White Sands #13

Provided by:
White Sands #13
2311 West Gulf Drive,
Sanibel Island, Florida

* Sanibel and Captiva Islands Restaurant Guide *

This Sanibel restaurant guide is based on our experiences with restaurants we've tried while vacationing at our beachfront condo in the White Sands building on Sanibel Island, Florida, near Ft. Myers. Our condo is available for rent by the week, so please click here to get to that page for more information.

Though there are many tempting dining options on Sanibel and Captiva, what is most unique is an almost a total lack of chain restaurants. The only two you'll find on the Island are a Dairy Queen and a Subway. So have fun picking out your dining experiences without going to the same old chain restaurants you go to back home!

Some general notes about this guide:
- Please recognize that the comments are based on the dining experiences of my family, and often times based on only one visit.
- Mileage given is from the White Sands condo to the restaurant. White Sands is in the middle of the island, very close to Tarpon Bay Road, 4.25 miles down the beach to the west of the lighthouse.

Some general notes about Restaurants on Sanibel and Captiva:
- Casual clothes are the rule for most of the Island's restaurants. Shorts, tee shirts and sandals are fine. Only a couple require more than that, and are noted as such.
- Being a Gulf Coast Island, most restaurants offer a reasonable seafood menu even if they're not truly a seafood restauarant.
- Most of the restaurants that specialize in seafood offer a reasonable menu for the landlubbers.
- Most restaurants offer an "Early Bird" special, which is usually a menu of smaller lower priced meals that are offered only for diners seated by 6pm.
- Please check with a restaurant before going there to make sure they are open. Some close on a particular day of the week, or in their off season, or just simply have gone out of business.
- Florida law prohibits smoking in restaurants. Some of the following establishments may be considered bars though and fall outside that regulation.

Restaurants On Sanibel Island

  • Matzaluna - This is a nice contemporary Italian restaurant with a wood fired pizza oven. Good for kids. We've been there a number of times, and generally enjoyed it, though sometimes the service has been below par.
    1200 Periwinkle Way. (239) 472-1998

  • Gramma Dots - This is one of the unique places you don't want to miss. This very casual restaurant is located in the middle of the docks at the Sanibel Marina. The sides of the restaurant are open, leaving just the screened walls between you and the boats. Known for excellent seafood. Has water views of the marina harbor and outdoor dining is available outside the screens. It's a little tricky to find because from Periwinkle you turn down a residential sidestreet, so check a map before you go.
    634 North Yachtsman Drive at the Sanibel Marina (239) 472-8138

  • Doc Ford's - Atmosphere is based on the Doc Ford books by Randy Wayne White. He shows up occasionally for book signings. Food is very good, casual atmosphere and moderate prices. We've been there a number of times and always enjoyed it.
    975 Rabbit Road, at Sanibel-Captiva Road. (239) 472-8311

  • Il Tesoro - Good authentic mediteranian style italian food in a casually elegant Tuscan atmosphere. Medium prices. Dining room is rather small, so make a reservation. At the opposite end of Tarpon Bay Road from the condo. (239) 395-4022

  • The Timbers - Casual nautical atmosphere. Very good food and service with moderate prices. They're known for both fresh fish and steaks, and they have a large fresh catch menu each day. The Timbers has been an island staple since 1978. They are owned by the same people that own Matzaluna's as well as a few other Florida restaurants. There is covered parking under the restaurant.
    703 Tarpon Bay Rd., just past Periwinkle when driving from the condo (239) 472-3128

  • The Sanibel Grill - Located on the backside of the Timber's restaurant and sharing the kitchen, this sports bar is great way for casual meals.
    703 Tarpon Bay Road (239) 472-4453

  • McT's Shrimp House & Tavern - Wide menu, with emphasis on shellfish. Had sampler platter and appetizer to try four types of shrimp, and all were excellent. Casual atmosphere, and restaurant is much bigger than it looks from the road.
    1523 Periwinkle Way (239) 472-3161

  • The Blue Giraffe - Casual tropical bistro specializing in fresh, lite fare. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring award-winning tropical cuisine, including fresh local seafood, famous chowders, sensational salads, fresh baked breads and pastries.  The tables are really special, each one hand painted in an island theme by a local artist. The kids enjoyed it.
    2075 Periwinkle Way. (239) 472-2525.

  • The Island Cow - Eclectically decorated in a cow theme with bright colors, this is a very casual and fun restaurant. The food was very good, with a very large menu including many sandwiches, salads, seafood, BBQ as well as a menuboard listing about a dozen types of fish available today, which you can have prepared a handful of different ways. The dining room is casual and colorful, but if the weather is good the better option is to enjoy their outdoor dining under the trees around the restaurant. Most sandwiches are under $10 and entrees are a bit more. The kids enjoyed it.
    2163 Periwinkle Way. (239) 472-0606.

  • The Jacaranda - Haven't eaten here yet, just gone in later evening for live music. Dining area is very nice, and part of it is a screened building filled with plants.
    1223 Periwinkle Way (239) 472-1771

  • Traders Store & Cafe - We enjoyed eating here. It is an unusaul combination of a restaurant and a store where you’ll find home furnishings, accessories and gift items from the far reaches of the world. Nestled among the “marketplace” is Traders Cafe serving a rotating, eclectic menu of fabulous New American cuisine featuring fresh seafood and nightly specials.
    1551 Periwinkle Way (239) 472-7242

  • Great White Grill - Casual atmosphere. Pizza and sandwiches, and a good option for carryout. Good food and service with moderate prices.
    2440 Palm Ridge Rd., just off Periwinkle just past and across from Bailey's plaza (239) 472-0212

  • Jerry's Foods - Casual. This is one you wouldn't expect - dining in a grocery store! Good for light casual meals, and you can fit it in with your grocery shopping. Don't miss the tropical birds in the cages in the couryard infront of the store. There is covered parking under the grocery store/restaurant.
    Out of the condo turn right, and West Gulf Dr. turns into Casa Ybel Rd. Follow Casa Ybel Rd. until it dead ends at Perwinkle, and Jerry's is directly across Periwinkle. (239) 472-9300

  • Hungry Heron - Huge menu. Popular casual family style restaurant with tropical decor.
    2330 Palm Ridge Road, Sanibel (239) 395-2300

  • Island Pizza & Pasta - Good pizza, not much atmosphere, great option for carryout back to the condo.
    1619 Periwinkle Way. (239) 472-1581

  • Johnny's Pizza - They claim to have been voted "best pizza" 14 years in a row. Pizza, salads, subs, ribs & wings. Free delivery. Located across from Bailey's plaza.
    2496 Palm Ridge Road (239) 472-3010 or 472-1023

  • Sweet Melissa's Cafe - Head chef Melissa has recieved excellent reviews in the local papers. They moved into the former LaVigna location in January 2009, which allowed for an expanded menu. Their menu is based on small plates, multiple courses and is very creative. Reservations accepted.
    Periwinkle between Casa Ybel and Dixie Beach Blvd. 239-472-1956

  • Thistle Lodge - The closest restaurant to our condo, located at the Casa Ybel Resort. A more upscale restaurant, dinners are in the $20-$32 range, and they have beach views. Reservations accepted.
    2255 West Gulf Drive 239-472-9200

  • Greenhouse Grill - Italian inspired menu with dinners in the low $20's. Casual elegant atmosphere. Visited in November 2009, but weren't impressed.
    2407 Periwinkle Way (239)472-6882

  • Biddles Bucket - The food was good, but the atmosphere was really tacky and the two times we've been there it has either smelled bad or had air conditioning problems. We won't go back. They have video games in the back room.
    At the intersection of Tarpon Bay Rd. and Periwinkle, infront of Bailey's General Store.

  • Subway - Chain sandwich shop at the center of the island.
    At the intersection of Tarpon Bay Rd. and Palm Ridge Rd. (239) 472-1155

  • Dairy Queen - This is the only fast food restaurant on the island, and it has been here since 1971.
    1046 Periwinkle Way. (239) 472-1170

  • La Vigna - Closed 2008
  • Gasparilla's Grill - Closed 2008


Restaurants On Captiva Island

(it's about 7 miles from White Sands Condominium to the bridge leading onto Captiva, and then another couple miles to most of the restaurants)
  • The Green Flash - Excellent food and great views of the bay from most seats in this elevated restaurant. The food was great, and most entrees are just under $20. It's just a bit dressier than most restaurants, so a nice shirt and shorts would be appropriate.
    1/2 mile south of Andy Rosse Lane. (239) 472-3337.

  • The Mucky Duck - Opened in 1976, it is one of the oldest restaurants on the islands, and also one of the few that is truly on the beach and has good sunset views. People gather here for the sunset, so it gets crowded. Since they don't take reservations you should plan on coming well before or after the sunset crowd, or plan on a wait. Food is a little upscale, with dinner prices typically in the $18-$28 range.
    11546 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva. (239) 472-3434.

  • Bubble Room - The is the original Bubble Room that has been made famous for eclectic decor. They're noted for having a wide variety of desert cakes that are served in huge slices. Don't miss out on walking through the restuarant to see all the unusual things on display.
    Andy Rosse Lane, in the heart of Captiva (239) 472-5558

  • Keylime Bistro - Festive decor and a wide menu.
    11509 Andy Rosse Lane, in the heart of Captiva (239) 395-4000

  • R.C. Otter's - Pass on this one. The food was marginal (we had problems with two dishes out of seven), the waitress was rude, and the atmosphere was bad. 11506 Andy Rosse Lane. (239) 395-1142.

  • The Old Captiva House at 'Tween Waters Inn - An old historic resort on Captiva. Sunset views and an upscale menu, and probably will need long pants for this one. (239) 472-5161


Out Island Restaurants

With all the great restaurants on Sanibel/Captiva there's no reason to go to the mainland, but these are a bit different - you can only get to these with a boat, seaplane or swimfins since they are on nearby remote islands!

  • Cabbage Key - It is claimed that Jimmy Buffett's visit here inspired him to write his trademark song "Cheeseburger in Paradise". The Restaurant is extremely casual. The decor is marked by dollar bills are taped to the walls, a tradition started years ago by fishermen stopping in and leaving a little extra money there so that they knew they have enough for a beer the next time they came back. Located at mile marker 60 on the Intracoastal Waterway. Click here for options on how to get here. We've gotten there by renting a boat from one of the Sanibel or Captiva marinas.

  • Useppa Island Club - A hotel was first put on Useppa Island in the early 1900's and had a colorful history with the rich and famous, and even a role in WWII. Visited in the fall of 2007 and had an excellent lunch. To get there, take the channel between intra-coastal Waterway markers 64 and 65, or click here for other ways to get to the island.

  • Barnacle Phil's and Mangos are located on North Captiva Island, which is just north of Captiva. The restaurants are very casual. Located on Safety harbor, a protected inlet with plenty of docking directly infront of the restaurants. The island's grass airstrip is an easy walk too.



Other Websites with info on area Restaurants

The restaurants listed above are just a few of many. Here is a link to other online restaurant guides:

Frommers list of Sanibel-Captiva restaurants - Frommer's list of Sanibel/Captiva restaurants
http://www.urbanspoon.com/n/146/16518/Fort-Myers/Sanibel-restaurants

Urban Spoon top ten list of Sanibel-Captiva restaurants

Cuisine-Scene - a good listing of local restaurants with links to a copy of their menu, but no opinions of them.

Sanibel Restaurants - A directory to Sanibel/Captiva restaurants



Call us at (614) 792-2593 to rent our beautiful gulf front condo in the White Sands complex on Sanibel Island.



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David Ulstad
E-mail: dculstad@aol.com
Last Modified: July 5, 2010

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