The Four Best Places to Eat in Lower Alabama

I relocated from northwest Tennessee to lower Alabama a few years ago, and while the Gulf Coast does have the best seafood in the world, there is so much more to be found here than shrimp and grits! From New York style pizza to Thai, these are the places you simply must visit while enjoying your Gulf Coast vacation.

The Forge Pizzeria

The Forge Pizzeria in Foley opened in February 2017. Owners Michele Pugh and her son, Chef Sam Nunnery, have created a menu that would give any New York pizza joint a run for its money! The fresh ingredients are hand cut daily and the sauce is the best kept secret in the south. With an outstanding wait staff in a laid back, comfortable atmosphere, it is ideal for the entire family. Named the best place to eat in Alabama by YELP! in 2017, with raving reviews on Facebook, The Forge, is one place you won't want to miss. Located on County Road 20 between highway 59 and the Foley Beach Express, be sure to stop in sample the best pizza in Alabama.

Mikato Japanese Hibachi and Sushi in Gulf Shores

Mikato Japanese Hibachi and Sushi is without a doubt the best sushi you will find in Baldwin County or anywhere else. Located in Pelican Place, Mikato's offers a large menu of both hibachi and sushi items, all prepared fresh to order. The staff is always wonderful, the dining area is immaculate and tastefully decorated—this is the perfect place for a quiet, romantic dinner. I had my first taste of sushi here and have yet to find any that rivals the quality or the presentation.

Niki's Seafood and Thai in Orange Beach

As you follow Canal Road into Orange Beach, don't pass up this Orange Beach jewel! Owner Chanya Than has reinvented the menu and added some Thai flavors to the traditional Gulf seafood, as well as a full menu of Thai cuisine including: pad thai, massaman curry, and pad-kee mao. This quiet little place alongside Canal Road is a local favorite and you will not be disappointed. The open dining room is ideal for the entire family or quiet dinner for two with an impressive Sake, beer, and wine selection.

The Hangout on the Beach in Gulf Shores

Finally, we end our tour of south Baldwin County at The Hangout. At the end of highway 59, right on the beach in Gulf Shores is the one place for the whole family that you will make memories to last a lifetime. A full menu with a wide variety of burgers, Cajun cuisine, and Gulf seafood at its best, you will have no trouble finding a new favorite here. Don't be surprised if the wait staff stops and dances with your kids or if the DJ tells the dads to hop up on the tables and do the Macarena! This is a fun-filled place everyone will love.