Restaurants on Sanibel
General info about Restaurants on Sanibel
Sanibel has plenty of restaurants of all food types so that you don't need to leave the island to find what you want. When we're on the island for a couple of weeks we find we don't need to repeat restaurants or cook in. Our family has a bunch of favorites which we will highlight below.
Due to City code preventing chain restaurants, almost all of the restaurants are locally inspired, owned and operated, so you won't be bored with the same chain restaurants you have back home
All restaurants are casual dress. Shorts, T-shirts and flip flops pass at the family restaurants, and the nicer restaurants are just slightly dressier, though you can always dress up nicer.
Reservations or call ahead during holiday periods and in the winter season is recommended.
Local foods not to miss: Grouper, Red Snapper, Gulf Shrimp, Key Lime Pie.
Most restaurants in our list below have excellent seafood.
Watch for "Sunset", "Early Bird" of "Happy Hour" specials.
Some restaurants close for a period around September for vacations and repairs, so if you are visiting then it is best to call to make sure a restaurant is open.
Our family's picks for Casual dining, for the whole family
Doc Fords Rum Bar & Grill - can't beat this for great food from casual to dinners, great atmosphere, lots of outside dining on porches. Buy a Doc Ford's book, and maybe Randy Wayne White will be there to sign it! 1.1 miles from condo, across from Bailey's General store. (239) 472-8311
Grandma Dots Seaside Saloon - in the middle of the Sanibel Marina, the restaurant is a screened porch on the docks. 3.8 miles from condo. (239) 472-8138
Island Cow - eclectic decor, outdoor seating, huge menu. They start you off with muffin appetizers on the table, ask for seconds to get more varieties! 1.7 miles from the condo. (239) 472-0606
Matzaluna The Italian Kitchen - excellent basic italian comfort food dinners. 2.7 miles. (239) 472-1998
Dante's Coal Fired Pizza - best pizza on the island, and worth going for as our family considers this a favorite even compared to favorites back home. 3.3 miles from condo. (239) 558-4429
Sanibel Grill - great sports bar - the owner has been collecting selfies with sports celebrities, politicians, and actors for years and they line the walls. (239) 472-4453
Cip's Place - Excellent food, lots of variety. Seating on the back deck is in a beautiful garden. Bar is modeled after an early Island ferry boat. 2 miles from the condo. (239)472-0223
Lazy Flamingo - Huge trough of iced beers, very casual, nautical dive bar theme. Two locations on Sanibel are basically the same, the closer one on Periwinkle is 3.8 miles from condo. (239) 472-6939
George & Wendy's Sanibel Seafood Grill - Good food, close to the condo, and one of two places with live entertainment late in the evening (but it's Sanibel so it's all done by midnight!). 1.1 miles from condo in front of Bailey's General store. (239) 395-1263
Cheeburger Cheeburger - this is the original one that started the chain. The kids like the unlimited options in the milkshakes. 2.1 miles from the condo. (239) 472-6111
Jerry's Grocery store - this is an offshoot of their stores in Minneapolis, and they have a casual coffee shop style restaurant in it with good food. (239) 472-9300
Our family's picks for Finer Restaurants more suited for the adults
The Sandbar - In our top two of the finer restaurants, it's also one of the closest being just 0.8 miles up West Gulf Drive. (239) 472-0305
Traders - In our top two of the finer restaurants. Try stuffed shrimp ravioli, Mikes meatball or fish of the day. 2.1 miles from condo. (239) 472-7242
Traders2 - an offshoot of Traders, with a different menu. 1.4 miles from condo. (239) 558-8919
Timbers Restaurant and Fish Market - Longstanding staple on the island for fresh seafood and fine dinners. 1.3 miles from condo. (239) 395-CRAB
Sweet Melissa's - Chef Melissa Talmadge is well known for her fine cuisine. 2 miles from condo. (239) 472-1956
Traditions on the Beach - one of the few restaurants with Gulf views, this is located at the historic Island Inn. 1.4 miles from the condo. (239) 472-4559
Cieleo - Fine dining, pricey. 2.6 miles from the condo. (239) 472-5555
Bleu Rendez-Vous - classic french cuisine from a french chef! 1.2 miles from condo. (239) 565-1608
Thistle Lodge (at Casa Ybel resort). Fine dining. Gulf front. 0.4 miles, so you can walk as long as it won't be dark when you return. (239) 472-9200
Mad Hatter - fine food, more formal and pricey than most places on the island. On beach near blind pass just before Captiva. Alice in Wonderland theme. 8.3 miles from condo. (239) 472-0033
These are Sanibel's only waterfront dining opportunities:
Grandma Dots - in the Marina so lots of docked boats and some bay views.
Traditions on the Beach (at The Island Inn) - Gulf front.
Sea Breeze Cafe (at Sundial resort) - Gulf front, and on the second floor so best view.
Thistle Lodge (at Casa Ybel resort) - Gulf front.
Mad Hatter - Gulf front, and good sunset since it is on the north portion of the island facing west.
Other
Pinocchio's Ice Cream - You don't want to miss this. Try the "Sanibel Krunch", "Dirty Sand Dollar" and other locally inspired flavors. Closes at 10pm.
Tipsy Turtle - live music most nights, and open the latest of any place on the island. Only other later evening live music is at George & Wendy's.
Coffee shops:
Breakfast:
- Over Easy Cafe - 1 mile from condo, so bike there
- Lighthouse Cafe - 4 miles from condo
