bonniebroad

I have already done the reseach on Sanibel here on the Board, but I still don't have a strong sense of what the best places are for good seafood & drinks there. We will probably eat dinner out every night. We love water views and wonderful seafood. Anybody want to recommend? (We are doing 7 nights Indian Shores, 3 nights Sanibel .... I have my thread on the Indian Shores area restaurants already printed out!) Boy, am I gonna eat LOTSA seafood! Thank you in advance, good buds!

LilMsFoodie

it's difficult to get a handle on Sanibel restaurants right now as so many have been severely hurt by the hurricanes. Many resorts still are not open on Sanibel and most are closed on Captiva. I'll give you my take on the restaurant scene right now but forget about those waterviews while having dinner. Sanibel really has maybe only 2 restaurants that are close to the gulf and one is pretty awful and is closed until mid-July. The other one is beloved but not by my palate (The Mad Hatter). When are you going? Soon, fall?, next season, spring break?

Looking for seafood dives? Nouvelle or new american? Classic? I'll help you as best I can. LMF

bonniebroad

Thank you, LMF! Maybe at least one of each? We are such foodies ... I love it all! It's hard to find good food that we don't like, whatever the style!!! Thank you for your reply ... Never been to Sanibel, so we are very excited. Where is the best place for bad swimmers to swim on Sanibel? I know it's not snorkeling territory. We will be staying right near the Holiday Inn Resort and the Sun-something? Sundial??? Thank you, LMF!

LilMsFoodie

Are you coming soon? Sundial is not yet open but if it is while you are there they do have a dining room with a gulf view. I'll check to see if it will be operational.

Casual is the rule on Sanibel. Lots of places that do seafood well, if not superbly. The restaurants along Periwinkle are all open for the most part. For a special evening I'd try Ellington's Jazz Bar and restaurant. They get some good names playing there.

Another special evening could be at Dolce Vita on Periwinkle.

http://www.islandwineanddine.com/dolcevita/menus.htm

I love Doc Ford's fish tacos and they have a great rum bar. This is a local hangout where Randy Wayne White is a part owner. Do yourself a favor and get into the flavor of Sanibel by reading one or two of his novels about Sanibel. There is quite a series of Doc Ford novels all set in the Pine Island Sound Sanibel area. It will make your trip more interesting.

I'd definitely go to the Key Lime Bistro on Captiva. Andy Rosse Lane was one of the first areas to recover after the hurricane and has been carrying the weight by itself. I do not recommend the Bubble Room but drinks and a burger at the Mucky Duck are a tradition for those who visit our area.

Captiva House at Tween Waters is a good restaurant. I'm not sure if they have the NasCrab races at the bar there yet. That is so silly and stupid you can't help but enjoy yourself.

I love the fish at the Lazy Flamingo but only the one at the end of the island where Sanibel meets Captiva. Their grouper is great and they will prepare your own fish if you catch one. Looks like a dive and is one. Icy cold beer, good fresh oysters it is a good place. I saw John Kennedy Jr. and his wife there one night a few years ago before his death. They were thrilled to be allowed to just eat with no one bothering them.

You will be safe swimming anywhere. The water is shallow quite far out and it is fun to dig up sand dollars and star fish wish your toes. Look at these creatures and put them back gently in the water. Live shelling is not allowed.

Are you coming soon? LMF

bonniebroad

LMF, we will drive to Savannah next Friday for the night, drive on to Indian Shores Beach for seven nights, then on to Sanibel for three nights, then back to Savannah for one night, and back home. So we'll be there VERY SOON. I must go out and buy a couple of the books set in the area. Doc Ford's sounds real neat ... Thanks for the suggestions. Darn, so many good places, so few days!

My DH and I LOVE good fresh oysters so we'll be in the Lazy Flamingo for sure! I appreciate your taking the time to reply, LMF. I will print this out to take with me. You're a peach!

Slw

One restaurant that we love on Sanibel is Sunset Grill. It's near the Captiva end of Sanibel next to the Lazy Flamingo. It's small but we have never had a bad meal. I had the best shrimp and my husband had wonderful tuna. This restaurant never gets mentioned anywhere so maybe we are not "foodies" but we think it is excellant. View of the gulf too.

SB_Travlr

We missed our annual trip to Sanibel this winter because of Hurricane Charley damage to our resort. We love the island, have been going there for 20 years. so my comments are based on our past visits -- not sure if all are currently open or still in business. LMF has mentioned some of our favorite places, so I want to chime in.

We try to eat at Dolce Vita at least once per visit -- it's more, um, up-market and elegant than beachy, they do take reservations, food and service are wonderful, and you can dance with your sweetie (not sure if they have live music every night).

For a more casual meal, we also love the Blind Pass location of the Lazy Flamingo. We time it for sunset watching from the beach, then just walk back across the road to the LF for wonderful smoked fish, conch chowder, grouper etc. (And that ring game thing). Very good bang for your $$.

The Mucky Duck on Captiva is another regular stop for pub food -- but be prepared to wait, and go before you are hungry! Check out their live beachcam: <http://www.muckyduck.com/livebeachcam.
htm>

For a great burger and shake meal, we like Cheeburger Cheeburger on Periwinkle Way.

For brunch or breakfast, we like the Lighthouse Cafe (near the Sanibel Lighthouse, natch) -- you can call ahead and they will put your name on the list for a table, so you don't have to wait too long.

For light breakfast or snacks, we love the Coffee Bean on Periwinkle Way -- cafe con leche, good bagels and croissants, smoothies. Hope they are still there!

And for a lively evening, we've gone to the Jacaranda for (crowded) live music (esp. reggae night) and dancing. Loud, but fun. Haven't eaten there.

Boy, this is making me want to be there again. We hope, next February (if the hurricanes can stay away...) Have a wonderful time, and post a trip report, 'kay?

bonniebroad

Thank you, Kay and Slw ... along with LilMsFoodie, you are really putting me in the mood for Sanibel!!! When you have such a short time in a destination, you don't have time to *stumble* on the best places, so you're all a huge help! Thanks again!