ktsharon

Please advise where to have the perfect delicious dinner for 10 of us (two kids) to celebrate a special birthday. We are looking for great food and nice ambience. Do we need reservations? It is coming up SOON!

january89

Two that come to mind. Jacaranda is very nice, seafood and such. Great martinis! Matzaluna great Italian. May be more comfortable there depending on the kids ages. It's been a few years since we've been to Sanibel but both were really good. I think reservations are always a good idea with a party of 10. Hope you enjoy!

beentheretwice

For a party that size I would get reservations wherever you intend to go. Dinner out is a big deal on Sanibel. Most restaurants are crowded--we went early with our kids.

For seafood, a beachy atmosphere, I'd suggest McT's. It's casual and there were a couple of big groups there when we visited. My kids found things to eat on their menu.

Lots of options, so you might want to consider your preferences and then be more specific.

ElCheapo

We really enjoyed Matzaluna when we ate there several years ago.

Whose birthday are you celebrating? We were in Sanibel when my son was turning 9 or so and someone on this board suggested having desserts at The Bubble Room. It was a fun place to celebrate his birthday; they made a big deal over him by putting a special hat on his head and singing a Happy B-Day from the Bubble Room song. The desserts were awesome, too. It's a low-key casual place and I think I remember some cutting it down, but it made for good memories for our family.

cocontom

The best meal we had was at Island Cow. It's totally goofy, fun and casual- I doubt that's what you mean by nice ambiance, but thought I would throw it out there just in case.

NeoPatrick

THE spot for birthdays is still The Bubble Room, isn't it? I haven't been in years now, but it really is fun for a group, especially the kids -- and it's all about the desserts.
www.bubbleroomrestaurant.com

sweet_polly

I second the Bubble Room for its appeal for the entire family.

If you are looking for something a little more along the lines of fine dining (and the children do well at more upscale eateries), the best food I've had on Sanibel was at the Mad Hatter (one of the few restaurants on the island with a Gulf view, and is decorated in a quirky Alice In Wonderland motif). Creative menu with nice wine list.

Best cuisine I've had on Captiva is at Redfish Bluefish (across the street from the Bubble Room). The cuisine is Tapas...American Bistro Style, and is out of this world. Again, fun atmosphere...some of the best cuisine on the islands...good wine list. There were kids in the restaurant when I was there last summer.

fullhouse

Definitely the Bubble Room - my kids absolutely LOVE this place and so do we. Have a light lunch - the bubble bread alone will fill you up, but it's just too delicious to not eat so you have to!

goinonvacation

We got married down in Sandibel and had several large group dinners- Mataluna for our rehersal dinner, very good, and the Island Cow, and Timbers. All highly recommended, just different menus so it just depends on what you are in the mood for.