With easy access to the Gulf of Mexico and kid-friendly activities, it’s no wonder that Orange Beach, Alabama is a popular vacation spot. Spend your days lounging on the beach soaking up the sun, and spend your evenings watching the sunset from your Orange Beach vacation rental. In between your adventures, satisfy your family’s hearty appetite by venturing out to the top 10 family-friendly eateries in the area.
1. The Hangout
After a day swimming in the Gulf and building sand castles on the shore, let the kids hang out at The Hangout for a great meal and outdoor entertainment. Enjoy the fresh seafood and kid-friendly options such as burgers and chicken strips, and then have some fun at the ping-pong tables, giant sand pit, and foosball tables at the private beach area adjacent to the restaurant. If you’re dining later in the evening, the kids can roast marshmallows and make s’mores at the onsite fire pit.
2. Bill’s By the Beach
Another beachfront restaurant the kids will love after a day in the sun is Bill’s By the Beach. If they are seeking variety, then Bill’s is the place with a full-service menu that includes fresh seafood, steaks, burgers, and sandwiches. Mom and Dad have choices, too, with the variety of Italian, Mexican, Mediterranean, and Asian options on the menu.
3. LuLu’s
Situated on the Homeport Marina, LuLu’s is a popular destination for local families and tourists. Beyond the kid-friendly food that includes burgers, fries, and seafood, this restaurant also provides your family with adventurous activities. While waiting for your food, try and tackle the rope courses or bounce to your delight on the trampoline and bungee bounce on site. Adjacent to the sandy beach, your kids can build sand castles before dining in this casual restaurant. Don’t forget to hit the arcade after your scrumptious meal.
4. The Gulf
When you need a casual spot for lunch or dinner, sit and relax on the picnic tables or cozy couches on the patio of The Gulf, a hotspot for families vacationing in Orange Beach. Enjoy kid-friendly meals of burgers and grilled cheese and top off your lunch or dinner with one of the homemade desserts available. The Gulf is also known for its flavored, housemade lemonade that includes fresh fruits such as blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries.
Find the perfect Orange Beach vacation rental on Tripping.com. Tripping.com is the world's #1 vacation rental search engine with over 10 million properties!
5. Tacky Jack’s
Drive your boat right up to this Orange Beach restaurant, slip on your flip-flops, and get ready to enjoy a meal that is fresh from the sea. Tacky Jack’s is accessible by land or sea and offers views of the beach and ocean that are breathtaking. Try out the various flavors of “tacky” shrimp or dive into a bowl of seafood gumbo. Allow the kids to savor creamy mac ‘n’ cheese, lil’ chickies, or lil’ fishies from the children’s menu before heading to the outdoor play area for some fun in the sun.
6. Papa Rocco’s
Even though the motto of Papa Rocco’s is the “home of lousy pizza,” the very opposite is true. In fact, this pizzeria in Orange Beach has won numerous awards for the best pizza in the area and on the beach. Take the kids for a slice in between beach activities or enjoy the live music on the patio while eating Italian cuisine in the evening.
7. Original Oyster House
When the kids are getting tired and crabby, don them with their very own “crabby hat” while dining at the Original Oyster House. This Gulf Shore’s favorite features an outdoor play area for the kids to expel some energy while waiting on their food. You can take in waterfront sunsets while savoring the fresh seafood, homemade gumbo, blackened shrimp, and cheesy grits available at this restaurant, as well as oysters. Watch in amazement as the kids devour the handcrafted desserts available at this popular eatery located within minutes from your Orange Beach vacation rental.
8. Moe’s Original Bar B Que
Spice up your next meal with a trip to Moe’s Original Bar B Que. Snack on finger foods of fried pickles, barbecue nachos, and smoked chicken wings before diving into a main entree of pulled pork, ribs, smoked turkey, or southern fried catfish. Fill up your bellies with specialty sides that include marinated slaw, mac ‘n’ cheese, cornbread, and collard greens. You can’t leave Moe’s without trying the banana pudding for dessert.
9. City Donut
If there ever was a sweet treat to delight your kids, you’ll certainly find it at City Donut. Stop in this bakery for breakfast and watch as the bakers prepare the donuts and add drizzles of chocolate and caramel sauce to the baked goods. Bring a fruity touch to your breakfast with an apple fritter or watch as the kids choose their own donuts as you drink a fresh cup of Joe in the morning.
10. The Ruby Slipper Cafe
Tempt your taste buds from the moment you smell the bacon frying at The Ruby Slipper Cafe. This diner-style restaurant serves up breakfast, brunch, and lunch daily, providing locals and tourists with heaping helpings of hash browns, eggs, biscuits and gravy, and bacon. Try out the lunch menu, too, with a po’ boy sandwich or Reuben before heading back to your Orange Beach vacation rental.
Ready to go? Check out these amazing Orange Beach vacation rentals on Tripping.com.