What’s better than lounging on the beach all day? Hosing off the sand and reliving those sun-infused moments over an umbrella-shaded beverage, perhaps. In Fort Myers, Florida, you can have your piña colada and drink it, too, thanks to a culinary scene rich in
fresh-from-the-Gulf fare and sweeping sunset views. And the best way to explore it is to
eat your way through it—starting with the Fort Myers islands, beaches, and neighborhoods of your choice.
Consider Cape Coral, a city defined by four hundred miles of fresh- and saltwater canals. Not surprisingly, restaurants perched on the water are the norm here and make for a welcome respite after exploring more than 1,500 acres of protected parkland.
For a glimpse of the region’s biodiversity, visit Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve,
where an elevated boardwalk winds above the wetlands ecosystem below—home to eagles, ibises, herons, raccoons, and other wading birds. Continue the journey to
High Tide Social House and pair a panoramic view of the Caloosahatchee River with
an orange-garnished spritz. Is rum more your speed? The appropriately named Rumrunners has you covered; settle in at the waterfront eatery within Cape Harbour
and enjoy seafood and steak with a full-service bar and patio seating.
On Fort Myers Beach, Nervous Nellie’s induces anything but anxiety. The bright pink and green space looks out over the water and houses an enormous menu of American classics and seafood favorites. After lunch, you can visit one of the area’s most historic sites, an ancient Calusa shell mound known as Mound House. It’s the perfect helping of history before dinner at Fresh Catch Bistro, a seafood café with a stylish bar and spacious deck overlooking the Gulf.
While in the Fort Myers vicinity, it’s hard to resist a trip to Captiva Island, where the white sands of Turner Beach are ideal for romantic strolls. Detour your darling to the date-night favorite Crow’s Nest Steakhouse to watch the sunset from the second-story dining room.
If you missed the sun’s final dip below the horizon, you can still get a glimpse at
the Mucky Duck, a British pub so well known for its dashing dusks that it has a
sunrise-sunset calendar on its website for guests to time their visits just right.
Savvy visitors trek to Bonita Springs to experience the most pristine barrier islands in Southwest Florida at Lovers Key State Park. This Gulf Coast haven is an ideal spot to
swim and paddleboard, yet it’s a manageable distance to creature comforts like
Coconut Jack’s Waterfront Grille, a great place to dock a boat and settle in for a
shrimp basket. If you plan to return to those undeveloped islands post-lunch, grab a
bite for the beach at Rooftop at Riverside, a food-truck hub home to a lineup of mobile eateries serving everything from seafood to pizza to crepes.
Fort Myers itself makes a dazzling finale—a place where live musical performances, boundary-pushing public art, and historic landmarks provide colorful starters to memorable meals. Here’s one sample evening itinerary: Enjoy an early oyster dinner
at Deep Lagoon, watching yachts come and go from the marina, then take a
post-supper stroll along Lakes Park, where scenic boardwalks traverse 158 acres of freshwater lakes. Finally, sip a fruity nightcap or two at the Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill,
a waterfront wonderland where Hawaiian shirts are welcome and rum buckets
are strongly recommended.
fort myers
islands, beaches and neighborhoods
ITINERARY FOR dinner and drinks with a view
Coconut Jack's
Waterfront Grille
Deep Lagoon
Mucky Duck
High Tide
Social House
Nervous Nellie's
For an exquisite indoor atmosphere, this upscale yet relaxed coastal restaurant is the answer. Watch the buzz of the busy marina over an oyster sandwich or shrimp scampi from the comfortable patio.
Learn More
Deep Lagoon
A favorite spot to enjoy backwater sunsets, this open-air restaurant looks out over the Caloosahatchee River and serves pizzas, sandwiches, and surf-and-turf.
Learn More
High Tide
Social House
Who said traditional British pubs were just for pastoral villages? Experience the genre’s beachy side at the Mucky Duck, a Captiva Island institution known for its fried seafood favorites and
cold brews.
Learn More
The Mucky Duck
For a perfect Back Bay view on Bonita Beach, hungry visitors make their way to Coconut Jack’s Waterfront Grill. Watch dolphins frolic as you savor a Relax-a-Lada and signature
shrimp basket.
Learn More
Coconut Jack's
Waterfront Grille
Known for its wild color scheme and casual, dog-friendly atmosphere, Nervous Nellie’s offers a front-row seat to the Matanzas Harbor action alongside hearty pastas, tacos, seafood baskets, and heaping sandwiches.
Learn More
Nervous Nellie's
Plan your trip at
VisitFortMyers.com/plan-your-trip
Fort Myers
islands, beaches and neighborhoods
ITINERARY FOR Dinner and drinks with a view
Who said traditional British pubs were just for pastoral villages? Experience the genre’s beachy side at the Mucky Duck, a Captiva Island institution known for its fried seafood favorites and
cold brews.
Learn More
Tishomingo
State Park
A favorite spot to enjoy backwater sunsets, this open-air restaurant looks out over the Caloosahatchee River and serves pizzas, sandwiches, and surf-and-turf.
Learn More
Vicksburg National
Military Park
For an exquisite indoor atmosphere, this upscale yet relaxed coastal restaurant is the answer. Watch the buzz of the busy marina over an oyster sandwich or shrimp scampi from the comfortable patio.
Learn More
Natchez Trace
Scenic National Trail
Known for its wild color scheme and casual, dog-friendly atmosphere, Nervous Nellie’s offers a front-row seat to the Matanzas Harbor action alongside hearty pastas, tacos, seafood baskets, and heaping sandwiches.
Learn More
Crosby Arboretum
For a perfect Back Bay view on Bonita Beach, hungry visitors make their way to Coconut Jack’s Waterfront Grill. Watch dolphins frolic as you savor a Relax-a-Lada and signature
shrimp basket.
Learn More
Gulf Islands
National Seashore
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VISIT FORT MYERS
Illustrations by Derik Hobbs