Dozens of restaurants opened and more to come in Naples, Fort Myers, Sanibel
The last part of 2021 saw a spate of new restaurants open, while early 2022 should see even more. Here’s a look at recent openings and what’s to come.
January is an opportunity for reflection.
With the start of visitors season, the last part of 2021 saw a spate of new restaurants open, while early 2022 should see even more.
Here’s a look at recent openings and what’s to come.
Del Mar Naples: …Mediterranean-inspired restaurant launched Dec. 21… Del Mar’s menu includes snapper crudo, Turkish flatbreads, lamb meatballs, citrus couscous and tomato chutney. (494 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-350-0134; delmarnaplesrestaurant.com)
The Vine Room: This Fifth Avenue South speakeasy… embodies a vintage tropic vibe that owner Philip McCabe dubbed a “toast to the past.” …150 wine labels, cocktails include an espresso martini guests can sip surrounded by green velvet and moody warmth. (645 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-316-1202; vineroom.com)
Cafe Crème de La Crème: This cafe, serving wraps, sandwiches, gelato, coffee, fresh squeezed juices and more in the Park Shore Plaza opened in early December. (4339 Tamiami Trail N., Naples; 239-276-7962; cremeofnaples.com)
Nosh on Naples Bay: Set to open this month, Chef Todd Johnson of the former Rumrunners in Cape Coral is bringing his talents to the Naples Bay Resort with this new concept. …will feature tapas with international influences. (1500 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; instagram.com/noshonnaplesbay)
New restaurants Bonita Springs
The Bohemian: …should open in early 2022 and feature items like Gulf shrimp and grits, chicken chicharrones tossed in lime salt, and more tapas-style dishes fired on an Argentinian-style wood grill in the open kitchen. (27975 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs; thebohemianbonita.com)
The Rabbit Hole Kava Bar: …to open in 2022 in the same development as The Bohemian, serving kava and kratom beverages. (27975 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs; instagram.com/therabbithole.kavabar)
The Causeway: This food hall, …opening later this month, will feature vendors such as El Local and Jewban’s Deli Dale in addition to a craft beer wall and live entertainment. The space retrofits a former software company office space that used shipping containers as cubicles. (28280 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs; thecausewaybonita.com)
Vichino’s Cafe and Wine Bar: This spot is set to open in early 2022. (25987 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs; vichinos.com)
New restaurants Estero
El Local: Previously operating out of a food trailer, El Local will expand to a physical storefront in San Carlos park in early 2022 in addition to a spot at The Causeway in Bonita Springs when the food hall opens. (18911 S. Tamiami Trail, San Carlos Park; 239-237-2903; instagram.com/ellocalfoodtrailer)
Mr. Tequila Mexican Restaurant: The area’s fifth Mr. Tequila… (10391 Corkscrew Commons Drive, Estero; 239-319-5117; mrtequilasrestaurant.com)
New restaurants Fort Myers
Milky Whey Food Truck: This Fort Myers-based food truck… includes waffles from traditional, corn and coconut bases. (milkywheyfoodtruck.com; instagram.com/milkywheyft)
Shift Coffee Bar: …open to the public and serves espresso, cold brew, teas and light pastries. (2250 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers; shiftcoffeebar.com)
Jonesez BBQ Takeout: The Joneses BBQ family is back with a physical takeout spot that also serves as a hub for their three food trucks… (13438 Palm Beach Blvd., Fort Myers; 239-226-6262; jonesezbbq.com)
Shojin Ramen & Sushi: …this restaurant dishes dim sum, ramen, stir-fry and more. (4460 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers; 239-936-2002; shojinramensushi.com)
Martinique Cafe: This upscale bakery cafe in Bell Tower… imports coffee from Turin, Italy, and bakes pastries and sweets daily. (13499 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers; 239-489-1221; belltowerfl.com)
Coldwater Oyster Market: With oysters by the dozen, clam chowder, calamari, crab cakes and more, …food, drink and live entertainment in south Fort Myers… (5611 Six Mile Commercial Court, Fort Myers; 239-220-5918; coldwateroystermarket.com)
Lala Reference Restaurant: Serving fried goat, fufu, macaroni and plantain, among many other dishes, this Haitian restaurant… (377 Fowler Street, Fort Myers; 239-400-4640; lalareferencerestaurant.com)
Harold’s: The new Harold’s offers a full bar and more extensive menu, as well as an opportunity for Balink to once again mingle with guests. (15250 S. Tamiami Trail, south Fort Myers; 239-849-0622; haroldscuisine.com)
Pho Bowl: This Vietnamese restaurant opened Dec. 2, serving spring rolls, pho, banh mi and more. (12951 Metro Parkway, south Fort Myers; 239-768-0051)
New restaurants Cape Coral
Grazing Haus: Charcuterie? Check. …meat-and-cheese catering boards, …pre-made platters and other charcuterie supplies, too. (821 Cape Coral Parkway W., Cape Coral; 239-788-4656; grazinghaus.com)
The Spot: …is taking over the original Nice Guys location at 1334 Cape Coral Parkway E., Cape Coral. Bhimji hopes to open soon.
Next Door: …centers around homemade pasta, elevating it with creative shapes and colors in a cozy, sit-down setting. (5971 Silver King Blvd., Cape Coral; nextdoorcape.com)
New restaurants Sanibel
Bamboo Pan Asian Kitchen: Serving dishes such as shrimp fried rice, pok pok wings and chili dumplings… (751 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel; 239-558-8189)
Sanibel Sprout: …reopened in mid-December with new owner Jianna Senkeleski at the helm. The menu — coffees, smoothie bowls, salads and hand-crafted vegan and vegetarian fare — remains mostly the same… (2407 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel; 239-558-4003; find it on Facebook)
Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen: …family friendly and thoroughly Italian but with modern twists. (1200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel; tuttipazzisanibel.com)
This area of southwest Florida has so much to offer. Contact David to learn more homaes available here. David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
