Sanibel and Captiva restaurants now open, from Mucky Duck to Crow's Nest Steakhouse
A recent drive from the east end of Sanibel Island to Andy Rosse Lane on Captiva found 30 restaurants welcoming guests and serving up new and old favorites. From iconic waterfront eateries to ice cream and pizza joints, here’s what we found:
On Sanibel
Bleu Rendezvous: After their original island location on Periwinkle Way was destroyed by Hurricane Ian, Mari and Chef Christian Vivet reopened this intimate new venue a half-mile away in March. The beloved reservations-a-must French bistro is open Tuesday to Saturday beginning at 5 p.m. 751 Tarpon Bay Road; (239) 565-1608; bleurendezvous.com or find on Facebook and Instagram
Blue Giraffe Food Trailer: While the restaurant continues to work toward opening, this food truck is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Saturday in the Periwinkle Place Shopping Center parking lot. You’ll find egg-filled tacos, sandwiches and burritos for breakfast and chicken wraps, grouper tacos and sandwiches and more for lunch under those blue umbrellas. 2075 Periwinkle Way; (239) 472-2525; bluegirafferestaurant.com or follow on Facebook
Cielo: This award-winning farm-to-table wonder takes great care to make each dish an experience. Be sure to make reservations. Lunch is 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, while dinner runs from 4:30-8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Live piano begins at 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. 1244 Periwinkle Way; (239) 472-5555; cielo-sanibel.com or find on Facebook
Doc Ford’s: This location reopened a year ago after being completely gutted after Ian. Not only does it look the same inside, but all the customer favorite food items returned too, including the best-selling signature Yucatan shrimp and Key lime pie. 2500 Island Inn Road; (239) 472-8311; docfords.com or follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
Gramma Dot’s: This longtime island favorite and award-winning seaside saloon at Sanibel Marina held its grand reopening Jan. 9. It’s open 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, serving up lunch and dinner, including, of course, its popular coconut shrimp, grouper sandwiches and Key lime pie. 634 N Yachtsman Drive; (239) 472-8138; sanibelmarina.com or on Facebook
The Great White Grill: This Pittsburgh-loving sports bar and pizzeria is known for its lunch and beer selection. Think wings, pizzas, gyros, sandwiches and more. 2440 Palm Ridge Road; (239) 472-0212; greatwhitegrill.com or follow on Facebook.
Island Pizza and Sweet Melissa’s Cafe: Not only will you find a variety of specialty pizzas, sandwiches, salads and starters here (and jumbo wings!), but it’s also home to Sweet Melissa’s pop-ups. You’ll want to make reservations for James Beard Awards nominee’s pop-up featuring her customer-favorite fish stew. 1619 Periwinkle Way; (239) 472-1581; islandpizzasanibel.com or follow on Facebook
Jerry’s Café: Tucked inside of Jerry’s Foods is this casual breakfast, lunch and dinner spot. It’s open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily in Jerry’s Shopping Center. 1700 Periwinkle Way; (239) 472-9300; jerrysofsanibel.com
Lazy Flamingo Food Trailer: This recently opened food trailer is serving up chowder, wings, Caesar salads, burgers, grouper and a few more select items in the parking lot of the still closed iconic restaurant. 1036 Periwinkle Way; lazyflamingo.com
The Magic Bus: The owners of Island Cow and Mad Hatter teamed up to open this ice cream and coffee shop. Inside, you’ll find freshly brewed coffee, specialty sodas, candy and chocolates, homemade baked goods and 24 flavors of ice cream served in all its glorious forms amid VW-inspired decor. A ribbon cutting was held Feb. 27. Soon, the owners will also open Wickie’s Lighthouse for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks a few doors down, in the same plaza that used to house Lighthouse Café and Sanibel’s Best Homemade Ice Cream. 362 Periwinkle Way; (239) 472-0112; themagicbussanibel.com or find on Facebook and Instagram
MudBugs: It’s Mardi Gras every day at this two-level New Orleans-inspired restaurant. Cajun and Creole cooking and the restaurant’s unique design and feel make it a favorite island destination. 1473 Periwinkle Way; (239) 472-2221; mudbugssanibel.com or on Facebook
Pinocchio’s: The original Italian ice cream shop is back in Periwinkle Place as cool as ever, serving its award-winning Sanibel Krunch, Dirty Sand Dollar, Wedding Bells, Gator Stew and more. Look for the bright green umbrellas. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. 2075 Periwinkle Way, No. 33; (239) 472-6566; pinocchiosicecream.com and on Facebook and Instagram
Rosalita’s Cantina: In March, this Tex-Mex restaurant opened mid-island, in the space that once housed Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market, Doc Ford’s and 400 Rabbits. 975 Rabbit Road; (239) 955-7673; rosalitascantina.com and on Facebook
Sanibel Café: Made from scratch breakfast and lunch is served all day on fossilized shell-filled tables. Open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily in the Tahitian Gardens plaza. 2007 Periwinkle Way; (239) 472-5323; sanibelcafe.com and on Facebook.
Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory: The former Taste of the Island best pizza winner has an extensive menu of breakfast and lunch items including breakfast sandwiches, paninis, subs, wraps, salads, soups, wings, burgers, desserts and more. Open at 7 a.m. Monday to Saturday. 2330 Palm Ridge Road; (239) 472-2555; sanibeldeli.com and Facebook
Sanibel Grill: Matt Asen’s sports-themed restaurant and bar is known for its crunch grouper and grouper Reuben sandwiches. Go early if you want to grab a seat at the bar. 703 Tarpon Bay Road; (239) 472-4453; thesanibelgrill.com
The Shack of Sanibel: This frozen custard spot is the perfect place to chill where customers create their own flavors with a vast selection of toppings ― from fruits and candies to nuts and bites. There are pulled pork and shredded chicken sandwiches and hot dogs too. 1219 Periwinkle Way; (239) 312-8626; sanibelshack.com, Facebook and Instagram
Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market: This sister restaurant to Sanibel Grill is a bit fancier but still casually cool. It opens at 4:30 p.m., while the well-stocked fish market opens at noon Monday to Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. 703 Tarpon Bay Road; (239) 395-CRAB; timbersofsanibel.com
Traders: Dining, shopping and cocktails mix well here. Coastal-inspired dishes are available for lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday. Call for reservations. 1551 Periwinkle Way; (239) 472-7242; traderssanibel.com
Tutti Pazzi: This 2-year-old family-friendly Italian kitchen is open 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. for lunch and dinner every day except Tuesday. The menu includes pasta, seafood, pizza and more. 1200 Periwinkle Way; (239) 966-7654; tuttipazzisanibel.com, Facebook and Instagram
On Captiva
Boops By The Bubble Room: While the restaurant remains closed, Boops reopened and brought its beloved cakes back to the island. 15001 Captiva Drive; (239) 472-5558; follow Bubble Room on Facebook
Cantina Captiva: While the restaurant works toward reopening, the food truck has been churning out tacos, burritos, quesadillas, burgers, grouper bites and, oh those margaritas. 14970 Captiva Drive; (239) 472-0248; follow on Facebook
Captiva Island Pizza: Located on the second floor of the Celebration Center, Corban Chestnut was serving up his Skinny Pirate pizzas and more just two weeks after the hurricane. He’s still at it from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Delivery available Friday and Saturday. 11513 Andy Rosse Lane; (239) 395-0823; captivaislandpizza.com and Facebook
More: 26 restaurants now open on Fort Myers Beach, from waterfront wonders to small beach bars
Crow’s Nest Steakhouse: This over-the-top stunner opened with breathtaking sunset views on July 6. Resting atop The Shipyard at ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa, it’s intimate, modern and gorgeous. 15951 Captiva Drive at 'Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa; (239) 472-5161 (ext. 420); crowsnest-captiva.com
The Green Flash: This beloved fine-dining waterfront restaurant is serving its seafood-heavy, European-influenced menu for lunch and dinner daily. And we’re happy to report the patio bar is officially open for season. 15183 Captiva Drive; (239) 472-3337; greenflashcaptiva.com and follow on Facebook
The Mucky Duck: The popular beachfront restaurant opened in the 1970s and has been attracting locals and visitors alike ever since. It's known for its laid-back vibe and some of the best sunset views around. 11546 Andy Rosse Lane; (239) 472-3434; muckyduck.com
Old Captiva House: This longtime dining destination has been open since 1931 and is a National Registry of Historic Places landmark. The classic, stylish award-winning restaurant at ‘Tween Waters is open daily for breakfast and dinner. 15951 Captiva Drive; (239 472-5161; oldcaptivahouse.com and Facebook
RC Otter’s Island Eats: This award-winning, family-friendly eatery reopened in July after being severely damaged by Ian. 11506 Andy Rosse Lane; (239) 395-1142; rcotterscaptiva.com
The Shipyard: The nautical-themed restaurant with fresh seafood, creative cocktails and clear views of the Gulf of Mexico opened next to Old Captiva House at ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa on May 15. And if you’re looking for pizza, you’ll also find Captiva Crust tucked inside. 15951 Captiva Drive; (239) 472-5161; shipyard.com
Sunshine Seafood Cafe and Wine Bar: Hit hard by Hurricane Ian, this island gem is back with a new executive chef — Ryan Kida, former co-owner of Yabo. The menu has been redone with some Yabo favorites and new offerings. 11508 Andy Rosse Lane; (239) 472-6200 for reservations; captivaislandinn.com
If I’ve missed something, please drop me a note.
Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at rhgeorge@fortmyers.gannett
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: What to do on Sanibel Island: 30 restaurants open on Sanibel, Captiva
