It began with Eastwood 77 on Jan. 1. That’s when the folks behind Farmers Market Restaurant held a grand opening for their bar & grill at the golf course and country club in Fort Myers.
A handful of restaurants quickly followed. Oda Pizzeria Bistro, Barunch, Bimini Bites (now closed) and Love Boat in Cape Coral, Urban Buzz and Crave Cookies in Estero, Chica Rosa in south Fort Myers and Rooftop at Riverside in Bonita Springs all debuted in January.
Fast forward to June and more than 55 restaurants have opened or reopened in Lee County this year.
And while we’ve snacked and sampled our way to 65 percent of those, we just can’t get to them all.
We’re eager to try visually stunning The Capital Grille at Bell Tower in Fort Myers and The Goombah Pizzaiolo in Cape Coral soon. Cuban, Puerto Rican and Mexican restaurants are on our radar too.
For now though, here are 13 of our favorite new or reopened restaurants in the first half of 2024:
Bellini’s, Fort Myers
The longtime Captiva fine-dining restaurant that closed two decades ago has a new home in the former site of Stillwater Grilleon the northeast corner of McGregor Boulevard and Cypress Lake Drive. Owner Andrea Mucciga’s menu represents world cuisine “from kitchens around the world.” Think seafood, dry-aged cuts of meats, fresh vegetables, escargot, braised octopus, fresh oysters, seafood towers, Scottish salmon, duck two ways and much more, plus a wagyu burger, lobster ravioli carbonara, filet mignon, and a veal chop. All this, plus homemade desserts, specialty drinks and coffees, and an extensive wine list, add up to a memorable experience. Just like old times on Captiva. Bellini’s, 13451 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers; bellinisfortmyers.comor follow on Facebookand Instagram. Reservations can be made by calling (239) 270-5005.
Gramma Dot’s, Sanibel
We were thrilled when this award-winning seafood-focused waterfront wonder held its ribbon-cutting reopening in February. We were even more excited when it began serving a full liquor bar a few months later. “We have some of the best food on the island,” General Manager Wesley Brent said. “The seafood is brought in fresh daily. We are going to have really nice drinks to go with it. It’s only the best here.” Frozen drinks, martinis, gin & tonics, and Key lime coladas have been a popular order for customers enjoying picturesque views of Sanibel Marina on the island's east end. Our favorite? The Henry — with vodka, lemonade, blue curacao and a lemon garnish. It’s named for the yellow-crowned night heron who has been a regular at Gramma Dot's for 10 years. Cheers to that. Gramma Dot’s, 634 N. Yachtsman Drive; (239) 472-8138; sanibelmarina.comor on Facebook
Jimmie The Beef Guy, Fort Myers
We didn’t realize we were fans of Chicago-style sandwiches until we met Jimmie Hart. With his sub shop thriving in Bonita Springs, he opened this second location on Cleveland Avenue, a mile south of Uncle Rico’s Pizza (another favorite of ours). There are just five sandwiches on Jimmie’s menu but oh what a five they are — Italian beef, Italian sausage, sausage & beef, breaded steak and Maxwell Polish, a jumbo beef and pork Polish sausage with mustard, grilled onions and sport peppers. Everything is authentic Chicago and the sauces and gravies are made fresh in-house. “We give big amounts,” Hart said. “You get almost a pound of fries. You won’t be disappointed.” You really won’t. Jimmie The Beef Guy, 3664 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers; (239) 689-5391; jimmiethebeefguy.comor on Facebookand Instagram
Nevermind, Cape Coral
This awesome bar & eatery in Cape Coral looked like it was closing for good after a goodbye bash was held Dec. 30. Then it was moving to Slate’s old location. Ultimately, it was cleaned up and reopened in March with new owners — including Michael Gavala who owns G3 Catering and previously owned Sasse’s Restaurant in Fort Myers —and new equipment. Fortunately, the menu is mostly the same —from volcano rolls to prime rib and other daily specials. The pressed burger ($15 with fries on Taco Tuesdays) was as good as we remembered.Welcome home. Nevermind, 927 Cape Coral Parkway E., Cape Coral; (239) 257-1007; nevermindawesomebar.com, follow on Facebook and Instagram
Oda, Cape Coral
Toni Dedaj opened this Mediterranean pizzeria bistro in the same plaza as his popular breakfast and lunch joint, House of Omelets. In Albania, Oda is a gathering room used to welcome guests and that's exactly what the Balkans native is going for. He wanted to create something for “us middle-aged people. Where you can relax and have a drink. And bring the family.” The menu is an eclectic blend of Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French food — picture lamb, paella, veal, seafood, chicken, pasta and wood-fired pizzas. The bar program was built from scratch and like everything else on the menu, the desserts are homemade, including baklava made by Dedaj himself. It’ll make you feel right at home. Oda Pizzeria Bistro, 900 SW Pine Island Road, No. 102, Cape Coral; (239) 402-8282; odapizzeriabistro.comor follow on Facebook
Over Easy Café, Sanibel
This Sanibel breakfast and lunch gem reopened in March, 18 months after Hurricane Ian swirled 7 feet of water through the dining room. The island favorite of locals and visitors alike is beloved for its warmth, comfort, hospitality and the from-scratch menu. “People were a little nervous at first that we weren’t going to bring back their favorites,” said Trasi Sharp who owns Over Easy with Liza Clouse. “They really wanted to feel a sense of sameness and we wanted to make sure everyone got what they wanted.” They come for the Benedicts, omelets, French toast, pancakes, egg sandwiches, salads, sandwiches, burgers and more. We love the giant, made-fresh-daily cinnamon rolls that melt in your mouth. Whether you get them in original or orange versions, get them before they sell out. Over Easy Café, 630 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel; 239-966-5114; overeasycafesanibel.comand on Facebook
Rico Café, Cape Coral
When the former owners of Azucar, one of my favorite Cuban restaurants in the Cape, decided to downsize, they opened this Latin gem tucked away in the Del Prado Mall plaza. There you’ll find egg dishes, croissants and sandwiches for breakfast and traditional beef, chicken, pork and seafood dishes, plus empanadas, soups and salads for lunch. But it’s the daily specials — from Monday’s $9 chicken stew to Saturday’s $9.50 pork ribs in Creole sauce — we’ll come back for any day of the week. Rico Café, 1404 Del Prado Blvd. S., Suite 140, Cape Coral. Call (239) 242-0714 or find it onFacebook.
Rock’n Rolls, Cape Coral
Joe Domscheit sets his German bakery & bistro apart by making the dough for his bread and rolls fresh daily. “I come in at 3 every morning,” he said. “We’re the only German bakery in Southwest Florida to make its own bread.” The display cases and racks are filled with customer-favorite breakfast and lunch sandwiches, plus German breads, cakes and pastries. The quaint, Cape Coral-themed shop has it all — German cheesecake, sourdough, quiches, cinnamon rolls, chocolate filler rolls, German plum cake, doughnuts, fruit rolls, muffins and croissants, plus schnitzel, bratwurst, leberkaese (meatloaf), and Goulash. There’s even gourmet coffee. You won’t want to leave once you discover this tranquil bistro. Rock’n Rolls, 3512 Del Prado Blvd., Suite 104, Cape Coral; (941) 249-3384, rocknrollsbakery.comor follow on Facebook and Instagram
The Rustic Sandwich Deli, Cape Coral
Dennis Friedmann opened his, old authentic German breakfast and lunch shop with an American twist on Feb. 19 in American Plaza.Breakfast consists of egg, bacon, German sausage and steak on Kaiser rolls. Salads — including potato, German sausage, tuna, chicken and macaroni — are made fresh as is the coffee.Hearty hot and cold sandwiches served on NY-NJ Par Baked Breads include house-made schnitzel and bratwurst, grilled chicken, German meatloaf, Philly beef, breaded fish, roast beef and homemade meatballs. Salads — including potato, tuna, chicken and macaroni — are made fresh. We’ve had a few of The Rustic’s signature subs and can’t wait to try more. The Rustic, 2924 Del Prado Blvd., Unit 5, Cape Coral; (239) 710-5835; the-rustic.comor follow on Facebookand Instagram
Taza Café, Fort Myers
Once we found this Peruvian and Argentinian delight, we’ve been eager to go back. In an unassuming plaza on the northwest corner of Colonial Boulevard and Cleveland Avenue,Fernando Arakaki’s breakfast and lunch joint is quaint, charming and full of homemade goodness. Highlights include all-day breakfasts of omelets, egg dishes and the El Limeno (fried pork belly, sweet potato, tomato and red onion). Lunch brings sandwiches of Peruvian ham, Argentinian chorizo and grilled chicken, eggplant or picania and more. We’re heading back soon for the simply wonderful La Nona with breaded chicken or palomilla steak. See you there. Taza Cafe, 4458 Cleveland Ave. in Fort Myers. Call (239) 202-8644 or follow onInstagram.
Voodoo Brewing Co., downtown Fort Myers
We were pleasantly surprised when we went to this gastropub at the southeast corner of First and Lee streets shortly after it opened April 6. We went for the award-winning craft beer but stayed for elevated pub food. “Everything is scratch, from fresh cut fries to the tortilla fried in-house every day,” said Nate Cillo, culinary director of Voodoo. “We’re building a reputation for pub fare at a high level. Everything is scratch or signature.” Our favorite was the Foodoo burger — a cheddar-cheese smash burger with onions, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and house-made Cajun ranch. Cheers to unexpected food finds. Voodoo Brewing Co., 2400 First St., Unit 100, Fort Myers; (239) 789-1391; ftmyers.voodoobrewery.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram
The Waterfront Restaurant, St. James City
This list contained 12 entries until we realized we hadn't included this historic waterfront gem. It's one of our all-time favorites. We snagged a seat at the bar and gleefully ate our perfectly fried, freshest of fresh fish & chips on March 9 — the day it reopened after Hurricane Ian pummeled it 17 months before. We've been back a few times since for smoked fish dip, shrimp & corn chowder, shrimp & scallop pot pie and the amazing grouper Reuben. We have yet to go on a Sunday for the wickedly popular sweet tea fried chicken. It's on our list and we certainly won't forget it again. The Waterfront, 2131 Oleander St., St. James City; (239) 966-5026; Waterfrontrestaurantmarina.comof follow onFacebook
Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant, Sanibel
The owners of Island Cow and The Mad Hatter teamed up to open this breakfast, lunch and dinner restaurant in the Seahorse Shops plaza on the east end of Sanibel. “We have a chef-inspired menu that we keep adding to,” owner Brian Podlasek said. “We’re always trying new things. I’m going to need a treadmill. Crème Brule French toast and more Benedicts — lobster, shrimp, salmon.” We loved our lobster escargot and strawberry zinfandel salad. If you save room for dessert, the beloved Hatter cheesecake — the same recipe used at The Mad Hatter — is heavenly. Or if you’re in the mood for ice cream, creative coffee and sweet treats, drop by the couples’ Magic Bus a few doors down. You’ll be glad you did. Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant, 362 Periwinkle Way, Suite 2, Sanibel, (239) 472-0011, wickieslighthouserestaurant.comor follow on Facebook or Instagram
Jean Le Boeuf is the brand under which our restaurant critics have written for more than 40 years. This articlecame from staff writer Robyn George. Connect:rhgeorge@gannett.com.
