Down By The Bay Cafe - Fairhope

We visited this charming restaurant for lunch on Father's Day and had a wonderful experience. I ordered the seafood gumbo, which had a rich, robust roux flavor and was packed with okra, shrimp, and tomatoes. It was excellent! My wife chose the shrimp plate, which came with a generous portion of fresh, succulent shrimp and a side of hush puppies. We opted for the fried okra as our side, and it was delicious! The atmosphere was laid-back and casual, with beautiful views of Fairhope Pier and Mobile Bay. We can't wait to return to this lovely little spot!

This place has a very laid-back vibe. While there isn’t a bar, you’re welcome to bring your own drinks, and they’ll provide glasses without charging a corkage fee. The menu is straightforward, and since everything is made to order, you might have to wait a bit longer for your meal. However, this gives you the opportunity to take in the beautiful views of Fairhope Pier and Mobile Bay. We typically dine here in the evenings to enjoy the sunsets. If you’re looking to save a bit, the lunch menu offers lower prices for the same sandwiches. They’re generous with portions too. We often order a vegetable plate that includes a choice of four vegetable sides.

Wow, the food was incredible! We discovered this little gem while visiting family. They had recommended it for its seafood. We ordered the fried shrimp and oysters, and both were outstandingly fresh with a nice, fluffy coating. I also tried the fried okra, which tasted homemade and was absolutely delicious. My husband enjoyed the onion rings, which were delightful as well. The owners, Donna and Wayne Watson, were very welcoming, and their son Cameron served us. We even got to meet Donna, who mentioned that everything is made from scratch, which might explain the wait time, but trust me, it's completely worth it. Best wishes to Donna and Wayne for continued success! We’ll definitely return the next time we're in town!

Everyone misses. I have been eating in this wonderful little restaurant for over 15 years and I must say that Donna is a big cook and everything is FRESH! What amazes me is that nobody commented on their world class onion rings! I literally ate onion rings all over the world and no comparison. Sweet onion with a bread to die for fried to perfection with a touch of Ranch Dressing and you are in heaven.

Nice family run establishment. Drop in and enjoy the view of Mobile bay from the deck. This family run diner serves meals the remind you of mom's home cooking, the pot roast is tasty.