ANTS430

We are planning a trip to Sanibel Island, Florida near the middle of October. I was wondering where would be the best places to eat (just my husband and myself) and if there would be many places closed since it would not be the high season? I am not as concerned about cost (within reason) as I am the taste of the food (I can always skip breakfast to be able to afford a great dinner if I have to!) Any recomendations would be great. I have a friend who has been there that said that we had to go to Captiva (I think it was Captiva) to the Bubble Room too...any thoughts on that?

NeoPatrick

It's been a while, butThe Mad Hatter was always my favorite. Not sure about these days. The Bubble Room was fun, but obscene portions. I always thought of it as quantity over quality.

sanibella

Patrick is spot on here. We also like the Jacaranda.

Most places should be open in October. If places close it is usually in September, if at all.

ANTS430

Thanks. We will try to hit those places... We will be there a week, so any more suggestions are welcome also!!! It is my vacation too, so I am not cooking!!!

volcanogirl

Bookmarking because I'm interested too. Have a great time, ants!

sum

Mad Hatter was the best! Also really liked Sweet Melissa's Cafe for both lunch and dinner.

SusanMargaret

The Mucky Duck is great for a pub lunch on the beach. Also, I love the Sanibel Bean for breakfast.

ANTS430

I have heard great things about the shelling on Sanibel...it is nice to hear that the food is good too. Thanks again for all the suggestions.

volcanogirl

sanibella, do a lot of places close down in September? That's when we were thinking of going, but I see that Mad Hatter is closed for that entire month.

happytrailstoyou

When visiting Sanibel Island a few months ago we stopped at the tourist office and, while there, asked a distinguished looking volunteer if he could suggest a good place for lunch. Without hesitation he recommended Cips Place (2055 Periwinkle Way). There we enjoyed good food and pleasant service in attractive surroundings.

HTtY

330east

Sanibel Steakhouse.

ANTS430

This is great. I am going to have to get more note paper with all the great suggestions. Keep them coming!!!

Honoria_Glossop

I live nearby Sanibel and we eat there quite frequently. Here are my favorites right now.

Breakfast: Over Easy Cafe. Could be closed but they do great traditional breakfasts...way better than the Island Cow.

Dinners: Sweet Melissa's is great. As fine as any top tier restaurant in Naples or Miami. I also love Il' Tesoro. Tiny little Italian with good wines. Can be expensive.

Sorry Patrick, but Mad Hatter and Jacaranda are nothing like they were. Mad Hatter has a sunset view at Cap San village, so that is a huge plus. Food is good, but not as good as so many others.

Lunch at Doc Ford's is fun. Pick up a Randy Wayne White book and soak up some Sanibel atmosphere.

I've never liked the Bubble Room. They made their reputation on fanciful ginormous iced cakes. It is a kid memory that lasts and now as adults, they still come in.

They were wonderful at one point but now they are more like the Cheesecake Factory. Place is filthy. Just cause things are dirty, doesn't make them antique. (referring to all the old toys cluttering the ceiling, etc).

ANTS430

Thanks for your input.

volcanogirl

Honoria, can you answer my question about September in Sanibel? Do a lot of the restaurants shut down then like Mad Hatter does?

Honoria_Glossop

quite a few, but certainly not all. You won't be stranded. It varies year to year. Sanibel has 3 seasons and September <G>. Tourist or High Season. President's day through Easter or Spring Break is High. Snowbird Season. Roughly October 15 to April 15 (many go home to do taxes). Family season, summer when the water is warmer. Gulf doesn't really warm up until April or even May.

I love Sanibel in September. Quieter, the water is like a spa, if you have a water view you can watch the storms and it is less expensive.

330east

Come to think of it there's a fun restaurant just east of the bridge to S/bel called the LIghthouse (Ft. Myers)

mabella101

Well, if you ind you need an everyday, fun place ; not at all fancy but we've always liked the food, the island cow is our perennial favorite. It is a family place, but shouldn't be to bad in September. We also like the restaurant at the Sanibel Inn, not sure of the name though, Portofino I think. I agree with Honoria, we visited the Bubble Room and didn't think much of it. Definitely a been there done that type of place. We love Sanibel, hope you enjoy your trip!

volcanogirl

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the info.

Honoria_Glossop

just fyi, for anyone thinking about Portofino on Sanibel. It has been gone for a while, at least 3 years, replaced by a pretty miserable place called Sea Star cafe. Island Cow is ok if you have kids but the food is just ok or less. One of those places that tries to be have everything on the menu and succeeding at few. People love sitting in the shade outside, I think.