SWEL Dining Guide
TOTI Media, Inc. does its best to ensure that information in this guide is up to date. However, we still encourage our readers to call ahead for detailed information and/or reservations before visiting these local establishments.
Sanibel BLUE GIRAFFE
Casual Excellence. After a relaxing day on the beach or browsing Sanibel’s numerous shops, it’s time to treat yourself to some delicious, island-inspired food. Sit at hand-painted tables inside, or enjoy the garden atmosphere of Periwinkle Place and sample the Cuban Sandwich for lunch—it’s an island favorite! There’s something for everyone on the dinner menu, including Signature Giraffe Cake Dinner, featuring pan-seared crab cakes topped with mango salsa, chipotle cream and sweet chili glaze. The breakfast menu offers a tempting variety of omelets and pancakes. Or you can try the Fisherman’s Benedict: two English muffins topped with poached eggs, salmon, spinach and grilled tomatoes, with Key lime hollandaise sauce. Come see why the locals love the Blue Giraffe! 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 entrées. 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 the homemade White Mango Sangria! BLD 2163 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-0606, sanibelislandcow.com
“Let's face it, a nice creamy chocolate cake does a lot for a lot of people; it does for me.” —Audrey Hepburn
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 creamy Alfredo sauce. Or tr y 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. 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? The café offers those and much more, including a Florida fruit bowl or Veggie Omelet, served with Colombian coffee or a choice of artisan whole-leaf teas. Relax in the old-world atmosphere as you enjoy an Island Curry Chicken Salad or Pressed Cuban Sandwich for lunch, paired with the perfect wine from an 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 its frozen confections daily right in the 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 the 130+ flavor repertoire, ser ved in generous portions. Stop in for the 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
“Good food is very often, even most often, simple food.” —Anthony Bourdain
SANIBEL Tried and FISH True. HOUSE 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 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 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 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 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 ever y delectable dish it offers. LD Bailey’s Center, 2463 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-4499 SUNSET GRILL Floribbean Gourmet. For lunch, try 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 SWEET MELISSA’S CAFE Good Thing, Small Packages. Chef Melissa Talmage prepares entrées in full and petite portions, giving diners the option to sample multiple dishes, such as Grilled Octopus or Smoked Mullet Fritter. 1625 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 239-472-1956, sweetmelissascafe.com. 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. D 703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, 239-472-2722, timbersofsanibel.com 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 cakes and macadamiaencrusted grouper. LD 1551 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-7242, traderssanibel.com
Captiva
CANTINA Nacho Madre’s CAPTIVA Mexican. Enjoy lunch and dinner in colors, the garden piñatas, or terra-tiled inside, where floors bright and adobe-style serape 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. For dinner you can choose savory entrées such as Chicken