Sip your way through Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, and Pensacola, where specialty brews, friendly service, and beach-town charm meet.
From mountain towns to the Outer Banks to the Gulf Coast, a good café is always worth the detour.
If your next getaway lands you on Alabama's and Florida's shores, you'll find plenty of inviting spots pouring excellent coffee, baking fresh treats, and offering easygoing spaces to read, chat, or plan the day's beach time.
Here's a quick taste of what's brewing:
- Beach Bums Coffee & Deli (Gulf Shores): In-house roasting, grab-and-go cold brew, and pastry staples.
- Happy Pappys Coffee House (Gulf Shores): Cozy couches, patio seating, Greek pastries, and a friendly crew.
- Foam Coffee (Gulf Shores): Cuban lattes, wellness drinks, and a photogenic deck with swings.
- Southern Shores Coffee (Gulf Shores): Bushwacker Coffee twist, quality beans, and crowd-pleasing cinnamon rolls.
- Buzzcatz Coffee & Sweets (Orange Beach): Cat-themed charm, great coffee, and memorable baked goods.
- The Southern Grind at The Wharf (Orange Beach): All-day café energy, nitro cold brew, and a gift shop.
- Bodacious (Pensacola): Roaster + café + olive oil shop in a handsome downtown space.
- Maker's Cafe & Espresso Bar (Pensacola): Design-forward café, precision espresso, and scratch pastries.
- The Drowsy Poet Coffee Company (Pensacola): House-roasted Arabica and a literary, vintage-lush setting.
At Luxury Coastal Vacations, we offer a wide range of rental options along the Gulf Coast, paired with exceptional customer service and meticulous attention to detail in every aspect of your vacation. As experts in Perdido Key, Pensacola, Orange Beach, and Gulf Shores, our destination blog covers everything from top pet-friendly spots and kid-friendly activities to must-try restaurants, local distilleries and breweries, and tips for the perfect beach day.
In this blog post, I'll share nine of the best spots along Florida's and Alabama's Gulf Coast where your caffeine fix comes with not only a great cup of joe but also a delightful atmosphere, friendly service, and delicious treats.
Let's dive in!
1. BEACH BUMS COFFEE & DELI
Gulf Shores — Local roaster aroma, classic drinks, and easy grab-and-go.
This local gem in Gulf Shores keeps things fresh by roasting on site, so the shop smells as good as the coffee tastes. Expect a tight espresso lineup, crowd-pleasing cold brew you can take to the beach, and a pastry case that makes "just coffee" hard to stick to.
What You'll Love
- In-house roasted beans for peak freshness.
- Iced salted caramel mocha (local favorite)
- Solid classics: latte, Americano, espresso.
- Non-coffee lineup: teas, lemonades, smoothies.
- Pastries and breakfast plates for a quick bite.
- Beans and souvenirs to take home.
2. HAPPY PAPPY'S COFFEE HOUSE
Gulf Shores — Comfy couches, patio sips, and a sweet bakery case.
Happy Pappy's is a locally owned spot that leans cozy, with living-room seating inside and a breezy patio outside. It's the place to settle in with a latte, catch up with friends, or split a dessert after dinner.
What You'll Love
- Espresso bar standards: cappuccino, latte, cold brew.
- Chai latte and iced options for warm days.
- Greek pastries. Make sure to try the Tyropita.
- Dessert stop: tiramisu, cheesecake, muffins, rolls.
- Warm, attentive service that feels small-town.
3. FOAM COFFEE
Gulf Shores — Cuban lattes, wellness sips, and an Instagram-ready deck.
Centrally located and locally roasted, Foam balances creativity and comfort. Health-minded lattes sit beside Cuban-style favorites, and the deck, with swings, begs for a lingering second cup.
What You'll Love
- Signature Cuban Latte and spicy iced chai.
- "Wellness" lineup: matcha, turmeric, beetroot.
- Light bites: avocado/peanut-butter toast, bagels, burritos.
- Free Wi-Fi and outlets for laptop time.
- Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
- Outdoor seating with photo-friendly details.
4. SOUTHERN SHORES COFFEE
Gulf Shores — The Gulf's Bushwacker spirit meets specialty coffee.
A nod to the region's famed frozen cocktail, the Bushwacker Coffee adds a playful, caffeinated spin to a beach-bar classic. Beyond the novelty, you'll find quality beans, balanced brews, and a bakery case that turns heads.
What You'll Love
- Bushwacker Coffee for a local-legend twist.
- Well-sourced beans and French-press depth.
- Cuban Latte and other espresso favorites.
- Salads and tacos for a full café lunch.
- Standout cinnamon rolls and friendly staff.
- Branded souvenirs (the "Respect The Locals" tee)
5. BUZZCATZ COFFEE & SWEETS
Orange Beach — Eclectic, pet-friendly café with standout sweets.
Bright, playful, and proudly cat-themed, Buzzcatz pairs very good coffee with a dessert menu that earns loyal fans. The pet-friendly patio makes it an easy stop mid-stroll.
What You'll Love
- Strong coffee program with seasonal specials.
- House favorites: cinnamon rolls and soft-baked cookies.
- Breakfast sandwiches, waffles, and daily pastries.
- Whimsical interiors and comfy seating.
- Gift nook with feline-forward souvenirs.
- Dog-friendly outdoor tables.
6. THE SOUTHERN GRIND AT THE WHARF
Orange Beach — All-day café energy with beach-house style.
Right inside The Wharf, Orange Beach's entertainment hotspot, this is a reliable stop for espresso classics, creative lattes (peanut butter, crème brûlée), and a relaxed meal between shops and entertainment.
What You'll Love
- Nitro draft cold brew and whole-bean sales.
- Breakfast and lunch: pastries, salads, comfort plates.
- Vegetarian and gluten-free options on request.
- Beachy interiors perfect for lingering.
- Courtyard seating for Wharf-watching.
- Bonus: a second location inside Hotel Indigo + a gift shop (home décor, jewelry)
7. BODACIOUS
Pensacola — Roaster, café, and olive-oil/kitchen shop under one roof.
At Palafox and Main, Bodacious is a handsome anchor for downtown strolls: high ceilings, brick walls, and a serious approach to coffee, plus a side quest through an olive-oil tasting room.
What You'll Love
- Espresso, drip, cold brew, and flavored lattes.
- Food range: pizzas, quiches, breakfast sandwiches, açaí, salads.
- Relaxed seating that works for quick stops or longer chats.
- Olive oil shop with generous samples.
- Central location for exploring downtown between cups.
8. MAKER'S CAFE & ESPRESSO BAR
Pensacola — Design-led space, dialed-in espresso, and scratch baking.
Right on Palafox, Maker's treats espresso like a craft. This is a place for precise shots, balanced milk drinks, and clean pour-overs, backed by quality ingredients and house-made bakes.
What You'll Love
- Excellent espresso program, cold brew, and pour-overs.
- Local/organic focus across pastries and sandwiches.
- Must-try: chocolate-chip banana bread.
- Work-friendly seating, Wi-Fi, and outlets.
- Chic interiors that elevate the everyday coffee break.
9. THE DROWSY POET COFFEE COMPANY
Pensacola — House-roasted Arabica in a literary salon setting.
A Pensacola mainstay since 2007, Drowsy Poet roasts in-house and serves it in a space full of vintage touches, greenery, and nods to great writers, an atmosphere made for reading and lingering.
What You'll Love
- Fresh-roasted Arabica with balanced flavor profiles.
- Playful, literary-themed drink names.
- Warmed coconut-pecan cake (don't skip it)
- Vintage furniture + plants give the space instant calm.
- Ideal nook for a chapter (or three)
QUICK FAQ: Gulf Coast Coffee Basics
1. Can I work there (Wi-Fi/outlets)?
Often yes. Foam, Maker's, and Bodacious are quite work-friendly. Usually, the quietest times are 10–11:30 AM or 2–4 PM.
2. Quick grab-and-go before the beach?
Beach Bums, Southern Grind, Bodacious. Cold brew and breakfast sandwiches are fast.
3. Vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free options?
Foam and Southern Grind are great for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Ask about alt milks and GF prep.
4. Sweet specialty vs. classic coffee—what to order?
Sweet: Cuban Latte (Foam/Southern Shores), iced salted caramel mocha (Beach Bums).
Classic: Drip/Americano (Beach Bums), French press (Southern Shores), espresso (Maker's/Drowsy Poet).
5. Can I bring the dog/kids?
Many patios are pet-friendly (e.g., Buzzcatz). Kids do well where there's patio seating and pastries.
6. Where can I buy beans to take home?
Beach Bums, Southern Grind, Bodacious, Drowsy Poet (house roasts available)
Where to Stay while on the Gulf Coast?
Looking for an extra idea to make the most of your vacation on the Gulf Coast? Book your stay with Luxury Coastal Vacations. We offer the finest selection of luxury rentals on the Gulf Coast, spanning Alabama and Florida.
When you choose to stay in one of our homes or condos, you can expect a 5-star experience that you'll cherish forever. Browse through our options and discover what awaits you on the beautiful Gulf Coast.
