The Lower Gulf Coast Restaurants

In this part of Florida, fresh seafood reigns supreme. Succulent native stone-crab claws, a particularly tasty treat, in season from mid-October through mid-May, are usually served hot with drawn butter or chilled with tangy mustard sauce. Supplies are typically steady, since claws regenerate in time for the next season. Other seafood specialties include fried grouper sandwiches and Sanibel pink shrimp. In Naples's highly hailed restaurants and sidewalk cafés, mingle with locals, winter visitors, and other travelers, and catch up on the latest culinary trends.

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  • 1. Old Captiva House

    $$$$

    Just across the street from the beach, this wonderfully historic restaurant is casual, comfortable, and considered by many to offer the best fine-dining experience on Captiva Island. Entrées include seafood dishes like the blackened snapper with watermelon cucumber salad, and land dishes like pomegranate-glazed lamb chops. Tempting appetizers, creative salads, and tantalizing desserts round out the menu. The restaurant has its own baker to create its sweet and savory breads and cakes. No need to dress up; island casual is welcome. Make time to enjoy the fantastic sunsets at the beach.

    15951 Captiva Dr., Captiva, Florida, 33924, USA
    239-472–5161

    Known For

    • Romantic atmosphere
    • Fresh seafood and sushi
    • Good wine selection

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
  • 2. Baleen

    $$$$

    The mood cast in the well-appointed dining room and the romantic Gulf-view patio that spills onto the sand makes a meal here the perfect Florida dining experience. There's only one small problem—lighting is so low at dinner that you can't read the menu, even with its built-in flashlight, which is too bad, because it means you also miss the effect of the beautifully presented dishes. An impressive prix-fixe option includes a starter, entrée, and dessert.  Schedule your dinner outdoors to catch gorgeous views of the sunset.

    9891 Gulf Shore Dr., Naples, Florida, 34108, USA
    239-598–5707

    Known For

    • Lobster frittata breakfast
    • Signature blackened grouper
    • Water views

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
  • 3. Keylime Bistro Boca Grande & The Loose Caboose Ice Cream Shoppe

    $$$

    Revered by many—including Katharine Hepburn in her time—for its homemade ice cream, this is also a good spot for comfort food and fresh seafood. Housed in the town's historic depot, it offers indoor and patio seating in an all-American setting. Expect slow service in season, and paper plates with plastic utensils. Be sure to order a piece of the homemade, award-winning Key lime pie.

    433 W. 4th St., Boca Grande, Florida, 33921, USA
    941-941-964–0440

    Known For

    • Extremely rich (16% butterfat) ice cream
    • Green tomatoes and crab cake appetizer
    • Caboose Thai shrimp

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
  • 4. Old 41 Restaurant

    $

    A mostly local clientele populates the cheery dining room with its Philadelphia allegiances, offering a great cheesesteak. For breakfast, don't miss the incredible Texas French toast with homemade caramel and pecans, Carbon's malted Belgian waffles, or eggs and homemade hash with Boar's Head meat. Besides cheesesteak, lunch specialties include Boar's Head hoagies, burgers, in-house-roasted beef or turkey sandwiches, and other comfort food—all served until 3 pm.

    25091 Bernwood Dr., Bonita Springs, Florida, 34135, USA
    239-948–4190

    Known For

    • Slow-cooked turkey and roast beef
    • Chipped beef for breakfast
    • No reservations (but a call-ahead wait list on weekends)

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner, Reservations not accepted
  • 5. Philly Junction

    $

    From the bread (Amoroso rolls) to the corned beef, almost everything here comes from Philadelphia. Not only are the cheesesteaks delicious and authentic, but the burgers and other sandwiches are excellent—and the prices are among the lowest around. Stay for an old-fashioned shake, or join the Philly natives for pork roll and scrapple at breakfast. The strip-mall café occupies two rooms sided with natural wood board-and-bead paneling. Signs at every table humorously reveal "25 Ways to Tell You're from Philly." If you come for dinner, plan on eating early because the restaurant closes at 8.

    4600 Summerlin Rd., Fort Myers, Florida, 33919, USA
    239-936–6622

    Known For

    • Authentic Philly cheesesteaks
    • Good, inexpensive breakfast
    • Closing by 8 pm

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner Sun., Reservations not accepted
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  • 6. Saigon Paris Bistro

    $$$

    Irish omelets, Belgian waffles, crepes, steak au poivre, Vietnamese sea bass, Waldorf chicken salad: this eatery's extensive menu clearly travels farther abroad than its name implies. And it does so with utmost taste and flavor, as its faithful local clientele will attest. The best deals are the lunchtime Vietnamese entrées and chicken egg-drop soup. The restaurant is known for its gigantic bowls of pho (traditional soup), which can be ordered any time of day (some people have them for breakfast). It also offers three-course Vietnamese or Parisian dinners for $30. Leave room for crepes à la Grand Marnier, prepared table-side. The interior is pleasant, if a bit old-fashioned, but provides a soothing surprise in this busy part of town with its fireplace, floral motif, and classic columns.

    12995 S. Cleveland. Ave., Fort Myers, Florida, 33907, USA
    239-936–2233

    Known For

    • Pho soup
    • Two-for-one breakfast deals
    • International cuisine

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. June–Sept.

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