Lulu’s
This popular Gulf Coast spot for beach-centric family dining and fun has upped its game by providing allergy-friendly menus and isolated meal-prep stations.
LuLu’s Gulf Shores has been a coastal Alabama icon for more than 20 years. Along with its sister locations in Destin, Florida, and North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the restaurant is synonymous with beach-centric family fun. Featuring a menu of signature dishes made with locally sourced seafood and produce, LuLu’s creates memorable dining experiences for everyone, including guests with food allergies. In addition to its fresh and flavorful meals, LuLu’s offers waterfront views, live music, and a spacious patio seating area. Guests can also enjoy exciting activities such as an arcade, a beach area, and a ropes course.
“LuLu’s is about creating experiences for families,” says LuLu’s President Gerald Tipton. “We want visitors to relax, grab a drink, and watch the kids play in the sand. Our job is to help our guests forget about life for a little while.”
The Gulf Shores and Destin communities have warmly embraced LuLu’s inclusive approach to dining, especially its attention to allergy-friendly menus. Nationally recognized by AllergyEats, the leading guide to allergy-friendly dining worldwide, LuLu’s is considered one of the top independent allergy-friendly restaurants along the Gulf Coast.
“We’ve heard touching stories from guests who have never been able to eat out before due to their allergies,” says Tipton. “It gives us satisfaction to know that we can make them feel safe and cared for.”
With a deep understanding of how dining out affects those with food allergies and intolerances, LuLu’s is committed to ensuring that all guests enjoy a welcoming and positive experience. One of the standout features at each location is a dedicated meal-prep station where allergy-friendly meals are prepared separately, free from common allergens such as dairy, egg, gluten, shellfish, soy, and seafood. While LuLu’s Destin location included an isolated prep station during its 2015 construction, the flagship Gulf Shores restaurant underwent an extensive kitchen renovation to add a 500-square-foot food-prep area set apart from the main kitchen.
The well-trained staff carefully reviews each menu item with food allergies in mind, substituting ingredients that not only meet allergy guidelines but also uphold LuLu’s high standards for quality.
“We want our guests to feel confident enough to relax and let LuLu’s take care of their meal,” says Tipton.
Staff members follow detailed allergy protocols that guide every step of the dining experience, from taking orders to preparing and delivering meals. Managers personally deliver each allergy-free dish to confirm it was prepared separately and to reassure guests that LuLu’s takes their dietary needs seriously.
The LuLu’s kitchen continues to take pride in balancing its menu with coastal favorites like LuLu’s Famous Seafood Gumbo, the blackened or grilled Catch of the Day, and specialty cheeseburgers, alongside healthier options such as fresh salads with handmade dressings and the signature Key West Bowl, which features Cuban yellow rice, black beans, “Mama’s Turnip Greens,” and your choice of protein.
LuLu’s focus on families and the tradition of beachside dining sets it apart from other establishments. Vacationers, visitors, and locals alike choose it as a place to create lasting memories while enjoying fresh, wholesome, handcrafted meals in a casual and relaxed atmosphere.
