Alabama Gulf Shores: 5 Delicious Family Friendly Restaurants

Family vacation this year took us to the Alabama Gulf Shores! And by now, you know that when we travel, good food is a MUST for us! Thankfully, we found great family friendly places in the Gulf Shores area! In fact, I can truly say that I didn’t eat a bad meal the entire trip!  I decided to organize it into my top 5 recommendations for delicious & family friendly restaurants!

Ginny Lane Bar & Grill

Located at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama, Ginny Lane is a great choice for families.  They have both patio & indoor seating so pick your desire!  Their patio faces Portage Creek and it’s docks of many fishing boats and yachts!  Indoor, you’ll find a pleasant open concept!  We selected Ginny Lane because it had a little bit of everything for our audience!  Finding one restaurant that pleases a 14yo, a 64yo who loves to try new things, and picky men…well, it can be a challenge!   However, Ginny Lane delivered in a big way!  Our meals ranged from nachos to steak and included Shrimp Scampi, Chicken Fried Steak, and red fish!  And, everyone walked away happy and full!

The portions were perfect (the nachos were so big the 14yo couldn’t finish them), and we all raved about the flavor!  On top of delicious food, the service was impeccable!  And as a former service, great service usually wins me over every time!

Kayden’s Candy Factory & Ice Cream

We made it a quest to find ice cream every night that we visited the Gulf Shores area!  Kayden’s Ice Cream was a unanimous vote of the best when it was over!  Well, almost unanimous as M picked fudge that night from Kayden’s, but only had positive things to say about it!  The ice cream was creamy, the selection expansive, and even though it was crazy busy, they kept things moving the best they could!  Kudos to Kayden! 😉  And the coffee ice cream…OMYUMMY!

Flipdaddy’s

M picked Flipdaddy’s as our destination one night for one reason only…the bags out front for customers to play!  And let’s be real, when you’re 14, that’s a good reason to pick a restaurant!  Thankfully, Flipdaddy’s didn’t disappoint on the food and it appealed to the older generation as well with their gourmet burgers! My number 1 recommendation is the Watermelon-Tomato Salad!  This combination of chopped watermelon, sliced grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, & a balsamic dressing is to die for!

I paired it with the strawberry salsa burger!  No bun, just a fresh burger topped with their strawberry salsa!  Delicious!  Of course, make sure you head out to their patio and play a couple games of bags!

Since publication, Flipdaddy’s has closed.  

Lulu’s Gulf Shores

When you’re ready for a fun, relaxed, and upbeat meal, head to LuLu’s Gulf Shores! Owned by Lucy Buffett (Jimmy Buffett’s sister), this restaurant is jam-packed with fun, live music, and great food!  It’s not just a restaurant, but a great experience!  And definitely the definition of family friendly restaurant!  Partake in the ropes course, play some games in the arcade, snag a henna design or hair-wrap, and enjoy great island music!  Then, when it’s time to get something to eat, grab the fish tacos, smoked tuna dip, and enjoy fresh fruit (which I love seeing on a menu)!  That smoked tuna dip was one of the best things I ate the entire trip!

I also recommend the Loopty Lu (for the adults in the group), which comes with a fun silly straw!

Barefoot Island Grill

Don’t be fooled by this restaurants location, it’s one you don’t want to miss!  It’s inland without a view of the water, but the food makes the drive beyond worth it!  The chef at the Barefoot Island grill has won several awards for his creations and one bite of your menu selection will be enough explanation why! This restaurant just opened in February of 2017, but the food is top notch and the service was outstanding as well!  My recommendation is the Fish & Chips (beer batered Grouper) with delicious fries, coleslaw, & hush puppies!  I’m not sure I’ve ever had fish that was this tasty (not fishy in anyway), flaky, full of flavor, and not super greasy! And the portion was HUGE!

If seafood or fish aren’t your thing, snag the Philly Cheesesteak!  The beef is sliced beyond thin and so tender!  And, you need to make sure to grab a side of the cilantro lime rice!  If you need a fun tropical drink, my recommendation is the Barefoot Island Breeze!  Absolutely refreshing, fruity, and not too sweet!  YUM!

More Good Eats

A few places that didn’t make our Top 5, but provided fun eats: ByWater Beachside!  This small “cafe” is on the Gulf Shores State Park Pier and has a small menu of sandwiches and drinks!

But, really, the atmosphere and view from this cafe is what makes it a winner!  It’s a great place to grab a bite while fishing from the pier or swimming on the nearby beach!

Hope’s Cheesecake was our one non-ice cream stop and totally worth it!  With over 15 different flavors of cheesecake, everyone is sure to find something!  I picked out Butterfinger and it was divine!  Plus, you can purchase a whole cheesecake, just a slice, or a small sampler pack!  It’s a little off the beaten path, but totally worth it!

The Gulf is a unique restaurant created out of shipping crates with views for days!  The atmosphere is what makes this place a winner!  And you can’t go wrong with beachside dining!  However, be aware that if you aren’t in to eating outside, this isn’t the place for you!  Sitting outside is your only option!  However, there is a variety of seating options, and the Grouper Sandwich is worth eating outside for!

Whether you’re looking for more upscale food, a fun party during your meal, or something more relaxed, you can’t go wrong with one of these family friendly restaurants in the Alabama Gulf Shores area!  Have you been to the gulf shores?  What is your favorite restaurant?