Skip to content


restaurants.jpeg?resize=1200,630 - 8 Amazing Restaurants To Visit You're In Florida

8 Amazing Restaurants To Visit You’re In Florida

Anyone can agree that eating a delicious meal in a good restaurant is one of the key activities on a vacation. You may come for the nice weather and the sandy beaches when visiting Florida, there are great restaurants as well.

But how do you find the best restaurants? The good news is that Southwest Florida—particularly The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel—is packed with amazing culinary choices, so there are lots to choose from. To help you navigate the dining scene, we’ve found the “can’t miss” places and even pinpointed some of the highlights on the menus. All you have to do is make yourself some reservations and enjoy!

ADVERTISEMENT

Sweet Melissa’s Café

Sanibel has its own celebrity chef: James Beard Award nominee Melissa Donahue. And really, her restaurant lives up to the hype. Donahue hails from New Orleans, and her Bayou experience influences her cooking with offerings such as beignets, shrimp and grits, and blackened redfish. But the real standout? Her delicious fish stew, which was such a popular special that she had to make it a staple on the menu.

Source: Sweet Melissa’s
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: Sweet Melissa’s
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: Sweet Melissa’s
ADVERTISEMENT

PierSide Grill & Famous Blowfish Bar

Never heard of beach bread? Well, it’s a Fort Myers thing—and it’s something you absolutely shouldn’t miss. Restaurants throughout the area serve up this gussied-up cheesy garlic bread in their own unique styles. PierSide Grill & Famous Blowfish Bar is perhaps the most well-known for the decadent treat, which they put on their menu more than 20 years ago. Today, they make it with a loaf of crispy French bread sliced and layered with garlic butter, blue cheese, shredded cheddar, and mozzarella; then it’s topped with onions, tomatoes, and minced green olives and served with marinara. Still hungry? The restaurant also offers plenty of other tasty fares, ranging from award-winning ribs and burgers to seafood platters and locally sourced red grouper.

Source: PierSide Grill & Famous Blowfish Bar
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: PierSide Grill & Famous Blowfish Bar
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: PierSide Grill & Famous Blowfish Bar
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: PierSide Grill & Famous Blowfish Bar
ADVERTISEMENT

View this post on Instagram

Coconut Shrimp and the beach.

A post shared by Nate Jones (@nate_indiana_jones) on Mar 16, 2017 at 12:02pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

I see it, I like it, I want it, I got it ??☀️ (me to a menu)

A post shared by mattnovitzki (@mattnovitzki) on Jan 19, 2019 at 3:34pm PST

View this post on Instagram

Love my Fort Meyers layover #fortmeyers

A post shared by Alissa Falco Williams (@alissamwilliams) on Nov 19, 2018 at 2:33pm PST


ADVERTISEMENT

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grill

Southwest Florida is known for having some of the sweetest shrimp around. There’s so much of it in the area that fishermen have dubbed it “pink gold” since the 1950s. You’ll find shrimp on just about every menu in the area, but if you want a sure bet, head to Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grill (with locations on Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, and Fort Myers Beach). This chain serves shrimp every which way—you’ve got peel-and-eat shrimp, shrimp ceviche, panko fried shrimp, and even Yucatan shrimp tacos. (Plus, the view from the dock at sunset is amazing.) Trust us, Doc Ford’s should be top of your list.

ADVERTISEMENT

Source: Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grill
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grill
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grill
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grill
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grill
ADVERTISEMENT

The Veranda

Looking to celebrate a special anniversary, birthday, or job promotion? For more than 40 years, The Veranda, in downtown Fort Myers, has been the place for such occasions. Known for its impeccable service and charming setting in two turn-of-the-century homes, The Veranda is one of those restaurants that you know is going to make for a special evening before you even take your first bite. But let’s discuss that first bite! The Southern cuisine is exceptional. Start with the grit cake with pepper jack cheese and grilled andouille sausage, French onion soup, or fried green tomatoes, then choose from one of The Veranda’s specialties such as chicken topped with bay shrimp, crabmeat, arugula, and Cajun beurre blanc or pan-seared scallops. YUM.

ADVERTISEMENT

Source: The Veranda via Facebook
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: The Veranda via Facebook
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: The Veranda via Facebook
ADVERTISEMENT

The Nauti Mermaid Dockside Bar & Grill

A day out on the water, soaking up the Florida sun, fishing off the side of a boat. It doesn’t get more tranquil than that! But having to cook your catch yourself? For a lot of people, that’s easier said than done. Luckily, the Fort Myers and Sanibel area provide plenty of “hook and cook” restaurants that’ll do the work for you. One of the best choices is The Nauti Mermaid Dockside Bar and Grill. Come by land or by water, and bring whatever you caught (just make sure you clean it first!). Then, while you chill out with a refreshing cocktail, the restaurant will broil, grill, blacken, bake, or sear your fish to perfection and serve it with a salad and two side dishes. And if you want to get really fancy? Finish your meal with their cazeula cobbler—a combination of apples, brown sugar, rum-soaked raisins, granola, and cayenne-vanilla gelato.

ADVERTISEMENT

Source: The Nauti
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: The Nauti
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: The Nauti
ADVERTISEMENT

View this post on Instagram

Wishing I could go back to warm and sunny Florida where I enjoyed this delish flat bread??? But hey Chicago will be getting warmer soon…right?? #tbt

A post shared by Elena Ward (@elenas.plates) on Apr 6, 2017 at 6:56pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Last bite was the tastiest ?? gooey marshmallow and chocolate drizzle on this s'mores inspired donut dessert ❤️? ••• #foodie #food #yum #nom #miamifoodie #miamifood #foodies #foods #foodstagram #foodgram #foodpics #foodphotography #foodgasm #foodblogger #foodlover #foodpic #yummy #nomnom #miamiblogger #fooddiary #dessert #sweet #donuts #travel #blogger #feedfeed #desserts #sweets #chocolate

A post shared by Diana Rodriguez (@dmrodrigzz) on Nov 4, 2016 at 3:51pm PDT


ADVERTISEMENT

LaMotta’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

Sure, Southwest Florida is known for its seafood. However, there’s plenty of other cuisine to choose from as well—Mexican, Indian, Thai, you name it. Hankering for Italian? Family-run LaMotta’s is the place to go. You’ll find the basics like New York-style pizza, calzones, and lasagna, but there’s also fried ravioli, Sicilian osso bucco, and penne alla arrabiata. A favorite of locals for years, now you’re in on the secret, too.

ADVERTISEMENT

Source: LaMotta’s
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: LaMotta’s
ADVERTISEMENT

Cabbage Key Inn and Restaurant

This 1928 house-turned-eatery, set atop an ancient Calusa shell mound, is on an island so secluded and tranquil that no cars are even allowed (you have to take a boat to get there). Come for breakfast (the Challah French Toast is to-die-for) or, if you’re in the area for lunch or dinner, try the chilled stone crab claws served with spicy mustard or drawn butter or classic cheeseburgers, and wash it all down with a refreshing cocktail. Just don’t forget to take in the breathtaking views and add your own dollar to the thousands of bills that decorate the walls.

ADVERTISEMENT

Source: Cabbage Key Inn and Restaurant, Amy Mikler Photography
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: Cabbage Key Inn and Restaurant, Amy Mikler Photography
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: Cabbage Key Inn and Restaurant, Amy Mikler Photography
ADVERTISEMENT

Fort Myers Brewing Company

Kicking back with a cold brew goes hand-in-hand with vegging out on the beaches of Southwest Florida. So it makes sense that this part of the country has become a mecca of craft breweries and distilleries. You can even print out your own brew trail map and design a tour of your own. One place you should definitely check out is Fort Myers Brewing Company. Not only does this brewery offer eight flagship beers and seasonal and small-batch brews, but there’s also live music, trivia nights, and rotating food trucks that offer everything from Mexican fare and burgers to lobster rolls and grilled cheese. Sounds like a party to us!

ADVERTISEMENT

Source: Ft. Myers Brewing Co.
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: Ft. Myers Brewing Co.
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: Ft. Myers Brewing Co.
ADVERTISEMENT

Posts

momoa dad.jpeg - 15+ Pictures And Stories Of Jason Momoa Before And After He Became A Dad
worldsmemes2

15+ Pictures And Stories Of Jason Momoa Before And After He Became A Dad

January 13, 2023
rhea.jpeg - 20 Rarely Known Things About Mark Wahlberg And Rhea Durham's Marriage
worldsmemes2

20 Rarely Known Things About Mark Wahlberg And Rhea Durham’s Marriage

January 13, 2023
women natural gray hair grombre 26 5ca5a6e8890d6  700 e1565799552729.jpg - 30 Stunning Looks Of Women Who Ditched Dyeing Their Grey Hair
worldsmemes2

30 Stunning Looks Of Women Who Ditched Dyeing Their Grey Hair

December 25, 2022
pranks.jpeg - 50+ Hilarious Pranks By Couples That Spices Up Their Relationship
worldsmemes2

50+ Hilarious Pranks By Couples That Spices Up Their Relationship

December 21, 2022
pranks.jpeg - 50+ Hilarious Pranks By Couples That Spices Up Their Relationship
worldsmemes2

50+ Hilarious Pranks By Couples That Spices Up Their Relationship

December 13, 2022

Pages

  • lifehacksforu

[rsnippet name="sitename" multi-site="true"] Copyright 2020. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy   [rsnippet name="termsofservice" multi-site="true"]   [rsnippet name="editors" multi-site="true"] [rsnippet name="naver-post" multi-site="true"]