Popular Eateries and Hidden Gem Restaurants in and Around Fort Myers Beach You’ll Love
Explore the best restaurants in and around Fort Myers Beach, from iconic dining spots to hidden local gems. Enjoy Southern comfort food, fresh seafood, authentic Italian, and bold international flavors on your next trip.
Wherever you choose to vacation, from the Colorado Rockies to the Outer Banks or the sunny shores of Florida’s Emerald Coast, sampling both popular restaurants and hidden local gems gives you the chance to enjoy a complete culinary feast.
Planning a trip to Fort Myers Beach? You’re in for a treat! Together with the mainland city of Fort Myers, just a short drive away, the area is filled with amazing eateries that fly under the radar as well as popular hotspots known for their culinary delights and inviting ambience.
Curious? Here’s a little teaser to whet your appetite:
The Veranda: Historic charm, Southern flavors, lush courtyard, and a romantic Old Florida vibe.
CIBO: Homemade pasta, wood-fired pizza, authentic Italian in a warm setting.
The Lodge: Sports bar energy with upscale comfort food in a rustic, cabin-style space.
Ford’s Garage Ft. Myers: Gourmet burgers served alongside vintage cars and retro gas pumps.
Izzy’s Fish & Oyster: Fresh oysters, lobster rolls, and coastal-style dining with flair.
Wisteria Tea Room & Café: Afternoon tea, pastries, and Victorian-inspired charm.
Farmer’s Market Restaurant: Since 1952, big plates of fried chicken, country steak, and Southern comfort classics.
The Latin Grill: Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominican home cooking with generous portions.
PokeBowl Café: Build-your-own Hawaiian bowls packed with fresh fish and toppings.
Trattoria Mia: Tuscan-style family spot with handmade pasta and seasonal Italian dishes.
Cape Cod Fish Co.: Lobster rolls, fish & chips, and a no-fuss coastal shack atmosphere.
Taqueria San Julian: Authentic Mexican street tacos, elote, and ice-cold horchata.
Saigon Sandwiches: Vietnamese banh mi, pho, iced coffee, and bold flavors in a modest shop.
At Sun Palace Vacations, we offer stunning vacation homes in Fort Myers Beach. Whether you’re looking for a beachfront escape or a cozy retreat, we have the perfect place for you. We consider ourselves Fort Myers Beach experts, and from the best shopping spots and top-notch restaurants to a comprehensive guide on fishing and hunting in the area, we’ve got you covered in our blog.
In this post, I’ll guide you through the flavors and settings of popular spots and hidden gem restaurants in and around Fort Myers Beach, places that will awaken your taste buds and add flavor to your trip.
Let’s dig in!
Where Everyone Wants to Dine in and Around Fort Myers Beach
1. The Veranda
Historic setting and Southern flavors with fresh, local ingredients.
The Veranda is one of Fort Myers’ most iconic dining spots, set inside two beautifully restored turn-of-the-century homes. Known for its charm and timeless Southern hospitality, the restaurant serves up a menu that blends American and Southern flavors with fresh, local ingredients. Between the historic setting, award-winning wine list, and lush courtyard filled with tropical plants, it’s a place that feels like stepping back in time while enjoying top-notch cuisine.
🍽️ What You’ll Love
Dining in a historic setting with tons of character
A menu full of Southern-inspired dishes made with fresh, local ingredients
A tropical courtyard perfect for al fresco meals
An award-winning wine list to pair with your meal
A romantic, old-Florida atmosphere ideal for special occasions
2. CIBO
A taste of Italy in downtown Fort Myers.
CIBO brings a taste of Italy to downtown Fort Myers. This family-owned restaurant prides itself on serving authentic Italian cuisine in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The menu showcases a variety of pasta dishes, wood-fired pizzas, and traditional Italian entrees.
🍽️ What You’ll Love
Fresh, homemade pasta that tastes straight from Italy.
Thin, crispy wood-fired pizzas with plenty of flavor.
An open kitchen where you can watch the chefs at work.
A warm, intimate atmosphere perfect for date night or dinner with friends.
Attention to detail in both flavor and presentation that keeps locals coming back.
3. The Lodge
A mix of sports bar with upscale comfort food.
Offering a unique dining concept in Fort Myers, The Lodge combines elements of a sports bar with upscale comfort food. The restaurant’s rustic decor, featuring wood paneling and taxidermy, creates a cabin-like atmosphere that sets it apart from typical sports bars.
🍽️ What You’ll Love
Cabin vibe that boasts rustic wood, taxidermy touches, and a warm, lodge-like setting.
Upscale comfort food, including juicy burgers, creative sandwiches, and shareable appetizers.
Craft drinks that impress, from beers and cocktails.
Big screens everywhere, perfect for catching sports without skimping on food quality.
4. Ford’s Garage Ft. Myers
Juicy burgers meet vintage cars, gas pumps, and classic memorabilia.
Step into a dining experience that feels straight out of the 1920s. At Ford’s Garage Ft. Myers, vintage cars, gas pumps, and classic memorabilia set the scene while juicy burgers and craft beers keep the energy high. It’s equal parts restaurant and automotive museum, making it a spot you’ll remember long after the last bite.
🍽️ What You’ll Love
Nostalgic service-station vibe with vintage Fords and retro details.
Stacked gourmet burgers and hearty comfort food.
A wide selection of craft beers on tap.
A lively, buzzing atmosphere perfect for locals and visitors alike.
5. Izzy’s Fish & Oyster
A seafood favorite featuring fresh oysters and classics with flair.
A slice of New England on Florida’s Gulf Coast, this seafood favorite delivers the classics with flair. Oysters arrive fresh daily, lobster rolls are rich and satisfying, and the catch of the day keeps things exciting. The space has a crisp coastal style that feels both polished and welcoming, making it just right for a relaxed seafood feast.
🍽️ What You’ll Love
A rotating raw bar with oysters from different regions.
Lobster rolls that bring a taste of the Northeast to the Gulf.
Fresh seafood dishes plus a few solid options for meat lovers.
A breezy, coastal-inspired setting perfect for seafood feasts.
6. Wisteria Tea Room & Café
Fine teas, tiered trays of delicacies, and Victorian-inspired décor.
Known for its afternoon tea, Wisteria Tea Room & Café pairs fine teas with tiered trays of sandwiches, scones, and pastries. The Victorian-inspired décor, complete with china and silverware, makes it feel special without being stuffy. It is a favorite for gatherings and a charming escape from the usual dining scene.
🍽️ What You’ll Love
Afternoon tea service with finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries.
Freshly made soups, salads, and sandwiches.
Victorian-style interior that’s cozy and elegant.
Fine china and silverware that elevate the experience.
Perfect spot for birthdays, showers, or just treating yourself.
7. Farmer’s Market Restaurant
Big plates of Southern comfort food.
Since 1952, Farmer’s Market Restaurant has been serving up big plates of Southern comfort food in Fort Myers. It’s not fancy, and that’s exactly the point; this is the place locals go when they want crispy fried chicken, country-fried steak, and veggie sides that taste like they came straight from grandma’s kitchen. With recipes that have barely changed in decades, the restaurant is all about consistency, flavor, and hearty portions that keep folks coming back.
🍽️ What You’ll Love
Classic Southern staples like fried chicken, country-fried steak, and plenty of sides.
Decades-old recipes that keep the flavors true to tradition.
Generous portions that make sure you leave full and happy.
Simple, no-frills atmosphere that puts the focus on food and comfort.
Affordable prices that make it easy to enjoy a homestyle meal any time.
Hidden Gems
8. The Latin Grill
Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominican flavors.
At Latin Grill, Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominican flavors come together on one menu. This family-owned spot is all about hearty portions, homestyle cooking, and recipes that taste like they’ve been passed down for generations. From savory mains to indulgent desserts, it’s the kind of place that makes you want to come back hungry.
🍽️ What You’ll Love
Cuban sandwiches pressed crisp and packed with roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard.
Arroz con pollo seasoned to perfection and slow-cooked until tender.
Mofongo and pernil, two Latin classics that locals swear by.
Homemade desserts like creamy flan and rich tres leches cake.
Warm vibes and friendly staff that make you feel instantly welcome.
9. PokeBowl Cafe
A fresh splash of Hawaii to Southwest Florida.
This lovely spot serves up island vibes in the heart of Southwest Florida. Build your own bowl with fresh fish, vibrant toppings, and sauces that pack a punch.
🍽️ What You’ll Love
Custom bowls: Start with rice or greens, then pick tuna, salmon, octopus, or tofu.
Endless toppings: Pile on edamame, seaweed salad, pickled veggies, crispy onions, and more.
Sauce magic: Spicy mayo and ponzu are the crowd favorites.
Generous portions: Big servings that don’t skimp on the good stuff.
Vibe: A cheerful space that feels perfect for a casual lunch or dinner.
10. Trattoria Mia
Intimate setting, seasonal menu, and focus on fresh local ingredients.
Trattoria Mia is a family-run Italian spot that feels like a hidden corner of Tuscany. The intimate setting, seasonal menu, and focus on fresh local ingredients make it a favorite for anyone craving authentic flavors. From handmade pasta to decadent desserts, every dish feels like it was made with love.
🍽️ What You’ll Love
Handmade pasta that changes with the seasons.
Pappardelle al ragù di cinghiale, rich with wild boar sauce.
Linguine alle vongole, packed with bright Mediterranean flavors.
Tiramisu made fresh daily, perfectly balanced and creamy.
A curated Italian wine list that pairs beautifully with the food.
11. Cape Cod Fish Co.
Seafood that tastes like it just came off the boat.
Cape Cod Fish Co. is about seafood that tastes like it just came off the boat. Everything is prepared simply, without overcomplicating things. The menu changes with the catch of the day, so each visit brings something new to look forward to.
🍽️ What You’ll Love
Lobster Rolls: Sweet, chunky lobster meat with just the right touch of dressing, tucked into a buttery toasted bun.
Fish & Chips: Flaky cod fried golden in beer batter—crispy on the outside, tender inside.
Raw Bar Treats: Oysters, clams, and peel-and-eat shrimp for a true seaside vibe.
Easy Coastal Atmosphere: Nautical touches and a cozy feel that make you think you’ve stumbled into a Cape Cod dockside shack.
12. Taqueria San Julian
Unfussy, counter-service taqueria serving up Mexican street food.
If you’re craving the real deal when it comes to Mexican street food, Taqueria San Julian is your spot. This unfussy, counter-service taqueria has built a reputation on fresh ingredients, traditional recipes, and tacos that locals swear by. It’s simple, flavorful, and exactly the kind of place that keeps you coming back.
🍽️ What You’ll Love
Tacos that hit the spot: al pastor, carne asada, pollo, or the rich and tender barbacoa.
Classic toppings: just cilantro and onions, the way it should be.
Street corn (elote): slathered with mayo, cotija cheese, chili powder, and a squeeze of lime.
Drinks with personality: ice-cold horchata or a bottle of Mexican Coca-Cola.
Quick and casual: easy to pop in, grab your tacos, and leave happy.
13. Saigon Sandwiches
Bold Vietnamese flavors.
Saigon Sandwiches may look modest from the outside, but inside, it delivers bold Vietnamese flavors. From its crunchy baguettes layered with savory fillings to steaming bowls of pho, it’s a stop that brings real comfort and a touch of adventure to your plate.
🍽️ What You’ll Love
The banh mi: A golden, crunchy baguette stuffed with your choice of grilled pork, lemongrass chicken, or tofu, plus pickled veggies, cilantro, and a swipe of pâté.
Pho & noodle bowls: Soul-warming beef noodle soup or vermicelli topped with smoky grilled pork.
Vietnamese iced coffee: Sweet, strong, and the perfect pick-me-up.
No frills, all flavor: The simple setting keeps the spotlight where it belongs, on the food.
Quick & satisfying: Perfect for a fast lunch that feels like a treat.
Wondering Where to Stay in Fort Myers Beach
To experience the highest quality in amenities, decor, and cleanliness, book your stay with Sun Palace Vacations. We guarantee you’ll have the most authentic, enjoyable, and relaxing time ever.