• Home
  • About
    • New? Start Here
    • My Life
    • Press
    • Contact
    • LEGAL
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Big Daddy’s Dish
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • College Student Recipes
    • Desserts
      • Cobblers
      • Pound Cake Recipes Reviewed
    • Dressings & Sauces
    • Entree
      • Beef
      • Pasta
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Poultry
    • Encore
    • Healthy
    • Recipe Collections
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches
    • side dishes
    • Soup
    • Snacks
  • Resources
  • Extras
    • Crafts/DIY
    • Fit & Fab
    • Housekeeping
    • Travel
    • Local Eats
    • View My Instagram
    • Videos
  • Shop
    • SHOP MY FAVORITES
    • PHOTOGRAPHY ESSENTIALS
    • Amazon Favorites
    • Kitchen
    • Home + Candles
    • Shop Beauty Favs
    • Shop Gift Ideas
  • Recipe Box
  • Stay up to date. Subscribe to receive blog updates in your email inbox.

Call Me PMc

Cooking. Creating. Sharing

Favorite Orange Beach | Perdido Restaurants

Jun.posted by Paula 27 Comments

We enjoy traveling and went to the beach and this is my review of all the places we ate, Favorite Orange Beach | Perdido Restaurants

Our family takes at least one vacation to the beach, some beach, every year. A ‘vacation’ to the boys means the beach; we travel to other places, it’s referred to as ‘a trip’.

Every trip, I make notes of restaurants that we like and those we don’t. I decided to share our favorites, or not favorites, with you this year.

We vacationed in Orange Beach, AL this year. Now, if you’re not familiar with the area, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Perdido all run together on Alabama’s coast. It’s a beautiful stretch of beach. We usually go to the San Destin, FL area, but with kids the 1+ hour shorter drive time makes a huge difference. The Orange Beach area is quieter than San Destin and there’s not as much to do, but all we really want to do is unwind and relax so this is perfect!

So below are the restaurants we visited and the good, bad and ugly of each!

Favorite Orange Beach | Perdido Restaurants

Cobalt –

Cobalt is one of my most favorite restaurants. They offer a variety of foods salads, sandwiches, pizza, pastas and hearty fish, pork, steak, entrees. You may have a wait but they also have great unique cocktails. I recommend you enjoy the Pineapple Mojito as you wait. The view is awesome; it looks out over the bay. I highly recommend visiting Cobalt!

Cobalt Orange Beach, AL

Cobalt Orange Beach, AL

Sea n’ Sand

On a scale of 1 to 10 it’s a -5, that’s negative 5!!!! Skip It!! It’s horrible! Such great potential with the beach location but the food was gross, nothing homemade.

Sea n Suds Orange BEach

Sea n Suds Orange Beach

Doc’s Seafood Shack & Oyster Bar –

Doc’s is ‘da bomb’…’da bomb diggity’ GO!! Love it! I usually stay away from restaurants that fry, but after eating grilled, blackened and broiled all week, Big Daddy was craving fried shrimp. The sign at Doc’s proclaims “Best Fried Shrimp in the Civilized World!” Well, they ARE!!! Doc’s is an old restaurant that has expanded over time, it’s unassuming. You don’t have to get dolled up to go. The first night we tried to go there was an hour wait, so we went for a late lunch the next day and was seated immediately. They offer fried, broiled or blackened shrimp, fish, oysters, and all the usual sides, slaw, hushpuppies, fries.

Doc's

Doc’s

The seafood platter was gone so quickly I didn’t have time for a picture!!

Doc's

Doc’s

Shrimp Basket

Good lunch place, good kids menu – They have a variety of foods to choose from. They offer appetizers, salads, poboys, and sandwiches. They also have steamed or fried baskets, and grilled blackened or pan-grilled platters. It’s good, it’s fried, not my favorite, but not my least favorite. I’d go (if I couldn’t get to Doc’s.)

Franco’s

Franco’s Italian Restaurant was good. We had a sampler platter with spaghetti, ravioli, cheese manicotti, and seafood lasagna. The seafood lasagna was outstanding. The boys got a pizza and it was really good as was the salad that came with both entrees. I would eat there again for the seafood lasagna alone, but the spaghetti, ravioli, and manicotti was average.

Franco's

Franco’s in Orange Beach, AL

Franco's

Franco's This salad was awesome!

Franco's

Franco's This pizza was good too, slightly sweet crust, yum!

Cosmo’s

Another one of my very favorites (and a favorite of almost everyone apparently). Expect a wait, even at 4:00 pm! They have daily happy hour from 3 to 5:00. One of the few places I found with sushi. They have a variety of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and pasta. Entrée range from steak to seafood, catfish, tuna, pork and chicken. One of the few places that I feel actually ‘make’ their food instead of buying it pre-made off a truck.  They have a large patio and live music and I just think this place is killer! You can also shop at Maggie’s Bottle and Tail while you wait. Put it on your list, it’s a must! The fish is good. The steaks are good, the shrimp is good. The mojitos are killer, everything’s good. Go! (but expect a wait!)

 

Cosmo's

Cosmo’s

Cosmo's

Cosmo’s

Shop at Maggie’s Bottle and Tail while you wait!

Cosmo's

Cosmo’s Mojito

Enjoy cocktails while you wait!

Cosmo's

Cosmo’s

The Happy Hour sushi needs a little working on, but it’s ok.

Cosmo's

Cosmo’s

The appetizer crab cakes were awesome, all meat, very little ‘filler’ and great remoulade sauce!

Cosmo's

Cosmo’s

The walls are painted bright unconventional colors and decorated with artists paintings of dogs that are for sale.

Cosmo's

Cosmo’s patio

Orange Beach | Perdido Restaurants

Tacky Jack’s

Tacky Jack’s is awesome; the cool atmosphere, there was a live band the day we were there (at lunch). They offer to dine inside and out. They also have parasailing, jet skis, boat rides and a souvenir shop next door, everyone is super friendly. But back to the food, they have the best fish tacos! I get them every time I go….with a Bushwacker! You MUST get the Bushwacker. This is Alabama’s cocktail of choice much like the Hurricane is for New Orleans!  They offer salads, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, seafood platters. They even serve breakfast, but I’ve never been at breakfast. I recommend this restaurant… and the Bushwacker!

Tacky Jack's

Tacky Jack’s view from the bay.

Tacky Jack's

Tacky Jack’s Bushwacker

"<yoastmark

Live Bait

We ate at Live Bait the last night we were in Orange Beach. It was across the street from our Condo. We were tired, hungry, didn’t want to wait and didn’t want to drive far. It was full at the time, but we didn’t have to wait to be seated. Typical bar type restaurant. They have an area for live music but no one was playing this night. They also have TVs everywhere. I was wishing there was a good game on to watch. Wesley got fried shrimp and they were really good. I couldn’t resist the appetizer Greek Seafood Nachos. They were awesome, Big Daddy ended up eating a lot of them, it was a huge portion. Expect a restaurant remake of this dish! I’d go back to Live Bait.

"<yoastmark

"<yoastmark

"<yoastmark

Louisiana Lagniappe

This was the rage a few years ago, but frankly, I’m over Louisiana Lagniappe. Actually, I never thought it was all that. It’s just kind of 1980’s cheesy touristy something. We’ve eaten at LL in Orange Beach and in Destin and it’s okay, it’s just not awesome. I mean, it’s better than Sea n Suds. They have grouper, shrimp, steaks, burgers. I’m not a fan, I can’t go on!

Hazel’s

Hazel’s may have been good ‘back in the day’ but it looked and smelled like a cafeteria. I know they’re known for great breakfast. We stopped in to get a menu for dinner. No! Negative! Not happening!

 

So that’s it for now on Favorite Orange Beach | Perdido Restaurants. Check back I’ll be updating this list!

 

 

 

Paula
« FISH TACOS WITH MANGO AVOCADO RELISH
Stuffed Crust Pizza »

Comments

  1. thejellyfishbar says

    09.16.20 at 2:39 am

    Thank for the great list of orange beach restaurants.

    Reply
  2. domsmith752 says

    01.30.16 at 3:12 am

    Last month, I visited to Orange Beach, AL and staying at orange beach vacation rentals, that was a great experience for me. I really enjoyed my vacations and their resorts are best to provide the luxurious amenities. Their food is very tasty and delicious. Thanks for sharing this useful and lovely information with us. Awesome and great blog. I really like it.

    Reply
  3. Amy says

    09.10.14 at 10:13 am

    I was just wondering on your reviews on some restaurants in destin fl . We are staying here on vacation and looking for a great place to go and have a great meal!

    Reply
    • Paula says

      09.10.14 at 1:30 pm

      OH, LOVE Destin. Vintij is good, not real kid-friendly though. Dewey Destin is great, they have 2 locations now, it’s a must-go place every time we go. I like AJ’s usually have good music and great view. The Back Porch, it’s on old hwy 98, right on beach GREAT seafood. I like Pompano Joe’s on old 98 too. Acme Oyster house at San Destin – my husband is a huge oyster fan. Most of these are mid-range and kid-friendly and very casual. Vintij is most expensive. There’s another higher-end one we go to and I can’t think of it for the life of me right now. I’ll msg you back when I think of it.

      Reply
      • Amy says

        09.12.14 at 10:46 am

        Just want to thank you for the restaurants you suggested. We pick the Back Door and we absolutely loved it! Great atmosphere and great food! We will defiantly be back there next year in September! I give it 5 stars!!!! 🙂

        Reply
        • Paula says

          09.12.14 at 10:52 am

          You’re welcome! I’m so glad you liked it, makes me want to go.

          Reply
  4. Heather says

    07.17.13 at 5:22 pm

    Hey Paula! Stumbled across this while searching good reviews for restaurants in OB! I got excited when I saw your face on google!

    Reply
  5. Christine says

    06.28.13 at 5:46 am

    This makes me think that I need to go on vacation and eat out!!

    Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer… From Dream To Reality! It was a pleasure partying with you! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Hope @ Fairhope Supply Co. says

    06.25.13 at 4:29 pm

    Glad you were down our way! You visited a few of my favorites and introduced me to a few I’ve never been to before! Even though we live close to Orange Beach, we usually wait until the calmer months of September and October to go down there. But it’s still great any time of the year!

    Reply
    • Paula says

      06.25.13 at 4:52 pm

      We’ve never been after Memorial Day and I was concerned about the crowds. But, it really wasn’t bad, well, except Cosmo’s. I think they have a wait just about anytime.

      Reply
      • Shay says

        03.14.16 at 9:11 am

        Try Cafe Grazie next, it never disappoints! I am a local and that is in my top 3!

        Reply
  7. Raquel @ Organized Island says

    06.25.13 at 8:47 am

    Oh this looks like so much fun! Ihave never been to AL. Going to pin this for future reference. Thanks Paula!

    Reply
    • Paula says

      06.25.13 at 11:55 am

      It really is fun! Hope you get to go soon and hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  8. Shelia S says

    06.25.13 at 7:04 am

    I like Shrimp Basket. I also like Bubba’s even though we have heard of differing opinions on the place.

    Reply
    • Paula says

      06.25.13 at 7:15 am

      I don’t think I know Bubba’s, I’ll have to check it out.

      Reply
  9. Marty says

    06.25.13 at 6:13 am

    Hey, that’s my neck of the woods…sort of. I grew up in Pensacola so we spent a lot of time in Perdido and occasionally made it over to Orange Beach. I love how your boys make the beach the vacation while everything else is just a trip 🙂

    Reply
    • Paula says

      06.25.13 at 6:53 am

      And like a 10 and 8 year old even need a ‘vacation’! It’s not like they’re stressed! 🙂

      We love the area, and we base the quality of our trips on if the food is good or bad.

      Reply
  10. The Hill Hangout says

    06.24.13 at 10:12 pm

    My parents live in Orange Beach, so we’ve been eating in restaurants here for years. I’d have to agree with most of your reviews. Cobalt is awesome. Doc’s is excellent for local flavor. I actually really like the Shrimp Basket. Cosmo’s is well loved. If you want a great steak, try Diamond Jim’s on Canal Rd. Bravo Tacos, also on Canal Rd, is great for a quick, delicious Mexican meal. Bella Luna is our absurd favorite pizza place. For delicious shrimp and grits, try Ginny Lane at the Wharf. There is so much great, fresh food in south Alababa!

    Reply
    • Paula says

      06.25.13 at 5:47 am

      Thanks, I’ll put those on my list for next year.

      Reply
    • Karla says

      06.06.17 at 10:55 am

      Yes!!! Ginny Lane’s shrimp and grits are soooo good! I am counting down the days until our vacation so I can go there! Thanks for the great info! We love Cosmo’s and Lulu’s. Papa Roccos is a great place for pizza and live music. Then you can hop next door for ice cream at Matt’s. (expect a wait for these two places). We love going to Orange Beach every year! Oh and the beaches are really nice! Lol!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your email address will not be published. Have you tried this recipe? Consider giving it 5 stars!




The Big Pound Cake Review

60 pound cake recipes

Featured Categories

  • Appetizers
  • Beverages
  • Breakfast
  • Desserts
  • Entrees
  • Side Dishes
  • College Student Recipes

Search specific recipes

Search specific recipes

Archives

Salty Sweet Crockpot Candy

SALTY SWEET CROCKPOT CANDY

Chocolate Chip Snickers Cookies

THICK CHOCOLATE CHIP SNICKERS COOKIES

White Chocolate CrockPot Candy | Call Me PMc

WHITE CHOCOLATE CROCKPOT CANDY

chocolate bars

BEST FUDGY COCOA BROWNIES

Favorites

Chocolate Chip Snickers Cookies

THICK CHOCOLATE CHIP SNICKERS COOKIES

Mexican beef dinner

QUESABIRRIA STACK {Cheese Birrias Taco Stack}

Beef Birria Stack | Call Me PMc

BEEF BIRRIA STACK

roasted meal

ROASTED LEMON THYME CHICKEN AND ROOT VEGETABLES

Creamy Tuscan Italian Sausage Pasta

CREAMY TUSCAN ITALIAN SAUSAGE PASTA

Keto Cheesy Balsamic Chicken

KETO CHEESY BALSAMIC CHICKEN

Hi, I'm Paula. I'm a blogger, a baker, a runner, a writer, a recipe developer, & a cookie dough eater. I love creating great recipes & sharing them with you! You'll find healthy recipes, comfort food and my favorite, indulgent desserts!
read more
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • RSS

DISCLOSURE

Call Me PMc is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases ad no cost to you. Thanks for supporting this small business.

Read my Privacy Policy.

COPYRIGHT

© 2012 – 2023 All recipes & images are original & the sole property of CallMePMc.com All Rights Reserved. All content is for your personal enjoyment & content herein is in no way to be used for commercial purposes. Other than linking to a page, do not copy or otherwise use images or original recipes without my written permission. Republishing posts in their entirety is prohibited. Use of this site automatically constitutes your agreement to these terms.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Stay up to date. Subscribe to receive blog updates in your email inbox

  • Copyright © 2023 Call Me PMc. Design & Development by Melissa Rose Design