Vacation Guide to Southwest Florida

Top 19 Fort Myers Beach Restaurants

Every year, more than 1.8 million people visit Fort Myers Beach restaurants. Here, locals and tourists alike hang out at salty beach bars, wander the sandy shores, soak up the sun, collect seashells and so much more.

When you are out exploring this tropical playground though then you will inevitably want to find somewhere to refuel. Because Fort Myers Beach is such an incredibly popular vacation destination.

Then you will find that you have plenty of choices when it comes to restaurants on Fort Myers Beach.

At Southwest Florida Traveler, we know how overwhelming it can be to make an itinerary for your vacation. If you are planning out your Fort Myers Beach dining experiences in advance. Or you are standing on the beach desperately searching “food Fort Myers Beach” on your phone then we are here to help.

Below you can use our Fort Myers Beach Restaurant Map. To learn more information about each restaurant, simply click on the red pin.

19 Best Fort Myers Beach Restaurants

If you are looking for the best restaurants to dine on the Fort Myers beach. Then there are a great number of Fort Myers beach restaurants some top of them are following:

  1. Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille
  2. Matanzas on the Bay
  3. Smokin Oyster Brewery
  4. The Yucatan Beach Stand
  5. Sunset Beach Tropical Grill and The Playmore Tiki Bar
  6. The Salty Crab Bar and Grill
  7. The Doghouse
  8. The Whale
  9. Edelweiss Burger
  10. Little Palm
  11. Coste Island Cuisine
  12. Mom’s Restaurant
  13. Heidi’s Island Bistro
  14. Fresh Catch Bistro
  15. Bayfront Bistro
  16. South Beach Grille
  17. Charley’s Boat House Grill & Wine Bar
  18. Nervous Nellie’s
  19. Dixie Fish Company

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille

Beautiful look of Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille
Beautiful look of Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille

Doc Ford’s is one of the casual restaurants in Fort Myers with an excellent atmosphere. Located in a prime location right on the water underneath the bridge at Matanzas Pass, the menu of this one of the outstanding Fort Myers Beach restaurants definitely caters to seafood lovers. This spot is known for its friendly staff, generous portion sizes, and tasty tropical drinks.

This restaurant is so successful that there are four locations in total throughout Florida’s Gulf Coast.

If you are looking to try some of the classics here while gazing out over scenic Matanzas Harbor, you’ll want to consider the macadamia nut-crusted grouper or their signature Yucatan shrimp dish. A popular appetizer is the Caribbean jerk tostadas. As far as drinks go, the mojitos are definitely the most popular option on the menu.

For spicy food lovers, you won’t be disappointed by mild meals here. Doc Ford’s offers a whole collection of hot sauces that are made in-house to suit all of your spicy needs.

Matanzas on the Bay

It is one of the top restaurants in Fort Myers that is best for casual dining and is located at the Matanzas Bayside Inn. With a menu of pizza and seafood, a full bar, and a waterfront patio, this is a wonderful place to enjoy gorgeous views of Estero Bay.

This award winning eatery offers a menu with a wide array of delicious burgers, fresh seafood, steaks, chowder, salads, sandwiches and more. You will have the option to dine on the expansive deck or indoors.

You even have your choice of transportation when it comes to dining at Matanzas on the Bay. If you arrive by car or boat, parking and boat dockage are both free!

Smokin Oyster Brewery

Street view of Smokin Oyster Brewery
Street view of Smokin Oyster Brewery

At Smokin Oyster Brewery, you can enjoy cold drinks, amazing food, and live music seven days a week on the outside patio. The atmosphere is exactly the type of laidback Island vibe that drew you to Southwest Florida in the first place.

Some of the menu favorites include the Shrimp Po-Boy, the Combo Bucket, the Mesquite Grouper Sandwich, the SOB Peel & Eat Shrimp, and their homemade Island Bread.

A word of warning, however: Smokin Oyster Brewery isn’t a brewery in the way we now commonly understand the word. If you’re heading over for a pint of beer on tap, you’ll be disappointed to learn that all of the brews come in cans and bottles.

The Yucatan Beach Stand

This unique, open-air Ft. Myers Beach restaurant has an island vibe complete with bamboo walls and nautical décor. Every night you can enjoy live music and choose from a selection of seafood, burgers, and sandwich options plus more. With great cocktails, friendly servers, on-point bartenders and a laidback atmosphere, this place has all the ingredients for a great meal.

Sunset Beach Tropical Grill and The Playmore Tiki Bar

A group of friends enjoying their day at Sunset Beach Tropical Grill and The Playmore Tiki Bar
A group of friends enjoying their day at Sunset Beach Tropical Grill and The Playmore Tiki Bar

The setting of the Sunset Beach Tropical Grill is just about as perfect as it can get. Located right on the beautiful white sand, Gulf shore beach, this open-air restaurant is only yards away from the beach pier.

If you come here for dinner, be prepared to witness an incredible sunset over the water. You can also enjoy live music from local talent. You can hear everything from rock n’ roll to country music here all while enjoying awesome food and delicious drinks.

The Salty Crab Bar and Grill

This Place offers burgers, seafood and steaks in a casual setting. With frequent live music and seats available right on the sand, this is a Fort Myers restaurant on the beach.

If you’re feeling adventurous, consider trying their bucket of rum drink. If you’re enjoying brunch on Fort Myers Beach, be sure to try one of their Salty Crab Bloody Marys. Favorites from the food menu include the Mahi tacos and the bairdi crab.

The Doghouse

If you are looking for a no-frills dining option where you can get classic eats like hot dogs, burgers, Cubanos and cheesesteaks, The Doghouse is your place.

This humble food shack is the perfect place to grab something to eat during a day on the beach. Whether you try the highly recommended Cuban sandwich, the po boy, the breakfast sandwich or one of their Chicago dogs, you are not going to be disappointed.

The Whale

People enjoying their meal at The Whale
People enjoying their meal at The Whale

Known for its awesome service and delicious food, The Whale is a great place to grab some dinner and drinks after a day on the beach. You can choose to dine indoors or out on the patio and you might want to try and stop by for their happy hour specials between 2 and 5.

This place is famous for its grouper sandwich, fish tacos, and BBQ. It provide delicious BBQ in Fort Myers that is very yummy. With upper deck views, TVs, and a cool vibe, this might become your new favorite restaurant on Fort Myers Beach.

Edelweiss Burger

Edelweiss Burger is a vibrant family owned restaurant where you can build your own gourmet burgers and enjoy homemade chips. Right across the street from the beach, this is a great eatery that serves beer and wine.

Little Palm

Dining area of Little Palm
Dining area of Little Palm

If you’re a vegan on vacation on Florida’s Gulf Coast, or simply looking to eat a bit lighter, it can be a struggle when faced with so many seafood restaurants. Here to save the day is Little Palm, a healthy, vegan Fort Myers Beach restaurant.

Some favorite menu items here include the acai bowl, the waffles, the BLT, and the avocado toast.

Coste Island Cuisine

Probably the most common theme for restaurants in Fort Myers Beach is a laidback, island atmosphere. For a change of vibe, head to Coste Island Cuisine with its contemporary decor and sleek design. While you dine here, you can sit at one of their marbled white tables and stare out at the incredible gulf views through windows that stretch from the floor to the ceiling.

While the ambiance of this restaurant is worth checking out in its own right, you’ll also love the creative cocktails and seafood-focused offerings here. The dishes are plated meticulously, and some of the crowd favorites include the short rib sliders, the lobster carbonara, and the pork belly poutine.

As far as cocktails go, consider trying the sunkin’ treasure, the key lime pie martini, the green tea cooler, or the Coste-a-rita.

Mom’s Restaurant

Sitting area of Mom's restaurant
Sitting area of Mom’s restaurant

Mom’s is an aptly named eatery that feels like going home again. Here you can find hearty breakfast fare and fresh baked goods in a no-frills environment.

Probably the most popular item on Mom’s menu is the cinnamon roll. However, there are plenty of other pastries and goodies for sale if you’re not quite in the mood for so much soft, cinnamony goodness. You also might consider trying the meatloaf sandwich, the classic BLT, or the homemade buttermilk biscuit breakfast sandwich.

To pair with your meal, you can get one of Mom’s fruit juice blends that are made to order. Whether you get the pineapple pleasure, the mango tango, or the island delight, these juices will be the perfect thing to start the day off right.

Heidi’s Island Bistro

Heidi’s Island Bistro is a departure from the same-old-song nature of most Fort Myers Beach restaurants. While a good chunk of the restaurants here are seafood-focused, Heidi’s offers a more authentically European menu in the form of German-influenced dishes.

This casual restaurant with a bakery attached serves both German and American food. If you’ve been feeling nostalgic for your European vacation from a few years ago or you’re interested in trying some weiner schnitzel or apple strudel, this is your spot.

Even though the food served here is traditionally German, the food here isn’t too heavy. Somehow both light and hearty, this is a delightful spot to check out if you’re ready to try something different on Fort Myers Beach.

Fresh Catch Bistro

Beautiful dining room of best Fort Myers Beach Restaurants that is Fresh catch Bistro interior
Beautiful dining room of Fresh catch Bistro interior

This restaurant in Fort Myers Beach is the definition of coastal elegance. With aesthetically plated dishes, stunning gulf views, and pressed white tablecloths, dining at the Fresh Catch Bistro takes you on a luxury culinary tour of the world.

Whether you want to sample the flavors of France, Japan, or the Bayou, you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for here.

Also offering Southwest Florida favorites like key lime pie, this is a truly interesting and inventive spot to dine. Here you can enjoy local seafood in a variety of styles with a cocktail from the swanky bar with views overlooking the incredible Gulf. What more could you ask for?

Bayfront Bistro

If you are looking for dining in Fort Myers Beach restaurants that is a bit more upscale, consider Bayfront Bistro. Diners come here for the delicious and wide-ranging menu as well as the incredible views of Estero Bay.

Recently remodeled, the upstairs dining room is decked out with shades of blue, touches of modern art, and sleek details. The Cabana Bar downstairs has also been expanded, and the outdoor space has grown rapidly in popularity since the pandemic.

The menu of the Bayfront Bistro is typically more continental and classical. However, the Cabana Bar downstairs offers more laidback fare including popcorn shrimp, jumbo onion rings, grouper sandwiches, burgers and more. You can even get the full bistro menu when you’re sitting at the bar downstairs, letting you sample the best of both worlds.

You’ll want to consider starting your meal with Chef Garcia’s Asian calamari. In this beautifully plated appetizer, squid is tossed with sweet chili sauce, spicy sriracha and stir-fried vegetables and served in a tasty wonton bowl.

When it comes to main dishes, some popular choices include twin-tail lobster stuffed with mushrooms and spinach and Chilean sea bass. Another favorite is the stuffed grouper.

If you manage to save room for dessert, you won’t want to pass up the chocolate-bourbon bread pudding. This is the signature dish here and it serves as the perfect ending to what will most likely be one of your favorite meals on Fort Myers Beach.

South Beach Grille

Amazing dining area of one of then famous Fort Myers beach restaurants that is South Beach Grille
Amazing dining area of South Beach Grille

When you dine at the South Beach Grille, you have the opportunity to enjoy the warm Art Deco décor, select a drink from the fully stocked bar and extensive wine list and enjoy fresh chef-prepared entrees. With attentive servers and exceptional food, you’ll find that this place never disappoints.

All night long at the bar, you can enjoy happy hour specials as well as reduced price appetizers. 

Charley’s Boat House Grill & Wine Bar

Located in a converted boathouse, this restaurant near the southern end of Estero Island is open for both lunch in Fort Myers Beach and dinner. The atmosphere here is quite comfortable, and they even have a cozy waiting area and a nice bar for when you have to wait a while for a table.

One of the best things about this restaurant is the all-you-can-eat salad bar. The salad bar here is fresh and fully stocked with fifty-five items, and one favorite dish on the menu is the Blackened Shrimp.

A fairly traditional steak and seafood restaurant, there are two dining rooms here and a full bar. While the menu here might not be particularly adventurous, it offers standard classics that won’t disappoint.

Nervous Nellie’s

A couple eating their meal while enjoying beautiful view of Nervous Nellie’s
A couple eating their meal while enjoying beautiful view of Nervous Nellie’s

Nervous Nellie’s is always filled with happy diners no matter when you stop by. A favorite hangout of both locals and out-of-towners, this is a casual and family-friendly restaurant.

You will notice that the bright Key West-inspired color palette is anything but “nervous” as soon as you approach the location.

When you’re here, you can enjoy generous portions of delicious foods made with the freshest seafood, home-baked artisan bread, and quality cut meats.

The menu here is sizable, so you won’t have to worry about some members of your party not finding something that suits them.

You can find everything from Florida gator bites to Mexican specialties on the menu, plus a well-priced kid’s menu. If you are looking for the Mexican restaurant in Fort Myers then it is the best option for you.

Nervous Nellie’s is always hopping, so this spot doesn’t take reservations. However, they do have a call head priority seating system so you won’t have to spend too long waiting around for a table.

Ugly’s Waterside Bar is located right upstairs, where you can enjoy an incredible setting and delicious tropical drinks.

Dixie Fish Company

If you’re looking to go to one of the best Fort Myers Beach restaurants. Then you will want to stop by Dixie Fish Co. This Place began as a thriving fish market back in 1937 and is now one of the best places to enjoy fresh seafood on Fort Myers Beach.

Dixie Fish Co. is casual and open air, lending to the restaurant’s lovely atmosphere. Just like Doc Ford’s next door, this restaurant overlooks Matanzas Harbor so you can gaze out at stunning views of the water while you eat.

At the same time, you can listen to live music and maybe even catch one of Southwest Florida’s famous sunsets.

There are tons of tasty seafood dishes on the menu at Dixie Fish Company. If you choose the crab sliders, the whole fried fish or the grouper sandwich, you won’t be disappointed.

To make your meal complete then you will want to try one of the local craft beers on tap.

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