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15 Best Restaurants in Captiva Island, FL

Christine Dianne Francisco

Nov 1, 2022 • 10 min read

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Situated off the coast of Florida is the scenic Captiva Island.

Along with Sanibel Island, Captiva is a popular tourist destination because of its laid-back atmosphere and scenic beaches.

Captiva is an unincorporated community in Lee County located offshore of the Gulf of Mexico.

Surrounded by amazing waterways, it’s no secret that Captiva Island also offers a great selection of seafood-inspired dishes.

Check out 15 of the best restaurants in Captiva Island, Florida.

Old Captiva House at Tween Waters Island Resort and Spa

Enjoy your vacation at Tween Waters Island Resort and Spa by indulging in great dishes at Old Captiva House.

Old Captiva House on Captive Drive offers a wide selection of fresh meals and stunning views of Captiva Island.

As you take a bite from your shrimp bisque, marvel at the picturesque sight of the orange sunset fading into the background of the crystal blue waters from the beach.

Order a hefty serving of island favorites such as seafood, fresh bread, desserts, and an extensive wine collection.

Once you’ve had your fix of Captiva Island’s best meals, walk around Tween Waters Island Resort and Spa to explore other nearby amenities.

Keylime Bistro

Situated in the middle of the Historic Captiva Island Inn Village on Andy Rosse Lane is the award-winning Keylime Bistro, one of the many must-visit restaurants in Captiva Island.

It's the go-to restaurant for those who want to enjoy a night of singing and dancing while indulging in delicious food.

The best part about Keylime Bistro is that it is also open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week, making it the perfect stopover any time of the day.

While you’re there, try the popular dishes such as their signature Bistro-style corned beef hash and eggs, crab cake benedict, seafood antipasto, shrimp scampi, tender steak fillets, and more.

Swing by the full-service bar to wash down your meal with your favorite drinks.

The Mucky Duck

If you’re looking for a great restaurant with stunning views of Captiva Island, you might want to try swinging by The Muck Duck on Andy Rosse Lane.

The Mucky Duck is located deep in the heart of downtown Captiva where you’ll enjoy striking sunset views.

Like many restaurants in Captiva, The Mucky Duck has a rich history.

It started as a quaint little tea house before transforming into one of the most popular beach houses on the island.

The restaurant is also known to serve island favorites like oysters, fried calamari, shrimp salad, and more.

Hang out by The Mucky Duck with your friends while soaking up the best beach views, and indulge in delectable dishes on the island and a round of drinks.

RC Otter’s Island Eats

Shopping and roaming the streets of the Old Captiva Village can be exhausting and could probably lead to a grumbling stomach.

So if you’re ever in the area looking to fill up on some good food, be sure to swing by the famous RC Otter’s Island Eats.

RC Otter’s Island Eats is arguably one of the best places around Old Captiva Village because it has everything you need to enjoy your stay on the island.

Along with classics like the Ultimate Seafood Omelet and Fajita Quesadillas, you’ll enjoy live music and entertainment.

On a cool night, grab the outdoor seats and marvel at the string of lights that complement the dark skies.

Normandie Seaside Cafe at West Wind Island Resort

Another restaurant where you can enjoy beautiful sights while dining is the Normandie Seaside Cafe.

Dining at the Normandie Seaside Cafe at West Wind Island Resort gives you an amazing experience一eating your favorite meals while listening to the waves crashing.

The Normandie Seaside Cafe offers nothing short of the finest dining experience available with its freshly prepared meals.

From bright breakfast choices and lively lunches to creative dinner selections, everything you could possibly want is right at Normandie Seaside Cafe.

While there, grab a bite of its best-sellers like fried baskets, wraps, sandwiches, and more.

The Green Flash Waterfront Restaurant

It’s always a great idea to hang out at The Green Flash Waterfront Restaurant on Captiva Island.

While there are dozens of scenic restaurants on the island, The Green Flash Waterfront Restaurant offers something more unique than the others一outdoor dockside dining.

The Green Flash’s restaurant sits beside the historic Timmy’s Nook, another famous gathering place for tourists and locals.

Indulge in a hefty serving of gulf oysters, char-grilled ribeye, and filet mignon, among others.

The Green Flash Waterfront Restaurant overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway, Pine Island Sound, and Buck Key, setting the perfect backdrop when celebrating events.

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille

Touring the streets of Captiva Island can be exhausting, and there’s nothing better to do after that than to hang out by the local bar and grab your favorite drink.

Located along S Seas Plantation Road, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille lets guests enjoy the island vibes with its outdoor seating and live entertainment.

Doc Ford’s also doubles as a sports bar with the addition of a slew of gourmet foods that you won’t find anywhere else.

Indulge in the balanced flavors from the Caribbean Rim, and grab a spoonful of Doc Ford’s best seafood platters.

Don't miss their panko-crusted grouper, penne with shrimp, and banana leaf snapper.

You can also hang out by the shellfish bar to grab a plate of yucatan-baked oysters, shrimp ceviche, peel-n-eat shrimp, and more.

Cantina Captiva

If you’re in Captiva Island looking for a restaurant that serves authentic Mexican food, swing by Cantina Captiva to satisfy your cravings.

Cantina Captiva offers a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere in the iconic Captiva Village Square.

The interior is enough to make you feel like you’re in Mexico, with the barrage of colors and lighting decorating the place.

Help yourself to Mexican food favorites like fajitas, enchiladas, tacos, and burritos, to name a few, while you order a couple of bottles of ice-cold beer.

Try the best-selling dishes like the shrimp diablo, tequila-lime shrimp, arrachera, chicken chile poblano, and more.

Sunshine Seafood Cafe and Wine Bar

Sunshine Seafood Cafe and Wine Bar should be on your list if you're looking for a restaurant where you can eat to your heart’s content.

This restaurant in Captiva Village Square is a cafe and fine dining establishment perfect for date nights, anniversaries, and other events.

With its assortment of seafood items such as jumbo lump crab cakes, wood-grilled jumbo shrimp, and scallop scampi, among others, it’s no wonder Sunshine Seafood Cafe and Wine Bar was once voted as the best-kept secret of the island.

Seafood isn't the only thing you can enjoy in this restaurant, as they also serve wood-grilled fillet mignon, pan-fried chicken breast, lamb, and pork chop, too.

Latte Da

The summer heat can be unbearable, even on Captiva Island, surrounded by water and palm trees.

So why not beat the heat by heading over to Andy Rosse Lane and order your favorite ice cream to share with your friends?

Latte Da is one of the go-to places in Captiva Island where customers can relax inside the quaint and simple ice cream parlor and cafe.

Latte Da carries a great selection of Queenies Homemade Ice Cream, as well as concoctions from Seattle’s Best Coffee.

These familiar flavors are enough to take you on a refreshing journey when exploring the island.

Mainstay North Captiva

Make your way to Point House Trail and head to Mainstay North Captiva to grab your share of some of the island’s best dishes.

Mainstay North Captiva offers a relaxing island dining experience where you can enjoy beautiful surroundings and great food.

The laid-back atmosphere perfectly complements the restaurant's selection of delectable meals you can enjoy by the docks.

If you’re traveling with your friends, order shareable favorites like crab cakes, buffalo shrimp, conch fritters, and mainstay fries.

At night, stick around Mainstay North Captiva for some drinks accompanied by bar snacks like chips, edamame, smash burgers, and more.

The Boathouse

Enjoy the waterways by the docks while satisfying your cravings after a long day at The Boathouse.

The restaurant treats you to magnificent views of the marina while you enjoy popular dishes like vodka sauce shrimp, steak au poivre, sesame-encrusted tuna, and more.

If you’re early for your dinner reservation, you can always hang out by the pier to catch gorgeous sunset views.

The Boathouse is also a great drinking spot after walking around the area.

It offers a great selection of red and white wines, beers, and cocktails for you and your friends to enjoy.

Boops by The Bubble Room

If you want to satisfy your sweet tooth on Captiva Island, you might want to check out Boops by The Bubble Room along Captiva Drive.

You can’t possibly miss this emporium with its bright yellow paint, which foreshadows the excitement you’ll feel once you step inside.

Beat the summer heat with a scoop of ice cream, or satisfy your sweet tooth with a wide selection of baked goods.

Take a bite of The Bubble Room’s famous Orange Crunch Cake, a thick and dense cake lined with a brown sugar crust.

You may also try the Jamaican Rum Cake, another signature cake unlike any traditional pound cake.

Captiva Island Pizza

Captiva Island is not all about seafood dishes.

If you go to Andy Rosse Lane, you’ll come across Captiva Island Pizza, a local favorite perfect for every occasion.

Captiva Island Pizza first welcomed its customers in 2015 and has since become a popular pizza place.

The menu has nearly every classic pizza flavor, so you won’t run out of choices while there.

Don't miss the popular meals such as the canon ball, skinny pirate, pepperoni, classic cheese, veggie delight, and more.

Harborside Bar and Grill

Make the most of your island time by hanging out at the Harborside Bar and Grill.

If you’re a guest at the South Seas Resort, dining at Harborside is one experience you shouldn’t miss out on.

Kick off your meal by ordering a serving of blackened tuna, Spanish octopus, or truffle fries before moving on to entrees like fried lobster tacos and the gulf grouper.

Harborside Bar and Grill is also open for those who want to kick off their day with a hearty breakfast, offering classics like pancakes, breakfast sausages, and scrambled eggs.

Just like the many restaurants on Captiva Island, Harborside Bar and Grill also boasts majestic views of the island.

Final Thoughts

Captiva Island treats tourists to a slew of great experiences and adventures, which includes a satisfying gastronomic journey.

Explore the lively dining scene on the island that serves seafood and other cuisines.

If you’re having trouble finding a great place to eat, stick to this list of the best restaurants in Captiva Island, Florida.

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