Savanna Restaurant is located next to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo and offers fantastic breakfast, lunch, and dinner options in a great atmosphere.
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Savanna Restaurant
~~Savanna Restaurant announced they are closing on May 31, 2025 ~~
Have you ever eaten breakfast with monkeys calling to each other in the background? This is one of our favorite things about eating at Savanna Restaurant.
You can hear all of the monkeys and wildlife that call Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo home. During lunch a few days ago, I was able to watch ring-tailed lemurs playing while enjoying an amazing wood-fired pizza.
I will admit my husband kept asking me if we were going to sit for a while since I was having so much fun watching the monkeys. They are so darn cute.
OK, Back to the epic food and atmosphere you will enjoy at Savanna Restaurant.
Indoor Seating
Walking into the restaurant feels like you have taken a flight to Africa. This restaurant is decorated like an African bush lodge and is so much fun.
There is a combination of tables and chairs, along with really cool booths located under a bush tent.
Indoor Bar
The indoor bar is in the heart of the restaurant. We love the elephant trunk purse holders underneath the bar. Such a cool touch of decoration and function.
Outdoor Seating
The outdoor seating offers epic views into the Gulf Shores Zoo! If you are dining with kids they will love being able to watch one of the monkey islands.
You can also see a few other animals depending on where they are moving in their enclosures from the back porch. There are overhead fans which help during the heat of the summer.
Savanna Restaurant Menu
The Savanna menu is not your typical beach fare. While you will find shrimp and grits or a burger you will also find great menu options only found here.
The hand-crafted menu features great steaks, lamb, seafood, wood fire pizzas, and so much more.
Brunch Menu Highlights
Brunch is offered on Saturday & Sunday and so worth taking time for.
Apple Pancakes - (Sadly not on the menu right now) SOOOO GOOD! Three buttermilk fluffy pancakes topped with apples and a brown sugar brandy flambe.
Bananas Foster Waffles - topped with bananas and bourbon brown sugar butter sauce.
Sweet potato pancakes - three sweet potato pancakes stacked with maple syrup and candied pecans.
Shakshuka Over Grits - Tomato, roasted red pepper, basil, garlic, and a poached egg. If you have had Shakshuka overseas one thing to know is this version does not have the punch of flavor you may be used to.
Croque Madame - ham, money, sourdough, dijon, eggs sunny side up, parmesan.
Breakfast frittata - Spinach, sundried tomato, chorizo, pepper jack cheese, and romesco served with potatoes.
Good morning quesadilla - tasso ham, eggs, sauteed onions, bell peppers, gruyere, served with potatoes.
Fried chicken and grits - stone ground grits, fried chicken breast, tasso gravy, and roasted asparagus.
Lunch Menu Highlights
Savanna's Lunch Menu "The Deli" is filled with classic sandwiches we all love along with specialty sandwiches. Don't worry they still have a ton of salads if you want a lighter lunch.
Standard sandwiches include Corned Beef, Hot pastrami, Roasted Turkey, Roasted Ham, Roast Beef, Tuna Salad, and Chicken Salad.
Specialty sandwiches include the French dip, Reuben, Po'boy Club, Tall Turkey, Southern Gent, Pat's Philly, Veg head, Three little ladies, and a half sandwich and a cup of soup.
Salads include pimento cheese, potato salad, pasta salad, coleslaw, ham salad, chicken salad, tuna salad, cucumber salad, and broccoli salad.
House Salad - mixed greens, kalamata olives, roasted red pepper, red onion, served with a lemon za'atar vinaigrette.
Wood-fired pizzas - Margherita, grilled chicken artichoke, pepperoni, or their filet and blue cheese pizza!
Cheeseburger - Cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and comeback sauce. Get the onion rings!
Chicken Cordon Blue sandwich - chicken, ham, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo.
3 cheese grilled cheese - sadly not on the menu right now - YUM!!! Served with a tomato basil soup dip. Next time I will order a large bowl of soup it was so good.
Grilled portobello mushroom sandwich - lettuce, tomato, onion, Swiss cheese, and a roasted red pepper aioli.
Dinner Menu Highlights
Pimento Cheese board - housemade deli meats, candied pecans, dried cranberries, pickled okra, and crostini.
House flat bread - served with olive oil, garlic, herbs, and roasted red pepper dip.
Cajun risotto - tasso, celery, bell pepper, onion, creole sauce
Carbona American - ham, garlic, sweet pea, fettuccine, cream, and parmesan.
Chicken marsala fettuccine - Sauteed mushrooms, marsala wine, demi glaze.
Swordfish - rosemary, olive oil, grilled tomato, salsa verde.
Red snapper - broiled with tomato veloute and pickled cucumber.
Wagyu Denver Steak - grilled with salsa roja
Filet Mignon - Grilled with cowboy butter
Kids Menu - The kids menu includes grilled cheese sandwich and fries, pepperoni pizza, chicken nuggets with fries, mac & cheese, or a cheeseburger with fries.
Gluten-Free
Breakfast - Shrimp and grits, pork chops without sausage gravy, steak and eggs
Lunch - Ginger and Butternut squash soup, roasted red pepper dip, cheese board, salad
Vegan - house salad, fall harvest salad
Vegetarian - the margarita pizza is amazing, as well as house salad and 3 cheese grilled cheese.
Signature Cocktails - Spicy margarita, lemon drop martini, Oaxaca Old Fashion, Old School Mai Tai.
They also have a great beer and wine list.
Why you will love Savanna Restaurant
- Listed to monkeys from the Gulf Shores Zoo
- Great food
- Unbelievable atmosphere
- Great wine pairings and specialty wine dinners
- Unique dining experience
- Hidden gem in Gulf Shores
- Special events and live music
- Kid Friendly restaurant in Gulf Shores
Things to know when planning a visit to Savanna Restaurant
Address - 20499 Oak Rd E, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Located next to the main entrance to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.
The restaurant is a little off the beaten path of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach but this casual fine dining restaurant is worth turning off of Highway 59.
Phone - (251)256-7007
Hours - Mon 11am-3pm, Tue-Fri 11am-9pm, Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-3pm
Please confirm with the restaurant to ensure that the hours have not changed.
Reservations - Reservations can be made on OpenTable
Accessibility - The restaurant is all one story with space between tables. There is accessible parking in the parking lot nearby.
Plus Size Seating - The chairs inside are comfortable. The outdoor chairs look like they all have arms on them.
Dress Code/Suggestions - Casual, date night at dinner
Pets - Pets are not allowed in the restaurant.
Parking - There is a large parking lot in front of the zoo.
Restaurants and Attractions nearby
Gulf Shores Diner - Gulf Shores Diner is a small local breakfast and lunch restaurant serving diner classics!
Scoops Ice Cream - You can't miss the light-up ice cream cone calling you to enjoy a delicious scoop of ice cream.
Efes Greek Kitchen - Great Greek Food right in the heart of Gulf Shores.
FoodCraft - Enjoy one of our favorite restaurants located in Gulf State Park.
Wade Ward Nature Park - located in the heart of Gulf Shores right off of Highway 59! This great nature park has elevated boardwalks over wetlands perfect for wildlife and bird watching.
Beach Girl Coffee - Drive through and grab a frozen coffee or tea on your way to the beach!
Additional Orange Beach and Gulf Shores Articles
Best Pizza in Gulf Shores - Check out our favorite local pizza restaurants.
Best Ice Cream in Gulf Shores - Check out all of the best ice cream shops in Gulf Shores you do not want to miss.
Gulf Shores Breakfast Restaurants - The best of the best breakfasts including southern comfort food, diner classics, and more.
Best Coffee Shops in Gulf Shores - Check out all of the different coffee shops in Gulf Shores, Alabama
Great bars in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach - The best bars for a tropical drink, live music, and fun atmosphere.
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tours
These are some of our favorite tours available in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama.
Dolphin Tours - Book a dolphin cruise here
Check out our experiences on Hammock Time Tiki Tours, Explorer Dolphin Cruise, Southern Rose Dolphin cruise, Cruise OB (Orange Beach), Sail Wild Hearts, Sunset Sail and Dolphin Tour, and the Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruise.
Slingshot Rentals - Use code GULFJOURNEY To save 10% off a Slingshot Rental with Gulf Coast Rental Co in Orange Beach
Pontoon Boat Rentals - Enjoy cruising the waters of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on a Pontoon. Check out the pontoon boats with slides for extra fun. Book your Boat Rental Here
Parasailing - Check out the epic views as you parasail in the Gulf of Mexico. Look for wildlife and you float high above the water. Book your Parasailing Trip Here
Jet Ski Rentals - Jet Ski Tours and rentals are a great way to explore the back bays of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Book your Jet Ski Rental Here
Click here to see all of the top rated tours and activities available in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Lodging
If you are visiting and need to book accommodations, here are our recommendations. We have personally stayed at each of these lodging options (except Margaritaville, coming 2027!):
Use code GULFJOURNEY at checkout with Spectrum Resorts and Beachball Properties for an exclusive discount!
🏖️ Beachball Properties - Vacation houses and condos throughout Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Use Code GULFJOURNEY for a discount. Book with Beachball Properties
🏖️ The Beach Club Resort and Spa (Fort Morgan) - Beachfront condos with amazing amenities, a spa, and the incredible Coast Restaurant on-site. Use Code GULFJOURNEY for a discount with Spectrum Resorts. Book The Beach Club
🏖️ Turquoise Place (Orange Beach) - Our favorite resort in the area! Luxury amenities, epic Gulf-front views, and stunning condos. Truly unforgettable. Use Code GULFJOURNEY for a discount with Spectrum Resorts. Book Turquoise Place
🏨 The Tides Hotel (Orange Beach) - Gorgeous beachfront hotel with a great breakfast buffet, outdoor pool, and top-notch customer service. Book The Tides
🏨 Island House Hotel (Orange Beach) - Right on the beach with epic views from every room. Book Island House
⛺ Timberline Glamping (Orange Beach) - Stay in an amazing glamping tent with a private bathroom, right next to Gulf State Park. Book Timberline
🏨 The Lodge at Gulf State Park - Beachfront Hilton hotel in Gulf State Park offering epic views, sustainable practices, and great on-site restaurants. Book The Lodge
🏨 Springhill Suites Orange Beach - Located next to The Wharf with a gorgeous pool. Perfect location for shopping and dining. Book Springhill Suites
🔜 Margaritaville Resort Orange Beach (Coming 2027) - The highly anticipated Margaritaville resort is coming to Orange Beach! The first phase opens in 2027 and will include beachfront cottages, bungalows, condos, pickleball courts, and an entertainment district.
The map below shows the current hotels and vacation rentals available in the area. You can select the dates you are visiting to see current availability.
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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