The Best Seafood Restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Best Seafood Restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach has many restaurants that serve seafood. I am asked often what's your favorite restaurant in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach. So in this, I will list some of the spots that the locals seem to brag about and my personal favorite top spots to dine in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. I am not listing every restaurant in the area, just the ones I feel a good old recommendation is in order due to the superior service I have personally received on a constant bases. Constancy of great food comes from a fresh product and the most important of them all, local Gulf  Harvested Seafood should be on the menu.

Lets Talk Seafood First!

Many restaurants serve seafood in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. What most do not understand or realize, not all restaurants use local harvested seafood and even if they wanted to some things on the menu are not available or caught locally in the Gulf of Mexico. Just for instance, King Crabs or Snow Crabs. Most all these crabs come from Alaska and Canada. Pre-cooked while live to keep the meat from sticking to the shells. Lets start for example Shrimp! Shrimp are served and if their is one thing you should expect to be locally caught or fresh is not always what you will get. If in doubt, before you order ask your waiter. You may get the truth or you may get something else. Farm Raised or even foreign shrimp. Not knocking on any product but if you were raised on shrimp like I was, you can tell a difference. In my opinion not only are these shrimp not as good, but the additives such as Tripoli know as a preservative that was created for fish is in most, if not all of the farm raised or foreign shrimp. The Tripoli is absorbed in the shrimp and when thawed from being frozen the liquid stays in the meat until it is cooked. A lot of people do not realize it but most large seafood plants that peel and devein  shrimp in large quantities,  drop 4.5 pounds of shrimp in a typical 5 pound box and finish the weight off with .5 pounds of Tripoli. This is totally legal due to the fact the shrimp absorbs the preservative and when they are thawed out they retain the Tripoli until cook. So when you weigh,  you do have 5 pounds of product. A lot of restaurants might not even realize this and most of the time if you pop the preservative Tripoli question you will not get an answer. The good news?  While your in the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan area, your close to Aquila Seafood located in Bon Secour Alabama. Ask them this question and if your looking to get fresh off the boat gulf or bay local caught shrimp without the preservative just ask. The only downfall is you'll be cooking them yourself. By the way did I mention that the Aquila Seafood is known for being the Home of the Royal Red Shrimp. Gulf Shrimp that are caught in the deep waters out in the Gulf of Mexico. Getting true gulf royal reds. The supply of these shrimp are limited and the remaining restaurants have to divert to an imported version of the Royal Reds called Argentina Reds. Caught wild in the western south Atlantic. Not bad eating but, no cigar. Ask your waiter if they are true local Gulf Royal Reds or imported Argentina Reds. Visit Aquila Seafood and you will only get local gulf caught Royal Red Shrimp.Aquila Seafood Reviews


Ok its time for my top picks for the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Seafood Restaurants!
Keep in mind this is my personal favorites. Places not listed are not considered bad, just my favorites are the ones I would recommend and remember when in doubt , just ask questions before ordering from your restaurant
of choice.

Captain Ronnie Blacks and Reel Attraction Charters Favorite Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Seafood Restaurant Locations and Menus

Note: Yes, one spot is not really in Gulf Shores or

Orange Beach. But well worth an extra 15 minute drive to

                                                 Bon Secour, Alabama

Best Seafood Restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

                                      King Neptune Restaurant                                  

1137 Gulf Shores Parkway

Gulf Shores, AL 36542

251-968-5464

Menu

 

    Gulf Shores Steamer Restaurant

    27267 Perdido Beach Blvd, Suite 115

    Orange Beach AL, 36561

    251-948-6344
Menu    

 

   

   Cobalt, The Restaurant

   28099 Perdido Beach Blvd.

   Orange Beach, AL. 36561

   251-923-5300
Menu

 

The Tin Top Restaurant and Oyster Bar
6232 County Road 10
Bon Secour Highway
Bon Secour, AL 36511
Tel : 251.949.5086
Menu

 

Cosmos Restaurants & Bar

25753 Canal Rd.

Orange Beach Alabama

251-948-9663

Menu