EPICURIOUS
“The secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside.” —Mark Twain
Our breakfast menu offers a tempting variety of omelets and pancakes, or you can try Eggs Nantua: two poached eggs on top of a crispy crab cake, topped with Hollandaise sauce. Come see why the locals love us! BLD
2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, bluegiraffesanibel.com
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 a fictional character, and it’s a best-seller! The menu offers sandwiches, salads and entrees. Don’t skip the mojito. LD
2500 Island Inn Road, Sanibel, 239-472-8311, docfordssanibel.com
THE DUNES
Not a Member? Not a Problem! The menu is classic with an inspired twist. Try the signature lump crab bisque, the Eastern, Western or Southern Burger, crisp empanadas with pulled beef or the seared cowboy steak. LD
949 Sand Castle Road, Sanibel, 239-472-3355, dunesgolfsanibel.com
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 Loaded Seafood Omelet. Check out the new full bar, offering
tropical cocktails and signature drinks, including their homemade White Mango Sangria! BLD
2163 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-0606, sanibelislandcow.com
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 try 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
THE JACARANDA
Local Legend. It’s a romantic, intimate dinner house; a relaxed, open-air gathering place and an energetic nightspot, all in one. Food ranges from splendid seafood inside to tasty burgers and sandwiches in the lounge, where there’s live entertainment nightly. D
1223 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-1771, jacarandaonsanibel.com
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 krabmeat, sautéed with broccoli and fresh mushrooms and topped with an artichoke heart and our creamy Alfredo sauce, or try 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. D
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? 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 1 30+ flavor repertoire, served in generous portions. Stop in for their signature Sanibel Krunch or Dirty Sand Dollar . Geppetto’s Beach Foodies is the sister gourmet shop located next to Pinocchio’s surprises with authentic croissant baking. 362 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-6566, pinocchiosicecream.com
“I cook with wine. Sometimes I even add it to the food.” —W.C. Fields
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, 239-7656766, thefishhouserestaurants.com
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-soughtbut-never-found neighborhood bar feel, which explains the popularity of this spot. D
703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, 239-472-4453, thesanibelgrill.com
THE SANIBEL SPROUT
Fresh Island Goodness. Sanibel Island’s popular vegan and vegetarian gourmet takeout restaurant offers a delightful variety of meals, smoothies and juices prepared fresh daily. Chef Nikki Rood uses only 100 percent organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, farm-fresh ingredients in each creation, including the popular Smoked Paprika Hummus & Sprouts. Another best-seller 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 every 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