10 Best Pizza Places in Gulf Shores

The Alabama Gulf Coast is known for its stunning beaches, charming vacation rentals, and a laid-back coastal vibe. Whether you’re unwinding after a day at the beach or looking for a delicious family meal, there’s nothing quite like a great pizza.

Forget about Dominos! The Gulf Shores area offers a variety of local authentic pizzerias, each with its unique flair, atmosphere, and flavors. In this guide, we’ll highlight some of the best pizza places in Gulf Shores, perfect for satisfying your cravings during your stay.

1. Crico’s Pizza & Subs

Photo Credit: mohsin_gfx

• Address: 309 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL
• Website: cricospizza.com
• Price Point: $
• Atmosphere: Casual, family-friendly
• Reservations: Not required

Crico’s Pizza & Subs is a popular neighborhood hangout that’s been serving up cheesy pies since 1998. You can dive into one of their classic pizzas or diversify by choosing one of their equally beloved sub sandwiches. Traveling with kids (or occasionally picky eaters?), their cheesy Crico Sticks are the way to go. Gluten-free options are also available – some say their version of wheat-free pizza is the best they’ve ever had!

2. Papa Rocco’s: Pizza and Oysters

• Address: 101 W 6th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL
• Website: paparocco.com
• Price Point: $$
• Atmosphere: Lively, beachy vibe with live music
• Reservations: Not required but recommended during peak season

A restaurant with a sense of humor, Papa Rocco’s proudly proclaims itself as “The home of warm beer and lousy pizza,” although the reality is much more pleasant. This no-frills restaurant serves up cheese-laden pizzas and freshly shucked oysters, among other things. And with a different live music act every night, you’re able to get dinner and a show. Dine-in and takeout are available!

3. Tuscany Pizza and Grill

Photo Credit: Brent Hofacker

• Address: 3800 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL
• Website: tuscanypizzaandgrill.com
• Price Point: $$$
• Atmosphere: Classy bistro
• Reservations: Recommended

Tuscany Pizza and Grill is the perfect spot for a fun family dinner or a cozy date night in Gulf Shores. Beyond great food, you’ll also find a nice ambiance.

With a delicious menu featuring delicious pizza, pasta, and tantalizing appetizers, there’s plenty to choose from. If you’re having trouble choosing between pizza or pasta, the shrimp or chicken alfredo pizza marries the best of both worlds. Make sure to leave room for their fried mozzarella, as they make their mozzarella fresh each morning! Afterward, head next door to the Yard Milkshake Bar for dessert!

4. Janino’s Pizza

• Address: 984 W Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL
• Website: janinospizzagulfshores.com
• Price Point: $$
• Atmosphere: Cozy, casual
• Reservations: Not accepted

Janino’s Pizza prides itself on bringing a taste of the Big Apple to Alabama with its New York-style pizzas. Small and unassuming, this family-owned pizzeria lays on the toppings in a laid-back atmosphere. The menu extends beyond pizza to some other Italian favorites like stromboli and calzones–and chicken wings for good measure. Online ordering or carry out is also available here!

5. Surfside Pizza & Ice Cream

Photo Credit: Ryzhkov Photography

• Address: E. 2nd. Street, Suite J, Gulf Shores, AL
• Website: surfsidepizza.com
• Price Point: $$
• Atmosphere: Casual and beachy
• Reservations: Not necessary

Once you spot the cheerful blue facade of Surfside Pizza & Ice Cream, you know that there’s tasty food ahead. Surfside specializes in thin crust pizza, with classic toppings or a build-your-own option. They also have gluten-free crust! Finish off with a slice of their New York-style cheesecake or pizza cookies.

6. Rotolo’s Pizzeria

• Address: 25755 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL (A quick drive from Gulf Shores)
• Website: rotolos.com/locations/orange-beach
• Price Point: $$
• Atmosphere: Casual and upbeat
• Reservations: Not required

If you’re looking for a change in scenery, just a short drive over to Orange Beach will take you to Rotolo’s Pizzeria. You can try something a little different here with their Detroit-style pizza, cut in squares and crispy-edged. An order of Krewe Cheeseticks as an appetizer are a big crowd-pleaser, topped with pepperoni, bacon, cheddar, and feta. But you can also get classic pizzas, calzones, and wings here as well.

7. Nonna’s Pizza

Photo Credit: Jack7_7

• Address: 1209 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL
• Website: nonnaspizzagulfshores.com
• Price Point: $$
• Atmosphere: Casual and quaint
• Reservations: Not required

As soon as you enter and see the checkered tablecloths, you can guess that Nonna’s serves up some classic Italian fare in the form of New York-style pizza. Go for a classic or one of their most popular specialty pizzas like the Abe Froman, which has sausage and caramelized onion. Go for a round pie, or mix it up with a crispy square slice. Don’t forget to add a side of garlic knots to round out the meal with soft, garlicky goodness.

8. Lauria’s on the Beach

Photo Credit: Elena Veselova

• Address: 412 W Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL
• Website: lauriasbythebeach.com/laurias-on-the-beach
• Price Point: $$
• Atmosphere: Cozy and chic
• Reservations: Recommended

If you truly want a taste of Italy, then Lauria’s By the Beach is a delightful option for your Gulf Shores dinner. Before you even order food, choose a bottle from their ceiling-high shelves of imported wine and then browse the menu. The flatbread pizzas (BBQ pulled pork and buffalo chicken are two of the most popular) are a great light Italian dish. However, you may also be tempted by the robust charcuterie boards. And, of course, save room for dessert!

9. ByWater Beachside

• Address:  20800 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL
• Website: facebook.com/ByWaterBeachside
• Price Point: $$
• Atmosphere: Beachy and casual
• Reservations: Recommended

ByWater Beachside has pizza on its menu, which is true, but most people come here first and foremost for the view. Enjoy a meal up close and personal with the ocean as you dine on the pier. This is a great spot for a breezy meal out with occasional live music and karaoke for entertainment.

10. Marco’s Pizza

• Address: 160 Cotton Creek Dr #230, Gulf Shores, AL
• Website: marcos.com
• Price Point: $$
• Atmosphere: Casual, quick service
• Reservations: Doesn’t accept reservations

For a no-nonsense, no-frills slice, head to Marco’s Pizza for consistently solid pizza. A nationwide chain known for its quick and consistent pizzas, you can stop here for a casual bite or pick up a pie to take back to your comfy lodgings and enjoy from your rental home!

Book Your Gulf Shores Vacation

When you’re looking for a place to go out to eat while on vacation, sometimes pizza is the only thing that will hit the spot. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic cheese pizza or a delicate flatbread piled with toppings, these pizza spots are some of Gulf Shore’s best restaurants. From Italian-inspired bistros to breezy beach spots, you definitely have the chance to find the perfect vibe for your evening.

Be sure to check out one (or all!) of these great pizza places during your stay in Gulf Shores, whether you go out to eat or just order a pie to take back to your cozy vacation rental to enjoy in peace.

Book your Gulf Shores getaway today!

The Alabama Gulf Coast blesses us with remarkable sunrises, sunsets, and picturesque views of the horizon. But parasailing in Orange Beach elevates those views to a majestic perspective that you’ll remember forever.

Here at Harris Vacations, we welcome travelers from all over the US and beyond to our sleek, beachfront vacation rentals in Orange Beach. These include sky-high condos with unbeatable views and amenities, as well as beachfront villas and cottages for larger groups.

One way to enjoy your Orange Beach vacation? Channeling your inner eagle and parasailing across the ocean and coastline. We’ll walk you through our favorite companies to parasail with and general tips for safety and making the most of your experience.

Best Time to Parasail Orange Beach

Photo Credit: Silmy Maul

The good news? You can parasail nearly all year long (except during Winter). Spring, Summer, and Autumn are all safe to parasail, though you might consider going during temperature highs as you get deeper into autumn.

As for the time of day, most experts and parasailing companies recommend a morning trip for gentler waters and calmer skies. Sunrise with minimal winds is one of our favorite weather conditions for this sport. You might consider a parasailing trip an hour or so after or before breakfast in Gulf Shores.

Orange Beach Parasail: 3 Companies

A quick stroll on the beach might overwhelm you with water sports options. Which marina offers the best experience? Here’s a roundup of our favorite parasailing providers.

1. Southern Rose Dolphin Cruises & Parasailing

• Address: Multiple on Orange Beach, including Happy Harbor, Caribe Marina, and Tacky Jack’s
• Website: southernrosedolphintrips.com

This company has been in the water sports and parasailing businesses since 2004 — and those 20 years of experience have resulted in some incredible experiences from many of our guests here at Harris Vacations.

Their trips bring you up to 800 feet into the air to take in gorgeous views of Alabama’s scenery. Rest assured that the staff and boats here are all U.S. Coast Guard approved. And if some of your group is afraid of heights? You can enjoy other water sports with Southern Rose, including banana boat rides, boat rentals, dolphin cruises, and jet skiing.

2. Orange Beach (OB) Parasail

Photo Credit: meatbull

• Address: 27844 Canal Rd, Orange Beach, AL
• Website: obparasail.com

Located beside the Sportsman Marina and Tiki Bar, Orange Beach Parasail offers 1-hour parasailing trips for parasailers themselves, along with anyone they want to bring along as an observer on the boat. A couple runs the company, which gives it a family-business vibe that delivers on stellar customer service and an overall positive experience. The two couples have operated their parasailing business for nearly 20 years.

Our advice? Add a photo package to your experience — trust us, it’s worth it. You’ll receive professionally taken photos to remember your parasailing adventure forever. OB Parasail offers packages of 1-4 photos, ranging from $35 to $65.

3. Chute for the Sky Parasail

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• Address: 27206 Safe Harbor Drive, Orange Beach, AL
• Website: chuteskyeparasail.com
• Price: $85 for parasailers; $40 for observers

With a 100% safety rating, Chute for the Sky Parasail is one of the most reputable in the region. The owners are parents themselves, and they highlight that they fly both parents and children in their activities.

They offer double and triple parasail rides as long as the weight doesn’t exceed the limit of their canopies (450 to 500 pounds).

What to Know Before You Go Parasailing

First time parasailing? Maybe you’ve never even heard of it before planning this trip. While typically considered a water sport, you don’t actually do parasailing on the ocean — you physically parasail while in the air.

How to Get Up

In parasailing, a speedboat coasts into the ocean while a parasail wing or canopy (looks like a parachute) is tethered to that boat. The canopy has descending lines that attach to a thick bar, with straps to hold onto and thigh straps to sit in.

Up and Away

Photo Credit: CHUYKO SERGEY

As the motorboat gets moving, the canopy opens and ascends into the air, taking whoever is attached to it. Sounds pretty surreal, right? We can’t begin to explain the freedom and thrill of parasailing — you simply have to experience it. It’s like transforming into a bird as you glide across the ocean and see an unparalleled view of the coastline. At the end, you could dip into the water or land back on the boat without getting wet.

Take the Family!

You can enjoy parasailing with the entire family. Age limits usually allow kids over three years old to participate, though each company might have unique weight restrictions, depending on the canopy and boat.

Parasailing Safety Tips

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We’ve been in the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach area for decades, and every single one of our guests has had positive experiences with parasailing. That said, it’s important to recognize that being 800 feet in the air isn’t something to take lightly, and safety precautions are in order.

Most of the companies we listed above will brief you on all their safety protocols both when you book as well as when you arrive on-scene. Still, here are some general safety pointers to consider before your parasailing adventure:

• Always wear a lifejacket: This is usually non-negotiable for many parasailing providers anyway. While you can often land back in the boat, the odd time timing as you land in the water. It’s usually a fun experience to coast in the ocean for a short while, but it’s better to be safe in case that happens.
• Avoid windy weather: Canopies are quite susceptible to the winds. Although the boat guides your direction, strong winds could lead your parachute astray and pose a safety issue. Most companies won’t operate with harsh winds, but it’s something to keep in mind before you book anyway.
• Pay attention to safety and rescue briefings: It’s rare for accidents to occur, but your parasailing company will share a protocol with you just in case. Listen attentively to be prepared for anything.

Start Parasailing in Orange Beach with Harris Vacations!

If you seek an unforgettable vacation experience this year, parasailing is the water sport for you. You’ll feel an unparalleled thrill while interacting with the ocean and coastline in a completely different way than you’ve ever experienced.

Parasailing is an exhilarating activity that we encourage all our guests to consider. Lucky for us, we’re only a stone’s throw away from Orange Beach’s most popular and credible parasailing providers.

Our vacation rentals vary in size (from 20-person cottages to cozy yet sleek condos), but most have one thing in common: they’re walking distance from the beach and have incredible views of the horizon.

Book your Orange Beach vacation today!