Fuelled by an influx of innovative chefs in the area, Cape Coral’s dining scene has exploded over the last few years. Now an exciting culinary hotspot, this city is a must-visit for all foodies!
With new restaurants popping up all the time, choosing where to eat in Cape Coral can become overwhelming! To help you out, we have created a handy guide to some of our favorite spots.
You can check out our full guide to the best restaurants in Cape Coral below.
The best restaurants in Cape Coral
Seafood cuisine
Lobster Lady
There is no shortage of seafood restaurants in Cape Coral, but Lobster Lady is certainly one of the most popular.
Considered to be the “premier seafood market and bistro” in Cape Coral, Lobster Lady offers some of the freshest seafood in the area. All of the fish on offer is sourced directly from the Gulf and the Atlantic. Fresh seafood is picked up by the restaurant 6 times a week, sometimes even twice a day!
On the menu, you will find a huge variety of delicious seafood dishes, featuring pretty much any fish you can think of! As well as classics such as salmon, tuna, and seabass, you can also expect to see a large range of different shellfish.
Perhaps the best way to sample the vast selection is to start with the restaurant’s infamous seafood tower. This impressive sharing platter features lobster, cocktail shrimp, crab, steamed clams, and freshly shucked oysters!
During the peak season, this popular restaurant can get really busy. If you are in a group of 5 or more, you will be able to reserve a table in advance. For parties of less than 5, we recommend calling up to an hour and a half before your arrival. This will ensure your place in line and reduce your wait time considerably!
Address: 1715 Cape Coral Pkwy, Units 2/3, Cape Coral, FL 33914
Opening hours: 11 am-12 am Monday-Friday, 8 am-12 am Saturday-Sunday
Price: $$
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Fish Tale Grill
The Fish Tale Grill in Cape Coral originally opened as a side project for its parent company, Merrick Seafood. Before opening their own restaurant, Merrick Seafood had already become a household name, supplying fresh fish to a number of businesses across Florida.
Since opening its doors in 2013, the Fish Tale Grill has been voted Cape Coral’s number one seafood restaurant five times.
The restaurant’s menu features a fantastic selection of mouth-watering dishes, from ice-cold oysters to house-cured gravlax. All of the seafood arrives fresh daily and is prepared and filleted on site.
Although anything you select from the Fish Tale Grill menu is guaranteed to be delicious, we suggest sampling one of the restaurant’s signature dishes. Packed with fresh ingredients and international flavors, these unique creations really showcase the chef’s expertise.
As this restaurant is so popular, it is a good idea to book ahead of your visit. If not, you can always enjoy a cocktail at the bar, whilst you wait for a table!
Address: 1229 SE 47th Terrace B, Cape Coral, FL 33904
Opening hours: 11 am-9 pm Monday to Saturday, Noon-8 pm Sunday
Price: $$
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Rum Runners
Opened in 2003, Rumrunners is an upscale waterfront restaurant, located near the Cape Harbour Marina. Both the owners and chefs have a long history of running successful restaurants in Southwest Florida, and Rumrunners doesn’t disappoint.
As it is located directly on the canal, the restaurant offers award-winning views across the water, as well as a designated docking area for boaters.
Inspired by modern-American cuisine, the talented chefs at Rum Runners focus on classic food, cooked well. The menu features an assortment of tried and tested dishes, heavily influenced by the fresh seafood so readily available in Cape Coral.
As you are right by the water, Rum Runners is the perfect place to sample some of the local produce. The restaurant offers a fantastic range of seafood appetizers to get you started, from crab cakes to killer shrimp!
Although Rum Runners has a great relaxed atmosphere inside, we do recommend sitting outside on the deck if you can! On a sunny day, this is the perfect place to admire the beautiful view and watch the boats on the water.
Due to its prime location (and excellent food), Rum Runners is extremely popular, so reservations are recommended – especially during happy hour!
Address: 5848 Cape Harbour Dr, Cape Coral, FL 33914
Opening hours: 11.30 am-9 pm Daily
Price: $$$
Make a reservation
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International cuisine
Ariani
One of the oldest fine-dining restaurants in Cape Coral, Ariani has been named in Florida’s top 500 restaurants for more than 3 years in a row.
Opened in 1989, by chef Dario Zuljani, the restaurant has not only received awards for its food. Ariani’s atmosphere and first-class service have also won five-star ratings from both guests and critics.
Specializing in cuisine from Northern Italy, the restaurant offers an impressive selection of Italian comfort food. As well as classics such as lasagna and fettuccine alfredo, the menu also features a selection of chef specials each day – which tend to sell out fast.
As you dine, it is not unusual for the chef himself to visit your table. Aside from the delicious food, his charm and charisma are clearly one of the reasons so many people return to the restaurant!
As well as a fantastic menu, Ariani also offers an extensive fine wine selection. If you don’t consider yourself a wine connoisseur, the friendly staff will be more than happy to help you find the right pairing for your meal!
Address: 5848 Cape Harbour Dr, Cape Coral, FL 33914
Opening hours: 5 pm-10 pm Monday-Saturday
Price: $$$
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Gather
Located at the upscale Tarpon Point Marina in Cape Coral, Gather is a stunning waterfront restaurant offering cutting-edge cocktails and cuisine.
With its stylish interiors and relaxed atmosphere, this modern restaurant and bar definitely stand out from the crowd.
Combining classic recipes with Mediterannean flavors, the restaurant’s forward-thinking menu features an exciting blend of international dishes.
At Gather, it’s not the ingredients that are special, it’s how the talented chefs are using them. Thanks to their innovation, every dish here is unique, fresh, and creative – not to mention delicious!
If you’re visiting as a group, we suggest ordering a few of the restaurant’s gathering plates to share. This particular menu is full of intriguing options, such as cauliflower crust pizza, tuna tataki, and crispy duck wings.
Alongside your food, we also recommend ordering one of the restaurant’s famous craft cocktails, each of which has been carefully curated to complement a different dish.
If you’re limited on time, it is best to make a reservation in advance of your visit. If you don’t mind waiting for a table, there is plenty of seating space at the bar, so you can always sample the cocktails before you dine!
Address: 5971 Silver King Blvd STE 116, Cape Coral, FL 33914
Opening hours: 4 -10 pm Tuesday-Friday, 11 am -10pm Saturday-Sunday
Price: $$$
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Siam Hut
First opening its doors in 1985, Siam Hut was responsible for introducing many of the residents of Cape Coral to some serious Thai food.
A family-run business, this restaurant first set out with a mission to serve fresh and delicious Thai cuisine, at an affordable price. Almost 36 years later, Siam Hut is now a cherished staple for both locals and visitors.
The menu at Siam Hut features a huge variety of options, all originating from different areas in Thailand. Offering a tantalizing fusion of traditional and modern flavors, each dish has been expertly designed to stimulate and excite your taste buds!
If you’ve never tried Thai food before, the friendly staff will be more than happy to suggest a dish to suit your tastes. We suggest trying the restaurant’s infamous Pad Thai – which is a customer favorite!
Address: 5971 Silver King Blvd STE 116, Cape Coral, FL 33914
Opening hours: Tues – Fri: 4 -10pm, Sat-Sun: 11am -10pm
Price: $$$
View the Siam Hut menu
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Cafe YOU
Cafe YOU is an offbeat Australian-inspired cafe, offering bold authentic coffee and flavorsome food.
In Australia, coffee shops have become an essential part of everyday life. A cool place to relax or hang out with friends, there is nowhere more welcoming. When Cafe YOU opened in Cape Coral, this is the exact vibe they were looking to create.
The cafe serves a range of espresso coffees, which are all made with locally roasted beans. The expert baristas here not only have superior technical knowledge, they are also insanely passionate about their art – resulting in some pretty delicious creations!
Although it is open all day, Cafe You is the perfect destination for breakfast or brunch. The cafe offers an extensive menu of simple, healthy food, all made with fresh local ingredients. We recommend trying the impressive avocado smash – one of the cafe’s signature dishes!
Address: 423 SE 10th St #1a, Cape Coral, FL 33990
Opening hours: 7.45 am-3.30 pm Monday-Saturday
Price: $$
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American cuisine
Nevermind
Opened in 2012, Nevermind is a young, hip hangout in downtown Cape Coral. Since starting the restaurant, owner and head chef, Shannon Yates, has been credited with revolutionizing the south Cape dining scene.
Dark and brooding inside, Nevermind has a definitive punk-rock edge – something previously unheard of in Cape Coral! As it was named after a Nirvana album, it is no surprise that rock music has heavily influenced both the restaurant’s decor and style.
Specializing in New American small plates, Nevermind offers a mouthwatering menu of predominantly meat-based dishes. From juicy steaks to fried pork shanks, meat is large and in charge at this restaurant!
For that reason, we suggest trying one of Nevermind’s infamous burgers. Grilled, pressed and served with truffle fries, these burgers are what put this restaurant on the map! Just make sure you leave space for dessert – the chocolate chip cookies here are served hot, fresh, and straight from the oven!
Address: 927 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Cape Coral, FL 33904
Opening hours: 12 pm-12 am daily
Price: $$
Make a reservation
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Nice Guys
Nice Guys is another new Cape Coral restaurant rebelling against the norm. A no-frills pizza joint, cocktail bar, and music venue, this popular haunt is authentic, unique, and extremely cool.
Established in 2013, Nice Guys have managed to develop a cult following, becoming a magnet for young and creative foodies.
Don’t be put off by the hipster vibe, the staff here are famously nice and the restaurant has a fantastic reputation for serving excellent food, with zero pretenses.
The substantial menu offers an eclectic mix of cocktails, craft beer, and pizzas. All featuring the restaurant’s signature crust and absolutely packed with toppings and flavor, there are over 20 gourmet pizzas to choose from – including plenty of vegan options.
Open until 1.30 am, Nice Guys is the perfect destination for a late-night stop-off – the deep-fried Oreos make for an excellent midnight snack!
As the seating area is quite small, you may have to wait for a table if you don’t have a reservation. However, that’s no bad thing – this restaurant has a pinball emporium!
Address: 1334 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Cape Coral, FL 33904
Opening hours: 4 pm-12 am Tuesday to Sunday
Price: $$
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Point 57
A contemporary American restaurant, Point 57 focuses on sophisticated food, made from scratch.
Opened in 2017, Point 57 is one of Cape Coral’s newest gastropubs. Offering a fresh take on traditional food, this upscale restaurant specializes in Southern coastal cuisine.
The seasonally-focused menu here features a selection of small plates – mainly steak, seafood, and burgers. Although the dishes may appear simple, they are packed with deep and complex flavors.
All of the ingredients used are fresh and locally sourced – something which the restaurant is extremely proud of. As the seasons change, the menu is updated to ensure only the best local produce is used.
Point 57 is not just popular for its innovative and creative dishes, the restaurant has also built an amazing reputation for its style of hospitality. Referred to as polished casual, the passionate staff have fantastic product knowledge and offer exceptional service to all guests.
You can make a reservation easily online, but walk-ins are also accepted. If you do need to wait for a table, we suggest heading straight to the bar. As well as an extensive menu of craft beer and wine, you will find a great selection of innovative cocktails, all of which are infused with house-made flavors.
Address: 3522 Del Prado Blvd S, Cape Coral, FL 33904
Opening hours: 11am-9pm Monday-Saturday, 10am-8pm Sunday
Price: $$
Make a reservation
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Cork Soakers
Not your average restaurant, Cork Soakers doesn’t take itself too seriously. Fun, friendly, and laid back, this off-beat eatery has become a popular haunt for Cape Coral’s younger crowd.
Specializing in creative American cuisine, Cork Soakers is the perfect place to indulge in some gourmet comfort food.
The menu is packed with home-cooked favorites such as fish and chips, mac’n’cheese, and deviled eggs. All classic dishes, cleverly updated with interesting and creative ingredients.
If you’re feeling hungry, we suggest trying The Hangover, a fried bologna sandwich topped with egg, bacon, arugula, and aioli. Although the menu at Cork Soakers regularly changes, this popular dish is one of the few guaranteed to always remain!
Another must-try during your visit is the restaurant’s infamous Bloody Mary. Served with bacon-wrapped shrimp, asparagus spears, pepperoncini, and a pickle – this cocktail will definitely set you straight!
Although there is plenty of seating both inside and outside, you can’t make a reservation, so you may have to wait for a table during peak times.
Address: 837 SE 47th Terrace, Cape Coral, FL 33904
Opening hours: 11 am-9 pm Tuesday-Thursday, 11 am-10 pm Friday-Saturday and 10 am-4 pm Sunday
Price: $$
View the full menu
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Planning a visit to Cape Coral?
If you’re planning a trip to Cape Coral, we offer a huge variety of vacation rentals in the area. All of our homes are located within easy access to the local restaurants and bars, allowing you to explore with ease!
With Top Villas, booking a stay couldn’t be easier. All you need to do is follow our simple online booking process and you can secure your dream vacation home instantly without any phone calls or fuss.
