Harris Vacations Staff Writer | March 5, 2018
When you fur child is just as much a part of the family as the two-legged members, it’s tough to leave them behind on vacation. Luckily, when you book a Gulf Shores or Orange Beach vacation, you’ve got options. From pet-friendly attractions to beach houses and even dog-friendly restaurants, you can plan an entire vacation with your pup in mind.
One of our favorite places to start our planning is food! Alabama beaches are packed with great restaurants, and the fact that many are pet friendly is a big plus when you’re a dog-loving family. These top spots will have you licking your chops for more when your pup tags along on vacation in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Make plans to visit some of our favorite Gulf Shores dog-friendly restaurants on Alabama beaches.
The Gulf in Orange Beach takes the coastal chic factor up a notch. This open-air restaurant is coastal living at its best, especially when you can bring your fur child along. All seating is outdoors and all music is played on vinyl records.
Relax on comfortable lounge furniture with waterfront views of Alabama Point. Watch the charter fishing boats come and go. If you’re lucky, you may even see the Navy’s precision flight team, the Blue Angels, fly overhead on Sunday afternoons during the summer! A visit to The Gulf is a unique experience, not only for you, but for Fido, as well. The Gulf is also THE place to get a burger at the beach! All natural beef smothered in house-made garlic aioli and topped with cheese and crispy bacon might just make you visit The Gulf more than once during your vacation!
What makes The Gulf a great stop on your dog-friendly vacation agenda? With all seating outdoors, your pooch can go anywhere you go. Dogs also love laying in the cool sand on The Gulf’s beach area.
Just a short drive from The Gulf is United We Sand at the Cottages at Romeo Beach. This two-bedroom beach cottage welcomes you and your pup. You’ll feel like you’re in a tropical oasis with plenty of room to spread out.
Looks can be deceiving. At first appearances, you may not even notice The Royal Oyster. It sits in an unassuming little blue building just off of Highway 59 on a lagoon inlet in Gulf Shores. This small restaurant is known for its melt-in-your-mouth oysters, Shell Bank Selects. These oysters are harvested a few miles down the road in Fort Morgan, and owner, Marissa, routinely goes out to tend the oysters with her friends at the oyster farm. In fact, Marissa is growing the restaurant’s own variety of oysters with the help of the purveyors at Shell Bank Selects. It’s a whole new take on farm-to-table dining!
You can order up your oysters raw and on the half shell or one of several preparations. Can’t decide? Order a flight and try them all! If you’re not an oyster fan, don’t let the name of this dog-friendly restaurant confuse you. There are plenty of other selections, including pastas, burgers and fresh seafood. You can’t visit The Royal Oyster without sipping on one of the bartender’s signature craft cocktails. They’re always mixing up something new and refreshing!
What makes The Royal Oyster a perfect stop for you and your pooch and one of the top dog-friendly restaurants in Gulf Shores? The uber-casual outdoor dining area is a good place to start. Pull up a stool to an outdoor high top and enjoy waterfront views. These dog-loving restaurateurs will even give Fido a bowl of water on those hot days. The Royal Oyster’s laidback vibe is a great spot for talking with the locals and enjoying a casual lunch or dinner with your fur child.
Park your paws at the Blue Parrot # 3 or Blue Parrot #7 in Gulf Shores. These dog-friendly beach houses have everything you and your pooch need, including a pool and direct Gulf-front views! At the Blue Parrot, you’re just a short drive from The Royal Oyster and other pet-friendly Gulf Shores restaurants. Both beach houses offer five bedrooms with rooms to accommodate 16 guests.
These sister restaurants make more than just pups feel welcomed. Located across the road from the legendary roadhouse, the Flora-Bama Lounge, these two restaurants are not only pet friendly, but boat friendly, as well! Have boat, will travel? You’re in luck! Cruise down Ole River with Fido at the bow and dock your boat at the Flora-Bama Marina or beach it on the sand.
If laid back is what you’re looking for, you may not find a more ideal spot than the Flora-Bama Yacht Club. These dog-loving folks know how to relax! With a bushwacker in hand, find a spot at a picnic table and listen to beach tunes flow from the speakers or from a live band. Don’t let the name fool you. The Flora-Bama Yacht Club welcomes you as you are – flip flops, swimsuit cover up, sandy dog and all. Your must-order item? Feast on a platter of Bacon & BBQ Fire-Roasted Oysters. Trust us, you’ll be happy you did. You also won’t find a better rib-eye on the island. Order up a medium hand-cut certified Angus Beef Ribeye, and we won’t tell if you pass Fido a few bites.
Located next door is the Flora-Bama Ole River Grill. Find a spot on the deck to perch your pup and enjoy views of boats idling by. Chef Jon Gibson is known for his unique creations, including Fried Mac & Cheese and Big Earl’s Shrimp & Grits that you’ll want to write home about. There’s a story behind the Fried Mac & Cheese, and if you have the pleasure of visiting with Chef Jon he may just tell it to you. We don’t give spoilers though!
What makes the Flora-Bama Yacht Club and Flora-Bama Ole River Grill pup worthy? One word – beach! You’re located right on the banks of Ole River and there’s plenty of white sand and clear water for cooling off at these two dog-friendly restaurants.
Dock of the Bay located on Wolf Bay in Orange Beach may just be a doggie paradise. There’s plenty of outdoor space for your pooch to run and play at this four-bedroom beach house. This house offers a fishing pier, so bring your boat and motor over to Flora-Bama Yacht Club or Flora-Bama Ole River Grill. You’re just a short ride away by boat.
There are plenty more dog-friendly restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, but these are our tried and true favorites. Now that you’re ready to feast with your fur child, book your pet-friendly vacation rental. Harris Vacation Rentals Management offers more than 40 pet-friendly rentals on Alabama beaches. We’re paws-itive you’ll find a Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan vacation rental that’s perfect for every member of your family.
For more pet-friendly vacation planning tips, read The Greatest Pet-Friendly Activities in Gulf Shores.
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