Five Great Restaurants for Captiva Island Dining

One of the best days out from Fort Myers is a trip to the sandy beach and small shops on Captiva Island. Easily accessed via the scenic Sanibel Causeway (toll) from McGregor Blvd or Summerlin Road, peaceful Captiva Island lies at the extreme western end of Sanibel Island.

Cantina Captiva

There’s something appropriately tropical about Mexican or Tex-Mex cuisine, and Cantina Captiva on Captiva Drive gets the balance between tasty and spicy just right. Bite into freshly prepared tequila-lime shrimp or try the delicious fish tacos as you relax beneath the leafy canopy of palm fronds and huge agave plants.

MustDo.com | Cantina Captiva Mexican restaurant Captiva Island, Florida

Photo credit Nita Ettinger

Those wanting a more authentic taste of Mexico should sample the chef’s guacamole or the chile relleno – pablano peppers stuffed with tasty ground beef and cheddar cheese. You’ll need a drink to cool you down, and a frozen margarita in lime, mango or strawberry should do the job nicely!

Sunshine Seafood Café and Wine Bar

Another informal bistro-style eatery with an open-air kitchen and wood burning grill is Sunshine Seafood Café and Wine Bar. It offers signature seafood dishes including jumbo lump crab cakes, seafood paella and freshly caught jumbo Gulf shrimp. With live music and an extensive wine list, you’ll want to linger and enjoy the atmosphere long after the meal is over.

MustDo.com | Sunshine Seafood Cafe and Wine Bar Captiva Island, Florida

Photo credit Nita Ettinger

Keylime Bistro

USA Today’s recommended choice for island dining is Keylime Bistro, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The open air breezy dining has a great atmosphere after dark with live sax, jazz and guitar music daily.

MustDo.com | Grilled shrimp salad Key Lime Bistro Captiva Island, Florida

Photo credit Nita Ettinger

MustDo.com | Fresh tomato caprese salad Key Lime Bistro, Captiva Island, FL

Photo credit Nita Ettinger

You can’t go wrong, whatever you choose from the seafood, steak and pasta menu, but do leave room for a slice of their award-winning Key Lime pie. It’s a little slice of paradise.

Captiva Pizza, Yogurt and Gifts Emporium

For a light bite that is definitely not light on flavor, try a gourmet pizza from Captiva Pizza, Yogurt and Gifts Emporium which is located in the Celebration Center on Captiva Island. Pizzas have fun names such as Man Overboard (sausage, pepperoni, onion, mushrooms, green pepper and black olives) or Jaws, (a Great White with ricotta, basil, tomatoes, spinach, and mozzarella). Order a specialty salad or create your own from over 20 salad ingredients.

There’s only one dessert to choose after your delicious pizza meal, and that’s a dish of frozen yogurt, made from fresh seasonal fruits and dressed with a selection of toppings including chunky choc chips and Reece’s pieces.

RC Otter’s Island Eats

MustDo.com | RC Otters Captiva Island, Florida

Photo credit Gary Jung

Located in the heart of Old Captiva Village, RC Otter’s is about as laid back and enjoyable as Captiva Island itself. With a choice of over 100 menu items, it’s got steaks, pasta and seafood covered and beer lovers will appreciate the house micro-brew. Dine indoors, outdoors or back at your own place and appreciate why this fun restaurant was voted “Best Of” by News-Press Readers.

Whether you arrive by boat or by car via the Sanibel bridge, the chance to dine at one of these locally owned unique restaurants should not be missed.

Written by:

Nita Ettinger is Co-publisher for Siesta Publications Inc. and the Editor in Chief for Must Do Visitor Guides. Must Do Visitor Guides provides Southwest Florida visitor information through printed magazines and the website MustDo.com. Must Do magazines are published bi-annually and are available at no cost in Sarasota, Lee, and Collier County Chamber of Commerce, visitor information centers, select Southwest Florida hotels, and wherever free publications can be found.