Judy’s guidebook
Food scene
Nothing fancy, but great gumbo, oysters, fish sandwich, etc. Always consistent and always a family favorite.
88 locals recommend
Sea N Suds
405 E Beach BlvdNothing fancy, but great gumbo, oysters, fish sandwich, etc. Always consistent and always a family favorite.
Bahama Bob's Beach Side Cafe
601 W Beach BlvdJust a mile up the road, laid back and yummy!
No dine in, but a great option to pick up early in the day, and warm up for dinner. Everything is fantastic - the smoked chop salad is so good!
Brookman's Smokehouse
1544 AL-59No dine in, but a great option to pick up early in the day, and warm up for dinner. Everything is fantastic - the smoked chop salad is so good!
Old school classic. Great house salad dressing and so many seafood options!
56 locals recommend
Mikee's Seafood
205 E 2nd AveOld school classic. Great house salad dressing and so many seafood options!
Our fave local pizza. Place your order early in the day, for evening delivery or you might not get through!
31 locals recommend
Crico's Pizza & Subs
309 Gulf Shores PkwyOur fave local pizza. Place your order early in the day, for evening delivery or you might not get through!
This is a gorgeous setting and the skinny margarita is delightful! Restaurant made entirely from shipping containers!
262 locals recommend
The Gulf - Orange Beach
27500 Perdido Beach BoulevardThis is a gorgeous setting and the skinny margarita is delightful! Restaurant made entirely from shipping containers!
Make a reservation for dinner on the marina! Fantastic grouper!
39 locals recommend
Louisiana Lagniappe
27267 Perdido Beach BlvdMake a reservation for dinner on the marina! Fantastic grouper!
Beautiful setting amongst the live oaks of Bon Secour, and a delicious dinner!
75 locals recommend
The Tin Top Restaurant & Oyster Bar
6232 Bon Secour HwyBeautiful setting amongst the live oaks of Bon Secour, and a delicious dinner!
My favorite restaurant! Absolutely everything is fresh and creatively cooked, and is delicious! The setting in Magnolia Springs is captivating and sets the tone for a fabulous meal. Don't forget to try the bread pudding for dessert!
59 locals recommend
Jesse's Restaurant
14770 Oak StMy favorite restaurant! Absolutely everything is fresh and creatively cooked, and is delicious! The setting in Magnolia Springs is captivating and sets the tone for a fabulous meal. Don't forget to try the bread pudding for dessert!
A local Pecan farm that produces delicious candies, jellies and bulk nuts. A great stop if you like a little diversion off the beaten path.
B & B Pecan Co
16193 S Greeno RdA local Pecan farm that produces delicious candies, jellies and bulk nuts. A great stop if you like a little diversion off the beaten path.
Pick up some fresh catch! Everything is right off the boat! A lovely drive to get there; bring your cooler and they will pack it for you! Great for a dinner on the grill, or to freeze and take home with you!
22 locals recommend
Billy's Seafood
16780 River RdPick up some fresh catch! Everything is right off the boat! A lovely drive to get there; bring your cooler and they will pack it for you! Great for a dinner on the grill, or to freeze and take home with you!
A new version of Jesse’s, on the Bay!! Gorgeous setting and food is every bit as good as the Magnolia Springs location. Totally worth a little splurge!!
Jesse’s On The Bay
A new version of Jesse’s, on the Bay!! Gorgeous setting and food is every bit as good as the Magnolia Springs location. Totally worth a little splurge!!
Sightseeing
A must visit attraction! Take a nice long walk and enjoy the views. Always great to hang out with the local fisherman. They love to show off their catch. We have seen many fish, stingray, jellies and an octopus. $3/ person to walk on the pier.
94 locals recommend
Gulf State Park Pier
20800 E Beach BlvdA must visit attraction! Take a nice long walk and enjoy the views. Always great to hang out with the local fisherman. They love to show off their catch. We have seen many fish, stingray, jellies and an octopus. $3/ person to walk on the pier.
Little zoo that gets great reviews. They offer animal encounters for as little as $10 with lemurs, sloths, kangaroos. Do the encounters first as the animals are nocturnal so they get sleepy mid-morning. Safari Club restaurant is getting good reviews and takes reservations.
210 locals recommend
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
20499 Oak Rd ELittle zoo that gets great reviews. They offer animal encounters for as little as $10 with lemurs, sloths, kangaroos. Do the encounters first as the animals are nocturnal so they get sleepy mid-morning. Safari Club restaurant is getting good reviews and takes reservations.
Fun day for the adults and kids! We like to go early in the day when they open to avoid the lines and crowds!
160 locals recommend
The Track
3200 Gulf Shores PkwyFun day for the adults and kids! We like to go early in the day when they open to avoid the lines and crowds!
City/town information
Beautiful town on Mobile Bay, with many lovely boutiques and dining options. A great way to spend a day when you need a break from the sun, or something to do on a rainy day. Take scenic 98 for a gorgeous drive!
101 locals recommend
Fairhope
Beautiful town on Mobile Bay, with many lovely boutiques and dining options. A great way to spend a day when you need a break from the sun, or something to do on a rainy day. Take scenic 98 for a gorgeous drive!
Traveler advice
Ways to save
Local Gulf Shores area advice
*Pick up the free newspaper, The Mullet Wrapper, found in the entryway to many stores and groceries. It gives a two week calendar of events for the gulf coast.
*Sunday and Monday are common days for business to close. Check web and Facebook page to verify days and hours.
*Very few places take reservations.
*Many businesses will give you a discount if you pay with cash. Some are as much as 3% if you don’t use a card.