“Let's face it, a nice creamy chocolate cake does a lot for a lot of people; it does for me.”

NORMANDIE SEASIDE CAFÉ

Indulge Yourself. Located at the West Wind Inn on the Gulf side of Sanibel Island, this cozy restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bananaberry French Toast and the Italian Omelet are among the breakfast favorites served with Colombian coffee or a choice of artisan whole-leaf teas. Relax in the cafe’s old-world atmosphere as you enjoy an Island Curry Chicken Salad or Pressed Cuban Sandwich for lunch. Chef Tom Sisson creates a dinner menu with island flair, and you can pair your food with the perfect wine from an extensive list. BLD 3345 West Gulf Drive, Sanibel, 239-472-1541, normandierestaurant.com

ROSIE’S CAFÉ & GRILL

No-Frills Dining at its Best. A friendly local spot where the focus is on the food, and a generous menu offers many choices. Breakfast Benedicts are popular, along with pancakes and omelets. Lunch offerings include Rosie’s Famous Cheese Steak Sandwich, voted a favorite by islanders. Southwestern dishes spice up the menu: fajitas, tacos, burritos and quesadillas.

Stop in for ice cream; you can choose from 28 flavors of Royal Scoop ice cream. BLD 2330 Palm Ridge Road, Sanibel, 239-579-0807, sanibelrosiescafe.com

SANIBEL GRILL

Local Color. Sanibel Grill serves up typical pub fare—juicy burgers, seafood baskets and spicy Buffalo wings—and more. You’ll find seasoned bartenders and the oftensought-but-never-found neighborhood bar feel, which explains the popularity of this spot. D 703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, 239-472-4453, thesanibelgrill.com THISTLE LODGE Victorian Rendezvous. Creative cuisine such as black grouper, oven-roasted