EPICURIOUS
LAZY FLAMINGO
Cold Beer, Raw Bar. Come try the plumpest raw oysters, steaming hot-spiced peel-and-eat shrimp, fresh grouper and incendiar y Dead Parrot Wings. The regular hot Buffalo wings are your best bet. LD Four locations: 6520-C Pine Ave., Sanibel, 239-472-5353; 1036 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-6939; 12951 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-476-9000; and waterfront at 16501B Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia, 239-283-5959, lazyflamingo.com
LIGHTHOUSE CAFÉ
The World’s Best Breakfast. Residents and visitors have been enjoying this Sanibel classic for six decades, and it’s easy to see why. Start your day with an Ocean Frittata: seasoned shrimp, scallops and crabmeat, sautéed with broccoli and fresh mushrooms and topped with an artichoke heart and creamy Alfredo sauce. Or tr y the Lighthouse Local Grouper Platter for dinner , as you view pictures of the island’s historic lighthouse that line the walls. Call-ahead seating is available. BLD 362 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-0303, lighthousecafe.com
MATZALUNA
Well-Smoked Italian. The Five Cheese with Gorgonzola, ricotta, spinach and artichoke hearts is just one of the popular wood-fired pizzas. Fresh pastas, chicken, seafood and veal round out the menu. 1200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-1998, matzaluna.net
THE NORMANDIE SEASIDE CAFÉ AT WEST WIND
Indulge Yourself. Bananaberry French Toast or an Italian Omelet for breakfast? The café offers those and much more, including a Florida fruit bowl or Veggie Omelet, served with Colombian coffee or a choice of artisan whole-leaf teas. Relax in the old-world atmosphere as you enjoy an Island Curry Chicken Salad or Pressed Cuban Sandwich for lunch, paired with the perfect wine from an extensive list. BLD 3345 West Gulf Drive, Sanibel, 239-472-1541, westwindinn.com/normandie-restaurant-sanibel
PINOCCHIO’S ICE CREAM AND GEPPETTO’S BEACH FOODIES
The Institution. A Sanibel tradition since 1980, Pinocchio’s handcrafts all its frozen confections daily right in the Sanibel store in small batches. This mecca for ice cream
“Good food is very often, even most often, simple food.” —Anthony Bourdain
foodies offers a variety that’s sure to please all palates: ice cream, gelato, sorbet, sherbet, frozen yogurt and Italian custard. Choose from 130-plus flavors and enjoy generous portions. Stop in for the signature Sanibel Krunch or Dirty Sand Dollar . Geppetto’s Beach F oodies, the sister gourmet shop located next to Pinocchio’s, surprises with authentic croissant baking. 362 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-6566, pinocchiosicecream.com
THE SANDBAR
Welcoming. The Seafood Trio, which includes bronzed grouper, scallops and crab cake, is a favorite. Fresh seafood and steaks grilled to perfection are sure to please all palates. D 2761 West Gulf Drive, Sanibel, 239-472-0305, sanibelsandbar.com