Fine Dining in Orange Beach & Gulf Shores, Alabama, whether you are looking for a date night, celebration dinner, birthday dinner, or a nice night out.
Fine Dining in Orange Beach & Gulf Shores, AL
The Alabama Gulf Coast is known for fresh seafood, including Gulf Oysters, sugar-white sand beaches, and coastal cuisine.
In other parts of the country, most of our fine-dining restaurants would be called casual fine-dining restaurants. Being right next to the beach, we have a casual vibe but still enjoy great food and upscale environments.
That said, you don't have to get dressed up in a suit and tie unless you really want to. We don't suggest showing up in beach clothes, but a nice outfit works great.
From romantic restaurants by the beach to the perfect date night restaurant, this list has what you need to plan a celebration dinner in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, AL.
These are our favorite restaurants for a romantic date night, a birthday or anniversary celebration, or when we want to enjoy local ingredients, an award-winning wine list, craft cocktails, and time together.
We have to send a huge thank you to Visit Alabama Beaches for working with us to make this list. They partnered with us so we could try some of the best restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!
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Coast at The Beach Club
Coast is just down the road near Fort Morgan and one of our favorite date night restaurants. It is just a little off the beaten path which makes it feel like a hidden gem.
They have great steaks, delicious desserts, and great handcrafted cocktails. You can sit on the back patio with a view of the Gulf or inside.
Bring your appetite! The food is so good you will want to savor every bite.
Menu highlights
Crab-crusted red snapper - Pan-seared red snapper topped with Crab Imperial served over gouda grits and French beans with lemon caper sauce.
Certified Angus New York Strip - Served with asparagus, garlic mashed potatoes, and roasted tomatoes finished with herb butter.
Filet Mignon - Half pound Certified Angus Filet of Beef served with Asparagus, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Roasted Tomatoes and finished with Herbed Butter.
Address - Located at The Beach Club in Fort Morgan, Al
You may see Coast Restaurant Gulf Shores listed, but the restaurant is located on the way to Fort Morgan. It is not in the heart of Gulf Shores.
Phone - (251) 224-3600
Parking - There is a large parking area in front of the restaurant. You will need to go through the front entrance and check in with the guard.
They will give you a parking pass for your dashboard that designates you are eating at the restaurant.
Reservations - Reservations are encouraged and can be made on Open Table. They are not required, but we suggest them, especially during the busy season.
Voyagers
Voyagers is the epitome of fine dining, with gorgeous views of the Gulf of Mexico, impeccable service, award-winning food, and a wine list from around the world.
If you are looking to celebrate a life milestone, have a great date night, or enjoy some of the best food on the island, we can't rave enough about Voyagers.
Menu highlights - Voyagers Restaurant's menu changes seasonally based on local produce, sustainable seafood, and local meats. Make sure to save room for the decadent desserts.
They are excellent at working with food allergies, vegan/vegetarian, and your food likes and dislikes.
Perdido Cold Platter - Admiral Shellfish Co. local Gulf oysters, peel-and-eat Gulf shrimp, cucumber yuzu marinated blue crab claws, smoked fish dip, warm water lobster, cocktail, remoulade, mignonette.
Chicken fried lobster - Warm water lobster, Bayou Cora Aleppo chili grits, agrodolce collard greens, baby turnips, Champagne cream.
Pasta Bolognese - House ground hamburger steak, smoked pork belly, plum tomatoes, mirepoix, pappardelle pasta, fontina funduta, and fresh herbs.
Porterhouse Steak - My husband said this is one of the best steaks he has had anywhere in the world.
Address - Located at Perdido Beach Resort
27200 Perdido Beach Blvd #3205, Orange Beach, AL 36561
Phone - 251-981-9811
Parking - Complimentary Valet Parking Available at the main entrance to the Resort
Reservations - Reservations are recommended and can be made online.
Carver's Steakhouse - CLOSED
Perch
Perch is located in Gulf State Park and offers gorgeous views of the Gulf of Mexico. It has indoor and outdoor seating, so you can decide if you want air conditioning or Gulf breezes.
Menu highlights - Perch Menu highlights local seafood, steaks, and great craft cocktails.
Fried Whole Fish - Romesco sauce, celery root, and arugula salad with creamy lemon dressing.
Beef Cheek Ragu Fettuccini - Parmesan cream, roasted pearl onion breadcrumb gremolata.
Center-cut filet mignon - Grilled broccoli rabe, Vidalia onion puree, and mushroom ketchup.
Manhattan Strip - Rosemary potato pave, mushroom and bone marrow cream, and caramelized onion.
Seared scallops with glazed pork belly - cucumber, coconut rice, butternut squash.
Address - Located at the Lodge at Gulf State Park
21196 East Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL
Phone - 251-540-6100
Parking - Located at the Hilton Lodge at Gulf State Park, valet parking is available at the hotel.
Reservations - Reservations can be made online. The restaurant does need a credit card to place a reservation.
Villaggio Grille
Villaggio Grille is located at The Wharf in Orange Beach. Its menu includes fresh seafood dishes, wood-fired pizzas, and great cocktails.
Make sure to check out their featured seafood dishes. At Villaggio Grille, my husband had the best red snapper he has had on the island.
Menu highlights: Villaggio Grille changes its menu seasonally. These are some of the great menu options we have enjoyed.
Pan Seared Red Snapper - Parmesan and Mozzarella polenta cake, stewed two dog farm okra and creole heirloom tomatoes, grilled Chilton country peach relish (MUST TRY)
Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna - Orzo pasta with Japanese eggplant, sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, feta, edamame, and wasabi aioli.
Grilled crab-encrusted grouper, truffle mashed potatoes, Silver King Corn and Two Dog Farm okra succotash, and sweet corn Beurre Blanc.
Honey truffle shrimp - gulf shrimp, roasted tomato risotto, broccolini, with a honey truffle glaze
Address - 4790 Main Street, Suite F108-B, Orange Beach, Al 36561
It is located at The Wharf Orange Beach on the corner of Main Street.
Phone - 251-224-6500 (ext 2)
Parking - Parking is in front of the restaurant or the Wharf parking garages.
Reservations - Reservations can be made through Yelp reservations. For parties over 6, please call the restaurant.
Big Fish Restaurant and Bar
Menu highlights
Pan-seared sea scallops-diver scallops glazed with sherry soy-are served with coconut fried rice and sauteed garlic spinach.
Sesame seared ahi tuna - Served with roasted red potato and edamame hash, tempura fried green beans, and a wasabi creme fraiche.
8 oz Filet Mignon - USDA prime grade aged beef tenderloin lightly seasoned, served with a red potato domestic wild mushroom hash, blue cheese, truffle oil, and sauteed garlic spinach.
14 oz ribeye - Served with house mashed potatoes and sauteed green beans.
Address - 25814 Canal Road, Orange Beach, AL 36561
Phone - 251-981-5516
Parking - There is parking directly in front of the restaurant.
Reservations - Big Fish Orange Beach does not take reservations. They are first come, first served.
Jesse's on the Bay
This waterfront restaurant offers gorgeous views, great food, and delicious cocktails. It is a favorite for both locals and visitors.
Menu highlights -
Address - 1631 Crosswinds Ct, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Phone - 251-965-3827 ext 2
Parking - There is parking next to the restaurant.
Reservations - Reservations can be made online or by calling the restaurant.
Louisiana Lagniappe
Menu highlights
Steaks - Filet mignon, ribeye, surf and turf, and Filet Oscar.
Lagniappe Stuffed Shrimp - fresh jumbo shrimp topped with shrimp and jumbo lump crabmeat stuffing.
Grouper Almondine - Fresh Gulf Grouper, pan-seared and topped with toasted almonds and meuniere sauce.
Oysters Lagniappe - Baked with Lagniappe stuffing and jumbo lump crabmeat
Address - 27267 Perdido Beach Blvd #201, Orange Beach, AL 36561
Phone - 251-981-2258
Parking -
Reservations - Reservations can be made online with open-table
Local and Company Food + Drink
Local and Company is an excellent restaurant in Foley, north of Gulf Shores. Its seasonal menu is worth checking out often.
Menu highlights-Local + Company changes its menu seasonally. Here are some of the menu items we have enjoyed.
Pork & Bean Salad - Neuske's smoked slab bacon, edamame, haricot verts tossed with kale, napa cabbage, brown butter walnuts, and a maple-fig vinaigrette.
Chilean Sea Bass - Bronzed Chilean sea bass with a farro, parmesan, and tomato risotto with fiery romesco.
Braised pork shank - Braised Duroc pork shank with sweet potato gratin, garlicky Swiss chard, candied pineapple, and Natural jus.
Cowboy steak: A 24-ounce chargrilled cowboy chop with a loaded twice-baked potato, beer-battered onion rings, and truffle butter.
Address - 812 N McKenzie St. Foley, AL 36535
It is located in the old Armory Building, which used to be the old antique mall.
Phone - 251-201-1000
Parking - There is a nice-sized parking lot in front of the restaurant.
Reservations - Reservations can be made online with Open Table.
Ristorante Carmelo
Ristorante Carmelo in Orange Beach specializes in Italian cuisine. Its chefs prepare decadent, rich-in-flavor entrees.
The restaurant is gorgeous and great for a celebration dinner. It has tables for larger groups and small, intimate tables for date nights.
Menu highlights -
Quattro Formaggi - Pappardelle in a rich cheese sauce of Romano, gorgonzola, Bel Paese, and Parmigiano.
Lasagna Carmelo - Pasta layered with egg, veal, beef, pork, mozzarella, ricotta, and tomato sauce
Brigante de Penne - penne rigate in a light cream, vodka, and tomato sauce.
Ammazzafame - Penne rigate, porcini mushrooms, sausage, broccoli, sun-dried tomato, and capers.
Mare e Monte - Linguine with clams from the sea and mushrooms from the mountains in a rich tomato sauce
Maccheroni Amatriciana - House-made spaghetti with pancetta, pecorino, red pepper flakes, onion, and crushed tomato sauce
Veal Piccata - Lightly dusted veal sautéed with butter, capers, shallots, white wine, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Served over angel hair pasta
Lombata di Manzo - Grilled New York Sirloin topped with a dolce gorgonzola sauce. Served with linguine
Chicken Parmigiana - Baked chicken cutlet topped with a light tomato sauce and Mozzarella cheese
Melanzane Parmigiana - Baked eggplant layered with a light tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.
Address - 25747 Perdido Beach Blvd Suite 1, Orange Beach, AL
In the Orange Beach Publix Shopping Center.
Phone - 251-200-4375
Parking - A large parking lot is in front of the restaurant.
Reservations - Reservations can be made online
Jesse's Restaurant
Jesse's Magnolia Springs offers exceptional ingredients and passionate service in a casual fine-dining restaurant.
Menu highlights
Wagyu Teres Major - 8-ounce Snake River Farms Wagyu, with choice of mash, grits, risotto or fries, and the daily vegetable.
Allen Brothers 6 or 10 oz filet
Allen Brothers 16 oz House cut ribeye
Pan seared redish - smoked brisket and fingerling potato hash, spicy red pepper mornay sauce, green onion, and caviar creme fraiche.
Pan seared gulf grouper - creamy farro risotto, roasted butternut squash, parsnips, carrots, leeks, spicy red curry tomato sauce, pomegranate mollasses.
Address - 14770 Oak St., Magnolia Springs, AL
Phone - 251-965-3827
Parking -
Reservations -The restaurant prefers that people call to make a reservation so they can discuss which room they would like to be in. You can also make an online reservation.
Zeke's
Zeke's is an upscale, casual, fine-dining restaurant in Orange Beach. Located on the water, it serves fresh seafood, local oysters, and steaks.
My husband will tell you the Wagyu Burger is one of the best burgers in Orange Beach and a must-try. I would tell you to order the white bean hummus and maybe share it or order two so you have more than enough. It is that good.
Menu highlights -
Wagyu Burger - 8-ounce Wagyu burger with burrata, fire-roasted tomatoes, arugula, pickled red onion, and housemade pesto on a brioche bun. One of the best burgers in Orange Beach!
Filet Mignon - 8-ounce filet served with chimichurri sauce and one side
Ribeye Steak - 14-ounce Ribeye served with herb compound butter, red pepper coulis, and a side dish.
Address - 26619 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
Zeke's Restaurant is located at Zeke's Marina in Orange Beach, Alabama.
Phone - 251-280-8008
Parking - There is a large parking lot in front of the restaurant.
Reservations - You can call 251-280-8008 to inquire about reservations.
Casual Date Night Celebration Restaurants
Gulf Shore and Orange Beach have some fantastic date night casual fine dining restaurants that are a little fancier than your average restaurant. They are not what I would define as fine dining with white linen tablecloths, but they offer a great experience and really good food.
Our favorite fancier casual date night restaurants include:
Additional Gulf Coast of Alabama Articles
Things to do for Couples in Orange Beach & Gulf Shores - Our favorite activities for couples to enjoy together on the Alabama coast.
Family-friendly restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach - Great kid friendly restaurants the entire family will love.
Donut Shops in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach - Start your morning with a sweet treat!
Best Breakfast and Brunch in Orange Beach - The best breakfast restaurants and diners you do not want to miss in Orange Beach
Best Breakfast and Brunch in Gulf Shores - One of the best things about Gulf Shores Restaurants is all of the local diners and breakfast spots. From local coffee shops to breakfast diners, there is something for everyone.
Epic Coffee Shops in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach - These Orange Beach and Gulf Shores coffee shops offer quality cups of coffee and so much more.
Best Seafood Restaurants in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach - Coming soon
Check out our January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December Event Guides to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!
Don't miss our other Gulf Coast destinations, including Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Dauphin Island, Fairhope, Fort Morgan, Foley, Mobile, Bayou La Batre, Alabama, and so many more!
We also have articles on the Emerald Coast of Florida, including Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, Panama City Beach, Perdido Key, Pensacola, and more.
Keep an eye out for articles on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida!
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