Located on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico, Fort Myers is an idyllic Southern destination renowned for its pristine beaches and captivating islands. Whether visiting with loved ones or embarking on a solo adventure, Fort Myers promises endless opportunities for discovery and culinary delights. Here are 7 delectable restaurants in Fort Myers and neighboring towns you’ll want to experience on your travels.
Fort Myers Tasty Eats
1. Rum Runners
Rum Runners is a beloved hotspot in Cape Coral, offering daily brunch, lunch, dinner, and live entertainment. The menu boasts fresh seafood, succulent steaks, and delicious sushi, ideally enjoyed indoors or with a waterfront view. Complimentary parking and boat docking are available.
I had a delightful experience savoring the mahi, wahoo, & smoked white fish dip, a Florida staple. Other notable starters include fresh oysters on the half shell, mussels sautéed in Italian tomato Pomodoro sauce, and flatbreads.
The chilled seafood bowls were a hit among my companions, but I chose the Maine lobster ravioli in a savory cheddar and Parmesan béchamel cheese sauce. It was both filling and delectable. Do save a little room for the award-winning flan dessert option.
I love that Rum Runners offers a gourmet doggie meal with three boujee options:
- Ocean reef turkey and lentils
- Conch Key chicken and brown rice
- Bahia beef and macaroni
2. Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant
I enjoyed dining at Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant, my favorite of my Fort Myers trip. This charming establishment offers indoor and waterfront dining, providing the perfect setting to enjoy Florida’s breathtaking Gulf Coast sunsets.
Snug Harbor at Fort Myers Beach boasts an exceptional coastal cuisine menu, a variety of daily specials, and fresh-off-the-boat lunch and dinner options. Notably, they even offer the opportunity for guests to have their own catch of the day expertly prepared.
For oyster enthusiasts, I highly recommend the Oysters Rockefeller – a delightful combination of creamy parmesan, spinach, Pernod liquor, and Alpine Swiss Cheese. Another raved-about app is Bay Bread, featuring a delectable blend of garlic butter, bleu cheese, mozzarella, and tomatoes.
I had a nightly special for dinner, the succulent Shrimp & Grits. Snug Harbor also offers popular dinner options such as chicken, mahi, scallop, shrimp, and grouper baskets, all accompanied by fries and pineapple coleslaw.
Operating from 11 AM until 9 PM daily, Snug Harbor is the perfect destination for those seeking a memorable dining experience. Additionally, their selection of frozen drinks, including the key lime pie martini, snug shanty, mudslide, and margaritas, will satisfy your cravings.
If you’re planning a boat tour adjacent to the restaurant, you can even take your drinks to go.
3. Cabbage Key
Cabbage Key is an exclusive boat-accessible island renowned for its charming inn, gopher tortoises, and a restaurant adorned with thousands of one-dollar bills on the ceiling.
Feasting on hot in-the-shell Gulf Shrimp and the famous black beans & rice, a secret recipe, was an absolute delight. Although my food was really good, the most popular choices at the restaurant were the cheeseburgers and grilled Mahi-Mahi sandwiches.
Cabbage Key boasts an impressive array of mouthwatering seafood, from the tantalizing gulf stone crab claws to the succulent Gulf shrimp. Save room for the frozen key lime pie, a delicacy around these parts. Don’t miss the chance to savor their special holiday menus for an extraordinary experience. Reservations are highly recommended.
With year-round availability and various dining areas to choose from, including the front room, main room, bar, and formal dining room, Cabbage Key welcomes a constant stream of guests.
4. License to Chill
The newly opened Margaritaville Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach features award-winning dining options, including JWB Grill, License to Chill Bar & Grill, Lah De Dah Beach Bar & Grill, and others.
During the hotel’s soft opening, I had the privilege of sampling various dishes from License to Chill while enjoying breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico. Standout appetizers were the grilled mango-habanero wings, artichoke & crab dip, and the exquisite tuna poke bowl.
For main courses, I recommend trying the Philly Cheesesteak and Grouper Reuben; they are messy but delicious.
Need Fort Myers Area Accommodations?
The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village became my home-away-from-home – an exquisite haven tucked away by the tranquil Gulf of Mexico, San Carlos Bay, and Caloosahatchee River. The private drive to the resort transported me to an upscale address reminiscent of Mexico or the Caribbean.
Inside my suite, I was greeted by the Westin Heavenly Bed, a delightful full-sized kitchen and living room, and a grand hallway leading to an opulent marble bathroom. The room, the resort, and the lovely screened-in balcony alone could have made a vacation complete. And with 308 rooms, the resort is an impressive destination.
The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village offers a myriad of exciting amenities, including a shopping arcade, stellar restaurants, bicycles, clay tennis courts, a 24-hour fitness studio, and three glorious pools – lagoon-style, lap, and resort — not to mention the marina.
Here’s a fun fact: guests can embark on a complimentary two-hour dolphin sightseeing boat tour, and the hotel even offers a convenient water taxi service to Fort Myers Beach. Book at the front desk for an unforgettable experience.
5. Marker 92 Waterfront Bar & Bistro
Marker 92 Waterfront Bar & Bistro at The Westin is a splendid dining destination, offering great breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. I looked forward to my daily breakfast choice, a mouthwatering omelet with potatoes and toast. In addition to a delightful breakfast buffet, Marker 92 has a convenient grab-and-go area at the entrance, perfect for picking up quick eats, coffee, and tea.
Happy Hour is daily from 3PM – 6PM.
How about a trip to Florida’s East Coast? Vero Beach is a great beachside town to get started in.
6. Nauti Mermaid Dockside Bar & Grill
Discover Nauti Mermaid Dockside Bar & Grill at the Westin Cape Coral Resort. Indulge in delectable appetizers and tantalizing cocktails while reveling in the Florida sunset. Engage in delightful conversations and forge new connections at the bar’s captivating circular setting.
Treat yourself to the heavenly Tuna Tataki and savor the myriad other appetizers on the menu, such as BBQ Pork Patacones, Bahamian Conch Fritter Sliders, and Smoked Fish Dip with vegetable Giardiniera. Admire the picturesque fire pits, adding an enchanting touch to the ambiance. I loved the vibe of this Westin property.
7. Gather
Dinner at Gather, conveniently within walking distance of our Westin Cape Coral Resort, was a delectable experience. This upscale eatery boasts a sophisticated and modern ambiance, offering an American menu with a delightful Mediterranean twist. Their craft cocktail drink menu is unparalleled, complementing the culinary delights.
Gather’s house-made pasta dishes are a standout. The Rigatoni, adorned with house hot sausage and a Parmesan streusel in a vodka cream sauce, is a flavorful masterpiece with a delightful kick. They also offer a killer brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 AM to 3 PM. Happy Hour, Tuesday through Sunday, 4 PM to 6 PM, provides enticing discounts on domestic beer and select wines.
If you are a fan of desserts, the Toasted Almond Creme Brûlée is a great choice that should not be missed. Please note that Gather is closed on Mondays.
