The Gulf is unlike any other restaurant on the Emerald Coast.
The restaurant is made out of shipping containers as well as recycled and salvaged building materials. It’s a casual restaurant with a funky, upscale, coastal vibe. How’s that for a description?
The menu changes daily and focuses heavily on local seafood and provisions from regional farmers.
The restaurant first opened in Orange Beach, AL, and brought a second location to Okaloosa Island in 2016. Locals happily welcomed The Gulf to our area!
The Gulf is perfect for families. There are hammocks, ping pong tables, and sandy areas for playing. The food, beverages, and over all atmosphere make it a perfect place for an adult-only experience, as well. The Gulf pleases all ages.
We recently visited on a particularly warm and sunny February Saturday with our three kids and they all loved it. There was plenty of shade for the baby and the big kids had a ball in the hammocks and sand.
I loved perusing the gift shop. It’s full of cool, coastal apparel, gifts, and home decor.
The food is great at The Gulf. The menu changes daily, but the burger, grouper sandwich, and kids’ grilled cheese can be found on it most days.
On our visit, we started out with the tuna dip. I thought it was great! The huge, flaky pieces of smokey tuna were delicious alongside the warm pita bread. I especially appreciated that it wasn’t swimming in mayo.
My daughter and I split the burger, which was juicy and salty, as a burger should be.
My husband got the grouper sandwich and enjoyed it. None of the sandwiches come with fries, so we ordered a basket to share.
Our son got his beloved grilled cheese and gave it two thumbs up!
You can also find a few raw bar selections and a taco dish on the menu. We enjoyed the food, though it was nothing extraordinary. The atmosphere is why you visit The Gulf!
We visited on a warm and sunny winter day and The Gulf was packed with locals. If the locals are there, you can bet they’ve got a good thing going. Our family cannot wait to return!
The Gulf: Okaloosa Island
1284 Marler Street
Okaloosa Island, FL 32548
850-387-1300