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Best Bets for Dining
Experience the local flavor by dining out in Lee County, where the restaurant choices are diverse and delicious enough to satisfy every palate. You’ll find everything from fresh, Florida seafood to ethnic-inspired specialty dishes, many of which are served with great waterfront views. Plan it right and you may get to see the sunset from your dinner table.
 Thistle Lodge |
Welcoming, topnotch service and fine food come with great waterside views at Thistle Lodge at Casa Ybel Resort, Sanibel, and Tarpon Lodge, Pineland. Try Thistle Lodge’s Crab Cake and its cousin, Pine Island Sound Crab Cakes at Tarpon Lodge on Pine Island.
 Sandy Hook Fish & Rib House |
Fresh seafood from near and far takes a starring role at the following restaurants: Snug Harbor, Fort Myers Beach (try the Ahi tuna or snapper); The Timbers & Prawnbroker, Sanibel & Fort Myers (traditional seafood fare, including not-to-be-missed crunchy shrimp); Skip One Seafoods for stone crabs in Fort Myers; Rodes Fresh & Fancy, a seafood mart and dining room in Bonita Springs; and the waterfront Sandy Hook Fish & Rib House in Matlacha.
 Doc Ford's Rum Bar |
Chefs pull out all the stops at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar on Sanibel, Sweet Melissa's Cafe (formerly RedFish BluFish) on Sanibel, Traders on Sanibel and South Beach Grille on Fort Myers Beach. Be assured of memorable, eclectic and inspired dining.
 Anthony's on the Gulf |
When the sun goes down head for: Fort Myers Beach’s Anthony’s on the Gulf, which features Italian specialties and Parrot Key Caribbean Grill near Fort Myers Beach – try the Virgin Gorda Grouper.
 Cabbage Key Inn & Restaurant |
Part of the joy of dining at these locales is the experience of getting there – by boat. Take a dinner or Sunday brunch cruise aboard the Sanibel Harbour Princess, sailing from Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa, or head for casual seafood place Barnacle Phil’s on North Captiva. Have the proverbial cheeseburger in paradise (it’s really good) at the Cabbage Key Inn on Cabbage Key.
 The Sanibel Steakhouse |
If it’s the bounty of the land you seek, try the Kobe beef tenderloin at the Sanibel Steakhouse and the “Cowboy Steak" at Rassa Steaks & Seafood, both on Sanibel Island, or any of the Certified Angus Beef specialties at Courtside Steakhouse at Punta Rassa.
 Thai specialities |
Budget travelers will enjoy the lunch prices (under $7) at Siam Hut Thai in Cape Coral. Thai Gardens in Fort Myers features more than 90 Thai specialties, including a splendid duck.
 Norman Love Chocolates |
Indulge a sweet tooth at the jewel box Norman Love Chocolate Salon, near the international airport in Fort Myers or at the Loose Caboose (famous for ice cream) in Boca Grande. Find locally made Queenie’s Ice Cream in the freezer case of supermarkets.
 The Veranda |
Tuscan atmosphere and romance fill the air at Riviera on Sanibel, whereas Southern Regional cuisine reigns at The Veranda in downtown Fort Myers. For total seclusion, try the Collier Inn on Useppa Island.
 Dixie Moon Café Wendy Hazen Designs |
Bert’s Bar & Grill in Matlacha serves up a mean grouper sandwich along with to-die-for homemade potato chips. The Farmer’s Market Restaurant in Fort Myers serves smoked pork all day Thursday and serves the delicious, tender morsels until they’re gone. Step into the past at Dixie Moon Café in Bonita Springs, where a spicy, fried green tomato sandwich perks up the palate. And Captiva’s Key Lime Bistro keeps the locals coming back for more, with live, nightly entertainment.
 Gramma Dot's |
Drinks served in Grandma’s canning jars and a relaxed atmosphere make the McGregor Café on the boulevard of the same name in Fort Myers a locals’ favorite. Gramma Dot’s on Sanibel offers up a great grouper sandwich, garnished with a sassy orchid, no less, as well as snappy commentary by the wait staff.
 Ichiban |
Fort Myers delivers when it comes to cuisine from the Orient. An under-$13 bento box special forecasts the unassuming style of Ichiban in downtown Fort Myers. Excellent haute sushi mixes with haute couture at see-and-be-seen BluSushi in Fort Myers.
 RumRunners |
The pleasures of dining waterside and the chance to catch dolphins and manatees at play can be enjoyed at Flippers on Lovers Key, RumRunners in Cape Coral and The Waterfront Restaurant & Marina in St. James City, where artists of all ages can paper the walls with their colorful creations.
 Delicious Things |
Italian restaurants are ubiquitous in Southwest Florida, but two Fort Myers establishments to try are Delicious Things, which offers gourmet foods in addition to artfully arranged plates, and Bella Rosa, owned by a longtime area restaurateur.
 Amy's Over Easy Café |
The hearty breakfast fare at the Split Rail Family Restaurant, near Fort Myers Beach, won’t break the bank. At Amy’s Over Easy Café on Sanibel, break your fast with the Reuben Benedict. On the go? Pick up a fresh-baked croissant from The French Connection in downtown Fort Myers.
 La Casita |
Great value for your money and a fiesta of a time can be had at the two Jalapeños Restaurants in Lee County. Maria’s Restaurant in Bonita Springs offers up some of the most sublime accompaniments to chips (fresh-made salsa and guacamole) and La Casita in Fort Myers puts a new spin on the phrase “mi casa es su casa."
If you go…
Amy’s Over Easy Café, 239-472-2625
Anthony’s on the Gulf, 239-463-2600
Barnacle Phil’s, 239-472-6394
Bella Rosa, 239-561-6969
Bert’s Bar & Grill, 239-282-3232, www.bertsbar.us
BluSushi, 239-489-1500, www.blusushi.com
Cabbage Key Inn, 239-283-2278, www.cabbagekey.com
Collier Inn, 888-735-6335, www.useppa.com
Courtside Steakhouse, 239-466-2128
Delicious Things, 239-332-7797, www.deliciousthings.com
Dixie Moon Café, 239-495-0023
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar, 239-472-8311
The Farmer’s Market Restaurant, 239-334-1687
Flippers, 239-765-1040, www.loverskeybeach.com/flippers.cfm
The French Connection, 239-332-4443
Gramma Dot’s, 239-472-8138
Ichiban, 239-334-6991
Jalapeños Restaurants, 239-337-3319, 239-275-6320
Key Lime Bistro, 239-395-4000, www.captivaislandinn.com
La Casita, 239-415-1050
Loose Caboose, 941-964-0440
Maria’s Restaurant, 239-495-1868
McGregor Café, 239-936-1771
Norman Love Chocolate Salon, 239-561-7215
Parrot Key Caribbean Grill, 239-463-3257, www.myparrotkey.com
Prawnbroker, 239-489-2226, www.prawnbroker.com
Rassa Steaks & Seafood, 239-472-0201
Riviera Restaurant, 239-472-1141
Rodes Fresh & Fancy, 239-992-4040
RumRunners, 239-542-0200
Sandy Hook Fish & Rib House, 239-283-0113
Sanibel Harbour Princess, 239-466-4000, www.sanibel-resort.com/shprincess.html
The Sanibel Steakhouse, 239-472-5700
Siam Hut Thai, 239-945-4247
Skip One Seafoods, 239-482-0433
Snug Harbor, 239-463-8077, snugharborrestaurant.com
South Beach Grille, 239-463-7770
Split Rail Family Restaurant, 239-466-3400
Sweet Melissa's Cafe (formerly RedFish BluFish), 239-472-1956, www.redfishblufishcaptiva.com
Tarpon Lodge, 239-283-3999, www.tarponlodge.com
Thai Gardens, 239-275-0999
Thistle Lodge at Casa Ybel Resort, 239-472-9200, www.casaybelresort.com
Timbers, 239-472-3128, www.prawnbroker.com
Traders, 239-472-7242
The Veranda, 239-332-2065, www.verandarestaurant.com
The Waterfront Restaurant & Marina, 239-283-0592, www.waterfrontrestaurant.com
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