The best restaurants in Orange Beach Alabama (2024 Edition)

If you’re a regular reader (and I hope you are!!!), you know I’m a big fan of Alabama’s beaches. As a regular visitor, I enjoy discovering new places each trip. This post is devoted to the best restaurants in Orange Beach, Alabama: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, waterfront and more.

If you want to know the best places to eat in Gulf Shores — just a couple miles down the road — we’ve got that covered, too. I enjoy the thorough research of eating my way through Alabama’s gulf coast!

Without further ado, here’s our guide to the best restaurants in Orange Beach, Alabama. Enjoy!

Best breakfast in Orange Beach, Alabama

My daughter’s favorite meal of the day is breakfast! She loves her eggs over easy with a side of grits and crispy bacon. She chases it down with a tall glass of chocolate milk — and she will enjoy every bite! I’m more of a healthy breakfast girl, oatmeal with fruit or avocado toast, with a great cup of coffee. My husband enjoys it all — sausage gravy, too. We’ve found a few places that make us all quite happy!

Ruby Slipper Cafe, 24151 Perdido Beach Blvd., Orange Beach

The restaurant’s sunny decor and high ceilings are inviting, while the cozy booths balance the openness, creating intimate dining spaces. The Louisiana inspired menu at Ruby Slipper Cafe offers sweet and savory breakfast items to please every member of the family.

We recommend:

• Savory — a signature benedict, which they call “bennies,” (the peacemaker  lets you choose two),
• Sweet — the french toast bites (brioche french toast bites tossed in cinnamon sugar with cream cheese icing and praline sauce),
• Sides — pig candied bacon bites (crispy bacon in a tasty candy glaze).

PRO TIP: Save time and join the waitlist before you leave “home.” Ruby Slipper is open Monday-Friday, 7:00 to 2:00 and weekends, 7:00 to 3:00.

Brick & Spoon, 24705 Canal Rd, Orange Beach

Serving an upscale southern menu in a casual atmosphere, Brick & Spoon provides diners a relaxed way to start the day. Ranked one of the top ten breakfasts in the United States by Travel + Leisure, we hesitate to recommend one dish over another. So, I’ll just say try one of the brunch specialties or the stuffed french toast sliders, which are traditional favorites with a twist, and enjoy a custom bloody mary. They’re kind of epic!

Duck’s Diner, 4560 Easy St., Orange Beach

Established in 2003, Duck’s Diner is a local hot spot serving breakfsat all day long, with lunch specials from 10:30 to 1:30. It’s always crowded, mostly with locals, so you know it’s good! I enjoyed a seasonal special of pecan french toast topped with berries and a side of scrambled eggs, but they are probably best known for their banana stuffed french toast and their massive omelets served with choice of side and biscuit or toast.

The restaurant uses locally sourced, seasonal ingredients where it can, and they offer healthy dishes for those who want something lighter. The restaurant will likely be crowded, but the servers are up to the task — friendly and efficient, and they keep the coffee coming. For a filling meal, this is the place to go.

PRO TIP: Head here for brunch and skip lunch. I ate here before heading home, perfect for a long travel day.

Best restaurants in Orange Beach for lunch and dinner

When it comes to the best restaurants in Orange Beach, Alabama for lunch, it’s hard to pick just one. Most restaurants in Orange Beach are locally owned, dedicated to the culture and vibe of the community. They take advantage of the scenery (hello, blue waters), comforting southern cuisine and the relaxed atmosphere that makes the area so special.

The Gulf, 27500 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach

Food + Location = Perfection.

We love The Gulf, an outdoor dining concept built entirely of shipping containers, one of the best Orange Beach restaurants on the water. Everything at The Gulf is made fresh daily, and when a menu item runs out, that’s it for the day. Hence, my recommendation to eat there for lunch (a late lunch means smaller crowds). With a sandy play area, fire pits, and expansive views of the gulf, you can’t find better “decor.”

While the menu changes daily, the Gulf Burger and hand cut fries are always delicious! The Mahi-Mahi Tacos, topped with cajun aioli, pineapple slaw, diced tomato, cilantro, and lime, are absolutely drool worthy. The Gulf is also known for their extensive mojito menu, all delicious (I checked).

With room to play and a kid’s menu, this is a popular spot for families to enjoy a relaxed meal with the best views on the gulf!

Tacky Jacks, 27206 Safe Harbor Drive, Orange Beach

Tacky Jack’s was my daughter’s absolute favorite restaurant in Orange Beach on our first trip when she was nine. She still thinks it’s awesome, and it’s long been an award winning favorite for the locals. With three locations on Alabama’s gulf coast, Tacky Jack’s serves great food in a whimsical, intentionally haphazard, atmosphere. Lines can get long at prime dining times, so go for a late lunch or early dinner unless you don’t mind waiting. The sunset views are free!

One of our favorites was the Mexican Garbage (beef and cheese nachos topped with tomato, onions, black olives, sour cream, jalapeno peppers and salsa). It’s large enough to share — a meal for three if you ask me! The Po Boys are also terrific.

Luna’s Eat & Drink, 25689 Canal Road, Orange Beach

Serving southern favorites that are hand crafted daily using fresh, simple ingredients with a touch of soul, Luna’s Eat & Drink is a laid back restaurant popular with travelers and locals alike. The restaurant offers airy dining and lots of TVs to catch the big game.

The staff is attentive to allergy concerns. I ate here alone, something I don’t do often, and felt like I was having dinner at a friend’s house. The staff checked in on me regularly without smothering me. My cup never emptied!

The day I went, they had a Nashville Hot Chicken dinner that was pure perfection. It’s no longer offered as a dinner, but I can confidently recommend the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich in its place.

Cosmo’s Restaurant & Bar, 25753 Canal Rd, Orange Beach

As someone allergic to shellfish, I tend to avoid restaurants known for their seafood. But, Cosmo’s is incredibly popular with locals, and I decided this last trip to see what all the fuss is about. Well… let me tell you…. it’s well-deserved praise!

The owners are local to the area, dedicated to supporting the local business community and places like the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. The restaurant is named after theif first dog, a local rescue whose portrait hangs on the wall. Many of the staff, some of whom I got to chat with, have been with the restaurant for a very long time. So, I get why locals love it… How’s the food?

I got the Asian glazed tuna (no longer on the lunch menu, but available at dinnertime), letting the server know I am shellfish allergic. She assured me they serve people with allergies all the time, and my order was no problem. It was absolutely delicious!

Thanks to all the readers who recommended it — and persisted. I understand why you say it’s the best restaurant in Orange Beach — great food, excellent service and friendly, relaxed beach vibe!

CoastAL Orange Beach, 25722 Perdido Beach Blvd., Orange Beach

Located on the beach, CoastAL Orange Beach is a restaurant, retail shop and bar. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor dining, live music outside in the evenings, and incredible views for all. With beach access, you can stop in for a quick meal or a drink at the bar. If you eat at the bar, the chicken sandwich with house made pimiento cheese is the top pick (per my sources).

The restaurant menu is more extensive, and includes classic coastal fare, local seafood and delicious desserts. I have to say, the pimiento cheese appetizer is beyond amazing. Served with jam, praline pecans, crackers and seasonal fruit, there’s plenty to share.

Everything here is delicious. And, like all the best restaurants in Orange Beach, Alabama, they readily accommodate allergies without problems.

Voyager’s, Perdido Beach Resort, 27200 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach

Voyager’s, a Gulf seafood and prime steak restaurant, is another of my daughter’s top picks. She feels so grown up when we eat here, thanks to the upscale decor (sparkly chandeliers) and phenomenal wait staff. They treat her like royalty and she soaks it up!

Even with the white glove service, Voyager’s maintains a friendly, comfortable vibe that welcomes adults and children warmly. We really relax and enjoy dinner here, part of that Alabama Gulf Coast family friendly magic!

As to the food, the restaurant is committed to using traceable seafood — they’ll tell you exactly where your fish came from if you ask — and fresh local ingredients. I am particularly fond of the menu’s creativity which is unique without being weird. Recognizable flavors used in unusual, but tasty, combinations. The menu changes seasonally, so you’re sure to get the freshest, tastiest dishes.

Zeke’s Restaurant, 26619 Perdido Beach Blvd., Orange Beach

Located at Zeke’s Landing and Marina, Zeke’s Restaurant is a phenomenal seafood restaurant with a great atmosphere and spectacular staff. I highly recommend you make reservations, especially at dinnertime, because this place is popular!

Zeke’s Restaurant was severely damaged by Hurricane Sally in 2020 and closed for repairs for two years. I don’t know what it looked like before, but I sure do like the atmosphere now.

The menu at Zeke’s features locally sourced ingredients. You can even have your own fresh catch prepared with delicious sides.

Of course, I informed them of my allergy, and then ordered the Wagyu beef burger with burratta. When my dinner came to the table, the server came out and stood by the table while someone from the kitchen, who prepared my dish while wearing gloves, brought my meal to the table and set it before me.

The burger far exceeded my fairly high expectations. It was phenomenal. Though, I didn’t have room for dessert. Bummer!

Coffee and snacks in Orange Beach

Families who vacation in homes or condos might not want to eat every meal at a restaurant in Orange Beach, so here are some of the best places for coffee, snacks and sweet treats in Orange Beach.

Southern Grind Coffee

With two locations in Orange Beach, Southern Grind is known for their gourmet coffee, but they also serve breakfast and casual lunch fare. They also have a carefully curated gift shop where you can buy ground coffee to make at home.

BuzzCats Coffee & Sweets

Created by the same people who own Cosmo’s, BuzzCats serves coffee, pastries and ice cream, as well as a light breakfast and lunch, with the same great atttention to detail as Cosmo’s. The homemade poptarts are scrumptious!

PRO TIP: They have a “happy meower” from 3-5 p.m. with discounts on coffee, cookies and ice cream!

Deep South Cake Company

Are you celebrating a birthday or anniversary at Orange Beach? Consider a specialty cake from Deep South Cake Company to make it special. They also have a daily cake selection, cupcakes and cookies, so it’s okay if you didn’t plan ahead. They’re a small, family company and are closed on Sunday and Monday. If you’re undecided, the caramel cupcake and the strawberry cupcake are quite delicious!

I hope this guide to the best restaurants in Orange Beach, Alabama helps you decide where to eat on vacation. Or, if you’re like me, maybe it makes it harder to decide since there are so many yummy options! I love knowing there are so many locally owned restaurants, many of which have been here for years — serving excellent cuisine consistently.

If you have a favorite restaurant not included on this list, please let me know! I’ll be sure to check it out on my next Alabama beaches family vacation.