Dining on the Alabama Gulf Coast is unbeatable. From freshly caught seafood and exquisite desserts to delicious coastal cocktails, the food scene at the beach is incredible. However, the fantastic food isn't the only reason to dine out here. The restaurants that line these shores offer unbelievably picturesque atmospheres. Explore these Instagram-worthy Gulf Shores and Orange Beach restaurants for your next post.
Wanting that perfect Instagram post? Here are the restaurants to make it happen!
Picnic Beach
You'll want to start snapping photos as you walk into Picnic Beach in Gulf Shores. From picnic tables and a gazebo standing on bright green turf to a wooden wall with hanging plants and swings, there are plenty of places to take a pic while here. Not only is the restaurant Instagrammable but so are the food and drinks. Mouthwatering shrimp boils, bowls filled with vegetables, and coastal cocktails set the scene for a photo shoot.
The Gulf
You may not imagine shipping containers as the ideal backdrop for a photo, but the upcycled building that holds The Gulf in Orange Beach is a unique spot to grab a pic. This casual and trendy restaurant is made entirely of bright blue shipping containers that sit right by the water. Palm trees, chic furniture, and rustic picnic tables all add to the stylish atmosphere of The Gulf. Grab an order of shrimp tacos and a refreshing cocktail while you're here for a perfect food pic.
Sunliner Diner
Take a walk down memory lane when you visit the Sunliner Diner in Gulf Shores. You'll be transported back to the 1950s as soon as you step into this jiving place. You'll find a jukebox playing classic rock and roll hits, stunning vintage cars, and a milkshake bar serving hand-spun treats. Bring your cat-eye glasses and neckerchief and order a burger, shake, and a side of onion rings for the perfect '50s-inspired photo.
Moe's Original Bar B Que
There's nothing better than finger-licking southern barbecue – except when it's at the beach. Moe's Original Bar B Que in Orange Beach offers award-winning barbecue, delicious soul food, and amazing bushwackers in a relaxing outdoor hideaway in the sand. Complete with picnic tables, road signs, lush greenery, and colorful picture cutouts, this BBQ oasis will fill both your stomach and your photo album.
Pink Pony Pub
If you've visited Alabama's beaches, you've probably noticed the bubblegum-pink building on the sand at Gulf Place in Gulf Shores. This casual spot is the iconic Pink Pony Pub, serving family fun and good eats for over 65 years. The front of this well-known bright pink restaurant features a painting of a pony enjoying a cold beverage. Its outdoor deck is perfect for watching the water from above and offers excellent photo opportunities.
The Hangout
Throw up your shakas and head to The Hangout for good vibes, great food, and plenty of photo ops. Located directly on the beach, The Hangout in Gulf Shores is the premiere spot for casual waterfront dining, complete with family fun, tasty cocktails, and live music. Prime spots for a picture include the wall of lunch boxes, a crayon sign, an oversized Adirondack chair, a surfer statue, and a giant shaka. For a truly memorable image, hop up on your table and dance. Yes, this is allowed and even encouraged!
Foam Coffee
If you go to a coffee shop but don't take a photo of your drink, did you even really go? Foam Coffee in Gulf Shores is the first craft coffee shop in the area and serves locally roasted coffee. Choose between colorful smoothies, specialty lattes, and special daily creations. The inside of this quaint and trendy shop is a coffee lover's dream. Pastel colors, cute succulents, and modern decor create the perfect scene for an Insta-worthy caffeine-fueled post.
Tiki Bar
A trip to the beach calls for dining in a tiki hut. You'll enjoy your meal at Tiki Bar at Safe Harbor Sportsman Marina while feeling the coastal breeze and watching the waves. This casual watering hole offers a fun atmosphere with live music, cornhole, and delightful drinks. Dine inside the hut under the string lights and catch live sports on the TVs. Or sit outside at the vibrant picnic tables in the shade of the colorful canvases. Coastal cocktails + tiki hut = the perfect beach picture.
Burro Azul
Vibrant paper banners, rainbow-painted stairs, and a hot pink wall lined with framed photos make Burro Azul an ideal restaurant to take a few pictures. This beach restaurant serves incredible Mexican cuisine, such as fajitas, burritos, quesadillas, and extraordinary drinks like margaritas and ranch water. Order a few fun cocktails and tacos and enjoy dining at this colorful cantina in Gulf Shores.
Zeke's Restaurant
Enjoy a sunset dinner by the bay at Zeke's Restaurant in Orange Beach. Located at Zeke's Marina, the restaurant offers guests plenty of outdoor and indoor seating with a relaxing ambience. The menu features innovative and delicious offerings, while the bar serves creative and refreshing cocktails. Snap a photo as you dine under the string lights on the patio, or grab a seat in the Adirondack chairs in the grassy area and sip an Insta-worthy drink.
Del's Ice Cream
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a cone or cup from Del's Ice Cream. This cute spot serves Cammie's Old Dutch ice cream and offers dozens of unique flavors daily. On top of all that ice cream, Del's also has sundaes, banana splits, milkshakes, floats, and sorbet. After you get your frozen treat, you'll be dying to snap a few pics with it in front of the surfboard, greenery, or store sign hanging on the walls.
Tacky Jacks
Fresh shrimp, waterfront views, and family fun are what you can expect to find at any of the Tacky Jacks in the area! If you’re looking for your next IG post, visit the Gulf Shores location and snap a few pics in front of the colorful duct tape that covers the restaurant’s walls. Be sure to write your name on a piece while you’re there!
High Tide Daiquiris & Mimosas
The perfect beach drink calls for a memorable backdrop. At High Tide Daiquiris & Mimosas, all orders are served with a side of gorgeous views and picture perfect spots. Sip and sway on the restaurant’s outdoor swing seats or hop into one of the bird boats and pedal around the water. The cocktails themselves are worthy of a few photos too!
CoastAL Orange Beach
You’ll be snapping photos at CoastAL from the second you step foot out of the car. This beachfront restaurant and bar offers a gorgeous green lawn with couches situated in front of the stage, picturesque boardwalks leading to the Gulf, and fantastic food and drinks. Dine at the open-air bar and enjoy a coastal breeze or dine indoors and admire photos of life in Orange Beach from decades ago. From palm trees and blue umbrellas to string lights and hibiscus flower topped cocktails, there’s a lot of photo opportunities at CoastAL.
Our area is filled with plenty more fabulous restaurants that offer enticing eats, refreshing Insta-worthy cocktails, and amazing environments. If you snap a picture at any of these spots, be sure to tag us @visitalbeaches, so we can see your vacation photos!
Check out all the incredible restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, and check out our blog for more top picturesque spots for your Instagram!