A Guide to Dining in SW Florida
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 our Monterey Chicken Panini or Shrimp ‘n Chips for lunch, or come for dinner and try the Pina-colada Coconut Mahi―truly a treat! 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 fish omelets. 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, with your choice of five crust options. 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. F ood 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 peeland-eat shrimp, fresh grouper and incendiary Dead Parrot Wings. The regular hot buffalo wings are your best bet. LD
Four locations: 6520-C Pine Ave., Sanibel, 239-472-5353; 1036 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-6939; 12951 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-476-9000; 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 as you view the pictures of our
historic lighthouse that line the walls. Callahead seating is available. BL
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.
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 a Bacon Wrapped Chicken Roulade or Normandie Snapper for dinner, paired with the perfect wine from our extensive list. Check out our Sunset Menu for daily specials served with salad and dessert. 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. As Sanibel’s ice cream institution for 30 years, Pinocchio’s ser ves a repertoire of over 130 homemade flavors daily, including the signature ice creams Sanibel Krunch and Dirty Sand Dollar. Enjoy gelato, sorbets, sherbets and yogurts as well, all served in generous portions. Geppetto’s Beach Foodies gourmet shop, next to Pinocchio’s, surprises with croissants, baguettes, soufflés, pastries, breads, panini, focaccias and more. 362 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-6566, pinocchiosicecream.com
THE SANDBAR
Welcoming. The fresh Florida stone-crab claws, which the small restaurant offers in its fish market, are unsurpassed. Fresh seafood and steaks grilled to perfection are sure to please all palates.
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 ser ves 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- never- found neighborhood bar feel, which explains the popularity of this spot. D
703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, 239-472-4453, prawnbroker.com
SEA STAR CAFÉ & BAR
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. BLD
937 East Gulf Drive, Sanibel, 239-579-0195, seastarcafeandwaterfrontbar.com
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
SWEET MELISSA’S CAFE
Good Thing, Small Packages. Chef Melissa Talmage prepares entrees in full and petite portions, giving diners the option to sample multiple dishes, such as seared duck breast and oven roasted cobia. 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 next door fish market. D
703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, 239-472-2722, prawnbroker.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 cake sand macadamiaen crusted gro up er.LD
1551 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-7242, traderssanibel.com