A Culinary Journey: Must-Try Restaurants in Orange Beach, Alabama

Hey friends! Orange Beach, Alabama, is a haven for beach lovers, but it also boasts a vibrant culinary scene that caters to diverse palates. From fresh seafood caught right off the docks to innovative takes on Southern classics, there’s something delicious waiting to be discovered.

Come with us as we take you on a mouthwatering journey, highlighting some of the must-try restaurants in Orange Beach:

For the Seafood Enthusiast:

  • The Original Oyster House: This iconic restaurant is a local favorite, serving up fresh oysters in various styles, from raw and chargrilled to Rockefeller and fried. Don’t miss their signature gumbo and other seafood specialties. 
  • Cosmo’s Restaurant and Bar: This lively beachfront restaurant offers a casual atmosphere and delicious seafood options. Enjoy fresh catches cooked to perfection, from fish tacos and shrimp and grits to mouthwatering po’boys and seafood platters. 
  • Cobalt: This seaside restaurant is always delivering mouthwatering classics. Come enjoy watching the sunset as you dine in or outside of this wonderful restaurant watching the boats dock for the night.

For the Adventurous Foodie:

  • Voyagers Restaurant: Embark on a culinary adventure at Voyagers Restaurant, known for its innovative and globally inspired cuisine. Savor dishes like seared scallops with mango salsa, pan-roasted duck breast with cherry demi-glace, and unique vegetarian and vegan options. 
  • Luna’s Eat & Drink: This local favorite offers a diverse menu with something for everyone. Enjoy delicious takes on Southern classics like shrimp and grits and fried green tomatoes, alongside innovative dishes like blackened ahi tuna tacos and Korean BBQ lettuce wraps. 
  • The Wharf: This popular entertainment complex offers a variety of restaurants catering to different tastes. From fresh sushi at Ginny Lane to the lively atmosphere and Southern comfort food at AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar, The Wharf promises a delightful culinary experience. 

For the Casual Diner:

  • The Gulf: This beachfront venue offers a casual atmosphere and delicious food perfect for the whole family. Enjoy fresh seafood baskets, juicy burgers, and refreshing frozen drinks while soaking in the stunning views of the Gulf. 
  • Doc’s Seafood Shack & Oyster Bar: This lively shack offers a laid-back atmosphere and delicious comfort food. Savor fresh seafood boils, po’boys piled high with fried shrimp or oysters, and refreshing cocktails for a casual and fun dining experience. 
  • Tacky Jack’s: A local legend, Tacky Jack’s offers a fun and family-friendly atmosphere with delicious food and stunning waterfront views. Enjoy fresh seafood platters, juicy steaks, and a wide variety of appetizers perfect for sharing. With three locations you are sure to find one near you!

Whether you’re a seafood enthusiast, an adventurous foodie, or a casual diner, Orange Beach has something to tantalize your taste buds. So, embark on your own culinary journey, explore the diverse restaurants and hidden gems, and create lasting memories in this delightful coastal haven. Remember, this is just a starting point – with so many options to choose from, the perfect dining experience awaits you in Orange Beach!

Need a place to stay? Sunset Properties has you covered! Give us a call/ text at 251-543-1370 or visit our website at www.sunsetproperties.com and we will get you taken care of! Check out Dunes 501 for a relaxing and peaceful weekend down the beach! This 2-bedroom 2 bath has a beautiful view of the Gulf and boasts amazing sunsets most nights. Tortuga Bay is a 2-bedroom 1 bath that sleeps 6. This house is your own little haven. The owners have made sure that you have your own small personal beach, so you don’t have to leave the house. The best part? The boat slip included!

Food Truck Festival in Gulf Shores!

Hey friends! Everything on the Alabama Gulf Coast is winding down and cooling off ( a little anyway!). Now is a great time to come down and visit before it gets chilly in a few months.  Food Truck Festivals of America are back for another year in Gulf Shores. They will be back to the Town Green area on November 11 and 12 from 11-5 pm! They have an amazing lineup this year full of different styles of food like Venezuelan Latin Food, Mediterranean, Roasted Mexican Street Corn, and West African Caribbean. Then of course you have your food truck essentials; gourmet hot dogs, Memphis style BBQ, American Pub Style, and fair foods! This is a great way to get some of your favorite foods but also to try something new. They are planning to have booths set up of artists selling handcrafted goods and food products as well. Plan on bringing your chairs and hanging around to enjoy the atmosphere they are creating. They will have a DJ and lawn games for people to enjoy. While admission is free, they will be preselling a beer package online leading up to the festival. Click the link here to check it out.

Need a place to stay? Sunset Properties has you covered! Check us out online at www.SunsetProperties.com or give us a call/text at 251-543-1370 and let us do the hard work. Come check out our Ocean House I 1301 property that sleeps 8. This property has a beautiful view of the gulf! Do you need pet friendly? Campbell Cottage is a pet friendly 3 bedroom house that would be perfect for you! Give us a call and let us get you booked today!

Gulf Shores Seafood Festival 2024!

Hey Friends! Shrimp Fest is back and celebrating their 50th anniversary on October 12-15th, 2023! They have such a good list of things for you to try and experience. Come down and celebrate with 250,000 of people from all over the country. They will have everything from gourmet burgers to (of course) shrimp! Make sure to look for the “Best of the Fest” for the booths that have won awards from previous festivals.

The festival has a wonderful selection of handmade goods and jewelry vendors! They have over 200 arts & crafts and fine arts booths registered that will line the beach. It’s always nice to give back to the locals and support them when you can. Live Music from the Alabama Music Hall of Famer Wet Wille on October 12th to start off the weekend. To see the full lineup click here. There will be plenty for the kids to do as well. Things like a rock wall, bungee jumping, and a rock wall! Miss Shrimp Festival is open to all Baldwin County students and will be located at Erie Meyer Civic Center on September 24th.

Ike’s Beach Service will be sponsoring a Sand Sculpture Contest with the grand prize being $100 for both Family and Adult Categories and $50 Cash prize for the 5-10 yrs old and 11-15 yrs old categories! You can have up to 4 members per team and you will fall into a year category or you can just join the family category. Registration begins Saturday at 11:00 am and judging begins at 3:00 pm.

Need a place to stay? Sunset Properties has you covered! Check us out online at www.SunsetProperties.com or give us a call/text at 251-543-1370 and let us do the hard work. Come check out our Ocean House I 1301 property that sleeps 8. This property has a beautiful view of the gulf! Do you need pet friendly? Campbell Cottage is a pet friendly 3 bedroom house that would be perfect for you! Give us a call and let us get you booked today!

September at the Beach!

Hey Friends! OWA is throwing a Labor Day Weekend party September 1st-3rd. They have quite the lineup with live music, their 6th annual car show, and even a hot dog eating contest! Make sure you bring the kids out to see the fun. They have live music from Stormfolk, Ryan Dyer, and Ben Loftin lined up for the weekend. To register for the hot dog eating contest, click here

Bulls on The Beach is back September 7-9th, 2023! This year they will be having 3 action packed nights of professional cowboys and cowgirls from all over the country come out and compete. Thursday night is for the junior riders on miniature bulls, a coloring contest with two winners, and ending the night with the Professional Riders in the adult competition! Tickets are available for purchase online and are $30 for adults,  15 for children 7-17 years old, and children 6 and under are free! Gates will be opening at 6 PM every night and the rodeo begins at 8 PM. Parking is extremely limited, so they strongly suggest you arrive early. The Flora Bama will be donating a portion of proceeds from Bulls on the Beach to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Need a place to stay? Sunset Properties has you covered from houses for the whole family to condos for two. Come spend the weekend in a fabulous unit at Phoenix West II! This is a 3-bedroom unit that sleeps 12 comfortably.  This unit has tons of amenities for the kiddos to enjoy while you are here as well. Make sure they check out the game room! Don’t need as much room?  Check out our unit at Grand Caribbean! This unit is a 2 bedroom that sleeps 6 and is located directly across from the public beach access. Visit us online at www.sunsetproperties.com or give us a call at 251-543-1370 and let us get you booked! We’ll See Ya at Sunset!

Fun Events coming to Gulf Shores

Hi Friends! With school about to be back in session here are a few fun events you can try to sneak in before… or maybe even on a quick weekend trip!

  1. Paddle and Paint Kayak Excursions

This 2.5 hour excursion gives you the opportunity to not only learn how to kayak, but also gives you the chance to practice your watercolor techniques as you float down Wolf Bay! Starting from Wind & Water Learning Center this activity needs at least 2 participants and is capped at 6. This unique experience is $45 per person and runs from July 7- August 30th  each Wednesday.

  • Make your own Glass or Clay Pottery lessons

The Hot Shop and The Clay Studio have classes at The Coastal Arts Center most weekdays. They are both by appointment only, so make sure you give them a call before heading over.  On most Fridays, they have a flame-working class for beginners. The class uses most of the same tecniques from the hot shop, but really fine tunes it. People that enjoy things that have a high level of detail will enjoy this class. Plus, if a class isn’t your thing, you can hang out in their gallery and browse the makings! 

  • Pickle ball

The Rec Center will be hosting Pickleball for Novice- Advanced players beginning on August 7th and running through December 19th. The schedule will be Monday- Friday 8:00 am to 1:00 with 6 courts available. This would be a fun place for anyone looking to meet new people and get in their exercise for the day! Come check it out for the day or get a membership to play for the whole fall season. 

Need a place to stay? Sunset Properties has you covered! Whether it’s a gorgeous beachfront condo or a house for the whole family we can make it work. Phoenix I 1108 is a 3 bedroom 2 bath that sleeps 8 corner unit that has an unobstructed view of the Gulf! This unit is perfect for the family that wants to sit on the balcony and sip their coffee while listening to the waves crashing. Need a little more room? Shellchase is a 5-bedroom 3.5 bath home that sleeps 12. One of the best things about this house is that its pet friendly! Be sure to give us a call at 251-543-1370 or visit us online at www.sunsetProperties.com

Non-Beach Day Activities

Some days you just wake up and the thought of lugging the family down to the beach is too much. We have compiled a list of things to do for when that happens!

  1. The Track

The track has many fun things to do for the kids. They have an inside arcade filled with every game you can imagine. Let the kids choose between the 6 go kart tracks they have to offer. Including a 3 and a half story track! If Go Karts and arcade games don’t sound fun to you check out the Skycoaster or the spinning coaster and blaster boats. The mini golf course has 18 holes and golfers can enjoy tunnels, waterfalls, and even jungle animals!

Load the kids up and get that before school shopping over with! Aerie, Coach, Columbia, and even a Hey Dude store are just a few of the places you will find here. For a full list of stores click here.  Plus, they have a promotions list on their website!

If you decided to stop by the outlets and go shopping the best place to go for lunch is Lamberts Café! Which is an experience all on its own… Lambert’s is Home of the Throwed Rolls!

  • Breakout Games

Breakout has 6 rooms to choose from! Whether you want to escape from a volcano, break into a saloon, or free passengers from a runaway train they have the rooms for you. You are given 60 minutes to get out of the room! This is the perfect activity for families or just team bonding!  For a full list of the rooms available click here.

The Axe hole is an axe throwing bar located at The Wharf! Come hang out and enjoy axe throwing, corn hole, and they have a blade store you can check out.

Need a place to stay? Sunset Properties has you covered! Check us out at www.sunsetproperties.com or give us a call at 251-543-1370 and let us do the hard work! We’ll See Ya at Sunset!

Upcoming events at the Wharf!

Hey Friends! The team here at Sunset hope you are having a fun filled summer break. We have a few fun events coming to The Wharf in the coming months! Not only is the Summer Concert Series still going on to finish off the season, but things like fishing tournaments, kids parties, and more!

This summer The Wharf is hosting themed events for the kiddos! Wild Wild Wharf is a western kids night that will have a mechanical bull, water slide, pony rides, bounce houses, face painting, and more! Kids that wear their best western themed costume will be entered into a costume contest. The wharf knows how to put on an event for the kids, so this is something not to miss! On Thursdays, they are having a surprise theme that is revealed the week before the event. Be sure to check out their calendar to see what this weeks event theme is! Some big names are coming to the Amphitheater in August! Eric Church, Three Doors Down, and Jason Aldean are all on the lineup and put on the BEST show. The Wharf amphitheater hold around 10,000 people and there is not a bad seat in the place. Whether you are front row to see your favorite artist or the only seat you could get was at the top you wont be disappointed. Visit this link to see the updated lineup for the rest of this year! Plus, Caribe B Penthouse 4 is a three bedroom 3 bathroom bayside unit that overlooks Robinson Island and is only about a 6 mile drive from The Wharf. Prep the boat and get those fishing poles ready! The Orange Beach Open is rolling into The Wharf on August 3-7 hosted by Galati Yachts Sales. Boats will leave on Thursday and the weigh- in will take place on Saturday. This is a trolling only tournament and no live bait is allowed to be used. This is a no-kill tournament and all Billfish are released! Be sure to come check out the weigh in on Saturday to see all the fish caught!

Make sure to check out Sunset’s newest property, Believe! The team has been working hard to get this property ready for you and your family. This house can sleep 12 people with 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms plus its only a 300 yard walk to the white sandy beaches of Fort Morgan! We would love to host you and your family in this beautiful newly renovated home and show you why Fort Morgan, AL is the perfect place for you to vacation. If you aren’t in the market for a 5 bedroom home check out our website or give us a call at 251-543-1370 and let us help you find something smaller! We’ll See Ya at Sunset!

Fourth of July on the Alabama Gulf Coast

Hi Friends! Summer is in full swing around here with perfect beach days and beautiful weather. Now is the perfect time to bring the littles down and enjoy everything this beach town has to offer!

 If you like the sand between your toes and the sound of waves crashing as you watch the fireworks, then you have the right spot. The City of Gulf Shores will be setting off their firework show at 9 pm from the Gulf State Park Fishing Pier. Let the kids see a show they won’t ever forget! They begin setting up at 7 am and the fireworks will be shot from the middle of the pier this year. This means either The Gulf State Park or the eastern area of the Gulf Shores Public Beach will be the best viewing areas!

Ready to Run on vacation? The Wharf is hosting their 8th annual SHARK 5k Run/ Competitive Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run on July 4 beginning at 7 am. Register before June 18 and get a early bird discount. The first 350 people to register will receive a custom shark run shirt!

Have kids you need to keep entertained during the day? The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo will be having a hands on habitat hosted at Tacky Jacks Gulf Shores! While the event itself is free they are asking that everyone has reservations to attend. It begins at 11 am and they are asking you arrive 15 minutes early. Follow the link here to RSVP!

Need a place to stay? Sunset Properties has you covered! We have a 4 bedroom 3 bath house called Julia’s by the Sea at Martinique. This property is located in a gated community and comes with a golf cart to use! Our new property Believe is available. Believe is a 5 bedroom 4 bathroom house located in Fort Morgan. This property is perfect if you have family you want to bring with you. Andrews Cottage is located in Gulf Shores and is 2 bedroom 2 bathroom. This house has access to its own private pier on the lagoon! Give us a call at 251-543-1370 or visit us online at www.sunsetproperties.com.

Summer Concert Series at the Wharf Amphitheater

Hey Friends! Happy Summer from your Sunset Properties team. We are so excited for summer to be rolling in and the weather to be warming up. Which also means we are ready for summer concerts to make their comeback. The Wharf is the perfect place to see big names close to home. The amphitheater seats 10,000 and is an open-air venue that truly does not have a bad seat in the house. This year they already have an amazing line up of big music names. For an updated list of shows, click here!

May 26th  and 27thKenny Chesney with Kelsey Ballerini

June 2ndKoe Wetzel

June 15thJames Taylor

July 21stSam Hunt

July 26thDave Matthews Band

July 30thJelly Roll

August 16th– 3 Doors Down

August 17-19thEric Church

August 26th Jason Aldean

October 8thOutlaw Music Festival featuring Willie Nelson, The Avett Brothers, Gov’t Mule, Elizabeth Cook, + Particle Kid

October 14thHARDY with special guest Lainey Wilson and Dylan Marlowe

If you are not too big on the concert scene, The Flora Bama is hosting their 10th Annual Fishing Rodeo June 9-11th. They have a children’s division and they have teams for the King Mackerel tournament! Even if you don’t enjoy fishing come out and enjoy the music, activities, and as always great food. Plus, check out what everyone will be bringing in! You can register online here.  

Sunset Properties has you covered for places to stay! Close to the wharf we have 2 Caribe Penthouses that both have gorgeous views. They are both 3 bedroom 3 bathroom and sleep 6! To check out the rest of the properties we have available, click here! Let us do the hard work for you give us a call or send us a text to 251-543-1370 and we will find you the perfect place. Or you can check us out online at www.sunsetproperties.com

Hangout Festival 2023 Tips and Tricks!

Hey Friends! With Hangout Fest coming up in a few weeks we thought it would be a good idea to compile a list of Sunset’s Hangout Essentials to help you make it through the weekend. They have a lot of great artists this year and you do NOT want to miss someone you’ve waited months to see!   

  1. Sunscreen!!  

You do not want to be the lobster red friend running to hide from the sun at any given chance. Make sure that you put on your SPF before you leave the condo so that you’re prepared! Liquid sunscreen in non-aerosol containers of 3 oz or less is allowed into the festival.   

  1. Drink Plenty of Water  

Make sure you keep hydrated. Being in the sun all day can be exhausting, so making sure you are properly hydrated is essential to having a good time! You are allowed to bring in a single pocket camelback hydration pack or 1 non-glass water container up to 2 liters in size into the festival to refill at their water stations. It must be empty when going through security!  

  1. Bring a portable phone charger  

You’re going to want to take all the instagram pictures, Snapchat stories, and live videos so that everyone knows how much fun you are having. That takes a lot of battery and phone storage to do! Make sure that you have a portable charger, that you made sure to charge beforehand (haha), so that you don’t have a lapse in content! 

  1. Don’t forget tickets/ comfortable outfits 

Number 1 essential that normally can’t be rebought when you get here is your wristband! Make sure you pack it in a safe spot or go ahead and put it on before you leave the house. Also, make sure you are dressing to be comfortable during the day! You will be out and about for the whole day so you do not want to regret your outfit or shoe choices!  

  1.  An Awesome place to stay!  

You want to be able to check in to your unit and enjoy yourself. Let us take the hard work out of it for you! Get your insta worthy pics and then head on over to the festival without a care in the world. Sunset Properties has you covered! Gorgeous beach front units like Crystal Shores West 901. This condo is a 3 bed/3 bath that sleeps 9 and is only 1 mile from The Hangout! Wanting to be in a house instead of a condo? We have Beach Time available that is also a 3 bed/2 bath sleeping 8. This house is 2 miles from the festival!  Give us a call at 251-543-1370 or check us out online at www.sunsetproperties.com and see what we have available!  

Make sure to say hello if you see any of us at the festival and get your hands on a Sunset Properties bracelet! Have a fun and safe time and, “ We’ll See Ya at Hangout!”