The Best 5th Avenue Restaurants in Naples, Florida

The dining options in Naples, Florida are unmatched. And, no, they aren’t stuffy! If you are not from the area, you may think that the demographic is older and the restaurants are too fancy for your taste. While that may be true for certain restaurants or destinations in southwest Florida, I never feel out of place there. I loved the variety of dining options that we visited, and here are some highlights from four of the best Fifth Avenue restaurants in Naples, Florida. I appreciate the high-quality food and the innovative dishes that the chefs prepare, and every entree is worth the price. I was not disappointed with any of the restaurants on our trip.

Sails: Sails is a pescetarian’s haven, where a dazzling array of the freshest, just-flown-in seafood from pristine deep azure seas are hand-selected each day, then finessed to perfection by award-winning Executive Chef Jacob Jasinski, who will split his attention between raw and wood-fired dishes.

Sails was a gorgeous restaurant with white table linens and a large wine menu. Since we were on a tasting tour, we opted for bubbly and a few appetizers. We also enjoyed some delicious pasta. The beauty of this restaurant is how they fly in fresh fish from all around the world. As you can see, the fish options are truly fresh and priced accordingly.

If you are visiting Naples during Stone Crab season (October 15 through May 15), definitely opt for fresh Florida stone crab. As you can see here, they were $13 each. Prices vary depending on size, time of year, and location where you order them from.

The French Brasserie Rustique: The newest restaurant from Vincenzo Betulia, award-winning chef and leader in the Southwest Florida culinary evolution, pays homage to turn of the century Parisian brasseries. Enjoy classic country and coastal French dishes amidst a bustling, vibrant atmosphere with a romantic streetside setting. The French is a slice of the Belle Epoque in the heart of Naples.

The ambiance of The French was so cute! I would love to come back and visit with my husband since it was the perfect date night destination to try unique (to us) food. The French food we usually enjoy comes from a pavilion inside Epcot. I so rarely have the opportunity to eat French food out, so this was a nice treat. We had beef tartare and French onion soup.

Ocean Prime: Ocean Prime brings award-winning culinary experiences to the guests in the heart of Old Naples’ celebrated entertainment, dining and shopping district. Stunning settings and a vibrant energy, an impressive menu of seafood and prime cuts of steak, signature cocktails, a Wine Spectator-honored wine list, and truly genuine hospitality make Ocean Prime Naples an ideal place to socialize, talk business, celebrate and indulge.

Yes, please! Ocean Prime is actually located in my city (Tampa) as well, and I love this place. While it is technically a chain restaurant, I find it to be so much more. With their extensive wine list and unique cocktails, it’s the best destination for an anniversary, date night, or simply a dinner out. I had an AMAZING meal featuring scallops and filet, and I’d love to visit again to order it.

Trulucks Seafood Steak & Crab House: Truluck’s Seafood Steak and Crab House is so committed to fresh Florida Stone Crab that they own their own fishers and operate a fleet of 20 crabbing boats. They bring in fresh crab from around the globe. Live music seven nights a week. Valet parking.

A great place to listen to music and have a cocktail, we stopped in for their dessert menu. You can’t go wrong with Baked Alaska and a martini! I hope to visit again soon to sample their dinner menu.

Want to explore more of Downtown Naples?

Hop on over to 3rd Street to try Sea Salt. Chef Fabrizio Aielli’s philosophy is to blend simplicity with the very best fresh ingredients in a menu that changes daily. Sea Salt uses products of the highest quality that are prepared and presented in a unique way; while creating a warm, welcoming local environment that results in a truly memorable dining experience.

The location is stunning, and I recommend sitting outside on the patio if space allows. We had lunch here which was a more budget-friendly option and sampled their sea salt which pairs with their food perfectly. Sea Salt in Naples is located at 1186 3rd St S. There’s actually one in my city (St. Petersburg) as well.

Nearby you can also visit Campiello which is also at 1177 3rd St S in Naples, Florida. I recently was invited to their 20th-anniversary party, and it did not disappoint. Their outdoor patio is spacious and lets you truly enjoy the Florida lifestyle. With live music, greenery, and a vast menu, I can see why Campiello is a Naples staple.

Bonus: Don’t miss the breweries!

There are several local breweries, and I managed to visit Riptide Brewing on a recent trip down south. With a variety of their own beer on tap, they also have other guest taps like 3 Daughters which is in my town!