Gobble, gobble: Thanksgiving Day 2023 restaurants open in Cape, Fort Myers, Bonita
It’s difficult to switch gears from Halloween to Thanksgiving when I’m still sitting on my couch next to our 6-foot skeleton and chowing down on leftover candy.
But I know if I wait too much longer, snagging a table at a preferred restaurant on Thursday, Nov. 23, will be challenging at best.
So without further delay, here are some handy-dandy tips (courtesy of my Naples Daily News colleague Diana Biederman) and a few restaurants with Thanksgiving-specific menus to get you (and me) started.
Tips for scoring reservations
If you haven’t made plans yet, many restaurants are open. But availability is going fast, so make reservations now. We also feature several that can seat large parties.
Most restaurants get last-minute cancellations and party size changes, so keep trying if at first you don’t succeed.
An even number in your party is easier for the restaurant to accommodate space-wise.
Most prices listed are for food; plan to budget for drinks, tip and tax.
Thanksgiving menus in Cape Coral
Annie’s Restaurant: For the second consecutive year, this longtime downtown restaurant will be open Thanksgiving. Breakfast runs until 10:30 a.m., then turkey, ham and all the sides, plus apple and pumpkin pies, will be served until 6 p.m. Catering and to-go orders for four or more (placed by Nov. 19) are also available. (814 SE 47th St., Cape Coral, 239-945-3133, anniescapecoral.com)
Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill: A traditional turkey dinner — sliced turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy — will be available for $19.99 at this popular waterfront spot. Full menu from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and happy hour 8-11 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. Also offered at Fort Myers location from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. with happy hour from 3-6 p.m. (5819 Driftwood Parkway, Cape Coral, 239-945-2628; 17101 SR 31, Fort Myers, 239-332-2628; theboathouseusa.com)
Marker 92: The waterfront bar and bistro at The Westin Cape Coral Resort puts on a lavish spread beginning with a salad station and grazing table with cheeses meats and more. It goes up from there with chef-carved options, seafood market delights, desserts and more. $99 for adults, $29 for kids (6-12), free for ages 4 and under. Reservations can be made via Open Table. (5961 Silver King Blvd., Cape Coral, 239-541-5016, marriott.com)
Point 57 Kitchen & Cocktails: This trendy restaurant with Southern and Florida coastal vibes will be doing a traditional and seasonal influenced a la carte menu (average $15-$50) from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tables are filling quickly. The maximum party size is 12. Reservations only by calling the restaurant directly. (3522 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral, 239-471-7785, point-57.com)
In Fort Myers and North Fort Myers
Cracker Barrel: The two Fort Myers locations are serving traditional Thanksgiving meals beginning at 11 a.m. Two heat-and-serve takeout options are priced at $105 for four to six or $155 for up to 10 people. Pre-order by Nov. 21 is strongly suggested. (Two Fort Myers locations — 4260 Boatways Road, 239-693-2244; 10090 Daniels Parkway, 239-561-6461, crackerbarrel.com)
CRaVE Restaurant: This brunch spot has four seatings (10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.), each of which is two hours. Depending on when you go, you’ll find breakfast items, traditional choices, seafood and so much more. Plus there are endless bloody marys and mimosas. $60 per person. (12901 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, call or text 239-850-6481 to reserve a spot, find on Facebook)
Edison Restaurant: This McGregor Boulevard restaurant’s buffet comes with traditional and seafood items, sides and desserts. $53 for adults and $18 for ages 9 and under. Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the last seating at 3:15 p.m. Pick-up or to-go pumpkin pies are $20. Call for reservations. (3583 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-936-9348, edisontavern.com)
Farmers Market Restaurant: The oldest restaurant in Fort Myers will keep the holiday tradition going with three seatings for its buffet-style Thanksgiving menu — 11 a.m., 12:30 and 2 p.m. $35 for adults and $15 for ages 10 and under. Price includes meats, sides, house salad and homemade cornbread and rolls. Email info@farmersmarketrestaurant.com for reservations. (2736 Edison Ave., Fort Myers, 239-334-1687, farmersmarketrestaurant.com)
Lighthouse Waterfront: The menu at this popular dining spot at the entrance to Connie Mack Island features a carving station with turkey and prime rib, a wide variety of traditional and seafood entrees, plus sides and a dessert buffet. Call for pricing and reservations. (14301 Port Comfort Road, Fort Myers, 239-489-0770, lighthousewaterfrontrestaurant.com)
Nick & Stella’s: For the 38th year, this family sports pub will serve Thanksgiving dinner — turkey, mashed potatoes, lots of sides and pumpkin pie — along with its regular menu. Pecan and pumpkin pies are available for pre-order. Open at 11 a.m. (15271 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-466-9493 for reservations, nickandstellas.com)
Sea-Craft Waterfront Tiki: This North Fort Myers restaurant is offering a buffet with brunch items and traditional Thanksgiving Day appetizers, main courses, desserts and a kids menu. $44.99 per person includes two mimosas or bloody marys for ages 21 and up. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (3440 Marinatown Lane, North Fort Myers, 239-257-3111, seacraftwaterfronttiki.com)
Summerlin Café: Main course selections with all the trimmings range from traditional turkey dinner to shrimp and crabcakes. Turkey, ham, chicken tenders or fried shrimp dinners are for ages 12 and under. (11370 Summerlin Square Drive, Fort Myers, 239-689-4636, summerlincafefortmyers.com)
On Pine Island and Matlacha
Miceli’s Restaurant: This waterfront Matlacha restaurant has a Thanksgiving buffet with appetizers, mains, tons of sides and desserts. Seatings are at 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m. $29.99 for adults with endless mimosas or bloody marys. $11.99 for ages 12 and under. Reservations only. (3930 Pine Island Road, Matlacha, 239-282-8233, micelis.com)
Tarpon Lodge: The Thanksgiving menu at this waterfront gem features soups, salads & lighter fare; entrees of turkey ($31), seafood ($38-$47), lamb ($49), a filet ($59), and even a cheeseburger (19); and desserts ($9). (13771 Waterfront Drive, Bokeelia, 239-283-3999 for reservations, tarponlodge.com)
Bonita Springs availability
Artichoke and Co.: A great group spot that can accommodate large gatherings. Two seatings at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. feature a four-course dinner. Adults, $45; ages 10 and under, $15. (11920 Saradrienne Lane, Bonita Springs; 239-263-6979; artichokeandcompany.com)
Mel's Diner: From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., a slew of Thanksgiving dinner options with sides included are priced $17 for turkey to $20 for prime rib. Kids menu is $10. Takeout serving four to six people is $90. Reservations are required for parties of six and up. (1331 Pine Island Road NE, Cape Coral, 239-242-0218; 4820 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers, 239-275-7850; 28601 Trails Edge Blvd., Bonita Springs, 239-949-3080; melsdiners.com)
Roy’s: Executive Chef Alex Johnson honors Hawaii’s culinary heritage with two holiday prix-fixe menus. For $55, the main course is teriyaki-glazed turkey with a choice of starters and desserts. The second option is built around entrée choices and priced accordingly from $71 for hibachi Atlantic salmon to $93 for Colorado rack of grilled lamb. Because not every tot likes turkey, a kids “keiki” menu with myriad options is priced from $17 to $28. (26831 South Bay Drive, Bonita Springs; 239-498-7697; roysrestaurant.com)
Best bakeries: Scary good: Dessert royalty and five of our favorite bakeries in Cape Coral, Fort Myers
And we’re melting over this dessert
Baskin Robbins: This tasty ice cream place is offering a turkey-shaped ice cream cake — complete with sugar cone legs — that’s customizable with your favorite flavor. And (by not coincidence) the flavor of the month is Turkey Day Fixin’s. Serves 12-16. Custom made in 48 hours. Order online and schedule a pick-up time. $29.99. (2706 Lee Blvd., Lehigh Acres, 239-369-0111; order.baskinrobbins.com)
Robyn George is a food and dining writer for The Fort Myers News-Press. Send news to rhgeorge@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day 2023 in Cape Coral, Fort Myers
