Restaurants of Lower Alabama

6781Gulf Shores Parkway (Hwy59)

Open to the public.  Serving lunch (11-2pm) and dinner (5-7pm) Monday thru Friday.  Lots of comfort food available including meatloaf and chicken & dumplings.  Best prices available anywhere in the area.  Pool tables, slot machines and trading library.  Full bar.  Non smoking.

 

Café Grazie ($$)   251-981-7278

27267Perdido Beach Blvd, San Roc Cay Marina, Orange Beach

If you like garlic, this is the place for you!   The roasted garlic and parmesan in olive oil for dipping the freshly baked bread is delish!   Actually, the waterfront view, delightful atmosphere, friendly servers and great food make this a terrific choice any time of day!  Full bar.  Non smoking.

 

Captain’s Galley  ($$)   251-949-5777

CR-10 one mile west of Hwy-59 on the Bon Secour River, Bon Secour

As the name implies, the emphasis here is on seafood but good beef, chicken and sandwiches are also available.  Lunch specials available for $5 and dinner specials for $10.  Oysters on the half shell for $6.50/dozen.   Full Bar.  Non smoking.  Bon Secour River view. 



Cosmo's  ($)   251-948-9663

25753 Canal Road, Orange Beach


Located on Hwy 180 (Canal Road) a couple of miles east of The Wharf.  Cosmo's offers both inside dining as well as tables on a spacious deck in front of the restaurant.  They offer everything from soup to a "Dessert of the Day."  We shared a bowl of their Duck and Andouille Sausage Gumbo which was absolutely terrific!  It contained large pieces of duck and sausage in a base thick enough to stand a spoon in.  My Bride had the Chicken Roulade, bacon wrapped chicken breast stuffed with asparagus and gruyere cheese in a sage/leek cream sauce with risotto.  She loved it!  I had another go at a Soft Shell Crab Po-Boy and once again found that I actually like these things!  It's kinda hinky to look at with the legs hanging out of the roll but the taste is great.  They serve it with a remoulade sauce which added to the flavor.  This is a great spot and we will definitely be returning.  Full bar.  No Smoking. (not sure about the outdoor deck)     

 

Desoto’s Seafood Kitchen  ($$)   251-948-7294

138 West 1^st Avenue, Gulf Shores

Though the restaurant needs some sprucing up, this is a pretty good spot for an inexpensive seafood lunch.  Most items are under $10.  I enjoyed a large portion of fried flounder with fries and lima beans while my bride had the blackened catfish with delicious sweet potato casserole and fresh veggies.  Considering that I am not a big fan of fish, I thought it was great!  Full bar.  Non smoking.

 

Doc’s Seafood Shack  ($$)   251-967-4800   NTN Trivia

1140 Gulf Shores Parkway (Hwy 59), Gulf Shores

Nightly “all you can eat” seafood specials and Oysters on the half shell for $6 per dozen during all-day Happy Hour.   Ask for your oysters to be freshly shucked as they tend to shuck them beforehand.  Full bar.  Non smoking. 

 

Fairhope Yacht Club  ($$)   251-928-8888

101 Volanta Avenue, Fairhope

Though officially, only members and those affiliated with other yacht clubs are allowed to enjoy the great facilities, it's possible to ask for an invitation.   Complete restaurant and bar offering both early bird specials and a Sunday Brunch.  Full bar.  Non smoking.  Views of Mobile Bay.
 

 

Farm Fresh Meats  ($)   251-947-7385

22057 Hwy 59, Robertsdale  no web site

About the only food served on the premises are hot dogs and sausage sandwiches with chips and soft drinks.  This is the only true butcher shop we have discovered in the area where they will actually cut meat per your instructions.  We bought a 4 pound prime rib roast for Thanksgiving, barbecued it on our Weber and it was GREAT!  They also make up various prepared dishes like stuffed chickens that you can take home and simply heat and eat. 

 

Flippers  ($$)   251-981-3547

5749 Bay la Launch Ave, Orange Beach

Oysters on the half shell $7/dozen.  Full menu with Early Bird meals 3-6:30pm for under $10.  My bride had the blackened swai and found it very good.  My gumbo was VERY salty.  Nice Perdido Bay view, full bar.  Non smoking.    

 

Flora-Bama  ($$)   850-492-0611 or 251-980-5118

17401 Perdido Key Dr., Pensacola, FL


This is your basic biker bar with oysters, burgers and other pub grub.  Great ocean view and beach availability.  Live music both day and night. Full bar.  Smoking both indoors and on the numerous patios. 

 

Gift Horse Restaurant ($$)   251-943-3663

209 West Laurel Ave, Foley

  
This restaurant is housed in a building that was constructed in 1912 and has been used at various times by the American Legion, the USO, for a skating rink and a succession of hardware stores.  They serve only buffet style: $11 for lunch Monday-Saturday and $15 for dinner 7 days a week.  Although we do not eat at buffets, this one looks very good with many seafood, beef and chicken offerings along with a good variety of salads and sides.  No bar available but you may bring your own bottle of wine.  Non smoking.

  

Harbour Grill  ($$)   251-981-9891

27842 Canal Road, Orange Beach  (Sportsman Marina on Perdido Bay)

  
"Champagne taste on a beer budget!"  Many delicious seafood, beef and chicken entrees are available as well as sushi.  Some of the best food in the area, for very low prices.  Oysters $6 per dozen daily and only 25¢  each on Saturday between 11am and 2pm.  My bride had the chicken Florentine for $10 which was excellent and I had the fried shrimp in a light batter and the grouper sandwich, both were quite good.  Try the Bleu Cheese Cole Slaw!!   Early Bird and Happy Hour specials, full bar.  Non smoking.  Marina view.


Ichiban ($$)   251-971-8770
 
2167 South McKenzie, Foley  (across street from Wal-Mart)


This is another of the many Japanese Teppan/Hibachi restaurants in the area.  We have always been told that most Southern food is fried but these places are a definite exception to that rule.  We stopped by this place for lunch one afternoon and we both ordered their Lunch Box which consists of soup, salad, rice, pork dumplings, a California Roll and your choice of entree.  My bride had the Teriyaki Chicken while I went for the Teriyaki Steak.  Both meals were fine and our only complaint would be that the salad dressing was a bit watery.  We have yet to find one of these places that turned out to be a stinker.  Full bar.  No  Smoking. 


Ivey's Fine Dining  ($$$)   251-947-4000

18427 Pennsylvania Street, Robertsdale


Located in Robertsdale between the north and south lanes of Hwy 59.  Ivey's is an upscale New Orleans style restaurant offering many Creole and Cajun dishes in addition to steaks and seafood.  We enjoyed an excellent lunch with my Bride ordering the Parmesan chicken with creamed spinach and rice while I had the fettucinni Alfredo topped with Parmesan crusted veal.  Both meals included a salad and we ordered additional bowls of crab bisque and gumbo.  The soups were both very rich and loaded with seafood.  They have an extensive wine list as well as beer and cocktails.  No Smoking.  

Jesse’s  ($$$)   251-965-3827

14770 Oak Street, Magnolia Springs

A fine dining restaurant with many beef dishes.  Chicken and fish also served.  My bride had the grouper with lump crab meat and I had the barbecued shrimp.  She loved hers and I was disappointed.  The shrimp were served over a bed of linguini in a red sauce that was made spicy by an abundance of Tabasco.  This was not the dish served in New Orleans.  Prices are mostly in the $20-30 range.  Extensive wine list and a full bar.  Non smoking.

 

Keg Lounge and Grill  ($)   251-981-9462

26796 Canal Rd (Hwy 180), Orange Beach

This is primarily a bar but they also serve finger food and sandwiches.  They claim to have the best burger in the area.  We haven’t tried one yet.  The interior is a bit run down but the folks are all friendly.  Non smoking inside but they also have an outdoor bar where you can smoke.

 

Les Roux  ($$)   251-943-8444

3177 South McKenzie Street, Foley

A Cajun restaurant right here in Foley including Po-boys, crawfish dishes and gumbo.  Food quality is not New Orleans but still very good.   Sunday Jazz Brunch 9-3 with most items under $10.  Bread pudding and pecan pie on the desert menu.  Full Bar.  Non smoking.

  

Live Bait ($$)    

24281 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach 251-974-1612  

4851 East Entrance Wharf Parkway, Orange Beach  251-224-2248 

This is a fun place with daily lunch and dinner specials and dance bands on Friday and Saturday evenings.  We had dinner at their Wharf location.  My Bride had the Blackened Grouper with a crawfish sauce.  The grouper was very good but the sauce was extremely salty.  I ordered the Pasta New Orleans which was described as crawfish, shrimp and andoullie sausage simmered in a spicy cream sauce over pasta.  This dish was terrible!  The crawfish, shrimp and sausage were fine but the "cream sauce" was akin to a can of Campbell's tomato soup made with 2 cans of water and loaded with cayenne pepper.  I ate the shellfish and sausage and let the waiter know that it was a disappointment.  The manager came by and offered to cook another one for me and throw in a couple of desserts but I declined.  She did remove it from our bill.  They have a nice selection of wine and a full bar.  No Smoking. 

  

Longhorn Steakhouse  ($$)   251-967-3480

3810 Gulf Shores Parkway (Hwy59)

An upscale steakhouse with seafood, beef and chicken dishes available.  My bride claims they have the best salmon she has ever had in a restaurant.  I had the pork chops which were merely okay.  Elegant western motif and comfortable seating, with friendly servers.  Good wine list.  Full bar.  Non smoking.

 

Lulu’s  ($$)   251-967-5858

200 East 25^th Avenue, Gulf Shores

Sandwiches, salads and seafood baskets.  We’ve eaten here several times and have always enjoyed the food and location as well as the entertainment.  If you pay with a credit card they will add 15% as a tip if you do not.  We always pay with a Visa and tip in cash and have had to call them on 2 occasions to have the extra 15% removed from our card total.  Full bar with many tropical drinks at premium prices.  Live music many afternoons and evenings.  Full bar, non smoking.  Located on Intracoastal Waterway.

 

Magnolia River Bar and Grill  ($$)   251-965-6801

14984 Hwy98, Magnolia Springs

This place looked like it might be a cozy neighborhood eatery but is simply a bar with a dining room off to the side.  We have no idea what their menu is like because the air quality was so poor that we were only able to peek inside before hightailing it for the great outdoors.  Full bar.  SMOKING. 

 

Mellow Mushroom  ($)   251-970-1414   WiFi

2303 McKenzie Street, Foley


Our favorite pizza, it’s terrific, plus they serve hot and cold sandwiches and Italian specialties as well as a great “build your own salad” option.    Beer and wine available, non smoking and friendly servers.    

 

 

Mikato  ($$$)   251-968-2525

3800 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Suite 200, Gulf Shores

Both food and wine are overpriced but the food is good if you’re willing to pay the price.    They have hibachi-style cooking and this is a good choice for a romantic evening out.   Full bar, non smoking, open every day for lunch and dinner.

Okki Japanese Steakhouse ($$$)   251-971-3371

3187 S. McKenzie, Foley, Alabama


Located on Hwy 59 (McKenzie Road), this is pretty much a typical Japanese Teppan steakhouse where you sit around a grill with a group of folks you don't know and enjoy the antics of a clever chef.  All of the Teppan selections are in the $20 to $30 range and run the gamut from chicken to lobster.  We had the Samurai dinner for two (lobster and shrimp with rice, veggies, soup and salad) for $48.  The food was well prepared, the atmosphere was pleasant and our table mates were a young family vacationing from Mississippi.  Overall, a very enjoyable experience.  The owner, Okki, came by several times to check on us.  They also have several tables if you would prefer a non-Teppan Japanese meal.  Full bar.  Non Smoking.  

Old Bay Steamer ($$)   251-928-5714

105 South Section Street, Fairhope

Good food at reasonable prices in a very casual atmosphere in downtown Fairhope.   Full bar. Non smoking.

  

Original Oyster House  ($$)   251-948-2445701

Hwy 59, Bayou Village, Gulf Shores

Enjoy a nice view of the Causeway, with a good selection of local and regional seafood, this is a good choice even though they have shortened their menu recently.    The food is good, the servers are friendly.  Full bar. Non smoking. 

  

Papa’s Pizza ($$)   251-943-3330

321 McKenzie Street, Foley

Good quality pizza and pasta dishes in a small neighborhood restaurant.  Beer and wine.  Non smoking.

  

Avanti's  (opening soon)   

18 Laurel Avenue, Fairhope 

(Watch for a review soon.)
 

 

Papa Rocco’s  ($)   251-948-7262   Wi-Fi

Gulf Shores Parkway at 6^th Avenue, Gulf Shores

“Home of warm beer and lousy pizza”  Pizza and sandwiches with most items $10 or less.  Also many home made Italian specialties.  I had a Reuben that was great and my bride enjoyed the ravioli.  All sauces and salad dressings are made in house.  Oysters on the half shell $7.50 per dozen.  Live entertainment nightly.  Full bar.  Non smoking.  Great place to watch “The Game” of course!

  

Peng Garden ($)   251-943-2600

1404 South Mckenzie St. Foley 

Good Chinese buffet with snow crab legs on the menu Friday through Sunday evenings.  Beer and wine.  Non smoking. 

 

Saltwater Grill at the Grand Hotel ($$$)   251-928-9201

One Grand Blvd, Point Clear

  
Excellent seafood restaurant in the Grand Hotel.  Open for dinner with nightly seafood specials under $20.  We both had the blackened cobia with rice pilaf and fresh veggies for $17.  The fish was perfectly prepared and complimented by a wine list with many selections less than $25/bottle.  The mojitos and chocolate martinis were great!  Full bar.  Non smoking.  Views of Mobile Bay.   Go at Christmastime to enjoy their beautiful decorations, inside and out!

  

Shuckers Oyster Bar  ($$)   251-224-1007

4673 Wharf Parkway, Orange Beach
(Located at The Wharf shopping mall on Canal Road west of the Foley Beach Expressway on the Intracoastal Waterway.)

A great spot to watch a game while munching on oysters, gumbo, assorted other seafood, finger foods and burgers.  25¢  oysters one weekend per month.  Most entrees are in the $10 to $20 range but daily specials are also available for $6.50 including 2 sides and tea.  Food quality is good .  Full bar.  Smoking permitted everywhere but restaurant is mostly open air.  View of Intracoastal Waterway. 

 

Stacey's Rexall Pharmacy  ($)   251-943-7191

121 West Laurel Ave, Foley

This olde tyme soda fountain is a great place to take a break from the rigors of shopping in downtown Foley.  In addition to sodas, milkshakes and other fountain treats, they also offer a variety of sandwiches in the $2-3 range.  Non smoking.

Tamara's Bar and Grill  ($$)   251-929-0002   Wi-Fi    NTN Trivia 

210 Eastern Shore Center, Fairhope


This is a FUN spot!  Loads of seafood, sandwiches and wings at some of the best prices anywhere.  Happy Hour 3-6pm, Monday thru Friday with inexpensive drinks and 25¢ oysters!  We gobbled our way through 3 dozen oysters and a plate of snow crab legs, shrimp, potatoes, corn and cole slaw for under $20 during Happy Hour.  Lots of TVs for sporting events.  Non smoking inside with a large covered patio in the rear for smokers.   Say "Hi" to Sheri for us!


Tamara's Downtown Restaurant  ($$)   251-929-2219

104 North Section St, Fairhope
 

Eclectic art decorating the walls and ceiling make this a visually interesting restaurant.   We enjoyed their Sunday Brunch with $5 bottomless champagne and $10 for the unlimited Bloody Mary Bar.   Friendly servers, varied menu, full bar, non smoking.

Tin Top Restaurant  ($$$)    251-949-5086    WiFi

17240 County Road 10, Bon Secour


This restaurant is a little bit pricey considering quality and quantity, but if you’re looking for fine dining in a casual atmosphere, with friendly servers, this is a fun place to visit.  They have lunch specials Monday through Friday and a good Sunday Brunch.  Full Bar. Non smoking.   

 

Tokyo  ($$$)   251-990-2218

94 Plantation Pointe, Fairhope 

Hibachi-style cooking as well as regular table service and a sushi bar.  Food is excellent but quite pricey.  Full bar.  Non smoking. 

 

Wintzell's Oyster House  ($$)   251-929-2322

805 North Mobile Street, Fairhope 

Specializing in seafood and oysters but they also have Po Boys, steaks and chicken dishes.  I’ve had the roast beef Po Boy and fries which were pretty good and my bride had the gumbo which was merely OK.  Half price oysters (my bride’s favorite) for $5/dozen during Happy Hour.  Full bar.  Non smoking inside with a smoking deck outside.