Other than its white sand beaches, seafood is the next biggest reason to visit the coast of Alabama. Fresh Gulf shrimp, oysters and fish are plentiful and you can enjoy it all in dressed-up dining rooms, sandy-feet seafood shacks and everything in between.
Here are a few local favorites.
Zeke’s Restaurant and Landing, Orange Beach
Watch boats come and go as you snack on fried grouper bites and peel-and-eat Gulf shrimp at this dockside spot located on Zeke’s Landing and Marina. Prepare to get your hands dirty with an Alabama-style seafood boil that’s filled with shrimp, corn, potatoes and smoky Conecuh sausage. If you’re heading out on a fishing charter, the restaurant will even cook your catch for you—the ultimate Gulf Coast experience.
Acme Oyster House
The name of this popular place doesn’t do its menu justice. Yes, you can order oysters (raw or char-grilled with herb butter) but there’s also a long list of po’ boys, a variety of fried platters, seafood gumbo and New Orleans bread pudding for dessert. Add a Swamp Water (Don Q Coco rum, blue curacao, pineapple juice and Sprite) and you’ve got one of the best spreads on the coast.
Mikee’s Seafood, Gulf Shores
The menu at this longtime favorite (open since 1987) has so many seafood options that it can be tough to choose. Are you in the mood for all-you-can-eat fried catfish? Raw or baked oysters? A fried shrimp po’boy? Or crab-stuffed shrimp with cream sauce? The benefit of all of those choices is that you can bring the whole family and everyone will find something to like—even non-seafood eaters.
The Gulf, Orange Beach
Sandy feet are not only allowed here, they are expected. The restaurant, which is made from shipping containers, has outdoor seating at picnic tables with an unobstructed view of the Gulf waters. It’s the perfect place for a beer and a grouper sandwich. The rest of the menu leans classic with a few creative touches: the BLT includes blackened snapper, shrimp tacos come with pineapple slaw, and grilled cobia is made with a honey-garlic glaze.
Doc’s Seafood Shack, Orange Beach
Not only is Doc’s home to the self-proclaimed “best fried shrimp in the entire civilized world,” it also makes the “world’s best seafood gumbo.” While those two things may be up for debate, the restaurant has been serving seafood since 1984, so they’re clearly doing something right. At this laid-back, family-owned restaurant (flip flops are welcome, according to the menu), you can even create your own custom seafood platter by choosing from fried, grilled and boiled items.
Tacky Jack’s, multiple locations
For waterfront views and a lively, laid-back vibe, you can’t do much better than Tacky Jack’s.
Coastal classics like smoked fish dip and fried crab claws share menu space with items like fried green tomato fries and the Recovery Cheeseburger. The bar is equally popular for its signature Bushwacker cocktail, frozen pina coladas, and moonshine cocktails. Choose from locations in Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan and Orange Beach.
Jesse’s on the Bay, Gulf Shores
If you feel like trading your sandals and shorts for something a little more dressed up, Jesse’s is a step above the casual spots. Expect creative seafood preparations like scallops with squash bouillabaisse, pepita pistou, crème brûlée cornbread and fennel. Or go all out with a seafood tower that includes lobster, peel ‘n’ eat shrimp, ceviche, oysters, creole cocktail, truffle aioli and cognac mustard. Unlike other restaurants in the area, reservations are recommended here.
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