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Playa, Orange Beach, AL

Playa

4.3
4.3
1360 Reviews
$30 and under
Seafood
Welcome to Playa Restaurant at Sportsman Marina. Centrally located across the bay from Perdido Bay Bridge, we're a hidden treasure. We love the beach and the food it attracts. Chef Bill Briand’s menu features great Gulf seafood, grilled steaks and regional foods that are sourced locally, truly offering something for everyone in the family. Throw in the best tropical drinks and lots of southern hospitality - served in a care-free and beautifully designed casual atmosphere with the best water front view in Orange Beach - and you will not want to leave.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 10 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, American, Southern
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Tue–Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Bar Tue–Sun 3:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (251) 981-9891
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Resort Casual
  • Executive chef
    Bill Briand
  • Private party facilities
    Playa is available for all different type events from business cocktail receptions, to full out wedding receptions. Even if you want a small intimate dinner party in our private room (the surf room) up to 10 people to celebrate an anniversary or birthday, custom coursed menus are available and reservations required. We can host events from 10 people up to 300 persons! Check us out at playaoba.com for more information. Due to COVID-19, regulations have changed, only a max of 8 persons per table.
  • Neighborhood
    Orange Beach
  • Parking details
    We have 3 transient boat slips for docking at Sportsman Marina.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,360 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3
4.3 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Mobile

    Great for brunch

  • Mobile

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Mobile

    Great for scenic views

  • Mobile

    Lively

  • Mobile

    Most Booked

  • Orange Beach / Gulf Shores

    Best Overall

  • Orange Beach / Gulf Shores

    Best Food

  • Orange Beach / Gulf Shores

    Best Service

  • Orange Beach / Gulf Shores

    Best Ambiance

  • Orange Beach / Gulf Shores

    Best Value

  • Orange Beach / Gulf Shores

    Good for business meals

  • Orange Beach / Gulf Shores

    Good for groups

  • Orange Beach / Gulf Shores

    Healthy

  • Orange Beach / Gulf Shores

    Good for special occasions

  • Orange Beach / Gulf Shores

    Lively

  • Orange Beach / Gulf Shores

    Most Booked

1,360 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food! Excellent service! Highly recommend the redfish!

    Is this helpful?

  2. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was our first time eating at Playa’s and we loved everything about it!! The Fried Grits appetizer was so good and Island Shrimp with ginger slaw and coconut rice was delicious!! We will be recommending it to our friends and definitely come back when we are in orange Beach again. We give it a 10+!!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Philip

    Jacksonville

    30 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    30 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall3food2service3ambience5
    Playa has been a favorite of ours for years. The food was not very good this time around. Our server was extremely polite but not very experienced. We ordered drinks and the crab toast appetizer. It took more than five minutes to get our drinks, which was no big deal, but a little surprising as the restaurant was not busy. When we were almost done with our drinks, our server stopped by to see if we were ready to order dinner. We said we would wait to order when our appetizer arrived. The server forgot about the appetizer. The appetizer arrived and it was unremarkable, crab salad on toast, served with a dish with a large chip on the rim of the dish. Another surprise to see food served on damaged dish ware. The crab salad did not have much flavor. For entrees, we ordered the seared tuna with coconut rice and the fried grouper. The rice and tuna was ok. Not very favorable. The group was overcooked and tough, and served on another dish with a large chip. Chipped dish ware is not very sanitary. Overall, a big disappointment for $170. Doubt we will be back. Great location and beautiful to sit outside to enjoy the weather and scenery. The food just wasn’t good and certainly not worth the price. There are plenty of better restaurants in the area. We hope they can turn things around.

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  4. DavidB

    Atlanta Metro

    13 reviews

    4.0

    13 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    The restaurant was slow the evening we dined, and was nice and quiet. The service and food were both excellent. We had the tuna and shrimp. The coconut rice was delicious.

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  5. TerriB

    Exclusive

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service. Outdoor seating was so pleasant…view of the water and marina the perfect dining experience.

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  6. HollieW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Food was outstanding . Waiter was a little slow getting back to us but he was very nice. Coconut grouper amazing ! Poke bowl super !

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Alabama

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Excellent menu and food was great! Would definitely go again. Very unique drink menu too.

    Is this helpful?

  8. MarlaP

    Memphis/West TN

    7 reviews

    2.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on September 4, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience5
    This is not a good Dining experience for the money. The restaurant was not crowded, but we sat at the table for the longest time just waiting for water.  I finally went back to the hostess table to ask for water. There were two hostesses at the restaurant, and they were both sitting down in an adjacent room chatting with one another. They had no idea what was going on in the restaurant, and since there were two of them we felt that one of them should’ve kept an eye out to see if any of that wait staff needed help. … The bathroom trash was a mess… Two of the six dishes we ordered were good… The rest were poor (pork chop and Playa salad) or mediocre (coconut shrimp). We had very high hopes and were disappointed. We will not go back nor will we recommend it to anyone.

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  9. OpenTable Diner

    Exclusive

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall1food2service3ambience4
    The experience at this restaurant was not what we had hoer for. The atmosphere is cute!

    Is this helpful?

  10. SherryD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I really liked the ease of making the reservation, online process. Loved our meal Happy hour prices very good!!! Great service. Appreciate more variety on menu for non-fish lovers.

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  11. RHONDAK

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service and food. Quite with a nice view. Will definitely go back.

    Is this helpful?

  12. TimP

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience1
    Horribly loud. Steak was very under seasoned & server was not knowledgeable even with what salad dressings were offered.

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  13. Greg

    Los Angeles

    9 reviews

    1.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall1food3service1ambience1
    Sat at the bar to get a drink before we were seated. The bar top was a mess, and the bartender was frazzled because she was by herself. We were seated after 10 minutes or so, but we finished our drinks and left to go eat somewhere else. The noise level was so high, the lighting so bright, we felt like we were in a cafeteria. The food may be good, but the ambiance was absolutely awful.

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  14. BradleyY

    Las Vegas

    11 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall2food3service1ambience2
    The experience was overall poor. on arrival, there seemed to be confusion on our reservation. We were then seated on a very busy thoroughfare. further, the waitstaff could not have been worse. one drink was ordered, and came out incorrect, 2x, and then it was just given up on. the staff came to the table 4 times in total (waiter) when the food came out, there was no awareness of who ordered what, and it took a long time. given the quality alternates available in the area- i would avoid this in the future. probably the worst dining experience during our stay in OBA.

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  15. BR789

    New Orleans

    47 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    47 reviews

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fabulous cocktails, food and service! Great atmosphere!

    Is this helpful?

  16. BuddyC

    Alabama

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on August 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    This was our second visit to Playa and we enjoyed our visit. We got the Coconut Shrimp as an appetizer and it was very good. We also had the coconut grouper and the chicken taco bowl. Both meals were very good. We finished the meal with the Turtle Cheesecake and it was delicious. Our only disappointment was we made a reservation for outdoor dining with a table on the porch, but we were seated at a high top on the deck. We were told the other tables were reserved, but no one ever came during our time there. I would recommend Playa as a great place to eat a good meal with a nice view of the harbor.

    1 person found this helpful

  17. OpenTable Diner

    Dallas

    10 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on August 22, 2023

    overall2food2service4ambience4
    The food was just ok. We expected better since this restaurant is related to Fishers. Definitely not worth the money we paid for all of it. Won’t be adding it to our rotation of must-dos when we come back next year.

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  18. StaceeT

    Nashville

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    I love the ambiance and decor. The drinks & food were fabulous!

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  19. AudreyG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of my favorite places to go in orange beach!!

    Is this helpful?

  20. RichardD

    New Orleans

    53 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    53 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall2food4service5ambience1
    The food was good and the service was excellent. Isabella was great. Was short handed in staff but they all did a great job. The noise was terrible. The acoustics in the building needs help. We asked to be moved outside in the heat. Heat was better than the loud noise. We noticed other tables followed suit. Not sure I'll be back. Thank you, Richard Davis.

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  21. JoelW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food and drinks were great. Would highly recommend!

    Is this helpful?

  22. OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 17, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    Overall, we came back to Playa because of the food. The atmosphere is super cute & we felt the location was really nice. We got the Poke bowl & the Coconut Grouper - both exceptional! Definitely recommend!

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  23. bama

    Alabama

    55 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    55 reviews

    Dined on August 17, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    The food was very good and reasonably priced. The wait staff was very attentive.

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  24. OpenTable Diner

    Little Rock

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 17, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience4
    Service was not very good. Oysters were small. Swordfish plate was amazing!

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  25. Michael

    New York Area

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on August 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The burger and pineapple combination was incredible.

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  26. LaBluebird

    New Orleans

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on August 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our family had a great meal at Playa! Food was excellent and Gus, our server, was attentive, friendly and attentive to details. Thanks for a great outting!

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  27. OpenTable Diner

    Orlando

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Our server, Lou, was energetic and helpful with our food and drink selection. The Redfish and Coconut Grouper were amazing. The noise level where we were seated made it difficult to have a conversation but not impossible. Would be difficult for anyone with hearing issues. Overall very enjoyable evening. The stroll around the dockside was a nice way to end the evening.

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  28. Ashley

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    vip
    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 12, 2023

    overall3food2service3ambience4
    Food was subpar. The chicken was very dry and rubbery. The drinks were not great. Just overall not great. The view is lovely, sad to be let down with the food/overall sour skinny margaritas.

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  29. OpenTable Diner

    Mobile

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 11, 2023

    overall3food2service5ambience4
    Service was good. Limited entree menu. Food presentation was nice; however we were disappointed in the flavor of the food. Swordfish was dry and had no flavor. Needed some spices or something to add to the taste. Island Shrimp was good but served on a bed of bland steamed white rice. Generally a disappointing evening.

    Is this helpful?

  30. OpenTable Diner

    Mobile

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great service from our waitress!

    Is this helpful?

  31. StephenK

    Houston

    4 reviews

    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 7, 2023

    overall2food2service5ambience4
    Great service and atmosphere; however for almost $200 for two adults and two children I would expect higher quality protein.

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  32. LaLaFab

    Alabama

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fun laid back vibe with fantastic food! And the original Art is outstanding! Order every appetizer they have, they will all be delicious! They do close the kitchen early on slower nights so you might want to dine early in off season/ nights, but it is well worth it!

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  33. Roger

    Atlanta Metro

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on August 5, 2023

    overall4food3service3ambience3
    Party of 4 seated in the bar area lots of traffic behind our table. One of our group found a hair in their tuna dish they did the right thing and replaced the dish but needless to say it makes the meal unsavory for the group. Also saw the 90 inspectors score so we won’t be back very disappointing.

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  34. DavidH

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 5, 2023

    overall2food1service1ambience3
    It started with the Host trying to seat us at a table we specifically said we did not want to be in "traffic" Service was spotty as needed more wait staff. Food was ok but ended with Chef (through server) telling my wife that her sliced tuna could only be cooked to rare temperature though she requested twice for medium rare to medium. Most went uneaten. Watch out for the spiciness as well as dishes always do not say so. However the view is great but it does not go in the stomach or on the check like the rare tuna!

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  35. Allison

    Memphis/West TN

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 4, 2023

    overall2food2service4ambience4
    They were not willing to accommodate my vegetarian dining needs, which they have done in the past, and so I found this disappointing because we specifically chose to dine here based on past experiences.

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  36. NancyP

    Atlanta Metro

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    fourth time we’ve eaten there this season. Really good every time!

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  37. LandonD

    Alabama

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 3, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    The seared tuna has been great every time I have ordered it. My wife had the Island Gulf Shrimp and it was incredible as well.

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  38. RaymondS

    Alabama

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Nick was great and very knowledgeable of the food and making recommendations. He was very prompt in his service and kept a good check on us throughout the experience.

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  39. OpenTable Diner

    Western NC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Enjoyed our dinner at Playa! Loved the Coconut Grouper and the Key Lime Pie. We enjoyed our meal on the deck overlooking the marina, but the restaurant looked very nice inside also. Loved the ability to reserve a table via the Open Table app!

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  40. Beachy50

    Mobile

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 24, 2023

    overall4food3service3ambience4
    Very slow service. Our filets and potato’s were cold. Too expensive for what you get!

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Physical distancing

    • Extra space between tables
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Staff temperature check required

FAQs

Playa offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (251) 981-9891.

Playa is rated 4.3 stars by 1360 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 10 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Playa

27842 Canal Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Orange Beach
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Tue–Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Bar Tue–Sun 3:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, American, Southern
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Resort Casual
  • Parking details
    We have 3 transient boat slips for docking at Sportsman Marina.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Bill Briand
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (251) 981-9891
  • Private party facilities
    Playa is available for all different type events from business cocktail receptions, to full out wedding receptions. Even if you want a small intimate dinner party in our private room (the surf room) up to 10 people to celebrate an anniversary or birthday, custom coursed menus are available and reservations required. We can host events from 10 people up to 300 persons! Check us out at playaoba.com for more information. Due to COVID-19, regulations have changed, only a max of 8 persons per table.
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