lounge, which offered a delicious complimentary buffet breakfast with hot and cold options, more Gulf views, and plenty of tables and lounge areas to hang out. This benefit is only offered to those who book directly with Spectrum, so skip the third-party sites and use my code below for a discount.

Modern gym with weight benches, free weights, medicine balls, stability balls, resistance bands, and exercise equipment near large windows.

Outdoor pool area with a curved swimming pool, palm trees, lounge chairs, and people relaxing under a clear blue sky.

Located at 26350 Perdido Beach Blvd., Orange Beach, AL 36561, Turquoise Place is right in the middle of all the beach activities we did during our stay. If you want to search for our exact condo, it was unit D2106, and you can use the code JUST to save 10% on your booking.

Where to Eat in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

The food scene on the Alabama coast is not to be missed. Seafood, of course, is non-negotiable, and they did it right. But beyond that, we had delicious steak, pizza, donuts, beautiful cocktails, and more.

Foodcraft

Fadra and I each had flight delays, so we arrived later than we intended. It was after dark when we made it to dinner at Foodcraft, but the place was hopping. After an unusual travel day that had me eating at odd times, I decided to go light with some oysters and a salad.

A bowl of green salad with shaved cheese and julienned apples in the foreground, with a plate of baked oysters and lemon in the background.

We sat on the outdoor deck, and I could only hear the waves, not see them. I bet it’s beautiful at sunset. It was a nice way to kick off our fun weekend.

Check out the menu and book your Foodcraft reservation here. Located at 21196 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

The Flora-Bama Yacht Club

After our adventurous morning riding circle boats and jet skis, I had definitely worked up an appetite. Thankfully, Flora-Bama Yacht Club is right next door to the marina where we jet skied, so lunch was just steps away.

Large sign reading "Flora-Bama Yacht Club" stands above a wooden fence with bicycles and parked cars visible nearby under a clear blue sky.

Even though yacht club is in the name, this place is anything but stuffy. It’s a come-as-you-are, let-the-good-times-roll kind of place, and the food is so good you may find yourself here more than once during your trip. In fact, Kenny Chesney is a regular here and has played many concerts at this classic Florida-Alabama beach bar over the years. He actually had a concert there just a week after our visit. Maybe next time!

A hand holds a frozen drink in a Flora-Bama Ole River Grill cup with a yellow straw at an outdoor beachside restaurant with people, umbrellas, and string lights.

A plate of nachos topped with diced raw fish, shredded purple cabbage, sesame seeds, and a creamy orange sauce on a wooden table.

Make sure you save room for the local favorite, The Bushwacker. They described it as a chocolate shake with rum, and that’s all I needed to hear. You have to pace yourself, though, because it goes down smooth.

Find the Flora-Bama Yacht Club at 17350 Perdido Key Dr, Pensacola, FL 32507.

Woodside Restaurant

I love that Gulf State Park boasts its own restaurants, and Woodside is a gem. This is a casual spot where you order at the counter and wait for your food to be delivered to your table. But don’t be fooled by the laid-back vibe. The shrimp tacos I had at Woodside were one of my favorite meals of the trip, my cocktail was excellent, and the Brussels sprouts were perfectly crispy.

A wooden table set with a grilled cheese sandwich and chips, three fish tacos, fried Brussels sprouts with dip, a pint of beer, and a cocktail with lemon.

Paired with outdoor string lights and live music, this meal was both delicious and relaxing. Even more, Woodside is right on the Gulf State Park bike trail, so if you time it right, you’ll have the perfect pit stop during your ride.

Wooden picnic tables under string lights in an outdoor setting, surrounded by trees at dusk.

Find Woodside at 20249 State Park Road, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, and save time for the gift shop too!

The Southern Grind – Indigo

You’ll want to make time for The Southern Grind. This coffee shop not only has delicious coffee and breakfast, but they also have the cutest beach shop full of home decor, bags, coffee mugs, and jewelry. It is a feast for the eyes and I could definitely see myself sitting there for hours.

Entrance to a cafe named "Southern Grind" with tables and chairs inside, a person walking toward the counter, and shelves displaying various items.

Open-faced sandwich topped with greens, a fried egg, sesame seeds, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze on a square white plate.

I had a coffee and avocado toast with an egg and it was so delicious. I’m not always a breakfast person, but this spot was a hit.

The Southern Grind has its own entrance but you can also access it from the lobby of Hotel Indigo. It’s located at 22843 Perdido Beach Blvd., Ste. A., Orange Beach, AL 36561, just a quick drive from Turquoise Place. Coincidentally, this is also where we started our bike ride through Gulf State Park. Breakfast and a bike ride? Sign me up.

CoastAL Orange Beach

We pulled up for lunch at CoastAL and I had no idea what to expect. This waterfront property is massive. It has open-air dining with excellent views and there are also several great shops to peruse before or after your meal. There is a stage for live music and extra seating to just enjoy the music when you are done at the table.

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A hand holds a fried chicken sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and onion in front of a wall sign reading "COASTAL ORANGE BEACH.

A square plate with crackers, red grapes, and a cheese ball topped with dried fruit, nuts, and a purple flower, placed on a wooden table next to a Coastal Beach Bar menu.

A slice of cheesecake topped with whipped cream, blueberries, mango, and a purple orchid, served outdoors at a restaurant with "COASTAL" signage in the background.

Now let’s talk about the food. CoastAL is known for their chicken sandwiches and the locals we were with couldn’t resist. I decided to go with the grouper because it uses the same breading and y’all, it was delicious. Even the fries were amazing. The pimiento cheese appetizer and key lime cheesecake made the best bookends to my meal.

CoastAL is the perfect spot to sit and stay a while, especially if there is a band playing. Find it at 25722 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561

Villaggio Grill

We rolled up to the Villaggio Grille just in time for happy hour, and I’m so glad. This restaurant is located at The Wharf, and I’ll talk more about our time there below. But first, I have to share about the delightful meal we had here. Everyone was so kind, from the hostess to the server and they really made us feel special.

A plate of grilled steak with asparagus and potatoes, served with brown sauce, sits on a white tablecloth beside a glass of red wine in a restaurant setting.

Villaggio Grille is a little more upscale than some of the other restaurants we tried, but it wasn’t stuffy at all. The wine was great, and the appetizer we shared was big enough to be a meal.

We had a mushroom pizza to start, and each decided to enjoy a filet. It was cooked just right, and the sides were great. You have the option to dine indoors or outside on the patio. We went indoors this time, and it was absolutely lovely.

A hand reaches to take a slice of thin-crust pizza topped with mushrooms, green onions, cheese, and a drizzle of white sauce, served on a metal tray.

You may want to make a reservation if you visit on a weekend or during a busy season. Villaggio Grille is located at 4790 Main Street, Suite F 108-B, Orange Beach, AL 36561.

Don’t forget the Donuts

No vacation is complete without a visit to a donut shop, and we tried two! City Donut and Daisy’s Donuts are both fantastic, and it was hard to choose a favorite.

Two boxes containing a variety of nine donuts each, featuring different glazes, toppings, and fillings, arranged in rows.

The good news is, you don’t have to! Both locations are conveniently located in Orange Beach, and each has a fantastic selection of classic flavors, as well as some with fun toppings.

I favored City Donut for the classics, but if you are into Boba drinks, you won’t want to miss Daisy’s Donuts for their amazing wall of options.

Outdoor seating area with yellow umbrellas in front of City Donut, a donuts and ice cream shop, with a glass entrance and various signs on the door and windows.

A donut shop called Daisy's Donuts with a large pink donut sign above the entrance and an open sign in the window.

City Donut is at 25751 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561, and Daisy’s Donuts (Boba & Kolaches) is just down the road at 26651 Perdido Beach Blvd A, Orange Beach, AL 36561.

Where to Play in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

In addition to the beach, outdoor activities, and restaurants, Alabama’s Beaches offers even more shopping, dining, and drinks at The Wharf. There is a Ferris Wheel, stores with options for men, women, kids, and pets, and even a hidden speakeasy.

A Ferris wheel with red and green lights is illuminated at night behind palm trees wrapped in blue lights, near shops and restaurants.

Before our dinner, Fadra and I got pedicures and explored a few of the shops. I was tempted by so many goodies, but I exercised self-control and left with only a pair of earrings.

Display of pink and green resort wear and accessories, including hats, bags, and clothing, arranged on tables and mannequins in a brightly lit retail store.

The real highlight of the evening, though, was 8 Reale, a speakeasy hidden behind a jewelry store.

A cozy lounge with brick walls, warm lighting, assorted chairs and sofas, and a sign reading "8 reale" mounted on the wall.

A yellow cocktail with ice is served in a stemmed glass, garnished with a pink and white orchid flower, placed on a marble table.

A coupe glass filled with a yellow cocktail sits on a wooden bar next to small bottles containing clear and green liquids.

8 Reale is hiding at 4851 Wharf Pkwy D-112, Orange Beach, AL. Check out the Facebook page on the day of your visit for the secret code.

Between shopping, pedicures, dinner, and drinks, it’s easy to spend several hours at The Wharf and not even realize it. It’s a fun time if you are looking for a few more off-beach activities to add to your vacation.

High-angle view of a sandy beach, calm ocean waves, a pier extending into the water, and a distant sunset, seen from a tall building balcony.

It’s hard to believe we fit all of these stops in within 3 days, but all I can say is where there’s a will, there’s a way, and I’m not even sorry.

On my next trip to Alabama’s Beaches, I plan to revisit several of these restaurants, but I’d love to hear where else I should go. Comment below with your favorite Gulf Shores or Orange Beach restaurants so I can add them to the list!