Southwest Florida Restaurants

If you’re looking to celebrate Valentine’s Day on the Florida Gulf Coast, I do hope that you visit Southwest Florida. I moved here about three years, and I’m still discovering new restaurants and divey bars that are full of quirky Florida fun. I’m not one for dark and romantic restaurants, instead, I prefer my toes in the sand and a gorgeous sunset view. Or cake. I do like cake. I am participating in a roundup of romantic restaurants along with the Social Fabric community, and I picked five places to explore if you travel down south. My area includes Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Ft. Myers, Cape Coral, and the Matlacha area in Lee County. Naples is also near me, but I very rarely venture down that way. I prefer my Lee County beaches and scenery!

Southwest Florida Restaurants

We are known for having lots of snowbirds along with spring training. Fly down south to see the Red Sox and the Twins and stop by one of these restaurants!

1. Mucky Duck. If you’re visiting this area, you’ve got to make a trip to the Mucky Duck on Captiva Island. Have lunch or dinner outside in the sand, and get ready to watch the most beautiful sunset you have ever seen. There are comfy chairs to relax in or picnic tables to eat on. It’s a no-fuss kind of place, but there is usually live music in the evenings.

Their signature dish? Duck fingers. No joke. They came with a delicious raspberry sauce photographed in the top right photo.

2. Bubble Room. You can celebrate Christmas every day at the Bubble Room. It’s a small and quaint restaurant located not far from the Mucky Duck. I love to stop in for dessert, and they are famous for their bubble bread!

Romantic? Well, sure. It’s a family-friendly restaurant, but cake and cocktails are my favorite part of this place.

The decor is interesting to look at, and the service is always fun. Servers dress up like boy or girl scouts, and everyone is so friendly.

3. Ford’s Garage. This is now a chain restaurant in my area, but I never tire of burgers and beers. Their Cape Coral location is clean and bright with a FUN bar.

4. The Boathouse. The view alone is worth it. It’s located on the water near a small beach, a playground, and a pier. Walk the pier, admire the sunset, listen to live music, and enjoy a cold beer. The food is good too, of course.

5. Explore Tarpon Point Marina. My favorite spot besides Captiva Island to catch a sunset is the Tarpon Point Marina. There are a few restaurants in this location, and there’s a Westin hotel. The Nauti Mermaid is an outdoor bar while Pincher’s is located nearby.

Plan a vacation to Cape Coral, Florida and stay at the Westin!

I love heading to the marina to walk around the pier to admire the boats, but I love cozying up inside Marker 92 for a romantic dinner. The food at all locations is amazing, and this destination reminds me why I love living in Cape Coral so much.