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Ask us where to eat and you’ll get a long answer, because on Fort Myers Beach, dinner usually comes with a water view, a cold drink, and a little live music. Plenty of local favorites have reopened since the storms, and a few came back better than ever.
The short version: our favorite Fort Myers Beach restaurants right now
- Best for sunset: The Whale
- Best waterfront seafood: Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille
- Best bay views: On The Bay
- Best local hangout: Nervous Nellie’s
- Best oysters and live music: Smokin’ Oyster Brewery
- Best tiki bar: Yucatan Beach Stand
- Best casual lunch on the water: Bonita Bill’s
- Best close to Siesta Dreams: Takote
- Best breakfast: Mom’s (from its food truck while the restaurant rebuilds)
Where the good food is. Most of our favorites cluster in three spots: Times Square and Old San Carlos Blvd at the north end of the island, Fisherman’s Wharf on San Carlos Island just before the bridge, and San Carlos Blvd on the mainland, a few minutes from our door.
Island time applies to opening hours, too. Everything here was open at our last check (October 2026), but hours change with the seasons, so give a quick call before you go.
Waterfront Restaurants & Sunset Spots
The Whale
1249 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach
This longtime local watering hole reopened in late 2025 in a brand-new three-story building, and it’s our pick for sunset. Downstairs is a laid-back beach bar where swimsuits and frozen drinks are welcome. The second floor is enclosed for a sit-down meal, and the open-air tiki bar up top has the kind of view that makes you order one more round.
On The Bay
416 Crescent St, Fort Myers Beach
You might know it as Matanzas on the Bay, a local favorite since 1984. It reopened under its new name in fall 2025, with a deck overlooking Matanzas Bay. Go for the grouper sandwich and the famous bay bread, and save room for key lime pie. Petey’s Upper Deck, upstairs, is the spot for a drink with a view.
Nervous Nellie’s
1131 First St, Fort Myers Beach
A waterfront classic since 1991, with a big deck on the bay, live music, and boats cruising past while you eat. Grouper tacos are the move, and stone crab claws are worth ordering when they’re in season.
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille
708 Fishermans Wharf, Fort Myers Beach (San Carlos Island)
Named for the marine biologist hero of local author Randy Wayne White’s novels, Doc Ford’s sits right on the water on San Carlos Island, just a few minutes from Siesta Dreams. Think fresh Gulf seafood, island-style rum drinks, and a view of the boats coming in.
Lah De Dah Beach Bar & Grill
At Margaritaville Beach Resort, Fort Myers Beach
For a beachy lunch with your feet practically in the sand, the resort’s beach bar is an easy, breezy stop.
Seafood & Local Favorites
Fisherman’s Wharf: three waterfront spots in a row
Just before the bridge on San Carlos Island, Fisherman’s Wharf is where we send guests who want seafood that tastes like it just came off the boat. It’s about 5 minutes from Siesta Dreams.
- Dixie Fish Co. (714 Fishermans Wharf): dockside seafood with water views and a relaxed, come-as-you-are vibe.
- Bonita Fish Co. (702 Fishermans Wharf): another dockside favorite, great for a long lunch by the water.
- Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille (708 Fishermans Wharf): see above, and don’t skip the rum list.
Smokin’ Oyster Brewery
340 Old San Carlos Blvd, Fort Myers Beach
A local institution since 1997, set in a renovated old Florida house a short stroll from Times Square. Come for the oysters and Gulf seafood, stay for the cold drinks and live music. It reopened in December 2024 after hurricane repairs.
Pinchers
Old San Carlos Blvd, Fort Myers Beach
Relaxed, family-friendly seafood with a fish-market feel. An easy pick when everyone in the group wants something different.
Parrot Key Caribbean Grill
San Carlos Island
Waterfront dining with a Caribbean twist, for when you want your seafood with a little extra island spice.
Breakfast & Casual Bites
- Mom’s Restaurant (Estero Blvd): a beloved breakfast spot that’s serving from a food truck at its original location while the restaurant rebuilds. Get there early.
- Times Square food trucks: an easy, casual lunch steps from the sand, often with live music in the background.
- Bonita Bill’s (Fisherman’s Wharf, under the Matanzas Pass Bridge): an open-air waterfront cafe with live music daily. Grab a table by the water and watch the boats go by.
- La Ola Surfside (Times Square): a casual, surf-style spot right in the middle of the action.
Local tip: some mornings, the best breakfast is the one on your own screened porch. Publix is just up the road from Siesta Dreams, so stock up on coffee and fruit and enjoy the view of the canal.
Off the Island: Our Neighborhood Spots on San Carlos Blvd
Not every great meal requires crossing the bridge. These are all within about 10 minutes of Siesta Dreams, and they’re where we go when we want good food without the island traffic.
- Takote (17200 San Carlos Blvd): authentic Mexican, right by the Walmart. Tacos and margaritas after a day on the water? Yes, please.
- Bayside Sports Bar & Grille (17853 San Carlos Blvd): the neighborhood sports bar and grill for catching the game.
- Terra Nostra: Italian, steaks, and seafood at 15880 San Carlos Blvd, open for dinner and perfect for a cozy night out.
- Bimini Bait Shack (17501 Harbour Pointe Dr, Fort Myers): a laid-back restaurant and bar near the Sanibel Causeway. It’s perfect on the way home from a Sanibel beach day.
Grill night tip: Siesta Dreams has a grill and a fire pit, and Publix and Walmart are close by. Pick up fresh fish or a few steaks, fire up the grill, and finish the night around the fire pit.
Tiki Bars, Happy Hours & Live Music
Fort Myers Beach does happy hour right. Most run mid-afternoon (roughly 3 to 6 p.m.), and live music picks up in the evenings, especially in winter and spring. A few favorites:
- Yucatan Beach Stand (250 Old San Carlos Blvd): a lively, open-air tiki bar and grill near Times Square.
- Wahoo Willie’s (645 Old San Carlos Blvd): a classic tiki bar and grill with a fun, easygoing crowd.
- The Whale’s top-floor tiki bar (1249 Estero Blvd): drinks with a view of the Gulf.
- Petey’s Upper Deck (above On The Bay): a sunset drink over Matanzas Bay.
- Bonita Bill’s and Smokin’ Oyster Brewery: live music on the regular (daily at Bonita Bill’s).
- Times Square: live music on many nights, right in the heart of the island.
Local tip: the trolley is your friend on a night out. From Siesta Dreams, it’s a 2-minute walk to the trolley stop and a 75-cent ride to the beach.
Fort Myers Beach Restaurant FAQ
Yes. Many local favorites have reopened since Hurricanes Ian and Milton, including Nervous Nellie’s, The Whale (reopened late 2025), and On The Bay (reopened fall 2025). Hours can change with the season, so call ahead.
It depends on the mood. For sunset, we love The Whale. For waterfront seafood, Doc Ford’s on San Carlos Island. For a true local hangout, Nervous Nellie’s.
On The Bay, Nervous Nellie’s, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, Dixie Fish Co., Bonita Fish Co., and Bonita Bill’s all sit right on the water. The Whale faces the Gulf.
The Times Square food trucks and La Ola Surfside are right in the square. Smokin’ Oyster Brewery, Yucatan Beach Stand, and Pinchers are a short walk away on Old San Carlos Blvd.
Most casual spots are first come, first served. In peak season (roughly January through April), expect a wait around sunset, so go early or call ahead.
Where to Stay: Close to the Restaurants, Away From the Crowds
Siesta Dreams is four newly renovated waterfront suites about 2 miles north of the island. You’re minutes from Fisherman’s Wharf and Times Square, with our neighborhood favorites on San Carlos Blvd right down the street.
- About 5 minutes by car to Fort Myers Beach (longer in peak season)
- A 2-minute walk to the trolley stop, with a 75-cent ride to the beach (no designated driver needed)
- Full kitchens in the two-bedroom suites, plus a grill and fire pit for nights in
- Free kayaks and bikes, two new boat docks (ask about availability), and free parking
Book your suite
| Suite | Layout | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Turtle Cove | 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, screened porch over the canal | Airbnb · VRBO |
| Blue Oasis | 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, screened porch over the canal | Airbnb · VRBO |
| Tommy Bahama | 1 bedroom (king), 1 bath, queen sleeper sofa, private screened porch | Airbnb · VRBO |
| Lover’s Key | Upstairs efficiency (queen), screened porch and deck over the mangrove lagoon | Airbnb · VRBO |
Bringing the whole crew? Book all four suites together.
* A quick note from your hosts: this guide mixes our own local know-how with research from official and local sources. Prices, hours, and openings change often around here, especially while the island keeps rebuilding, so please double-check with each business, park, or operator before you go. We’re not affiliated with the places we mention. These are just some of our top picks and other favorites around the area. Siesta Dreams can’t be held responsible for information that changes or is updated after it’s published.
About the authors: Anne & Shane are the owners of Siesta Dreams and Florida-licensed real estate brokers who opened Siesta Dreams after Hurricane Ian to help bring visitors back to Fort Myers Beach.
