LuLu's Gulf Shores

LuLu's was never meant to be a polished white-tablecloth restaurant. Lucy Buffett, sister of singer Jimmy Buffett, opened the first LuLu's Sunset Grill as a bait shop and burger joint after returning to Alabama in her forties. That casual spirit survives in the Gulf Shores restaurant at 200 E 25th Ave, where families and groups share long tables, order buckets of shrimp and watch the water.

The original LuLu's opened in 1999 on Weeks Bay in Fairhope. When the lease ended, it moved to Gulf Shores in 2004. Today there are three well-known LuLu's locations, in Gulf Shores, Destin, Florida, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The Food

The menu is built around coastal Southern cooking and Buffett family favorites. Fried shrimp, house-made gumbo and shrimp and grits are the dishes that define the place. Fried green tomatoes make a good starter, and the fried shrimp po boy is the sandwich of choice for lunch. Seafood is at the center: fried crab claws, fried oysters and peel-and-eat shrimp are all on the menu, and cheeseburgers are there for anyone who wants to skip seafood.

Lunch and dinner are served, and there is a full bar. The patio is the place to sit when the weather cooperates, because the setting is a big part of the experience.

Planning Your Visit

LuLu's is one of the best-known restaurants in Gulf Shores, so expect crowds in peak season and on weekends. Show up earlier than you think you need to, or put your name down and walk around the grounds while you wait. Call (251) 967-5858 for current hours and wait times.

Common Questions

Who founded LuLu's?
Lucy Buffett, Jimmy Buffett's sister, who opened the first LuLu's in Fairhope in 1999.

What should I order?
Fried shrimp, house-made gumbo, shrimp and grits, or the fried shrimp po boy.

Is there outdoor seating?
Yes, LuLu's has patio dining and a full bar.

Does LuLu's serve lunch and dinner?
Yes. Call (251) 967-5858 to confirm current hours.

Are there other LuLu's locations?
Yes. There are LuLu's in Destin, Florida, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.