“A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.”
—Barbara Johnson
and dinner. Bananaberry French Toast and the Italian Omelet are among the breakfast favorites served with Colombian coffee or a choice of artisan whole-leaf teas. Relax in the cafe’s old-world atmosphere as you enjoy an Island Curry Chicken Salad or Pressed Cuban Sandwich for lunch. Chef Tom Sisson creates a dinner menu with island flair, and you can pair your food with the perfect wine from an extensive list. BLD
3345 West Gulf Drive, Sanibel, 239-472-1541, normandierestaurant.com
ROSIE’S CAFÉ & GRILL
No-Frills Dining at its Best. A friendly local spot where the focus is on the food, and a generous menu offers many choices. Breakfast Benedicts are popular, along with pancakes and omelets. Lunch offerings include Rosie’s Famous Cheese Steak Sandwich, voted a favorite by islanders. Southwestern dishes spice up the menu: fajitas, tacos, burritos and quesadillas. Stop in for ice cream; you can choose from 28 flavors of Royal Scoop ice cream. BLD
2330 Palm Ridge Road, Sanibel, 239-579-0807, sanibelrosiescafe.com
SANIBEL GRILL
Local Color. Sanibel Grill serves up typical pub fare—juicy burgers, seafood baskets and spicy Buffalo wings—and more. You’ll find seasoned bartenders and the oftensought-but-never-found neighborhood bar feel, which explains the popularity of this spot. D
703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, 239-472-4453, thesanibelgrill.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
TIPSY TURTLE RESTAURANT & BAR
Relaxed and Stylish. Light and airy with rustic details such as barn-style doors, the restaurant has a fresh island appeal. Creative cocktails, from margaritas and mojitos to mimosas and martinis, headline the menu. Starters include fried shrimp, crabcakes and ahi tuna nachos. Tasty sandwiches like The Cuban and fish tacos, along with seafood, steaks and housesmoked pork ribs, round out the menu. This place is known for its homemade desserts. Children’s menu available. LD
1223 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-1771, tipsyturtlerestaurant.com.
TRADERS
A Shopping and Dining Experience. Traders is a shopping emporium and a restaurant, with live entertainment on Tuesday and Thursday evenings featuring singer and guitarist Danny Morgan, a local music icon. The menu features fresh Florida gumbo, pan-seared crab cakes and macadamiaencrusted grouper. LD
1551 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-7242, traderssanibel.com
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 anytime in between. LD
2340 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-558-8919, T2traders.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
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 always-popular baked goat cheese dip. For dinner you can choose savory entrées such as Chicken Saltimbocca, prepared with fresh sage leaves, lemon ricotta and prosciuttowrapped 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 entrées such as 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 Treasure. Have a seat and enjoy the beautiful view of the water as you browse the delightfully diverse menu. The Grouper “Café de Paris” is the house specialty, baked in white wine, lemon and
Worcestershire, finished with a buttery herb topping. Or try the Venetian Platter, which features salmon, swordfish, scallops and tiger prawn served with sautéed polenta. Savory beef and pork entrées 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
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
OLD CAPTIVA HOUSE
Old Florida/New American. Chef Greg Nelson’s always changing menu centers on the bounty of the season with plenty of fresh fish. Come check out the sushi menu, which offers an adventurous variety
“Your diet is a bank account. Good food choices are good investments.”
—Bethenny Frankel
of more than 30 choices of sushi rolls, sashimi, specialty rolls and select sakes. 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. 421, captiva-house.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, 239-395-1142, 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. D 11508 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, 239-472-6200, captivaislandinn.com
Fort Myers BIMINI BAIT SHACK
A Giant Tiki Hut. With its thatched roof and upper deck, this restaurant is the ideal place to enjoy the island vibe, drinks, food and entertainment. Daiquiris and other rum cocktails, plus craft beers and wine, are among the bar offerings. Seafood lovers find plates of grouper and shrimp along with freshly shucked oysters, and meat lovers indulge in juicy burgers and ribs from the smoker. Every night live music gets the party started. LD
17501 Harbour Pointe Dr., Fort Myers, 239-360-2248, biminibaitshack.com
BLANC
Food for the Epicurean. Start with Bread Jenga, a toasted bread tower with cheese sauce, modeled after the popular game and almost as fun! Then choose an entrée from the robata grill, such as Lamb Lollipops with roasted garlic and rosemary reduction, or the Octopus S&S, served
with sweet habanero sauce. Blanc’s menu also includes “Almost Entrées,” designed to be enjoyed and shared by the entire table. Relax in the clean, contemporary ambience as you savor the creations of Chris Whitaker and chef Jean Claude Roge, whose talents lift Blanc above its peers. Closed Sundays. D
13451 McGregor Blvd., Ste. 10, Fort Myers, 239-887-3139, blancentertainment.com
BLU SUSHI
Cobalt Cool. An incredible variety of sushi and outrageous cocktails highlight the menu, but there are also tasty choices for diners who prefer steak and chicken. LD
13451 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-4891500; 2262 First St., Fort Myers, 239-362-2843, blusushi.com
BROADWAY PALM DINNER THEATRE
More Than Just a Show. For an evening out, consider dinner and a show, all in one place. The facility includes a 450-seat dinner theater, the 100-seat black box Off Broadway Palm Theatre, the 120-seat Royal Palm dining room and the 30-seat Sabal Palm lounge area off the lobby. Shows range from Broadway-inspired musicals to edgy performances to children’s theater. Evening and matinee shows are offered; most meals are buffet with a plated dinner option Friday and Saturday. Tickets can be purchased online. LD
1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-278-4422, broadwaypalm.com
EMBER KOREAN STEAKHOUSE
Authentic and Sophisticated Korean Cuisine. A chic setting, this is the place for authentic
AYCE (all you can eat) Korean BBQ. The protein selections cover land and sea while the accompanying small dishes are savory and satisfying. The menu also includes popular kimchi pancakes, beef tartar that has a sweet edge, and sexy vegetable dishes for plant-based diners. The small sushi bar prepares rolls edo-style, while the cocktail bar is known for craft creations and dozens of wines by the glass. Good for groups and celebrations. L, D
7091 College Parkway, Fort Myers, 239-771-8818, emberfortmyers.com
FORD’S GARAGE
The Taste is in the Details. The décor takes you back to the 1920s, when Henry Ford walked these parts, and the menu includes burgers such as the Model “A” and the Low Carb-uretor. Fresh Black Angus beef topped with everything from arugula to fried egg will make your mouth water, and the craft beer menu includes such names as Kona Big Wave and Goose Island 312. LD
2207 First St., Fort Myers, 239-332-3673, fordsgaragefl.com
LYNQ
Linking Through Global Food and Music. This dimly lit cavernous restaurant has a very cool vibe. Clusters of sofas and a long bar encourage mingling. The menu goes international with offerings from tacos and sushi to poke bowls and all-American burgers. Handcrafted cocktails, a menu of specially created Lynq Mules, and craft beers from Florida breweries make drinking here an adventure. Live music on select nights. LD
16230 Summerlin Road, Fort Myers, 239-204-9345, lynq.life
THE PRAWNBROKER
Agent Fish. The food here is tried and true. Salads, along with fish, steak and pasta dishes, have been pleasing palates since 1982. Soup or salad accompany all dinners, just like in the good old days. Early diners catch good deals from 4-7 p.m. Cozy booths, fish art and nautical details give this restaurant a seafaring vibe. D
13451-16 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239489-2226, prawnbrokerfortmyers.com
UNIVERSITY GRILL
Head of the Class. This place attracts the seafood, steak and martini crowd. They come for a private club atmosphere and a well-balanced menu, with weekly specials. Theatergoers often stop in for cocktails or dinner. Early diners find good deals from 4-7 p.m. 7790 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers. 239-437-4377, universitygrill.net. D
7790 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers, 239-437-4377, universitygrill.net
Fort Myers Beach
DOC FORD’S FORT MYERS BEACH RUM BAR & GRILLE
The Sequel. This is what we want with a good story—a sequel. This second restaurant based on a fictional Randy Wayne White character serves up a view of Matanzas Pass along with banana leaf snapper and Texas baby back ribs. LD
708 Fisherman’s Wharf, Fort Myers Beach, 239765-9660, docfordsfortmyersbeach.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
Bonita Springs OLD 41
Just Like Home ... Especially for Those From
Philly. The corned-beef hash, pancakes with freshly sliced bananas or strawberries and Carbon’s malted Belgian waffles accompanied by fresh-ground Colombian coffee are reason to come for breakfast. Pop in for lunch and it’s the Philly cheesesteak, hands down. BL
25091 Bernwood Drive, Bonita Springs, 239-948-4123, old41rest.com
“Your diet is a bank account. Good food choices are good investments.”
—Bethenny Frankel
TOKYO BAY JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI
Upscale and Unpretentious. Tokyo Bay satisfies cravings for both Japanese food and dining experiences. Not only can you share space at hibachi tables while entertaining chefs prepare your meal, this is the only place in the area for traditional shabu shabu, where individual hot pots are built into tables for cooking. The rest of the fare is traditional Japanese with katsu, soba, udon, teriyaki, tempura and more. A comfortable sushi bar prepares beautiful, fresh rolls, and food is also served at the outdoor tiki bar known as the Coy Lounge. LD
24880 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs, 239-495-5044, tokyobaybonitasprings.com
Estero FORD’S GARAGE
The Taste is in the Details. The décor takes you back to the 1920s, when Henry Ford walked these parts, and the menu includes burgers such as the Model “A” and the Low Carb-uretor. Fresh Black Angus beef topped with everything from arugula to fried egg will make your mouth water, and the craft
beer menu includes such names as Kona Big Wave and Goose Island 312. LD
Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. 239-495-3673, fordsgarageusa.com
RODIZIO GRILL
The Brazilian Steakhouse. Experience the flavors of Brazil, with your choice of more than a dozen rotisserie-grilled meats, perfectly seasoned and carved tableside by Rodizio gauchos! Try the feijoada, a traditional Brazilian black-bean stew, or abacaxi, fresh glazed-and-grilled pineapple. Don’t forget to save room for a decadent dessert. Lunch is offered Friday-Sunday. LD
8017 Plaza del Lago Drive, Suite 101, Estero, 239-498-0018, rodiziogrill.com
RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE
Always a Sizzling Success. Vaulted trey ceilings and meticulously set whitelinen-covered tables set the mood. From petite filets to cowboy-sized rib eyes, the steaks are tender and juicy. Choose from traditional sides such as creamed spinach and sweet-potato casserole. D
The Shops at Coconut Point, 23151 Village Shops Way, Suite 101, Estero, 239-948-8888, ruthschris .com
TARPON BAY RESTAURANT
New-Fashioned Classic. The Hyatt RegencyCoconut Point designed its restaurant to pay homage to the Old Florida fishhouse. At the ceviche raw bar, you’ll find eight types of raw seafood “cooked” in various marinades. For entrées, try the Diver’s Spear, which includes whole red snapper, Asian slaw, ponzu and cilantro-ginger rice. D
5001 Coconut Road, Estero,
239- 444-1234, coconutpoint.hyatt.com
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.
“Good food is very often, even most often, simple food.”
—Anthony Bourdain