ON SANIBEL
BAILEY’S GENERAL STORE
Sanibel’s Shopping Headquarters.This fullservice grocery and hardware store on Sanibel has you covered. You’ll find a large selection of fresh produce, meats and seafood, plus a full deli, in-house bakery and coffee bar. The store also stocks organic and gluten-free products and offers online shopping and delivery, and catering service. 2477 Periwinkle Way, 239-472-1516; 1451 Middle Gulf Drive, 239-395-6016, baileys-sanibel.com.
CIELO
Creative American Cuisine. Island sophistication is evident in this restaurant’s tasteful decor and impressive menus. Start with the signature Blue Cielo-tini, a gin and blue curacao cocktail. For appetizers consider PEI mussels, calamari or charcuterie. Entrees include osso buco, Dungeness crab ravioli and fresh catch with jumbo lump crab topping the list. Wrap your evening with a selection from the after-dinner drink menu that features fine scotches, cognacs and ports. Scott McDonald is on piano from 6 p.m. 1244 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 239-4725555, cielo-sanibel.com. D, SB, BW, C, E, R.
DOC FORD’S SANIBEL RUM BAR & GRILLE
Novel Cuisine. Local restaurant folk joined with Southwest Florida novelist Randy Wayne White to develop a restaurant based on the fictional character Doc Ford, and it’s a best seller! The menu offers sandwiches, salads and entrees. Don’t skip the mojito. 2500 Island Inn Road, Sanibel. 239-472-8311, docfordssanibel.com. L, D, C, BF.
THE DUNES
Not a Member? Not a Problem! The Dunes restaurant has a classic, relaxing atmosphere and views of lush landscaping, a golf course and lake. The bar and grill offers a menu that is classic with an inspired twist. Try the coconut shrimp; Dunes steak sandwich or the portabella burger. 949 Sand Castle Road, Sanibel, 239-472-3355, dunesgolfsanibel.com. L, D.
THE ISLAND COW
Bovine Bounty. With a massive menu that features everything from omelets to fish to pasta, this is no beef joint, despite the cow references. The fish dinners are a good choice, unless it’s breakfast, when you might consider the fish omelets. Check out the new full bar, offering tropical cocktails and signature drinks, including their homemade White Mango Sangria. 2163 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 239-472-0606, sanibelislandcow.com. B, L, D, C.
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 try 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. 362 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 239-4720303, lighthousecafe.com. B, L, D, BW.
THE MAD HATTER
Wonderland of New American Cuisine. The food is divine, the view spectacular and the experience unforgettable. Inspired and eclectic menu choices evolve with the season, always fresh and always prepared from scratch. Chefs Kurt and Michelle Jarvis bring new life to this cozy, romantic restaurant with its well-deserved reputation and its beautiful location on the beach. Dinner guests enjoy worldclass dining, the million-dollar view and unbeatable sunsets right at the table. 6467 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel. 239-472-0033, madhatterrestaurant.com. D.
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. D, C, R.
SANIBEL GRILL
Local Color. Sanibel Grill serves 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-neverfound neighborhood bar vibe, which explains the popularity of this spot. 703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel. 239-472-4453, thesanibelgrill.com. D, C.
SANIBEL INN RESTAURANT
Culinary Luminary. Breakfast options include bagel sandwiches, breakfast burritos and French toast with caramelized bananas and mango syrup. For lunch, try a salad, burger or panini. The dinner menu offers pasta, seafood and steak. 937 East Gulf Drive, Sanibel. 239-579-0195. B, L, D, C, R.
THISTLE LODGE
Victorian Rendezvous. Creative cuisine such as black grouper, oven-roasted coquelet and herb-crusted lamb rack or blackened yellowtail snapper adds to the allure of Victorian trappings, as do glorious beach views from almost any table. Casa Ybel Resort, 2255 West Gulf Drive, Sanibel. 239-4729200, thistlelodge.com. L, D, SB, C, E, BF, R.
THE TIMBERS RESTAURANT AND FISH MARKET
Dine In or Do It Yourself. Favorites include fried calamari, seafood platters and crabcakes (all lump). Fresh fish is always on the menu. Be sure to visit the adjacent fish market. 703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, 239-395-2722, timbersofsanibel.com. D.
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 crabcakes and macadamia-encrusted grouper. 1551 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 239-472-7242, traderssanibel.com. L, D, C, E, R.
T2 TRADERS
New Island Favorite. Opened by the owners of Traders, T2 offers new delicious dishes, like trendy tacos and savory flatbreads, in addition to coastal-inspired classics. A full bar with mixology cocktails such as Sanibel Sunset and Elderflower Bloom, a rotating Florida craft and draft beer selection, and a wine list to envy all add to the unique and lively Floridian décor. Outdoor seating, full bar, gift shop, T2 is the perfect place for lunch, dinner and any time in between. 2340 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 239-558-8919, T2traders.com. L, D.