Reviews, Photos, Locations, and Phone Numbers
(also see our Catering page)
| Captiva Island, Florida, has become a remarkable center for dining out, with fantastic food and appealing atmosphere. Some restaurants are famous attractions of themselves, and draw visitors from off-island just for a Captiva meal. Others are undiscovered gems that you can enjoy in peaceful bliss, over and over again.
If you’re staying near Captiva’s Village Center, you are within a very short stroll of wonderful meals ranging from informally elegant to casual cafes and snack bars. By walking you can enjoy a leisurely stroll home on a fine tropical evening, plus avoid the parking crunch inevitable at the most popular restaurants. And that same popularity suggests that reservations are a good idea (where accepted) during peak hours in season. Or try to dine out at off-peak times for quickest service. Most restaurants take advantage of the excellent South Florida weather, and serve indoors or outdoors to suit your fancy. Outdoor cocktails and dining are often accompanied by excellent musical entertainment, such as the awesome live saxophone and guitar at Keylime Bistro. Professional and pleasant, the music never upstages the food. May we also suggest catering and carry-out as alternatives to dining out. You get great, fresh meals prepared to order and heated in your own kitchen for that home-cooked enjoyment — without the work. It’s cost-effective (priced well below dining-out rates) and your meals can be whenever with no waiting. What a perfect way to top off a full, energetic day in paradise when your famished crew may not feel like going out. Another alternative is to have your groceries delivered to your door. The Island Store on Captiva, and Bailey’s General Store on Sanibel, among others, offer this service. Just call in or fax your order. Directions and locations of these restaurants may be obtained from the Captiva Map. Just click the black & white name symbols next to each restaurant name and find that same symbol on the Map. For more information, telephone the restaurants directly (area code is 239) or call American Realty of Captiva at 800-547-0127 (local 472-0564). |
| There are many, many fine restaurants on Captiva. We list just a few here, but don’t overlook the others! |
| Bubble Room Canoe and Kayak Crows Nest Chef Kathy Peterson |
Keylime Bistro Latte Da Cafe Mad Hatter Mucky Duck |
Old Captiva House R.C. Otters Starbucks Coffee Sunshine Cafe |
 The Mucky Duck |
As the only beach front restaurant in the region, this famous pub and eatery has been serving up fine food and authentic British atmosphere for more than 25 years. For an extra treat, join the daily sunset party on the beachfront cocktail patio, with live entertainment. Open Monday – Saturday for lunch and dinner, reservations not accepted (but credit cards now are), very popular and with good reason. 472-3434 |  |
 RC OttersOffering Island Eats at breakfast, lunch and dinner, RC Otters is ever popular with visitors and locals alike… which tells you something! The hard part is making a single selection from the 150 tempting items on the menu, or the award-winning wine list. Also serving house micro-brew. Three seating choices: indoors, on the covered veranda, or outdoors on the patio (with live island music). Next to The Island Store in Captiva Village, call-ahead seating 395-1142 |
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Keylime Bistro |
  Latte Da CafeNow serving Queenies Homemade Ice Cream and Seattle’s Best Coffee. Open daily 8:00am to 9:00pm, 11508 Andy Rosse Lane (across from Keylime Bistro). 239-472-0234 |
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‘Tween Waters Inn  Dine at ‘Tween Waters Inn (472-5161), south of Captiva Village, where there are a range of dining choices. The Old Captiva House (since 1931) offers fresh seafood and meats prepared by skilled chefs; proper attire, reservations suggested. The Crows Nest is casual and great fun, with “NASCRAB” crab races Monday (6pm family show, 9pm adult) and live music other nights. Also at ‘Tween Waters see The Canoe And The Kayak on the waterfront overlooking the wildlife sanctuary of Buck Key, reservations not necessary. |
 The Bubble Room is Florida’s most outrageous and award-winning restaurant: a delicious holiday from the ordinary. This 150-seat restaurant and bar features local seafood, prime rib, fresh pork and poultry for lunch and dinner. Portions are hearty, desserts oversized – so tasty you might try to finish it all. It’s so fun to be served by the “Bubble Scouts” with the cute outfits and all their crazy hats. The Captiva Bubble Room always makes the list of 100 Best Restaurants statewide, and deservedly so. “A gold mine of nostalgia” in its decor and music. Reservations not accepted, very popular, proper casual attire. 472-5558. Missing those amazing Bubble Room cakes while you’re away from Captiva? Pak and Ship will deliver one to you wherever you are! Order online. Read the details here. |
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Sunshine Cafe  Serving lunch (appetizers, salads, and sandwiches) and dinner (with fresh fish specials nightly) from 11:30am – 9:30pm. Dinner selections prepared in the open kitchen include Asian marinated duck breast, wood grilled filet mignon, and Colorado lamp chops. Impressive wine list and homemade desserts. Kids menu available. Reservations for dinner 472-6200. |
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The Mad Hatter Just across the bridge onto Sanibel Island, this beachfront restaurant is consistently top ranked. New American cuisine in a romantic island cottage setting. Reservations 472-0033 |
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Starbucks Coffee Pizza, subs, and salads daily 11:30 – 9:30pm, plus delivery after 5pm. Located in the former Mama Rosa’s Pizzeria, across from the entrance to South Seas Plantation resort. Starbucks features the variety and quality of coffee we’ve come to expect from them, plus an assortment of snacks and pastries. 472-ROSA |
