8 Great Places To Eat in Naples Florida

Try these fantastic places to eat in Naples Florida, varying from top of the line fine dining to waterside shacks to fresh seafood to amazing curry.

Naples Florida is well into a culinary renaissance and the southwest Florida food scene has really evolved. Midwestern US fare and Italian once was standard but Naples FL restaurants are now more upscale and eclectic.

Innovative chefs from around the world move to Naples and incorporate fresh seafood and local ingredients. If you have not been to Naples Florida in a few years, make a return visit and try these and other magnificent restaurants.

8 Great Places to Eat in Naples, Florida

1. Sea Salt

For an optimal #COOLinary dining experience at Sea Salt start with the Caesar Salad sushi (try it!), end with the giant cotton candy and crafted chocolates from Norman Love Confections. In between, the seafood is the star of the show.

Chef/owner Fabrizio Aielli brings old world simplicity and elegance, letting the natural flavors of the fresh seafood dominate.

All seafood is either local caught that day or flown in fresh from the Mediterranean. No fancy sauces, just salt and olive oil.

2. Citrus

Sit in the outside dining seating area of Citrus and watch the beautiful people of Naples walking by on Fifth Avenue. Citrus offers a nice selection of Florida Gulf Coast craft beers. Or let them ogle you and envy your delicious food.

Look for local fresh seafood dishes, like the macadamia crusted grouper and seafood pasta entrees. Order the key lime tart for dessert.

For some fun places to drink see Fun US Gulf Coast Bars, Breweries, and Beverage Spots.

3. Ocean Prime

Ocean Prime is located on the ground level of the Inn on Fifth. They house a magnificent wine collection and serve elegant craft cocktails (watch this fun YouTube video). Ocean Prime’s lobster bisque is creamy smooth.

My super fresh Florida grouper with lobster meat was scrumptious.

Their filets are really popular and were ordered by the other two people at my table.

4. Pinchers

Naples Florida claims the title of Stone Crab Capital of the World and Pinchers in the historic Tin City district is the place to get them. Feast on fresh seafood while watching the boats come in and go away again. Hey, that is a song!

Tin City District and Pinchers is also the place to be during Stone Crab festival in October.

To find more al fresco dining spots read Florida waterfront restaurants.

5. Triad Seafood

Triad Seafood Market & Cafe in Everglades City is a perfect stop before heading out for an adventure with Everglades Area Tours. Grab a stool on the water and order a fresh grouper sandwich and/or shrimp platter.

Also see our Best Gulf Coast Restaurants in the Southeast US.

I also reached out to some local experts for some recommendations.

The Turtle Club

Lori Sorrentino recommends The Turtle Club.

If there’s one restaurant in Naples that exudes the luxury beach vibe Naples does so well, it just might be The Turtle Club — Naples waterfront dining at its best. Located in North Naples’ Vanderbilt Beach Resort, it’s easy to miss if you’re unfamiliar with the neighborhood.

But let the valet park your car and stroll down the lane to the charming and intimate beachfront setting where dress flip flops are welcome and the coastal cuisine is always fresh and outstanding. Dine inside in the cozy bistro or al fresco with your toes in the sand. Their chilled seafood dishes are especially good, and perfect for the outdoor beach setting.

21 Spices

21 Spices is one of the Best US Gulf Coast Restaurants  and was suggested by Cathy Christopher, Director of Sales and Marketing for Inn on Fifth.

Cathy told me, “having grown up in the Caribbean and lived in England for years, I have developed a strong yearning for and appreciation of good curry. It just has never been available in Naples and anything nearby has always disappointed. Now that has changed. Chef Asif [Syed] has opened 21 Spices 5 minutes from my house and life just got much tastier. This is the real deal. Authentic setting and flavors including my favorite Madras Curry which I can wash down with and icy cold Kingfisher”.

JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort

Scott Eddy recommends JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort.

He said, “How about some alligator tacos? I mean…this is Florida!!!!”

and “My breakfast this morning was flawless. Eggs Benedict with lobster and Honey Almond Granola Parfait with fresh berries. The food I’ve had at @JWMarcoIsland has been nothing short of amazing!”

Fin Bistro

Kay Dougherty of Blonde Brunette Travel nominates Fin Bistro. She says, “On Marco [Island] the place that’s worth going out of your way for is Fin Bistro. They mostly serve fish and seafood but prepare in much tastier, dining preparations than the average seafood places in SWFL.”

US Gulf Coast Travel BONUS

Some other Naples restaurants I have enjoyed include Dorona (magnificent meatballs), The Continental (scrumptious filet mignon), Brooks Burgers, The Claw Bar (fantastic St. Augustine Stew and fresh seafood), The French (sublime trout amandine),

My cousin managed a restaurant in North Naples a few years ago and he suggested: Fernandez the Bull (Cuban), Fish House in Bonita Beach, Royal Scoop (ice cream), and Dolly’s in Bonita Springs.

Try to visit Naples between Thanksgiving and New Years to see all the wonderful Southwest Florida holiday decorations. Also check out the Stone Crab Festival in October and other Florida Gulf Coast food festivals.

Two Naples FL craft breweries are included on Sensational Florida Gulf Coast Craft Breweries.

What are your favorite places to eat in Naples Florida?

Also see the article I wrote for Naples tourism: Seven Sensational Naples Restaurants You Can’t Miss

Day Trips From Naples FL

There are countless Southwest Florida day trips close by when you are ready to explore more quaint US Gulf Coast towns and beautiful Florida Gulf Coast beaches. Sarasota, Punta Gorda, Captiva Island, and Anna Maria Island are easy day trips from Naples.

Plan your Florida Gulf Coast getaways with our guides:

• 15 Fun Things to Do in Punta Gorda Florida on the US Gulf Coast
• Cool Things to Do in Anna Maria Island Florida
• Fun Things to Do in Fort Myers Beach on a Southwest Florida Vacation
• South Seas Island Resort: Relaxed Luxury Getaway on Captiva Island
• 15 Cool Things to Do in Sarasota Florida
• Fun Things to Do in Pass-a-Grille On a Florida Gulf Coast Getaway
• Things to Do in Indian Rocks Beach
• 15 Fun and Fascinating Photo Spots in Florida for Nature Lovers
• 21 US Gulf Coast Photo Locations For Fun Instagrammable Shots

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