Bon Appétit!

A directory of local restaurants, eateries and markets

FEATURING Safari Club

Proudly Serving Herbivores, Omnivores and Carnivores

and vegetables from their Munsell Sustainable Garden. “We work hand-inhand with the zoo on recycling, composting and green certification,” says David Craft, restaurant manager.

chips or a variety of vegetables. There is also an extensive wine and craft beer selection.

According to Craft, the Safari Club is experimenting with a Natural Awakenings recipe for Cilantro Rice to add to their summer menu. “We are always happy to try new healthy recipes to keep our menu enticing and our zoo patrons coming back for more,” says Craft.

In addition to the scrumptious menu, the Safari Club has indoor or outdoor seating that is a great place to relax, enjoy great food and take in the sights and sounds of the zoo.

The restaurant is a fully equipped venue that can handle large parties or special events. Throughout the beautifully landscaped 25 acres, the zoo has integrated a variety of indoor and outdoor settings that can be reserved for groups ranging from 20 to 500 people.

Join the Safari Club gang for all day happy hour and live entertainment on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Regular ‘Delta Donnie’ is a must see, and, for Sunday brunch, Timmy G. will never disappoint.

As Alabama’s first certified Green Restaurant, the Safari Club at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo opened its doors in 2019 and is a unique and exciting dining experience. The Safari Club has been singled out by the Green Restaurant Group of Boston as a leader around the Gulf Coast in conservation, recycling and reduced waste. The zoo and the restaurant have made great strides to be an energy efficient operation. No Styrofoam products are used. Plastic straws, napkins, to-go containers and all utensils are bio-degradable or recyclable. They have teamed up with the City of Gulf Shores recycling program to recycle a variety of waste. In addition, through the zoo’s sustainability committee, the Safari Club helps the zoo with composting materials and the zoo provides the restaurant with a variety of fresh herbs

The Safari Club offers a nice selection of eats, from tantalizing small plates and handmade artisan wood-fired pizzas to a full variety of seafood and meat selections cooked on an open flame. They offer gluten free, vegetarian and vegan dishes as well as wild caught and ‘barely touched’ seafood to ensure every palate is satisfied. Local favorites include Crunchy Goat Cheese and Tempura Cauliflower appetizers, Blackened Shrimp Tacos, Coconut Shrimp, Bacon Jam Burgers, Safari Salad and local Crab Cakes. For sides, choose between plantain chips, homemade coleslaw, hummus with pita

“Safari Club is a unique dining experience nestled right up next to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. Our guests can enjoy a wide variety of foods all while sitting on the back porch watching lemurs, giraffes and tigers,” says Craft. “Please call us about our menu and upcoming entertainment. We are proud and happy to answer questions about your dining experience.”

Location: 20499 Oak Rd. E., Gulf Shores, AL. 251-256-7007. For more information visit AlabamaGulfCoastZoo.com/Dine-atthe-Zoo. Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed 11-3; Thu, Fri, Sat 11-8; Sun 10-2.

May’s guide to local healthy food in Baldwin County

AGAPÉ JUICES

Nourishing your body, mind and spirit. Fountain Plaza Shopping Center

3782 South McKenzie St., Foley, AL Agape-Juices.com

AHI SEAFOOD MARKET

Fairhope Gourmet Market. Guaranteed fresh and highest quality seafood, beef and pork.

18874 S. Section St., Fairhope, AL 251-517-7533 • AhiSeafoodMarket.com

COASTAL ALABAMA FARMERS & FISHERMENS MARKET

Committed to Baldwin County’s local community & agriculture.

781 Farmers Market Ln., Foley, AL CoastalAlabamaMarket.com

FAIRHOPE HEALTH FOODS

Homegrown in the South since 1975.

280 Eastern Shore Shopping Center Fairhope, AL • 251-928-0644 Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

FAIRHOPE JUICE COMPANY

Nourish the body. Fuel the soul. Battles Wharf Market

18327 Scenic Hwy. 98, Fairhope, AL FairhopeJuiceCompany.com

LOCALS FAIRHOPE

Quaint, mom-n-pop eatery providing healthy eats in a casual atmosphere. 312 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope, AL LocalsFairhope.com

MCKENZIE FARMS

Family-owned market supplying fresh produce and more to our community.

17558 A Greeno Rd., Fairhope, AL MckenzieFarmMarket.com

OHANA POKE

Poke combines ingredients of a delicious sushi roll into a quick meal.

561 Fairhope Ave. #102, Fairhope, AL OPFairhope.com

OX KITCHEN

Made with fresh ingredients in-house daily, approachable, not intimidating.

365 S. Greeno Rd., Fairhope, AL TheOxKitchen.com

SAFARI CLUB AT ALABAMA

GULF COAST ZOO

Unique casual & fine dining, green certified, family oriented and “wild”.

20499 Oak Rd. E., Gulf Shores, AL AlabamaGulfCoastZoo.com • 251-256-7007

SAGE LEBANESE CUISINE & CAFÉ

A surprising blend of traditional and new Mediterranean & Lebanese cuisine.

319 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope, AL SageLebaneseCuisine.com

SUNFLOWER CAFÉ FAIRHOPE

Offering a healthy dining experience in a cozy, casual environment.

320 Eastern Shore Shopping Center Va-FairhopeHealthFoods.com

THE HAPPY OLIVE

Be happy, eat healthy, live well. Taste and experience culinary delight! 314 De La Mare Ave., Fairhope, AL HappyOlive4.com

THE INTERNATIONAL GOAT

Always fresh, all-natural ingredients prepared to melt in your mouth. Located inside Piggly Wiggly 100 Plantation Pointe Rd., Fairhope, AL Call ahead to order, 251-928-0239

TWO SISTERS BAKERY & DELI

Gluten-free, keto-friendly options, featuring Boar’s Head meats & cheeses. 19452 Scenic Hwy. 98, Fairhope, AL 251-517-0622

WAREHOUSE BAKERY & DONUTS

A neighborhood eatery serving made-fromscratch, vegan friendly, gluten-free goodness 759 Nichols Ave., Fairhope, AL WarehouseBakeryAndDonuts.com

WILDFLOWERS & FRESH FOOD

Simple and colorful high-vibe cooking classes, events and fresh recipes. 251-656-9112

WildFlowersAndFreshFood.com

For an online list of local healthy food sources, visit NAGulfCoast.com/ healthyeats.