“All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast.” epicurious
—John Gunther
ORIGINAL SHRIMP DOCK BAR & GRILL
Authentic Shrimping Shanty. Set in the heart of Fort Myers historic shrimping fleet’s home base, this casual eatery prides itself in serving boat-to-plate shrimp. The fresh catch from the Gulf waters is served simply as peel-andeat with house seasoning or kicked up a notch with cilantro lime, Havana mojo or New Orleans-style barbecue. More shrimp dishes, fish, burgers and pizza round out the menu. Set on the edge of Back Bay, it’s an ideal spot to linger over a cocktail and on Sunday enjoy beach volleyball, corn hole and other games. LD 2200 Main St., Fort Myers Beach, 239-463-3043, originalshrimpdock.com PARROT KEY CARIBBEAN GRILL Dining Fun in Paradise.
Tucked in Salty Sam’s Marina, this is the place for great open-air waterfront dining and mingling with sailors who tie their boats to the dock. Tropical cocktails score big with rum runners, pina coladas and mojitos on the menu. Enjoy conch fritters, coconut curry mussels and the restaurant’s famous crab, avocado and mango stack for starters. Caribbean-inspired seafood entrees include the coconut shrimp platter, mango tango mahi mahi and the crabstuffed grouper. Meat lovers find Jamaican jerk ribs. Live entertainment on weekends. LD 2500 Main St., Fort Myers Beach, 239-463-3257, myparrotkey.com PINCHERS CRAB SHACK
Gulf to Table. Fresh cut-to-order fries; madefrom-scratch slaw; a decadently rich, hotcheese-and-crab dip; and full-on fruity, tropical cocktails complement the freshest seafood on the coast. L, D, C Multiple locations throughout Southwest Florida: 28580 Bonita Crossings Blvd., Bonita Springs, 239-948-1313; 18100 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, 239-415-8973; 6890 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, 239-463-2909; 2360 West
1st St., Fort Myers, 239-245-7049; 10029 Gulf Center Drive, Fort Myers, 239-415-4040; 5991 Silver King Blvd., Cape Coral, 239-540-7939; and 1200 5th Ave. South, Naples, 239-434-6616, pincherscrabshack.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 strawberry kale salad. The salmon can be ordered broiled, grilled, blackened or Jamaican jerked. L, D, C 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