9 Sanibel Restaurants for Tropical Island Dining at Its Best

Heading to beautiful Sanibel Island soon and looking for the best Sanibel restaurants to fill your dining card? These are our Top 9!

With sunny skies, calm warm waters, and beautiful shell-laden beaches, Sanibel and Captiva Islands is a hugely popular vacation destinations in Southwest Florida for travelers looking for a laid-back island vibe.

If all that isn’t enough, a thriving culinary scene means you’ll have a great selection of restaurants on Sanibel and Captiva Islands to make your evenings special as well.

With a variety of cuisines to choose from, there are quite a few noteworthy restaurants on the small islands, therefore we’ll cover the best restaurants on Sanibel Island in this article and Captiva restaurants separately.

Here are the best restaurants on Sanibel Island for your dining pleasure.

Looking to dine on Captiva? Check out the 6 best Captiva Island restaurants!

Dining on Sanibel Island

If this is your first trip to Sanibel and Captiva islands, you may be surprised at the island vibe that’s completely unique to Sanibel and Captiva.

If you’ve been here before, you know the kind of island feel I’m referring to.

You can feel it start to grab you the moment you cross over the Sanibel causeway.

Sanibel and Captiva are indeed Florida gems and there are countless reasons to visit these laid-back islands on southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast just off the coast of Ft. Myers.

There are lots of things to do and many good restaurants on Sanibel, so choosing from over 50 during a short stay on the island can be a daunting task - but we’re here to help!.

You’ll find casual laid-back eateries and upscale elegant restaurants, waterfront restaurants with killer views and fun tropical bars with relaxed live music.

And ice cream shops. Everyone seems to love going to ice cream shops on Sanibel — maybe it’s the salt air!

Whether you’re on a family vacay or romantic getaway may influence your choice of where to dine out, but you’ll enjoy them all at one point during your stay.

Wherever you go, if you’re a seafood lover, be sure to enjoy the fresh local seafood available here, much of it from local waters.

Fresh fish like snapper, grouper, and shrimp fresh from the Gulf are usually available.

If you’re visiting during stone crab season (mid October to the beginning of May) you’re in for a real treat.

Not a fan of seafood? No problem.

You’ll have a nice selection of steaks, chops, and tempting veggie options at many of these restaurants.

So enjoy your day on Sanibel or Captiva, search for incredible shells, sun the day away on its beautiful beaches, and head to the Sanibel Lighthouse or Blind Pass to watch the fiery sunset.

Then head to one of these excellent restaurants to end the day.

About These Sanibel Restaurants

Wondering about the dress code at these Sanibel restaurants and around the island?

The restaurants listed here have become our favorite places to eat over the many years we’ve been coming to Sanibel.

We make frequent day trips up from Naples for the beaches and a nice dinner experience, and although we might be a bit salty and wind-blown after a day at the beach or trudging around the island, we’ve never once felt underdressed or out of place at the finest of these.

Sanibel is a lot of things, but pretentious is not one of them.

Recommended dress code is “nice island casual” which includes nice shorts, slacks, and sundresses.

Maybe leave the beach flip flops behind if you’re going to Cielo, The Mad Hatter, or Sweet Melissa’s.

Rest assured knowing that you’ll feel comfortable dining at any of these amazing places, whether you’re in the mood for a casual local joint or fine dining restaurant.

Best Restaurants on Sanibel Island

The Mad Hatter

6467 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel

The Matter Hatter sits on the northernmost tip of Sanibel Island, just steps away from the bridge over to Captiva Island, so it’s super easy to get to regardless of which of the two islands you’re staying on.

With its extraordinary views and excellent food, the Mad Hatter is undoubtedly one of the best Sanibel Island restaurants on the beach.

Besides the food and impeccable service, the highlight of The Mad Hatter is its amazing views.

This Sanibel Island restaurant is located right on the sandy shores of Blind Pass Beach so you don’t have to choose from watching the glowing sunset or enjoying a fabulous dinner — both are picture-perfect and delicious at your table.

While the atmosphere that nature provides is utterly amazing, the interior of The Mad Hatter is unique as well.

Named after the Mad Hatter from Alice and Wonderland, the interior here is fun with bold paint color choices, creative wall art, and fanciful stained glass.

Last but certainly not least, there’s the food.

Start with the goat cheese pillows, then maybe the pan-seared black grouper, and finish off with a yummy espresso crème brulee.

While it’s not known as one of the seafood restaurants in Sanibel Island, we’ve found their fresh fish dishes to be among our perennial favorites.

Sweet Melissa’s Cafe

1625 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

Most of the best restaurants on Sanibel Island are situated on Periwinkle Way.

In fact, it’s inevitable that you’ll end up dining on Periwinkle Way at some point during your stay on Sanibel and Captiva. First up, there’s Sweet Melissa’s Café.

Sweet Melissa’s Café is one of the best restaurants on Sanibel Island and Captiva Island if you’re looking for an elegant setting.

With quiet lighting, artfully plated dishes, and pressed tablecloths, it’s one of the loveliest restaurants in town.

The menu at Sweet Melissa’s is on par with the refined atmosphere.

Among the mouthwatering dishes are the fish stew with tomato saffron broth, the boudin stuffed quail with peach brown sugar glaze, and the seared scallops with bourbon braised pork belly.

And you certainly won’t regret ordering one of the fabulous desserts. Enjoy the Key lime white chocolate bread pudding, the goat cheese cheesecake, or the banana pecan strudel.

There are even a few fun dessert cocktails if you feel like a little something after dinner.

Cielo

1244 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

Cielo is definitely one of the best restaurants on Sanibel Island and Captiva Island, thanks to its locally sourced ingredients, classy atmosphere, and Mediterranean-inspired menu.

You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu at Cielo.

Opt for the cioppino (an Italian-American seafood stew), the Maryland blue crab ravioli, the maple leaf farms duck breast, or the chicken Provencal.

Regardless of what you order, you’ll be planning your next visit to Cielo before you even finish your entrée.

Since you’re splurging on a visit to Cielo anyway, don’t pass-up one of their scrumptious desserts?

Decide between the chocolate salted caramel mousse cake, the tiramisu, the key lime tart, and John’s sundae.

Truly one of the best restaurants in Sanibel.

The Island Cow

2163 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

When is the last time you went to a cow-themed restaurant?

Somehow the fun and quirky Island Cow is perfectly at home on Sanibel, and lucky for us all they’re open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

This casual eatery features a casual menu with burgers, sandwiches, baskets, and a raw bar too, but we like it as a perfect late afternoon cocktail place as well.

Start the day with a hearty Sanibel breakfast choice from the Cowa Bunga early day menu.

Try a house breakfast specialty, the Loaded Seafood Omelet, or dive into some yummy pancakes.

The lunch and dinner menu has something for everyone with apps that include conch fritters and Mooo-zzarella Triangles along with freshly shucked shellfish from the raw bar.

Fish, steaks, and pasta dishes make for great dinner selections, and there’s an extensive kid’s menu.

There’s indoor/outdoor seating, fun games for the kids, live music, and “udderly delicious food” (their words not ours) which make The Island Cow a great choice anytime of day — certainly one of the most fun restaurants on Sanibel Island.

Bleu Rendezvous French Bistro

2430 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island

Try something different and have an elegant dinner in the comfortable warm ambience at Bleu Rendezvous French Bistro.

Serving classic French cuisine favorites like boeuf bourguignon, escargot, veal sweet breads, and duck breast a l’orange, the Bleu Rendezvous is a favorite with those seeking a change from standard seafood offerings and steak house style menus.

Their food feels elegant but service and atmosphere are nicely casual and relaxing.

There’s an extensive wine list, and a killer dessert menu too. The creme brulee is the best we’ve had in a long time.

The Blue Rendezvous is a perennially high-rated, and we’d say it’s well worth the rating.

Plan a night out here and you won’t be disappointed.

Gramma Dot’s Saloon

634 N. Yachtsman Drive Sanibel

If you’re staying near the southern tip of Sanibel Island, you have to eat at Gramma Dot’s.

The restaurant is a true local gem!

Gramma Dot’s is located right on the water in the Sanibel Marina near the lighthouse, and is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

There is indoor and outdoors seating, but no matter where you’re seated the service is always excellent and friendly, and the food delicious.

The lunch menu offers fresh local seafood sandwiches, salads, awesome French fries, and Gramma Dot’s Famous Homemade New England Clam Chowder which you can also have with dinner.

Dinner is amazing with Grouper, Mahi Mahi, and Shrimp dinners.

There is a very nice selection of seafood entrees, but if you want something from the land you can choose between steak, filet mignon, or chicken entrees.

For dessert we especially like the smooth and creamy Captain’s Key Lime Pie.

There’s also a good menu for kids 12 and under.

Thistle Lodge Beachfront Restaurant

Casa Ybel Beach Resort, 2255 W Gulf Dr, Sanibel

If you’re looking for waterfront restaurants on Sanibel Island, the Thistle Lodge Beachfront Restaurant is a great choice.

Located in one of the prettiest resorts on the island, Casa Ybel Resort, the restaurant is also one of the only places to eat in Sanibel Island and Captiva Island open for all three meals.

Technically, the Thistle Lodge Beachfront Restaurant is open for Sunday brunch, not breakfast, but that just means it's a special weekend treat!

The avocado toast, Belgian waffles with a fresh berry compote, eggs benedict, and scallops and risotto are just the start of this extensive spread.

Unlike brunch, lunch is served every day of the week at the Thistle Lodge Beachfront Restaurant.

Order the creamy lobster bisque, the spinach and roasted beets salad, the angus burger, or the tuna taco.

And at lunch, you can pair your meal with a tasty drink! Try the fruity casa paloma, the caffeinated frozen mudslide, or the tropical pineapple-coconut margarita.

But most diners will agree that the best meal at the Thistle Lodge Beachfront Restaurant is dinner. Choose from the Basque chicken, the pistachio crusted salmon, the sea bass a la Toscana, or the espresso crusted lamb rack.

Regardless of which meal you choose to enjoy at the Thistle Lodge Beachfront Restaurant, you’ll be able to enjoy the lovely ambience.

Situated in a large, charming house, this Sanibel Island restaurant boasts a cozy atmosphere and stunning gulf views.

What more could you ask for from this fabulous Sanibel Island restaurant?

The Sandbar

2761 W Gulf Dr, Sanibel Island

When you’re craving fresh seafood, The Sandbar Steak & Seafood is the place to go.

Serving fresh local seafood in a comfortable islandy atmosphere, The Sandbar has consistently been rated as one of the best restaurants on Sanibel, especially for seafood.

This isn’t your average “surf and turf'“ restaurant but if someone in your party isn’t in the mood for fish, there are choice cuts of meat on the menu.

With a great full service bar, a very nice wine list, and exceptional service, The Sandbar is a very popular dinner spot with visitors.

Choose from some very nice seafood appetizers and soups to entrees which include fresh cuts of mahi mahi and grouper, the Seafood Trio, a guest favorite, or delicious Shrimp Scampi.

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille

2500 Island Inn Rd, Sanibel

South Seas Island Resort, 5400 South Seas Plantation Road, Captiva

There are actually two locations of Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille in the area, one on Sanibel Island and one on Captiva Island.

And since both of them have the same menu, you can simply choose the location that’s best for you.

The seafood-focused menu at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille offers so many mouthwatering options.

Enjoy the Yucatan shrimp tacos, the Captiva crab cakes, or the macadamia nut crusted grouper.

And if you want to add a little spice to your life, there’s a collection of house-made hot sauces that will perk up any dish.

Before your trip to Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grill comes to an end, you have to try one of their rum-based drinks.

After all, this sugarcane-based liquor is in the restaurant’s name! Choose between the island mojito, the mule mojito, and the tropical mojito.

They’re all good.

Whether you’re looking for an elegant dinner, a great casual restaurant, or just a simple scoop of ice cream, these Sanibel restaurants are the best we’ve found on the Island.

---