Sanibel Island, Florida, is a hidden gem of the Sunshine State. It offers a bit of everything, from rich history and lush nature to unique shops and restaurants.
No matter where you are on Sanibel Island, you’re never far from the beaches, which are considered to be some of the best in the world.
When you’re on Sanibel Island, you don’t have to leave the waterfront to enjoy a delicious meal. There are several restaurants situated right on the water on Sanibel and nearby Captiva, allowing you to admire a breathtaking view while you enjoy a meal with your loved ones.
Here are 10 Sanibel and Captiva restaurants on the water for you to check out on your next trip.
Sanibel and Captiva Restaurants on The Water
Gramma Dot’s Restaurant
- Location: 634 N Yachtsman Drive, Sanibel, FL 33957
- Price: $$
- Known for: Open air dining, kind service
With a convenient location in the Sanibel Marina, Gramma Dot’s may be the most waterfront you can get!
Guests are welcome for lunch or dinner and can choose to dine in the dining room or outside on the patio. Either way, you’ll get a great view of the water, especially when the sun begins to set.
The menu at Gramma Dot’s has all your classic seafood dishes, such as lobster bisque, New England clam chowder, and coconut shrimp. You’ll also find unique dishes like the fried oyster sandwich and Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Dinner.
Finish off with a slice of Key lime pie or chocolate cake.
Turtle’s Tiki Bar
- Location: 1451 Middle Gulf Drive #4, Sanibel, FL 33957
- Price: $
- Known for: Poolside patio, excellent staff
If you want dinner and a show, then Turtle’s Tiki Bar is the place to be.
Guests can enjoy live entertainment on select days. Bring the kids to enjoy the family-friendly patio and watch the waves roll in as you dine.
Start your meal with an order of Clumsy Fried Clams or Macho Nachos before selecting from menu options such as The Beach Burger, the Grouper Grab, and the fish or grilled shrimp tacos. For the kids, choose the deep-fried mac and cheese bites or the Island Dog as a special treat.
They also have over a dozen pizza options and plenty of specialty cocktails to satisfy any palate.
Thistle Lodge Beachfront Restaurant
- Location: 2255 West Gulf Drive, Sanibel, FL 33957
- Price: $$$
- Known for: Historic location, European cuisine
You’ll be walking in the footsteps of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison when you come enjoy a meal at Thistle Lodge Beachfront Restaurant. Calling itself “Sanibel’s most historic upscale restaurant,” Thistle Lodge offers a gorgeous setting that’s almost as impressive as the menu options.
When you come in for dinner, begin your meal with Cedar Smoked Grilled Octopus or Prince Edward Island Mussels. You can then choose a sea option like the Seared Diver Scallops, Gulf Grouper, or Seafood Provencal.
Notable land options include Basque Chicken, grilled rib eye, and espresso-crusted lamb rack. Pair your meal with a side of seasonal vegetables, Yukon gold mash, or grilled jumbo asparagus.
Sea Breeze Café
- Location: 1451 Middle Gulf Drive, Suite #3, Sanibel, FL, 33957
- Price: $$$
- Known for: Casual al fresco dining for every meal
No matter what meal you wish to enjoy, you can get it at Sea Breeze Café. Sea Breeze invites you to enjoy its outdoor seating space for an amazing view of the Gulf as you dine.
If you come in for breakfast, you’ll enjoy a gourmet buffet featuring an omelet bar, breakfast potatoes, pancakes and waffles, and more. Lunch offers tempting dishes like The Beach Burger, the Avocado Pineapple Chicken Sandwich, and the Grouper Tacos.
At dinner, indulge in Sundial Scallops, Twin Lobster Tails, or Curried Red Snapper.
Bringing the kids? Get them a cheeseburger, grilled cheese, grilled chicken, chicken tenders, or fried fish.
The Green Flash Restaurant
- Location: 15183 Captiva Drive on Captiva Island
- Price: $$
- Known for: European-inspired cuisine
The Green Flash Restaurant is known for bringing “traditional gourmet dining with a European flair.” This area has a captivating history that dates back to the 1950s.
Visitors now come to The Green Flash for its beautiful waterfront location (allowing boats to dock and dine), friendly staff, and fresh seafood menu.
The appetizer menu here has plenty to choose from, like the smoked salmon, fried calamari, stone crab claws, and more. Seafood entrees are among the most popular options here; favorites include stuffed shrimp, salmon cakes, sesame tuna, and grilled swordfish.
If you’d prefer a land option, indulge in the filet mignon or chicken porcini. Finish your meal with some tiramisu, apple crumb cake, or chocolate mousse.
Old Captiva House
- Location: 15951 Captiva Drive on Captiva Island
- Price: $$$
- Known for: Fresh seafood, convenient location
Old Captiva House is now anything but. This historic destination has been re-envisioned and is now one of the most popular restaurants on the island thanks to its contemporary design and mouthwatering cuisine.
Enjoy visiting a landmark on the National Registry of Historic Places and indulge in a one-of-a-kind meal.
Your dinner will begin with an appetizer like escargot, lobster crab cake, or pan-seared sea scallops. When it’s time to pick an entrée, seafood options abound; consider the Chilean sea bass, lobster and crab-crusted scallops, or blackened snapper.
Those who don’t want seafood can enjoy pomegranate glazed lamb chops, the Vegan Delight, or the gruyere chicken fettucine.
Shima Japanese Steakhouse
- Location: 1451 Middle Gulf Drive
- Price: $$$
- Known for: authentic Japanese cuisine and hibachi
If it’s an authentic Japanese experience you’re after, then you’ve got to visit Shima at The Sundial Beach Resort.
This phenomenal eatery is known for sushi, steak, and hibachi on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Treat yourself and your family to a one-of-a-kind dining experience.
The sushi selections offer something for everyone, whether you want a classic Philadelphia or yellowtail roll or you want to try a specialty option like Sushi Nachos, Taizai Roll, or Red Dragon.
When it’s time to pick an entrée, select from tempting tuna steak or spicy shrimp flame. To truly indulge, go for The Sea Lover or the Chef’s Choice.
Mucky Duck Restaurant
- Location: 11546 Andy Rosse Lane on Captiva Island
- Price: $$
- Known for: Beautiful location, unique European inspiration
Head to downtown Captiva Island to enjoy a great meal and a breathtaking view at The Mucky Duck.
This restaurant has been serving locals and visitors to the area since 1976, and its popularity is just as high as ever. If you’re searching for a place with an incredible view of the sunset, be sure to enjoy dinner here.
When you come in for dinner, you’ll be treated to sumptuous seafood options such as crab cakes, oysters Rockefeller, and pan-seared diver scallops. English fish and chips and the Grouper “Café de Paris” are also popular options.
Finish your meal with a dessert like the Mucky Duck Surprise or the homemade blueberry sour cream pie.
Also Read: Best Seafood Restaurants in Naples, FL
Coconuts Poolside Bar & Grill
- Location: 2255 West Gulf Drive
- Price: $$
- Known for: Beautiful Gulf and pool views, great happy hour specials
Situated within the Casa Ybel Resort, Coconuts Poolside Bar & Grill is an amazing option to enjoy a meal with a stunning view of the Gulf of Mexico. Indulge in a signature cocktail and the company of your friends while you wait for your food to be delivered to your table.
The menu here truly offers something for everyone. Begin with the fried calamari and shrimp, tri-color nachos, or three-cheese flatbread. Then, move on to entrée selections like the Gulf Grouper sandwich, lobster salad roll, Angus burger, or sesame-crusted tuna salad. Wash it all down with a cocktail like the Casa Paloma or the Frozen Mudslide.
Over the Waterfront
- Location: 14970 Captiva Drive on Captiva Island
- Price: $$$
- Known for: Intimate waterfront dining, fresh seafood
For a cozy meal right along the water on Captiva, Over the Waterfront offers a small, scenic dining room with a menu focused on fresh seafood and thoughtful island cooking.
The restaurant’s waterfront setting makes it a natural fit for a relaxed dinner after a day of shelling, boating, or exploring Captiva. Menus can rotate, but seafood is the star here, with local catches and seasonal preparations appearing alongside land options and shareable starters.
Read More:
Final Thoughts
Sanibel and Captiva offer stunning Gulf and waterfront views, but these restaurants offer spectacular places to enjoy fresh food and refreshing cocktails along with the view. Regardless of what else your Sanibel vacation brings, be sure to relax for a meal at one of these eateries.