Where to find restaurant meal, drink deals to kick off summer in Naples, Marco & Bonita
While I’ve always thought the season unofficially ends on Mother’s Day, this year, it seems the crowds left after Easter.
Several restaurateurs behind some of the hottest, newest restaurants in town said 2024 was an uneven season; during any given day in the same week, their dining rooms veered from packed to paltry, making food purchasing and staffing forecasts unpredictable.
None wanted to go on record saying it.
What’s the best thing about season ending?
Deals and restaurants that dare to try something new are a good thing for those of us remaining in town year-round.
Read on for details.
13 dining & drinking deals, listed alphabetically
Before you go, note that prices are per person when dining at the restaurant and do not include beverages, tax or tip, unless otherwise indicated.
Bha Bha!'s early $49 three-course special runs from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays. The menu features good apps, numerous entrees and one dessert. (865 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-594-5557; bhabhabistro.com)
Caffé Milano: Indulge your carb cravings on May 21 when pasta and pizza are 50% off. (800 Fifth Ave. S., 239-692-8480, caffemilano.com)
Dorona’s new progressive happy hour runs daily from 3 to 6 p.m. Select wines, beers and fun cocktails are $3 at 3 p.m., $4 at 4 p.m. and $5 at 5 p.m. The restaurant is also shifting its steak focus by adding more Italian dishes at lunch and dinner. (2110 Tamiami Trail N., Naples; 239-529-2819; doronanaples.com)
The French recently revised its early dining three-course menu for $35. For comparison, steak frites is on this menu (5-ounce filet mignon serving); during regular dinner hours, it jumps to $59 a la carte, though it’s a bigger 13-ounce portion of A3 Waygu New York Strip. Available daily from 3 to 5:30 p.m. (365 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-315-4019; thefrenchnaples.com)
KC American Bistro’s swell entrée BOGO runs all summer (I suggest the duck). Here’s the catch: You must request the deal when ordering. If you tell ‘em you saw it in the Naples Daily News, you’re all set per chef-owner Keith Casey. (885 Vanderbilt Beach Road; 239-566-2371; kcamericanbistro.com)
The Med launches a $35 three-course prix fixe from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Several homerun items are offered; my course-by-course recommendations include octopus, chicken, and the divine pistachio cake as the finale. House wines by the glass for pairing are $10. (3929 Bayshore Drive, Naples; 239-307-4755; themednaples.com)
Osteria Capri’s two locations offer a $50 three-course tasting dinner with four appetizer choices and five mains, including my favorite short ribs over gnocchi. I'd opt for the Isles of Capri setting on the water. Hours vary by location. Closed Mondays. (387 Capri Blvd., Naples; 239-970-5721; and 918 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island; 239-388-4081; osteriacapri.com)
Ridgway’s Bar & Grill’s three-course prix fixe dinner deal is $49 per person. What makes this great? First, it runs from 4:30 p.m. to close. Second, there are so many choices, including vegan and GF options among seven appetizers, eight mains, and three desserts. Note: No sharing or substitutions — but with all those choices, why would you need to ask? (1300 Third St. S., Naples; 239-262-5500; ridgwaybarandgrill.com)
Roy’s all-night $49 three-course prix fixe runs through Sept. 30. Limited choices, but they all sound delish. Mains include salmon, short ribs and jumbo tiger shrimp. (26831 South Bay Drive, Bonita Springs; 239-498-7697; roysrestaurant.com)
Shabo’s Bistro has a $30 prime rib deal every Sunday from 1 to 8 p.m. (15215 Collier Blvd., North Naples; 239-354-9955; shabosbistro.com)
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Shula's prime rib deal with mashed potatoes is $25 during summer Fridays from noon to 3 p.m. (5111 Tamiami Trail N., Naples; 239-659-3176; shulasnaples.com)
Stix Sushi & Seafood: Starting May 15 at $35 per person for unlimited sushi and so much more, including hibachi and tempura offerings. Deal for kids is $15. (4221 Tamiami Trail E., Naples; 239-331-3058; stixnaples.com)
Warren Naples has a new three-course weekday prix-fixe deal for $45 from 3 to 6 p.m. If going for happy hour, which runs concurrently, a good deal is their signature Gloria’s KFC, which I really liked during my December visit. It’s $17 at dinner but during this part of the day, it's $12, albeit a somewhat smaller portion. (111 Tenth St. S., Naples; 239-330-2611; warrennaples.com)
Send deals, scoops and news to diana.biederman@naplesnews.com for editorial consideration by Friday at 5 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Best 13 restaurant dining, drink deals now in Naples, Marco, Bonita
