Restaurants in Perdido Key, Florida
The Oyster Bar Restaurant & Marina
If you’re looking for a place to chill on the Intracoastal waterway walking distance from our resort, we recommend The Oyster Bar Restaurant and Marina. They have a huge wrap around deck with views of the canal and Big Lagoon State Park. The menu is casual fine dining and food is great. It is the perfect place to linger over a long romantic meal. The BBQ shrimp are yum as is the the Blackened Grouper Oscar with fresh crab meat and Hollandaise sauce. Or go traditional and try a dozen raw oysters on the half shell. Around here we eat raw oysters on a cracker with lemon juice, horseradish, and Louisiana hot sauce.
Fisherman’s Corner
Located just over the bridge from our RV Resort. You’ll be very surprised by the quality of the food that’s served up in this out of the way shack. They have the best calamari on the Gulf Coast and the Creole Linguini Pasta Cioppino is to die for. They take an unusual but seriously delicious approach to shrimp and grits. You can get a burger served with two grilled cheese sandwiches as a bun. The atmosphere is casual but the food is upscale authentic Cajun. Hanging out here will make you fee like a local in the know. Expect to line up.
Shrimp Basket
There’s a good reason this place is so crowded. The food is awesome and the price is right. They have three unpretentious locations in this area including Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and here in Perdido Key. They’re motto is We’re grillin, steamin and fryin and they serve every manner of fresh local seafood and shellfish with awesome side dishes. If you’re craving shrimp Tuesday night is all you can eat steamed shrimp night. The blackened white fish platter with hush puppies, shrimp slaw and new potatoes will not disappoint.
El Vallarta Mexican Restaurant
Located just up the road from the RV Park. This is a great place to go for authentic Mexican food with menu items made from family recipes that were passed down from generation to generation in the owner’s family. Don’t miss the chips and salsa. Tuesdays are a great day to go because every second entree is 1/2 price. Margarita’s are on special on Thursdays.
Sunset Grill
This is a great locally loved gem tucked away in Holiday Harbor here in Perdido Key. Most of the tables are on the quaint deck that overlooks the scenic Intracoastal Waterway. You can arrive by car or boat. The restaurant lives up to it’s name and is positioned to be one of the best places on the Gulf Coast to watch a sunset. If you’re lucky you’ll be able to watch dolphins jump as the sun goes down in a glowing red sky. The food is good, economical and the service is fast and friendly.
Hub Stacey’s
An atmospheric, casual, and sometimes rowdy, watering hole at which you can arrive by boat or foot. It enjoys a canal facing location with a large outdoor deck. The food is good especially the chicken salad, sandwiches and wings. They often host live music as well as a lively karaoke night on Saturdays. It’s located on The Point off of Sorrento Road at Galvez Landing in Perdido Key, Florida.
The Jellyfish Bar
Voted as having the best Sushi on the Gulf Coast. Their Rib Eye steak is also to die for. Wash it down with one of their award winning Martini’s. Best of all they have a daily Happy Hour.
Bella Luna Pizzeria
Located above The Reef Bar this is the place to go if you are looking for hand tossed New York and Sicilian style deep dish. We personally recommend the manicotti and house salad. They will deliver it to your home on wheels at the RV Resort.
Lillians Pizza
This is a very popular local pizza place. The dough and sauces are made from scratch. They also have specialty sandwiches; our recommendation is the Muffuletta.
Triggers Seafood
They have good fried seafood and feature a ‘Catch of the Day’ daily special. Don’t miss their homemade bread pudding with whiskey sauce. It might be the best dessert on the coast.
Restaurants in Downtown Pensacola
The Fish House & Atlas Oyster House
This is one of the most popular restaurants downtown Pensacola. Their dining room and patio has great views of the Three Mile Bridge. You can expect your meal to be amazing. They’re known for seafood but the steaks are top notch as well. If you are adventurous try their famous Grits a Ya Ya.
Hopjacks Pizza Kitchen & Tap Room
This busy place offers live music, over 200 beers on tap and awesome pizza served until 2am. The best thing on their menu is their hand cut fries which are fried in duck fat. On Tuesdays drinks are $3 from 7pm to 3am.
McGuire’s Irish Pub
This is a very popular local restaurant that is known for having over a million dollars stapled to their walls. The atmosphere is fun and the food is really great. The portions are huge and you can get peanut butter on your burger. They are known for great steaks and pub food.
Dharma Blue
In search of a quaint spot to dine where the locals hang out? You won’t be disappointed at Dharma Blue! Just a short drive from the beach to historic Downtown Pensacola, it is a lovely Victorian cottage set adjacent to Seville Park. Dine indoors or out. They have lunch and dinner specials, sushi nightly, and a great cocktail bar. Click here to read more about this hidden dining treasure on our Toes in the Sand Blog.
Happy Pig
Got BBQ on the brain? How about putting some in your belly? The Happy Pig is a must do for all BBQ lovers. Just follow the wonderful smoky aroma to a trendy little spot in historic downtown Pensacola. Every table has a large variety of specialty BBQ sauces to accommodate both Texan and Southern palates alike. They offer nightly specials, beginning with Happy Hour Monday thru Friday. If you are feeling adventurous and more than a little hungry, ask about the “Port-In-Nator Challenge”. Click here to read more about the Happy Pig on our Toes in the Sand Blog.
Five Sisters Blues Cafe
Black musicians like B.B. King played in smoky clubs on the historic streets of the Belmont-DeVilliers neighborhood in downtown Pensacola. Today you can soak up the vibe with the best southern food in the city at Five Sisters Blues Cafe. This is the place to go for brunch if you are craving chicken and waffles. The fried chicken is the best around and the classic southern sides are sure to please.
Jackson’s Steakhouse
This fine dining restaurant occupies the ground floor of a historic building overlooking Plaza Ferdinand in downtown Pensacola. It’s located right across the street from where Andrew Jackson, the 7th president of the United States, planted the first American flag on Florida soil. Their chef, Irv Miller, is one of five local celebrity chefs. If you are looking for a great steak in a fine dining atmosphere don’t miss Jacksons.
The Global Grill
This popular fine dining restaurant offers a tapas menu and elegant romantic atmosphere.
Hub Stacey’s
This is the best place for sandwiches in historic downtown Pensacola. It is also a lively bar if you are looking to get out and about.
Cactus Flower Cafe
This is the place to go if you are looking for fish tacos and sangria.
Jacos Bayfront
Located on the pier at the bottom of historic Palafox Street. Their bay front patio is the perfect place to rest with a great martini. Time it so you can soak up the sunset over Pensacola Bay. Their menu is trendy and fresh.
Restaurants in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores Alabama
Lu Lu’s at Homeport Marina
This theme park like restaurant was founded by Lucy ‘LuLu’ Anne Buffett, Jimmy’s little ‘Sista’.” It might be the biggest restaurant you’ve ever visited. The menu features southern classics like fried green tomatoes. They’re most famous for their Cheeseburger in Paradise. There is lots of stuff to keep kids busy including a playground, hair braiding and a giant climbing tower called the Mountain of Youth. The dining room offers beautiful views of the boat traffic on the canal. There’s live music every night in the summer.
The Gulf
Craving an awesome cheeseburger? Then look no further than the Gulf Restaurant! This new Orange Beach Alabama hot spot overlooking Perdido Pass was built with repurposed shipping containers and designed by the youngest licensed architect in the country—Courtney Brett, 25. It’s home to chef Ira Gallon and some of the best bites under $10, most notably—the Gulf Cheeseburger, made from Meyer Ranch Natural Angus Beef and garlic aïoli sauce, $7.50. Click here for more information https://www.facebook.com/thegulfal.
The Hangout
This giant theme park like restaurant, on the beach in Gulf Shores, is a must see local tourist attraction. Bring your camera and get a picture in front of one of their super cool retro signs or in the giant beach chair. They regularly host live music and lots of TVs make it a great place to watch the game. There’s a play area for the kids with bubbles, and a fun gift shop where you can buy one of their iconic tie-dyed staff t-shirts that say “Be Nice or Go Home.”
Cobalt Restaurant
Located on the canal as you enter Orange Beach, Alabama this restaurant has one of the most creative menus in the area. It’s upscale casual dining room is beautifully decorated and the waterfront deck has a spectacular view of the canal and a small white sand barrier island that is popular with local boaters. It’s a great place for a leisurely lingering romantic dinner, especially if you are searching for a break from ‘battered and fried’. They offer a wide array of pasta, seafood, custom pizzas and steaks as well as great burgers. There’s a daily happy hour from 3pm to 6pm which is the perfect excuse to enjoy a canal side sunset. Happy hour specials include .50 cent fresh oysters, $5 appetizers, $3 wells, house wines and $1 Budweisers.
Gulf Island Grill
We recommend the crab stuffed grouper and Gulf Island Ya Ya.
Live Bait Restaurant
Fun hopping local night life as well as a restaurant. Karaoke on Tuesdays and Sundays at 8pm.
Shipp’s Harbour Grill
Great place for a romantic dinner. They have sushi, steak, seafood and nice appetizers.
Moe’s BBQ
If you are looking for some authentic southern BBQ don’t miss out on Moe’s across the street from the Hampton Inn & Suites in Orange Beach, Alabama. It’s a funky super casual place with some amazing food at just the right price. Their special secret sauce is a winner. They serve a variety of different sandwiches and sides and will pack it up to go if you want to take it with you for the road or beach picnic.
Docs Seafood Shack
If you are looking for some fresh Gulf Coast seafood one of the most popular places in Orange Beach Alabama is Doc’s Seafood Shack. If you bring in your catch, they’ll cook it up for you.
Compleat Angler Seafood Grille and Bar
If you’re looking for a fun vibe and fresh Gulf Coast seafood, then we suggest you try the Compleat Angler Seafood Grille and Bar located at The Wharf in Orange Beach. Make sure to get a cup of their famous seafood gumbo. They won the Guinness Book of Records for largest pot of gumbo. Their Pina Coladas are also highly recommended.
Cosmo’s Restaurant and Bar
Looking for some sushi? One of the best places to go for sushi is Cosmo’s Restaurant and Bar located on Canal Road in Orange Beach, Alabama. They also have really great gumbo. This is a great place to go for lunch and they have Happy Hour daily between 3:30 and 5:30pm with $5 sushi rolls and other yummy appy specials. The crab cakes are awesome.
Pirate’s Cove
If you want to lose an afternoon hanging with some well tanned locals then we suggest you check out Pirate’s Cove. This is a long time locally loved ‘riff raff’ kind of beach place that has survived many a hurricane. There’s a marina right there so folks hang out on their boats as well. The owners have an enormous mastif dog who’s famous for being able to eat a hamburger faster then any other dog. This dog is onto something because their hamburgers are to die for. The paper bag they come in will be covered in a big ole grease stain. It’s also a great place to enjoy some cocktails, especially Bushwackers, with an extra shot of rum on top.
Rafter’s Restaurant and Sports
Need to catch a game while you are here? Check out Rafter’s Restaurant and Sports bar at The Wharf in Orange Beach. They have several giant projectors.
Lambart’s Cafe – Only Home of Throwed Rolls‘
If you like your dinner served with an ample side of insanity then we suggest you check out Lambert’s Cafe. The competition in Gulf Coast Alabama among stadium sized theme restaurants is stiff but this one takes the prize. Last year their customers consumed 23,760 cans of sorghum molasses with 2,246,400 ‘throwed rolls’. The food is southern comfort yummy and the portions are stupid big. It’s located in Foley, Alabama about 10 miles from Gulf Shores. Expect to wait an hour or two for a table. Don’t despair because they circulate free southern snacks like fried okra, sell fresh lemonade and have a fun gift shop to explore while you wait.
Sea n’ Suds
If you are looking for some great cheap food in a casual atmosphere then don’t miss Sea n’ Suds Restaurant in Gulf Shores, Alabama. It’s a small family restaurant located on a dock with great views of the Gulf. They’re known for their seafood and have awesome oysters, fish sandwiches, Po Boys, peel and eat shrimp but also burgers and a salad bar. Fridays are all you can eat Mullet night. It is always crowded and there is often a wait for tables so come early or order take out.
Gulf Shores Steamer
If you’re looking for a break from fried seafood then this is the place to go. Their motto is in fact ‘no fried’. This restaurant is well known and has been featured in magazines and newspapers such as Southern Living, Coastal Living and the New Orleans Times Picayune. They serve delicious steamed Royal Red shrimp, snow crab legs, mussels and oysters as well as grilled fish, hand-cut steaks, grilled chicken breasts, sandwiches, and even a cheeseburger. This is a great place for a big group, as their specialty is combination platters that feed lots of people.
Original Oyster House
This place was profiled on the Food Network a couple of times so it must be good!
Flora Bama Lounge Package
Moms and dads, we think you should get a babysitter for a night and head to the Flora-Bama Lounge & Package. This iconic bar straddles the state lines of Florida and Alabama. It is legendary for being a wee bit raunchy. You’ll find yuppies mixing with bikers. Rock stars partying with soccer moms. It’s a bucket list item, for sure. Make sure to buy a t-shirt. If you get the late night munchies there’s a Waffle House right across the street.