Do vacation calories really count?
From popular landmark restaurants to delightfully inventive new eateries, a collection of scrumptious dining experiences awaits you on your next visit to Ocean’s Reach!
With more than 60 restaurants from which to choose, you’re sure to have fun pampering your taste buds while exploring our delectable island cuisine. Our staff recommendations are included below, along with a long list of culinary favorites on Sanibel and Captiva Islands.
Staff Recommendations:
- Andy:“Tough choice! I’d say the Sandbar has to be near the top of my list, as the chef personally cuts fresh seafood each day. For a special occasion, I’d recommend checking out Cielo for the atmosphere, service and presentation. And as a big breakfast person, you’ll see me over at the Blue Giraffe quite often!”
- Lisa:“This is never easy to answer! Trader’s is always my ‘go to’ for a great dinner, but I’d also have to add in Sweet Melissa’s Cafe for a special occasion. Both offer really fresh fish, with very well-prepared and fresh, homemade sides!”
- Dina:“I really like going to Cip’s Place. Not only do they have wonderful food (their nightly specials are always amazing), but I love that ‘aah!’ feeling I get as soon as I’m seated outdoors on their back patio among their gardens and twinkling lights. For something truly unique, book a scenic dinner cruise aboard the Sanibel Harbour Princess!”
- Sue:“I think my favorite would be the Normandie Seaside Café. Good food, good service, and certainly a ‘locals’ favorite’! If you opt for outdoor seating, you have a gorgeous view of the Gulf. Be sure to check out their Pan-Seared Scallops, Roasted Half Duck, and Filet & Shrimp!”
- John:“My favorite is the Green Flash. You can’t beat the remarkable water views from pretty much every table, and their menu offers a great selection. My favorite? The Baked Stuffed Scallops!”
- Mike:“We always have a lot of fun every time we go to The Island Cow. Friendly staff, great service and huuuge menu. Definitely try the Seafood Fajitas!”
- Candice:“Traditions on the Beach has live music and dancing every night, along with a really great ‘Happy Hour’! We love the Lobster Ravioli, plus the Filet Mignon with Au Gratin Potatoes is to die for!”
Making the “Runner Up” List: Mudbugs … Lazy Flamingo … Keylime Bistro … and Timbers!
But those are really just the appetizers to the assortment of amazing culinary offerings in store. Check out more delicious choices below (most feature both dine-in and take-out service):
BY PRICE
Casual Dining:
- Blue Giraffe – 2075 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-2525
- Blue Giraffe 2 – 1100 Par View Drive; 239-558-5634
- Bubble Room – 15001 Captiva Drive; 239-472-5558
- Cheeburger Cheeburger – 1975 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-5620
- The Clam Shack – 2407 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-6882
- Crow’s Nest Bar & Grille – 15951 Captiva Drive; 239-472-5161, ext. 423
- Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille – Sanibel – 2500 Island Inn Road; 239-472-8311
- Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille – Captiva – 5400 South Seas Plantation Road; 239-312-4275
- The Fish House – 1523 Periwinkle Way, 239-472-7770
- George and Wendy’s Sanibel Seafood Grille – 2499 Periwinkle Way; 239-395-1263
- Gramma Dot’s – 634 N Yachtsman Drive; 239-472-8183
- The Great White Grill – 2440 Palm Ridge Road; 239-472-0212
- The Island Cow – 2163 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-0606
- Jerry’s Cafe – 1700 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-9300
- Lazy Flamingo – Sanibel – 1036 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-6939
- Lazy Flamingo – Santiva – 6520 Pine Avenue; 239-472-5353
- Lighthouse Café – 362 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-0303
- The Mucky Duck – 11546 Andy Rosse Lane; 239-472-3434
- RC Otter’s Island Eats – 11508 Andy Rosse Lane; 239-395-1142
- Rosie’s Café & Grill – 2330 Palm Ridge Road; 239-579-0807
- Sanddollar Kitchen & Bar – 1231 Middle Gulf Drive; 239-472-4123
- Sanibel Café – 2007 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-5323
- Sanibel Fresh – 1020 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-0922
- Sea Breeze Café – 1451 Middle Gulf Drive; 239-472-4151
- T2 Bistro & Wine Bar – 2340 Periwinkle Way; 239-558-8919
- Tipsy Turtle – 1223 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-1771
Premium Dining:
- Cip’s Place – 2055 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-0223
- Green Flash – 15183 Captiva Drive; 239-472-3337
- Keylime Bistro – 11509 Andy Rosse Lane; 239-395-4000
- Mudbugs Cajun Kitchen – 1473 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-2221
- The Sandbar – 2761 West Gulf Drive; 239-472-0305
- Sanibel Harbour Princess Yacht – 17260 Harbour Pointe Drive; 239-466-4000
- Sunshine Seafood Café and Wine Bar – 11508 Andy Rosse Lane; 239-472-6200
- Traders – 1551 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-7242
- Traditions on the Beach – 3111 West Gulf Drive; 239-472-4559
Fine Dining:
- Blue Rendez-Vous French Bistro – 2430 Periwinkle Way; 239-565-1608
- Cielo – 1244 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-5555
- Old Captiva House – 15951 Captiva Drive; 239-472-5161
- The Mad Hatter – 6467 Sanibel Captiva Road; 239-472-0033
- Sunset Grill – 6536 Pine Avenue; 239-472-2333
- Thistle Lodge – 2255 West Gulf Drive; 239-472-9200
BY SPECIALTY
American:
- Bubble Room – 15001 Captiva Drive; 239-472-5558
- Cheeburger Cheeburger – 1975 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-5620
- Cip’s Place – 2055 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-0223
Asian:
- Bamboo Pan Asian Kitchen – 751 Tarpon Bay Road; 239-558-8189
- Shima Japanese Steakhouse – 1451 Middle Gulf Drive; 239-395-6013
Bakeries:
- Bailey’s Bakery – 2477 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-1516
- The Bake Shop at Jerry’s – 1700 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-9300
- Sanibel’s Best Bakery & Coffee Shop – 362 Periwinkle Way; 239-476-0796
Bars:
- Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille – Sanibel – 2500 Island Inn Road; 239-472-8311
- Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille – Captiva – 5400 South Seas Plantation Road; 239-312-4275
- George and Wendy’s Sanibel Seafood Grille – 2499 Periwinkle Way; 239-395-1263
- The Sanibel Grill – 703 Tarpon Bay Road; 239-472-4453
- Blue Giraffe – 2075 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-2525
- The Island Cow – 2163 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-0606
- Jerry’s Cafe – 1700 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-9300
- Lighthouse Café – 362 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-0303
- Normandie Seaside Café – 3345 West Gulf Drive; 239-472-1541, ext. 310
- Over Easy Café – 630 Tarpon Bay Road; 239-472-2625
- Rosie’s Café & Grill – 2330 Palm Ridge Road; 239-579-0807
- Sanddollar Kitchen & Bar – 1231 Middle Gulf Drive; 239-472-4123
- Sanibel Bean – 2240 Periwinkle Way; 239-395-1919
- Sanibel Café – 2007 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-5323
- Sanibel Fresh – 1020 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-0922
- Sea Breeze Café – 1451 Middle Gulf Drive; 239-472-4151
Cajun:
- Mudbugs Cajun Kitchen – 1473 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-2221
Coffee:
- The Coffee Bar by Bailey’s – 2477 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-1516
- Sanibel Bean – 2240 Periwinkle Way; 239-395-1919
- Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory – 2330 Palm Ridge Road; 239-472-2555
- Starbucks at Jerry’s – 1700 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-9300
French:
- Blue Rendez-Vous French Bistro – 2430 Periwinkle Way; 239-565-1608
Ice Cream:
- Dairy Queen – 1046 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-1170
- Joey’s Custard – 2467 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-7222
- Love Boat Ice Cream – 1700 Periwinkle Way; 239-312-4356
- Pinnochio’s Original Italian Ice Cream – 2075 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-6566
- Sanibel’s Best Homemade Ice Cream – 362 Periwinkle Way; 239-476-0796
- The Shack of Sanibel – 1219 Periwinkle Way; 239-312-8626
Italian:
- Dante’s Coal Fired Pizza – 937 East Gulf Drive; 239-558-4229
- Island Pizza – 1619 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-1581
- Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen – 1200 Periwinkle Way; 239-966-7654
Live Entertainment:
- George and Wendy’s Sanibel Seafood Grille – 2499 Periwinkle Way; 239-395-1263
- Keylime Bistro – 11509 Andy Rosse Lane; 239-395-4000
- The Mucky Duck – 11546 Andy Rosse Lane; 239-472-3434
- Tipsy Turtle – 1223 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-1771
- Traders – 1551 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-7242
- Traditions on the Beach – 3111 West Gulf Drive; 239-472-4559
Mexican:
- 400 Rabbits – 975 Rabbit Road; 239-558-8756
- Cantina Captiva – 14970 Captiva Drive; 239-472-0248
Pizza:
- Dante’s Coal Fired Pizza – 937 East Gulf Drive; 239-558-4229
- The Great White Grill – 2440 Palm Ridge Road; 239-472-0212
- Island Pizza – 1619 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-1581
- Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory – 2330 Palm Ridge Road; 239-472-2555
- Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen – 1200 Periwinkle Way; 239-966-7654
Seafood:
- The Clam Shack – 2407 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-6882
- Cip’s Place – 2055 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-0223
- The Fish House – 1523 Periwinkle Way, 239-472-7770
- George and Wendy’s Sanibel Seafood Grille – 2499 Periwinkle Way; 239-395-1263
- Gramma Dot’s – 634 N Yachtsman Drive; 239-472-8183
- The Island Cow – 2163 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-0606
- Lazy Flamingo – Sanibel – 1036 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-6939
- Lazy Flamingo – Santiva – 6520 Pine Avenue; 239-472-5353
- Normandie Seaside Café – 3345 West Gulf Drive; 239-472-1541, ext. 310
- The Sandbar – 2761 West Gulf Drive; 239-472-0305
- Sunshine Seafood Café and Wine Bar – 11508 Andy Rosse Lane; 239-472-6200
- The Timbers Restaurant and Fish Market – 703 Tarpon Bay Road; 239-472-2722
Take-Out:
- Bamboo Pan Asian Kitchen – 751 Tarpon Bay Road; 239-558-8189
- Paper Fig Kitchen – 2003 Periwinkle Way; 239-887-0050
- Paper Fig Kitchen East End – 359 Periwinkle Way; 239-558-8758
- The Pecking Order – 2496 Palm Ridge Road; 239-472-2534
- Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory – 2330 Palm Ridge Road; 239-472-2555
- Savoury Spoon – 2463 Periwinkle Way; 239-312-8132
- Schnapper’s Hots – 1528 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-8686
- Spoondrift Island Bowls – 2441 Periwinkle Way; 239-472-0875
- Subway – 2496 Palm Ridge Road; 239-472-1255
Waterview:
- Gramma Dot’s – 634 N Yachtsman Drive; 239-472-8183
- Green Flash – 15183 Captiva Drive; 239-472-3337
- The Mad Hatter – 6467 Sanibel Captiva Road; 239-472-0033
- The Mucky Duck – 11546 Andy Rosse Lane; 239-472-3434
- Normandie Seaside Café – 3345 West Gulf Drive; 239-472-1541, ext. 310
- Sanibel Harbour Princess Yacht – 17260 Harbour Pointe Drive; 239-466-4000
- Sea Breeze Café – 1451 Middle Gulf Drive; 239-472-4151
- Thistle Lodge – 2255 West Gulf Drive; 239-472-9200
- Traditions on the Beach – 3111 West Gulf Drive; 239-472-4559