Iconic Alabama Foods
in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Alabama is known for many things, including its southern hospitality, fantastic football, but most importantly, its delicious eats. From the very top of the state down to our white-sand shores, you'll satisfy your stomach and soul. 2024 is the Year of Alabama Food, and our great state serves so many incredible dishes. Sample and savor some of the 10 most iconic foods that Alabama is known for, and where to find them in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
1. Alabama Barbecue
Whether it's pulled pork sandwiches, smoked chicken wings, or ribs, Alabama is home to some of the best barbecue in the country. Served with white Alabama barbecue sauce, there's no better spot to enjoy a finger-licking meal than Moe's Original BBQ. Originally opened in Tuscaloosa, Moe's has restaurants across America, but none compare to its Orange Beach location. Here, you can listen to live music while relaxing at the restaurant's backyard beach as you chow down on juicy barbecue and delicious banana pudding, another Alabama favorite.
2. Country's First Fried Crab Claws
Did you know Mobile, Alabama, was the first place to try frying crab claws? It's true! As the home of this popular seafood appetizer, the Alabama Gulf Coast is teeming with savory crab claws. If you're looking for remarkable fried crab claws at the beach, visit the Original Oyster House. Named a fan-favorite restaurant by our visitors, this casual seafood joint has won numerous accolades for its food and family-friendly atmosphere, making it one of the best places to eat in Gulf Shores. It's the ideal place to try Alabama crab claws.
3. Famous Fried Green Tomatoes
It's no surprise that people associate fried green tomatoes with Alabama, thanks to Fannie Flagg's novel. As a classic southern dish, fried green tomatoes are beloved across the state, especially during the summer. Pink Pony Pub serves this dish with fresh green tomatoes and its homemade remoulade. They're perfectly crispy and seasoned and come with a gorgeous view of the beach. What more could you ask for?
4. Gulf Coast Seafood Gumbo
Not much beats a warm bowl of gumbo — unless it's made with fresh Gulf seafood. You'll find plenty of fantastic spots on Alabama's beaches that serve seafood gumbo. So many, in fact, we made a gumbo trail. However, for authentic Alabama gumbo, we suggest ordering a bowl that includes Conecuh. This seasoned sausage comes from Conecuh County, just a couple of hours north of our shores. GTs on the Bay serves a mean cup of gumbo, made with shrimp, crab, and Conecuh simmered with veggies in a dark roux.
5. The Perfect Pecan Pie
Everyone has a special dessert they eat during the holidays, and in Alabama, Thanksgiving and Christmas aren't complete without a pecan pie on the table. Thankfully, we like to indulge in this delectable dessert all year long on Alabama's beaches, and Luna's Eat & Drink has perfected this pie. This soul and seafood spot serves its pecan pie fried with vanilla bean ice cream and topped with bourbon molasses.
6. Best Breakfast in Alabama: Shrimp & Grits
Grits are a staple in most southern households, but here on the beach, we like to add a taste of the coast to this breakfast food. Shrimp and grits is a popular dish all along Alabama's Gulf Coast, and the fresh shrimp from the Gulf makes our area the best place to enjoy it. One of our favorite restaurants to order shrimp and grits is Tacky Jacks. Tacky Jacks prepares its dish with grilled shrimp served over cheese grits and topped with Conecuh sausage and Spicy Tacky sauce. With locations in Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach, Tacky Jack’s is one of the most popular places to grab food in Gulf Shores!
7. Classic Fried Okra
If it can be fried, we'll fry it! There's no shortage of fried food here on the coast, from shrimp and fish to pickles and oysters. To make eating our veggies a little more enjoyable, we like to fry them too, especially okra, and you'll find a Mountain of Fried Okra on the menu at LuLu's. This heaping plate of okra is deep fried, served with LuLu's ranch, and can feed the whole family!
8. A Family-Favorite: Bread Pudding
Southerners have an undeniable sweet tooth and love satisfying it with a homemade treat. One of our favorites is bread pudding. This soft, warm dessert always hits the spot and comes in so many delicious varieties. There are several restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach that serve this Alabama favorite. Cobalt Restaurant is a great place to try bread pudding as this waterfront restaurant offers different flavors daily — so you can try them all.
9. Finest Shrimp in the Gulf: Royal Reds
Many don't know that the Alabama Gulf Coast is home to royalty. Known as the "crown jewel of Gulf shrimp," Royal Reds are one of the finest varieties of this tasty crustacean. This tender, flavorful species are large, crimson-colored shrimp and boast a flavor and texture comparable to lobster. The best way to eat Royal Reds is fresh off the boat, and that's exactly how King Neptune's Seafood Restaurant serves them. This Gulf Shores spot offers mouthwatering seafood from Bon Secour Fisheries, a local seafood market and distributor.
10. World Famous Bushwackers
Fabulous food isn't the only thing you'll find on the menus at Alabama restaurants. From sweet tea to coastal cocktails and local craft beer, the taste of our state can be captured in a glass. However, one drink stands out among the rest along the Alabama Gulf Coast. Bushwackers are the signature creamy and delicious drink of our beaches. Beachgoers can find this chocolaty cocktail at many restaurants in the area, including each one mentioned above! It's the ideal drink to sip while indulging in iconic Alabama foods in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
