There are lots of restaurants nearly all of whom offer great, fresh seafood.

On "the island" which means south of the Intercoastal Waterway, you'll find almost all local restaurants, very few chains.  There is an array of chain restaurants including Longhorn, Outback, O'Charley's, Appleby's, Cracker Barrel and more as you go north toward Foley.  If you are looking for something familiar, there is a Pizza Hut, a Hooters and a Waffle House in Gulf Shores, and a Ruby Tuesday's in Orange Beach.  We hope, however, that you'll give some of our local restaurants a try!

This area is quite casual and you don't have to dress up to go anywhere but a few are not t-shirt and flip-flop casual!

Here are some of our favorites.

Family friendly:
Lulu's
The Hangout
The Original Oyster House
DeSoto's
King Neptune--for oysters not atmosphere!
Tacky Jacks, overlooking water in Orange Beach
Mellow Mushroom in Foley

West Beach:
Tequila's downstairs at the Beachside Resort--not pretty, but good
Bahama Bob's

The Wharf:
Rafters--sports bar but it is good enough to go for the food!
Live Bait (not the one by the beach)--very good

San Roc Cay: 
Cafe Grazie--Italian seafood
Louisiana Lagnaippe

Cosmos on Canal Road in Orange Beach and their new sister restaurant which is opening next to Caribe Resort

The Restaurant at The Beach Club is very good and there is also an informal grill at their market.  If you are staying there, you can also eat at the poolside Tiki Bar if your condo has membership (ours does)!

A little further north, we like The Tintop in Bon Secour and Jesse's in Magnolia Springs.  There are also some great places we can recommend along the Eastern Shore and in Fairhope.

They'll cook it for you:
Gulf Shores Seafood will steam shrimp or crawfish or do a low country boil for you (they also hand cut steaks)
Cosmo's does a great job catering and we also have an independent catering chef we recommend
A Specialty Bakery is our favorite cake bakery--beautiful and delicious for birthdays, weddings and more