EPICURIOUS
ISLAND PIZZA
A Slice of Paradise. A tasty tradition on the island for more than 20 years. Pizza just the way you want it, and be sure to tr y the famous “Crusty Curl Crust.” Pasta, calzone and salad are also popular. You might try calamari or bruschetta for an appetizer, and don’t miss the daily happy hour. LD
1619 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-1581, islandpizza.net
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, 239472-5353; 1036 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-4726939; 12951 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239476-9000; and waterfront at 16501-B 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 our creamy Alfredo sauce, or tr y Lighthouse Local Grouper Platter for dinner , as you view the pictures of our 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
“People who love to eat are always the best people.” – Julia Child
THE NORMANDIE SEASIDE CAFÉ AT WEST WIND
Indulge Yourself. Bananaberry French Toast or an Italian Omelet for breakfast? We offer that and much more, including a Florida fruit bowl or Veggie Omelet, served with Columbian coffee or a choice of artisan whole-leaf teas. Relax in our old-world atmosphere as you enjoy an Island Curry Chicken salad or Pressed Cuban Sandwich for lunch, paired with the perfect wine from our 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 their frozen confections daily right in their Sanibel store in small batches. This mecca for ice cream foodies offers a variety sure to please all palates including ice cream, gelato, sorbet, sherbet, frozen yogurts and Italian custards from their 130+ flavor repertoire, ser ved in generous portions. Stop in for their signature Sanibel Krunch or Dirty Sand Dollar . Geppetto's Beach Foodies, 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
SANIBEL FISH HOUSE
Tried and True. Fresh seafood entrées on the all- day menu range from sandwiches and salads to fried baskets and house specialties, such as seared tuna with rice cakes and seaweed salad. The salmon can be ordered broiled, grilled, blackened or Jamaican jerked. LD
Three locations: 1523 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-7770; 4685 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs, 239-495-5770; and 320 Old San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, 239-765-6766, thefishhouserestaurants.com
SANIBEL GRILL
Local Color. Sanibel Grill ser ves up your typical pub fare— juicy burgers, seafood baskets and spicy buffalo wings— and more. You’ll find seasoned bartenders and the
often- sought- but- never- found neighborhood bar feel, which explains the popularity of this spot.
703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, 239-472-4453, thesanibelgrill.com
THE SANIBEL SPROUT
Fresh Island Goodness. Sanibel Island’s popular vegan and vegetarian gourmet take-out restaurant offers a delightful variety of meals, smoothies and juices prepared fresh daily. Chef Nikki Rood uses only 1 00 percent organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, farm-fresh ingredients in each creation, including the popular Smoked Paprika Hummus & Sprouts. Another bestseller is the Raw Vegan Lasagna. The heart of The Sanibel Sprout is “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food, ” (quoting Hippocrates) and this is reflected in ever y delectable dish they offer. LD
Bailey’s Center, 2463 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-4499
SUNSET GRILL
Floribbean Gourmet. For lunch, tr y the crab cakes or blackened chicken Caesar wrap. Morning people might choose eggs “Santiva ” and “Captiva,” which are variations of eggs Benedict with either smoked salmon or lump crab cake. BLD
6536 Pine Ave., Sanibel, 239-472-2333, sunsetgrillsanibel.com
“Good food is very often, even most often, simple food.” —Anthony Bourdain
SWEET MELISSA’S CAFE
Good Thing, Small Packages. Chef Melissa Talmage prepares entreés in full and petite portions, giving diners the option to sample multiple dishes, such as Grilled Octopus or Smoked Mullet Fritter. LD
1625 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-1956, sweetmelissascafe.com
THISTLE LODGE
Victorian Rendezvous. Creative cuisine such as black grouper, oven-roasted coquelet and herb-crusted lamb rack or blackened yellowtail snapper mojo adds to the allure of Victorian trappings, as do glorious beach views from almost any table. L D SB
Casa Ybel Resort, 2255 West Gulf Drive, Sanibel, 239-472-9200, thistlelodge.com
THE TIMBERS RESTAURANT AND FISH MARKET
Dine In or Do It Yourself. Favorites include fried calamari, seafood platters and crab cakes (all lump). Fresh fish is always on the menu. Be sure to visit the adjacent fish market.
703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, 239-472-2722, timbersofsanibel.com
“Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first.” —Ernestine Ulmer
TRADERS
A Shopping and Dining Experience. Traders is a shopping emporium and a restaurant, with live entertainment on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The menu features fresh Florida gumbo, pan-seared crab cake sand mac adam iaencrusted gro up er.LD
1551 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-7242, traderssanibel.com
Captiva CANTINA CAPTIVA
Nacho Madre’s Mexican. Enjoy lunch and dinner in the garden or inside, where bright serape colors, piñatas, terra-tiled floors and adobe-style walls subtly suggest that we’ve gone south of the border. LD
14970 Captiva Drive, Captiva, 239-472-0248, captivaislandinn.com
OLD CAPTIVA HOUSE
Old Florida/New American. Chef Jason Miller’s always changing menu centers on the bounty of the season with plenty of fresh fish. Wines from an eclectic list complement the presentations, and the view from the Sunset Room takes the breath away . BD
15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva, 239-472-5161 ext. 4, captiva-house.com
CROW’S NEST BEACH BAR AND GRILLE
Great Food, Great Fun! Take a trip to Captiva for a fun, new dining experience! The menu is filled with your favorite appetizers, including flatbreads, chicken wings and the alwayspopular baked goat cheese dip, and for dinner you can choose savory entreés like Chicken Saltimbocca, prepared with fresh sage leaves, lemon ricotta, and prosciutto-wrapped chicken over linguine. The Crab Races, taking place on Monday and Thursday, really keep the room hopping! LD
15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva, 239-472-5161, crowsnest-captiva.com
DOC FORD’S CAPTIVA RUM BAR & GRILLE
The Story Continues. Building on continued success, this popular chain based on novelist Randy Wayne White’s fictional character brings its unique menu to the doors of South Seas Island Resort. Start with Doc’s Beach Bread while you consider entreés like panko fried shrimp and dry-rubbed ribeye. LD
5400 South Seas Plantation Road, Captiva, 239-312-4275, docfordscaptiva.com
THE GREEN FLASH
A Rare Dining T reasure. Have a seat and enjoy the beautiful view of the water as you browse the delightfully diverse menu. The Grouper “Café de P aris” is the house specialty, baked in white wine, lemon and Worcestershire, finished with a butter y herb topping. Or tr y the Venetian Platter, which features salmon, swordfish, scallops and tiger prawn ser ved with sautéed polenta. Savory beef and pork entreés round out the menu for landlubbers, and the dessert menu is positively decadent! LD
15183 Captiva Drive, Captiva, 239-472-3337, greenflashcaptiva.com
KEYLIME BISTRO
Changes in Fooditude. A white picket fence and cheery blue canopies give this place an island setting, while daily outdoor live music provides a Jimmy Buffett beat. The eclectic menu includes walnut- crusted snapper , sausage and peppers and escargots baked with blue cheese and tomato. BLD
11509 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, 239-395-4000, captivaislandinn.com
LATTE DA COFFEE AND ICE CREAM SHOP
Once Upon a Time ... Find a wide range of coffees, including the extra-strong Red Eye Coffee, cappuccinos and lattes at this cozy spot. Those with a sweet tooth indulge in scoops of Queenie’s locally made ice cream, milkshakes and sundaes. BLD
11508 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, 239-472-0234, captivaislandinn.com
“A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.” —Barbara Johnson
THE MUCKY DUCK
Quack Up. Start at the bar with a fresh pint from a long list of beers brewed “on the other side of the pond.” The menu is a combination of Florida cuisine and English pub grub. Visit the great outdoor beachside patio for live music and sunset gazing. LD
11546 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, 239-4723434, muckyduck.com
RC OTTER’S
Otterly Beach American. The multitude of menu choices may be daunting. Steamed clams, fish baskets, quesadillas or even meatloaf are sure to satisfy your cravings. Diners enjoy live music outside seven days a week during lunch and dinner . BLD
11508 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, 239-3951142, captivaislandinn.com
SUNSHINE SEAFOOD CAFÉ AND WINE BAR
Inspired Bistro. This charming, small café offers a menu with a European touch. Diners can enjoy the wood-grilled rack of lamb or blackened salmon, or perhaps a pecan-crusted goat cheese salad. Outdoor seating is available.
14900 Captiva Drive, Captiva, 239-472-6200, captivaislandinn.com