South Coast: Estero, Bonita Springs, Naples, Marco Island
Naples is referred to as the Palm Beach of the Gulf Coast for its elegant shopping, mansions set on manicured lawns, and its uninterrupted vistas of turquoise water lapping onto white sand beaches. In other words, a rich town. As you might guess restaurants are of a class above, both in price and in offerings, as are the shops along 5th Ave S, and another tony bunch on Gulfshore near Central and 8th Ave. It’s pretty ritzy stuff.
There’s a 52 acre botanical garden here called Caribbean, but monkeys and apes live like they might in Africa, only on an island of their own. Revenues are for the protection of all wildlife. Beaches are less crowded here, a nice change of pace, and Naples provides for lots of access. The Naples pier is much loved and used here. Take a stroll, grab a snack, and see who is catching what off its sides. A few miles to the north is Lowdermilk Park, a municipal beach equipped with picnic tables, volleyball courts, and concessions. There’s no condo clog along these beaches as Naples didn’t allow construction at the water’s edge, what a concept. That way we can all see the beach!
Marco Island is home to several swanky resorts and beach access is an issue, though the Tigertail Beach Park on Hernando Drive is our pick. The indigenous tribe, the Calusa, were enjoying the beach for hundreds of years, and perhaps one of its artists carved the Marco Cat, a wooden panther figure found by an archeologist in 1896. They’re hoping that the Smithsonian will give it back since a new museum is being built, by the library.
Fort Myers Beach offers the choice of ice cream shops, swimwear shops, and everything else, then you’ll want to head for Estero Island’s south end where you’ll have a choice of over 30 beach accesses. If that doesn’t suit you, you may pass over to Lovers Key State Park, famed for its quiet shelling, canoeing and kayaking in beautiful waters.
You won’t see a big bunch of fast food restaurants here, and we have found a few that won’t wreck the travel budget, even here. Check it out.
Marco Island:
NeNe’s Kitchen: Great locals breakfast spot that you can actually afford! What’s not to like?
297 N. Collier Boulevard, (239) 394-3854
Breakfast Plus Restaurant: No credit cards, but the blueberry pancakes are worth it.
1035 N Collier Blvd, (239) 642-6900
Almost Famous Mel’s: Yup, there’s a good barbecue joint on the island, and we’re glad of it.
657 S Collier Blvd, (239) 394-7111
Arturo’s Ristorante Italiano: Great Italian specialties in a very comforting setting.
844 Bald Eagle Dr, (239) 642-0550
Da Vinci Ristorante Italiano: Nice Italian with an outside patio.
599 S Collier Blvd, (239) 389-1888
Joey’s Pizza & Pasta House: Joey and his goofball pizza clowns have this part of the coast covered for good pizza.
257 N Collier Blvd, (239) 389-2433
Bonita Springs:
Skillets: Good breakfasts in a small locals place.
9174 Bonita Beach Road, (239) 992-9333
First Watch: Reliable breakfasts from a south gulf coast standard.
26381 S Tamiami Trail, Apt. S, (239) 390-0554
A Table Apart: Real good seafood and steaks with a nice bar in the back.
4295 Bonita Beach Rd, (239) 221-8540
Johnny’s Italian Cuisine: Very good Italian with seafood specialties.
24850 Old 41 Rd, (239) 949-8470
Doc’s Beach House Restaurant: Follow Doc’s lead and don’t get fancy here. It’s on the beach and that’s plenty good enough. Have a burger, kick back, and plot what you’d do with the place while you dig your toes in the sand.
27908 Hickory Blvd, (239) 992-6444
Estero:
Bad Ass Coffee: Friends don’t let friends drink Starbucks. This coffee is better and more fun.
10011 Estero Town Commons Pl, Ste 107A, (239) 495-5700
Blue Water Bistro: Good special event seafood and steak dining
23151 Village Shops Way, Suite 109, (239) 949-2583
Za Za: Good little Italian place with a nice homey feel to it, good entrees, and good pizza.
22088 S Tamiami Trl, (239) 495-9400
Tony Sacco’s Coal Oven Pizza: You’re lucky to run into a coal oven pizza place anywhere, much less little old Estero. Coal ovens are the hottest and make the most amazing crust. Lucky you.
8001 Plaza Del Lago Dr, (239) 948-6697
Naples:
Breakfast/brunch:
Sunrise Cafe: Good, solid breakfast joint.
5461 Airport Pulling Rd N, (239) 566-1999
Jane’s Cafe: Good breakfast and brunch with great fresh fruit and nice outside seating.
1209 3rd St S, Ste 9, (239) 261-2253
Clock Restaurant: Good basic Tom Waits type diner open 24 hours. Enough said.
670 Tamiami Trail N, (239) 261-6724
Lunch/dinner:
IM Tapas: $$ “The best ingredients, cooked simply, are just what I’m about”. Huge seafood paellas and great Spanish tapas.
965 4th Ave N, (239) 403-8272
Roy’s Restaurant: $$$ Deeelicious Hawaiian fare in a beautiful setting. Mango Mojitos! Steaks to seafood and wild desserts, you’ll have a meal to remember.
475 Bayfront Place, (239) 261-1416
Preston’s Steak House: $$$ Real good steakhouse worth a visit by any beef hound.
109 9th St S, (239) 435-1986
Chops City Grill: $$$ Lots of locals love Chops for good reason. It’s a nice casual place with bar, dining, and sidewalk seating and a wonderful assortment of good food. Nice steaks!
837 5th Ave S, (239) 262-4677
Seafood:
Randy’s Fish Market Restaurant: $$ Gator tails to lobster dip and everything in between. Great seafood meals and it’s a market too.
10395 Tamiami Trail N, (239) 593-5555
Gulf Coast Grouper & Chips: $$ Long time family worked classic for fabulous fried grouper to the best key lime pie going.
338 Tamiami Trail, (239) 643-4577
Swan River Seafoods: $$ A good old northeast type seafood joint with a boat shaped raw bar in the middle. Little necks on the half shell. Steamers with broth. Wahhhh! I hate writing this stuff. I want to dip some bread in that broth right now!
3741 Tamiami Trl N, (239) 403-7000
Riverwalk At Tin City: $$ Fish and chips and fried oyster baskets to grilled mahi with pineapple salsa right at the docks.
1200 5th Ave S, (239) 263-2734
Turtle Club Restaurant: Lobster tails and martinis right on the beach! Duh? Go now! I’ll meet you there.
9225 Gulf Shore Dr, (239) 592-6557
USS Nemo: $$$ Get past the neon lights for some good upscale seafood.
3745 N Tamiami Trl, (239) 261-6366
Italian:
Cafe Luna: $$ Real good Italian lunch and dinner and great people watching along 5th Ave.
467 5th Ave S, (239) 213-2212
Amalfi Italian Ices: Absolutely, no doubt about it, just like the good old days of those creamy italian ices. Thanks Amalfi! Yack with Lenny through one and order another to go.
51 9th St S, (239) 659-5600
PIzza:
Napoli On the Bay Pizza & Italian Deli: Real good affordable pizza, subs, etc
820 12th Ave S, (239) 649-7337
Caribbean:
Sweet Mama’s Island Cuisine: $ If you know how those island women can cook the most incredible fall off the bone dishes, just go now. Grab a load of jerk chicken for the beach.
336 9th St N, (239) 331-8509
Bars/Pubs:
Under the Shady Palm Pub: Good mussels marinara and gourmet pub and your dog gets free ice cream.
210 9th St North, (239) 434-9600
The Island Pub: $1 margaritas on Fridays and good food. I’m there!
600 Neopolitan Way, (239) 262-2500
Pelican Larry’s: Hard core raw bar beer joint with great oysters.
2700 Immokalee Rd, (239) 597-5013
Watercolor by Peter Bailey