The 11 best spots for key lime pie in Sanibel Island

There's some great food at Doc Ford's, specializing in seafood items. The grouper dinners and sandwiches we tried were excellent. One of my rules of thumb is to try the menu items featured most prominently in the menu. All the grouper selections were highlighted with boxes drawn around them on the menu. They proved to be great choices. Another rule of thumb is to order whatever might be part of the name of the establishment . In this case, that would be rum, but we did not try that. Service was way, way too slow, which was not satisfactory. We visited on a Friday afternoon and every step in the process of having a restaurant meal seemed to take forever, except the initial seating, which was immediate. The place was not filled either. We saw a good number of empty tables while we were there. Our waitress seemed helpful when we saw her, but then she would disappear for long periods of time, nowhere to be seen in the dining area before she would emerge to find our table again. After our food was delivered, the grouper did not come with tartar sauce and we asked her for some. This took 15 minutes, which was ridiculous. We overheard other tables asking her where their check was or pulling her aside to ask if they could have some water. We just didn't understand why everything took forever. The reason we came here was to enjoy a meal with family and friends, which we did. The quality of the food saved the day (and my 5 star rating), but the service aspect of the operation needs improvement. We didn't think it was our waitress's fault, but most people could blame it on her. We enjoyed learning about the Doc Ford character from novels written by the same man that owns this enterprise. And we enjoy spending time enjoying our meal, but that goes too far especially when the kids reach the point where they get antsy, and the adults in our group get uncomfortable sitting so long in their seats, it's time to go, which is what we finally did. As much as we liked the time here, we also enjoyed that it finally ended.

I came here with my husband on our 10 year anniversary for some good food and drinks in a laid back setting, and we certainly got what we were looking for! It was only a Monday, but for a Monday, they can get busy! This place is clearly very popular. The service was kind of slow, but our server (didn't catch her name) was very sweet and kind so it made up for it. We got two of their rum cocktails and they were both delicious. The drinks were fairly priced for how strong they tasted. We got two appetizers, the chicken taquitos and the calamari (forgot to take photos, too excited). My husband loved the taquitos, the shredded chicken was flavorful and the shells were very crispy. The calamari was also great, mostly large sized rings, lightly golden fried, and they were SOO tender inside! I'm used to mostly rubbery calamari from other restaurants, but the calamari from here is definitely different and so soft. Truly melts in your mouth. We devoured them so quick before the server could even come back to see how we liked them. For the entrees, we went with sandwiches. I got the grouper sandwich grilled and my husband got their pulled pork sandwich. The grouper sandwich was amazing. The fish was cooked perfectly and tasted so clean and fresh. The slaw I got for my side was kind of swimming in mayo, would have been nice to be a little lighter with the mayo but that's okay. My husband was a huge fan of the pulled pork sandwich, he said the sauce that the pork was mixed with was perfect. Overall the food here was so great, much better than I expected. Portion sizes were reasonable and we didn't end up needing to go boxes which is a plus in my book (because who wants to reheat a fish sandwich?). Will definitely plan to come back here in the future.

A Seafood Lover’s Dream! If you’re looking for a spot that knows how to do seafood right, this is it! Everything we tried was fresh, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. The standout for us was the shrimp in sauce—perfectly cooked, tender shrimp in a rich, mouthwatering sauce that had just the right amount of flavor and kick. It’s clearly their specialty, and it shows! We also had the macadamia-crusted grouper, and wow—what a dish! The crust added the perfect nutty crunch without overpowering the flaky, perfectly cooked fish. It was beautifully balanced and so satisfying. Every bite showed care, quality ingredients, and expert cooking. Great service, great atmosphere, and most importantly, amazing food. Highly recommend to anyone who loves seafood or just appreciates a great meal!

Amazing. We sampled a rum flight, got two of the signature cocktails, got the baked oysters, the tostadas, i got the nightly special and my significant other got the paella! Chael was the best server/bartender- he was extremely knowledgeble on the menu and knew exactly what to suggest. Will be back soon. 10/10

We were very impressed with this restaurant! The food was delicious, but what truly amazed us was the speed and quality of the service. It was absolutely outstanding. The atmosphere and attention to detail made the experience unforgettable. We’ll definitely be coming back.

This place is great. The outside patio is shaded and has fans. I'm usually too hot outside, but this patio was very comfortable. We all really liked our food. We will be eating there again before we leave the island! Service was fast and accurate. Prices were fair.

Super delicious food and drinks - we had the crab cakes as an appetizer. The Yucatan Shrimp lives up to the hype and the Mahi Mahi is equally delicious.

The Bubble Room is the place to go anytime you visit Florida. It's a super cool restaurant with thousands of knick knacks and lights to look at inside. It's always Christmas for the theme and has a crazy carnival room on the third floor, so there is a little bit of everything for everyone. The food is pretty tasty but nothing crazy. Their cakes are the best thing to get here. You will fall in love with all their creamy and fresh made cakes. I went on a Friday night and it was very easy to find free parking right next to the restaurant.

What a fun experience! It’s a long way from the bridge. If you’re going to the island for a beach day I recommend for lunch or dinner. The dessert portions are HUGE and can easily feed two. My friend order the Key Lime Pie and it was GOOD, which was surprising, since I’m picky with it. Just the right amount of tart and sweetness. 👌

This is a Florida institution! And sometimes you get to these and leave, knowing that the hype was not worth it, BUT... This restaurant has it all, the hype, the history and really good food. I mean really good. The servers are something else too. And the cake... Just go if you are in the area and get a slice of history with your cake. And everything else on the menu that's made with stunning flavours and a chef that's passionate about good food.

Festive atmosphere..fun to look at all the pictures & knick knacks. It took a while to get our order, but the food was fine. Nice touristy spot with several food options. Took a piece of the orange crunch cake to go. It had a bit of a fake orange taste, but was pretty moist & large slice.

This place is a must see! There is a lot of decor here of old toys and a lot of colors all over to see. It is also three floors! The grill grouper was on point! The dessert is amazing! We had the rum cake and it was awesome!

The Bubble Room Restaurant First of all, this place is so Quirky you just have to stop by to take in the total experience. Every room inside has a different theme and there are a lot of rooms in this restaurant. We got seated in the Christmas Room which had a lot of Christmas decorations and old-time photos up on the walls. This place was neat and kind of organized chaos going on in each room but that what makes it unique. Our waiter or Bubble Scout as they want to be called was on the ball with our drinks and food orders his name was Britt. I ordered a Beer, and my wife ordered a Kahlua and Cream. Both drinks were cold and good. They place a basket of Bubble Bread on out table which was good. I ordered a bowl of She Crab Soup for an appetizer. The Soup was very good and lots of Crab in it. For our main orders we both got the Captains Courageous which had Grilled Salmon with Hoisin Sauce, 3 Coconut Shrimp, Pineapple Fried Rice, and Sweet Chili Sauce for Dipping plus Mixed Veggies and Twice Baked Potato with Cheese. Our main order came out fast and the Salmon was grilled to perfection and the Hoisin Sauce kicked it up a notch it was very good. The Twice Baked Potato was not that good it tasted like it was reheated and did not have much flavor. The Mixed Veggies were just ok. Britt stopped by many times to check on us and to see if we needed anything. I ordered a Red Velvet Cake for Dessert, and it was huge piece of Cake. I bet 3 people could had eaten that. It was ok. I would say stop here at least for the quirkiness. I give this place 4 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Follow Me On FB For More Reviews & Fun Gulf Coast Terry

The Bubble Room is a Florida classic — quirky, nostalgic, and full of personality from the moment you walk in. Every room tells a story, with vintage memorabilia, twinkling lights, and over-the-top charm that makes the dining experience feel like stepping into another world. The food is hearty and fun, but the real showstopper is the dessert. Their cakes are legendary for a reason — oversized, indulgent, and absolutely worth the hype. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or coming back for a dose of whimsy, The Bubble Room is pure old-Florida magic.

Key Lime Bistro was fantastic! The shrimp bisque, tuna app, Caesar salad, and shrimp Alfredo were all absolutely incredible. **please note, this restaurant just reopened. The service was great, but they are definitely working out kinks. Come with some patience. The wait is WORTH IT!

Cute and cozy place to grab a bite. The nachos were awesome. Make sure you only get the half size unless you're really hungry! The sausage sandwich was excellent as well. Staff was friendly. Prices are fair. Two thumbs up.

We recently dined at Key Lime Bistro in Captiva, Florida, and had an outstanding experience thanks to our server, Andres and the amazingly talented chef. From the moment we sat down, Andres was incredibly attentive to my severe food allergy, ensuring every detail was handled with care and professionalism. His kindness and genuine hospitality combined with the chefs attention to my food allergy made my wife and me feel completely at ease. Andres’ recommendations for appetizers (an incredibly flavorful seafood antipasto) and a lunch sandwich (crab cakes) were spot-on—so much so that we decided to return later that same evening for dinner. We were not disappointed. The seafood pasta dishes were nothing short of exquisite, and the Red Snapper entrée was perfectly prepared and bursting with flavor. Adding to the charm of the evening was the live music, performed by a talented musician named David, who filled the air with classic favorites from artists like Lou Rawls and Smokey Robinson. His rich voice and engaging performance created the perfect backdrop for our meal and was a fantastic addition to an already memorable dining experience. Dining at Key Lime Bistro was a highlight of our trip, and Andres’ exceptional service, paired with great food and live entertainment, made it truly unforgettable. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Captiva Island!

Congrats on the reopening..party of 4, 2 very nice mixed drinks, 3 appetizers, 3 entrees, a slice of key lime pie, coffee….all the food was delicious, chicken Marsala, shrimp scampi, seafood salad, crab cakes, etc. great non intrusive service, fun atmosphere with live music, we were all pretty full and had an enjoyable evening, slightly under $200 while considering the quality, location and portions I felt was pretty fair…will try the lunch menu next time and be returning for some fun family celebrations….definitely a treat.

Visiting from South Carolina, we were more than happy with our wonderful server who provided excellent service from start to finish, quiet calm atmosphere, and the outstanding food and alcoholic beverages. The key lime pie martini ones probably the best key lime drink I've ever had in my life. The key lime margarita was outstanding as well. The key lime pie for dessert was on another level above everybody else. The pasta sauce tasted very homestyle Italian with cheese mixed in. Thank you thank you thank you and be friends awesome experience

Food is good...not great...fish dishes were both a bit over cooked and priced. Veggies cooked perfectly. Key lime pie is fabulous. Live entertainment is fun

We have been coming to Key Lime Bistro since 2009. The interior changes to the newly reopened are good. Booths are gone. Nice bright tables. We went 3 times over two weeks recently. First dinner, service and food were good, not great. They had music blaring from the kitchen for the first half hour. Then someone realized dining room music wasn’t on and it was turned on. Asked for a key lime martini, the female server who was also making drinks yelled across the dining room that they were out of the key lime for the martini. Ok. No problem. Also, the classic cheese, grapes and crackers has been changed to a homemade pimento instead of the port wine cheese it had always been. Please bring back the port wine cheese! The second visit a couple days later was breakfast. Great server, food was good. Music still blasting from the kitchen. The new breakfast potatoes are amazing. The third visit, a couple days after that was dinner again. The two servers on were also making all the bar drinks as well. Dining room music was on but you could clearly hear kitchen music as well. Our server was very nice male. I ordered the key lime martini again. It had been a week so I was hoping they got in the missing ingredient. They made the martini but it wasn’t key lime. I asked for a wine instead. Server was fantastic about it. Watched the female server take my martini back to the kitchen. Weird. Food was good. Not great. Smaller menu which is good. Both times at dinner no live music outside. We were hoping to hear it. We left one dinner at 7, the musical guest was just setting up. Maybe I misread the times when they played. This restaurant has always been a staple go to. So excited they are back open. This place used to be always full of people, music and good food. These three times had very few guests and no live music. Food was good and fast but not spectacular. Seemed to be run by the kitchen and front of the house staff instead of a manager or supervisor being there. Kind of a free for all. Before it was always a casual atmosphere but focused on food and service. This time was way more casual Almost lackadaisical. Hoping these are just getting back on their feet glitches. Looking forward to trying again when we come back in a couple of months. We truly love Key Lime Bistro!

This was by far the most talked about/recommended place to eat in Sanibel, so we had to check it out. We ordered: - Captiva Crab Cakes - Yucatan Shrimp Tacos - Doc Ford's Original Lime Panko Crusted Fish Sandwich The fish sandwich was fantastic. We had many fish sandwiches during our 2 weeks on the gulf coast and this was the best. Add the Colombian Gold Pepper Sauce to it. We got a bottle to take home it was so good. We also loved the crab cakes and the slaw that came with them. The Yucatan Shrimp is what they're known for, so we felt like we had to try it. On the positive side, the sauce was so good I wanted to drink it. The shrimp on the other hand was so overcooked it was basically inedible. I've never had shrimp that bad. I saw other reviews that said the same thing, so I don't think it was a one off problem. If you're in the area, coming here for a fish sandwich is a must! I'd skip the shrimp even though the sauce was amazing.

We were staying at the South Seas Island Resort and decided to try it the first night we got there. It was a 5 minute walk from our room. We stayed near the front on the property. You can eat there even if you are not staying at the resort. Everything was good. Better than I expected. Which I’ve never been so I had no idea. I believe there is another one on the island somewhere.

Extremely disappointing. This was our last night of a 10 day vacation & we chose Doc Ford’s as our last meal before we take off tomorrow. We were looking forward to a delicious meal especially after reading some of the reviews. The hostess, Irina, is definitely not in the right job. Let’s just say the whole check in & be seated process was a hot mess. We had to ask the manager for assistance after being told to step to the side & wait. After 20 minutes & seeing others - who did not have a reservation- be seated we were irritated. We were finally seated & realized we did not have menus or place settings. We asked for menus & received a cocktail menu only. After another 5 minutes we asked for dinner menus from our server. He could tell things were not going well & wanted to make it right. He was very busy & we knew to cut him some slack as he had way too many tables. We finally ordered drinks and appetizers. The drinks arrived about 10 minutes later. It was going on 30 minutes & we had not received our appetizers of Buffalo shrimp & crab cakes. While we were waiting it became clear that the table behind us was stinking up the place. It was so bad we had to go speak with our server about moving. We were considering leaving but there was a storm & it was already after 8:30. We were moved to another table. Our appetizers arrived a few minutes later but it was the wrong order so they were sent back. A few minutes later the Buffalo shrimp arrived but they were hot & not mild as ordered so we ended up downing all of our drinks as our mouths were on fire. The crab cakes never showed up. Our entrees arrived & looked great. Unfortunately, only the Yucatán shrimp & the shrimp tacos were ok. Not great - just ok. The Shrimp & Grits had zero flavor. Was worried about them being too spicy - nope. As plain & bland as could be. The Mahi dish was not edible as it was pure salt/soy. The entire experience was a disaster. From the check in to the stinky folks next to us to not receiving our orders to the entrees being sub par. Just very disappointing. The only bright spot was our server, Chris.

This is a very nice restaurant in a resort. The food expeditor was kind of in a hurry. We ate grouper for the past 10 days from key west to Captiva. Grouper at this restaurant is the worse. It is not fresh and the unpleasantness can be tasted and smelled by all three of us. The flat breads were good and the Cuban sandwich was good. The seared tuna with Thai noodles was excellent. Our suggestion is to avoid the regular Mojito.

We experienced our first time dining at Doc Ford’s and we really enjoyed it. We ordered Beach Bread $9.95 with chorizo which is a nice soft French bread with melted cheeses, and diced tomatoes for our appetizer. We ordered wings (appetizer menu) for one meal, Buffalo Shrimp(appetizer menu) $9.95, and a tropical salad $14.95 with grilled shrimp $5.00 and a cup of Clam Chowder $4.95. Everything was really tasty. The shrimp were sizable for sure. Our server was Melissa and she was very nice, friendly and professional. The restaurant offers plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Since this was during the COVID-19 time of social distance dining, all staff is masked up and guests tables were spread out. We recommend a visit to Doc’s.

Love Doc Fords. We have been to a few locations now and always happy. The grilled grouper sandwich is melt in your mouth right from the bun. You can get a side of their jalapeno cheese grits instead of other sides for a small upcharge. The shrimp appetizer with the sweet thai chili sauce is wonderful. The key lime pie was great too. Friendly service and good overall cleanliness.

VERY POPULAR FOR GOOD REASON!!! The fish sandwiches are awesome. Gotta try the Yucatán shrimp. Some reviewers complained the shrimp was over cooked - we didn’t have that problem. They peeled easy and the bread with the Yucatán sauce was incredible. The lime panko crusted fish sandwiches were a hit with teens and adults. The grouper sandwich was as good or better! Seriously, you have to eat at this place when staying at south seas island resort. Very convenient to the south end of the resort. Plenty of parking. Great for kids and adults alike. There is even parking for the golf carts in a secluded area. We didn’t wait at 6pm on Thursday night.

I may have had my hopes up for a little more Alice and Wonderland and a little less fancy food and service.. but that is what I got and I loved it!! The food is very expensive and the service is wonderful. It was a bit disappointing that you are staring out at a parking lot and not the beach and the place is really small. They gave us complimentary raw crab claws. I had the bouillabaisse which I have never tried before, it may just not be for me. My date had the truffle scallops and loved them. We also tried the goat cheese appetizer by recommendation and it was great. I did love the decor as a huge Tim Burton fan.

My wife and I enjoyed our 17th year anniversary here last night. The ambiance is wonderful. You get a few of the ocean and if you time your visit right you will see beautiful sunset colors or the sunset itself. My wife loved the garlic plate appetizer and I fell in love with the goat cheese pillows. She had the scallops with a side of risotto and I had the duck breast (ask medium rare!). The dessert was fantastic. It made our anniversary unforgettable. Laurie was a fantastic server and the gentleman who helped us recover my camera lens cap from behind the bench went out of his way! Shout out to the chefs and cooks that run this place.

We went here for or 1st anniversary and couldn't have been happier with our choice. The building itself is a cute little place with lots of art in Alice in Wonderland style. There is also art created by one of their servers that is really cool. So cool that we bought some. :) There is a limited amount of seating so reservations are recommended. The wait staff was very friendly and super attentive. Our glasses never went below half full and dirty plates stayed on the table for less than a minute. The food was INCREDIBLE!!!! Pictured is the seafood risotto, that was the special of the night. My wife got the fillet mignon and ate every single bite. For dessert we got the vanilla ice cream with some sort of wine sauce. Simply amazing. Of course, yours probably won't come with the anniversary ring on top, but you should still get it anyway. :) We will definitely be back.

My wife and I dined here for our 5 year anniversary. The staff is amazing and the food impeccable. We had a reservation for 630 but due to unforseen circumstances we weren't seated until 715. Regardless of the wait our hostess Bria and and host Bobby made the time seem irrelevant. We talked about the menu and wine and they took their time to help us make our meal selection. The restaurant has great art work and stained glass depicting scenes from the book and they have a great pop up book version of Alice through the Looking Glass. The chef is very creative and the menu is a strong reflection of his culinary skill. My wife and I were overly pleased by each course. From the appetizers to the dessert everything was the top of the line. Dawn our waitress was extremely attentive and ensured we had a great experience from start to finish. If you visit Sanibel this is definitely a stop you need to make. We will definitely return.

Outstanding service, fun atmosphere, great meal with excellent options to select from. I ate at Mad Hatters 30+ years ago and remembered it being a special place to dine. The restaurant is rather small but located right in the beach. While we throughly enjoyed the food, the service made the experience five stars. Definitely a good choice in Sanibel/Captiva.

Fine dining at its finest! Who's the Chef of this place? The food was exquisite. Mouth watering, tender, and juicy. An extensive Wine list and good assortment of Beer. The wait staff was perfect. Attentive, friendly and very knowledgeable. We really felt catered to. Welcoming! Can't wait to visit again. A MUST for your special dinner!

Excellent cute little restaurant that has less than 20 tables total. It was easy to get a reservation, the reception was extremely friendly as well as most of the staff. One of the waiters was not the most friendly person, however the remainder of the waitresses made up well for that. The waitresses were extremely thoughtful, and even brought out some berries and other things to keep our little one nice and calm and happy. Although the theme is Alice in wonderland, it is a little more upscale. It is located right on the beach and there’s a beautiful view outside the window of our table. We started with two appetizers, the goat cheese pillow as well as the garlic with brie cheese. We loved both, although my wife typically does not like goat cheese The goat cheese is tucked nicely in a handmade pastry with a delicious strawberry and wine reduction. The roasted garlic plate had two large bulbs of garlic roasted nestled with crostini and brie with some grapes. My wife had the scallop plate for her entree. It consisted of three large succulent scallops on mashed potatoes with broccolini. I had the grouper which was a large fillet of black grouper, pan seared, atop a bed of mashed potatoes and broccolini, which was coupled with a delicious key lime & caper butter. They also brought out a complementary black truffle shrimp appetizer from the chef. Our little one had some pasta in cheese butter. Another item they had brought out was some of the most delicious bread we’ve ever eaten, which was so powdery soft and delicious, freshly baked with in-house made butter that was extremely silky and soft. We definitely enjoyed our dinner and appreciated the staff as well. We do recommend this spot.

I DJ'd a wedding here on May 31st. It's a beautiful venue, at a beautiful resort! The staff was very friendly and helpful. The grounds are well kept, and there is plenty to see and do!

We've had some great meals during our visit and this place is the best. Wedge salad is so common here, but they really kick it up with Catalina dressing. Deconstructed tuna roll with those seaweed chips - so cool. Lobster 🦞 stuffed with crab and more Lobster? Yes please! Outstanding Creme Brule. Worth the rather long drive.

Old Captiva House is charming and beautifully decorated. It's the essence of a beachy restaurant: Calming white wood & aqua blues, white table clothes, cozy low ceilings. Christmas decorations made a wonderful atmosphere. Pasta with Chicken Strips was fabulous. My Grouper was okay but Risotto was outstanding. Rib eye steak was good. Service was excellent. Very busy restaurant. Recommend reservations.

What a treat. We came in town for a short spontaneous vacation and found this phenomenal restaurant. Getting there at sunset by itself was already worth it. The restaurant is beautiful with very relaxing atmosphere. We had a reservation and got welcomed quickly. The waitress was great and very knowledgeable about the menu. We tried Escargot for the first time ever and absolutely loved it, delicious. The Lobster Crab Cake was also delicious. The Pomegranate glazed lamb chops topped everything, such a perfect dish, everything on this plate was absolutely delicious. The roasted duck with orange mango rum sauce was good but slightly too sweet for us, yet we still loved it and ate everything. We will definitely be back in the future.

Pulled in here because it looked nice and the sign out front stating "best breakfast in town" caught our eye. We were seated quickly and the place was empty aside from one other family. Service was prompt and our food took no longer than ten or fifteen minutes to arrive. Gotta love how quick breakfast is cooked. My meal was as expected and I had no complaints. Can't really screw up biscuits and gravy. My wife however was displeased. She ordered a shrimp omelet and when she took her first bite she was surprised to find it full of what looked like a pesto paste. When we asked the server about she simply said it's a shrimp paste that they cook. What a turn off. The host approached our table not long after inquiring if we enjoyed the meal and after we told him our concern he said that the shrimp are placed in a blender with the other ingredients and then cooked. The menu description had none of this information and it was not appetizing. Overall we were displeased at how it was handled.

Old Captiva House is a delight with friendly staff and good food. For our starters we had a caprese salad and a deconstructed sushi roll. The sushi roll is my favorite it was amazing and the mozzarella in the salad was delicious. For our main we had the smoked salmon pasta and the steak with mashed potatoes. I felt the combination of the smoked salmon and the prosciutto fat made the dish a little too salty. I liked the flavor of the prosciutto more than the smoked salmon if I had to choose. The mashed potatoes were also a bit salty. They give you plenty of water to drink which is a plus. My only complaint is the amount of salt used. The bread was great, couldn't stop eating it.

Absolutely fantastic. We we’re staying at the connected Tween Waters resort so it was a no brainer to try the Old Captiva House. Food was wonderful. Everything was fresh and cooked perfectly. The bisque was served table side which was fun as you don’t see that very often. The staff was attentive, friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. They also had a very nice wine and cocktail menu. This place does have a higher price point but the superb quality of the food definitely reflects that. Definitely would recommend to anyone staying at the resort or if you’re in the area.

The location of this restaurant was quite amazing! For a nice dining experience we were very pleased. Marco took great care of us and recommended some good dishes! We will return for another special occasion dining!

We were on a delayed anniversary trip, and they helped us celebrate! There was a magnificent ocean view table and a card as well as great food and wonderful service! I enjoyed the lobster bisque as a starter. Hubby had the basque chicken, and I had the pistachio encrusted salmon. Everything was delish including the wine suggested by our server! We'll definitely be back!

Most exquisite restaurant on Sansibel Island. Thistle Lodge Beachfront Restaurant is fine dining, literally on the beach. Impressive, artfully conceived offerings like scallops, crab, lobster, filled minon, pastas that are presented in a way that pleases the eye and much as the pallet. I was very happy with the way the staff did what they did. They know they are the top place on the island and love up to it with impeccable service. A little dressed up on the beach. Then go here. Magnificent wine list, fun bar. And the view is nothing short of compelling. Right on the beach. Loved it!!!

Oh so disappointing! We thought this would be a nice way to spend the 4th of July for our friend saying it was her birthday. On arrival for lunch we where seated by the window right next to another table that has a party of four. The restaurant was empty there was no need to have us close to this other table. Then the waitress Jazmyn comes with the menu we give our drink order it took exactly 9min to receive the drinks (weak drinks) very little alcohol in them. We proceeded to order our starters 10min later they came out and I must say very tasty however on one of the starters we ordered chicken Quesadilla and on the plate was three small quarters, where did the four one go? So cheap of them. The male server came to the table and starter to take our plates while we where still eating the starters. I was like excuse me as you can see we are still eating and please do not remove anything unless we are finished. He made a huff and walked away. Very rude and unprofessional of him. We continued to order our main lunch meal and 15 min later out it came. Pictures will show on the grouper sandwich is was dry over cooked and tasteless. The lobster roll tasted like canned lobster and the bread over done. The tuna plate was fine. Now back to the birthday girl! You would think knowing it was her birthday the waitress would of made some fuss over her or offered a bday surprise dessert but no all she got was after we paid the bill of $207.62 while walking away. Oh have a good birthday. We where like what!!! Never ever again will I ever return to this place and I think an explanation and apology from any manager should be a follow up reply to this. One more thing as we walked in the ceiling due to obviously water was falling in and the smell of mold was high.

The service was wonderful. The food was delicious. We had the red Snapper special, chicken fettuccine, the beach salad and the ceasar, and shared a key lime pie. And the views...

What a lovely & elegant dinner we enjoyed at the scenic Thistle Lodge Beachfront Restaurant at the Casa Ybel Resort on Sanibel Island! From the reservation process through dessert, everything was perfect! We started with cedar grilled octopus served over garlic fingerling potatoes with a blueberry compote. This dish is tender and layered with flavors that enhance the seafood. The Mediterranean Pompano, grilled and served with spinach, olives, cherry tomatoes and plated with a creamy risotto was out of this world! The Seafood Provençal was full of fresh shellfish, in a delicious, light, creamy garlic wine sauce served over angel hair pasta. Oh, the Caprese Salad was so wonderful I forgot to photograph it! The sea salt caramel cheesecake was excellent and the birthday brownie, ice cream, strawberries and cream decadent! The online reservation process was super helpful as I indicated my seating preference with a waterfront view and desire for a birthday surprise. Everything was perfectly & discreetly arranged and ready when we arrived, thanks to the experienced Maitre’d’ and Tanya our excellent server! If you enjoy fine dining, this is the place for you on the Island. Reservations strongly suggested as restaurant filled quickly, in spite of September “off season.” Easy and plentiful parking.

Always an amazing meal with a fantastic poolside atmosphere. We are getting married here in December we are very happy that we chose the resort. We will be back for a complete detailed review from our wedding.

On vacay and stopped by for breakfast Exterior well maintained and clean. Host greeted us upon entering the business and seated promptly. Server was prompt and answered any all questions we had and there was only one person when we arrived but it quickly filled before we left. Food Great Service Great Staff is super courteous and professional. Thanks for y'all help to the host, server, and cook. We'll be back.

Arrived late Sunday morning for breakfast. Seated immediately, then graciously reseated in a cooler area on request. Family owned business with long history in the area. Lots of locals and regulars on a first name basis with staff. Very welcoming. Nice sized menu with some intriguing options (Original Islander featuring sauteed alligator and eggs for breakfast anyone?). A specials sheet contained even more options. Coffee fresh and tasty. We opted for items from the specials menu (I really wanted to try the alligator but couldn't pull the trigger). I ordered the Avocado Omelet with feta substituting their specialty grilled parmesean tomatoes for hash browns, with rye toast. Hubby got the breakfast burrito generously accompanied by sour cream, guacamole and homemade salsa. All I can say is YUM. Eggs beautifully cooked (not browned, a pet peeve of mine), avocado fresh, toast warm with their homemade raspberry jam on the side. (We bought a couple jars to take home, it was that good). Proper portion sizes, enough to satisfy without overeating or carting leftovers home. The parmesean tomatoes were wonderful. A healthy(er) option over the potatoes. Wait staff attentive without being bothersome. The dining room is efficient, compact but navigable. No outside seating that I saw. Their tables showcase shadowbox shell art designs from local artisans. This seemed to be a trend with them, the walls adorned with a lovely mural and art pieces by the same artist. Available to buy near the register were handmade pottery mugs by Doug (who came in to eat while we were there) and homemade raspberry & blackberry preserves. Subtle but showed their engagement with the community. 100% will go back!

This is a great breakfast and lunch place. Great service and delicious food. Food cooked to order in a timely fashion. Very clean and welcoming. I suggest if you find yourself on the lovely peaceful Sanibel Island,Fla. You drop in and enjoy a delicious meal. You'll be happy you did. "Sanibel Strong" It's amazing the progress they've made since the hurricane Sept 2022. Sheer Faith and determination. The island is recovering beautifully you need to see for yourself🤗🙏🏻

First time eating here. Absolutely fantastic experience. Had breakfast. Everything was great. The lady server was awesome. Place looked very clean .

Debut and farewell. I've never had breakfast in such a bad place. I ordered huevos rancheros (cooked eggs) made with canned salsa, the same as the beans, and it tasted truly horrible. I hate paid for something expensive and bad. 😡 I hope they change management soon, or they'll end up closing sooner or later.

Cute cafe with great food and staff! I asked if the sausage gravy was good, and our server said “people want to marry it”… I guess I’m engaged now. Sausage links were so good, too!

You have to go to this restaurant!!! It's been a while since I've been here but it never disappoints! I lived in Fort Myers for 10yrs and I always went here for breakfast. The food is amazing!! Clean. The staff are super friendly! I worked EMS here and it was are go to place to eat. Trust me, if you see EMS or FD parked in front of a restaurant then you need to go there to eat. Definitely go to this place!! I miss you guys at Sanibel Cafe.

Joey's Custard Ice Cream Table-Side Service: They delivered the waffle outside. Fast, friendly, offered to clean frisbee off when done. Rating: 4.5 Ambience: Not much indoor seating. Space is a little tight. Fun atmosphere with tons of options. Rating: 3.5 Dessert: Warm Peanut Butter Waffle on a Frisbee with chocalte ice cream and toppings. Also, a small birthday cake ice cream with Reese Cups. Dessert Rating: 4.8 Overall Rating: 4.3 Get the waffle. Feeds 2, at least.

Excellent! They have lots of great selections including sugar free and dairy free. I had the dairy free peanut butter and it was fantastic. They have a map in the shop where visitors are invited to add a star to the map that signifies where they live. That is a really great touch, especially for a nap lover like me. If you're on the area I would highly encourage you to stop in for a visit.

There's a reason this place has 5 stars... Yes, it's that good! And they get their ice cream from Wisconsin! So delicious and LOTS of options! Something for everyone :) super friendly staff too!

After a long beach day, we got into the car thinking we needed ice cream. After some driving around Sanibel, we really hit the jackpot when we found this local custard shop. The team behind the counter was so friendly and kind. The place was bright and cheerful, fitting right in with how Sanibel Island feels as a whole. The custard was delicious and smooth. Freshly made and absolutely hit the spot. It's a ~sweet~ place to go with your kids or with your sweetheart.

Our first visit to Joey’s and wow. What a huge variety of ice creams, custards, waffles etc. Joey has just a couple of large tables inside and a comfy couch inside and several tables outside on the covered porch. The four of us ordered different ice creams and custards and all flavors were very good. They even offer two different gluten free cones to choose from. My sister said the gluten free cone was really good. This is definitely a place we will return to and recommend you to visit too.

Best ice cream shop on Sanibel. Every time on the island, I make a visit. Best staff and customer service. The custard is delicious. Many flavors of ice cream and toppings. My son loves it!! They also have some cool games outside to hang out.

‘Twas quite delicious. The peanut butter waffle had a little too much peanut butter per cubic inch of ice cream for my liking, but that is definitely something of personal opinion. The ice cream tastes great and I’ll definitely be back again.

Great selection of products to buy. There’s even a Filipino vendor - however, the lady was not too friendly. The choripanadas and carne picante empanadas we got from the food truck was meh…The smoothie was refreshing on a hot sunny day. Overall, still a nice place to check out.

Nice market on Sanibel island, but not big on fresh fruit or vegetables. Some fresh seafood and cheese 🧀 Overall a nice place to see. Got some real tomatoes 🍅

Lots of food options. Beautiful fruits and vegetables. But the true standouts for me were the Turkish linen products and the Filipino food stand. Some of the best pork adobo I’ve had in a while. I can’t wait to return again for a meal!

Wow!! We had a great time!!! Best Farmer's Market ever. 30+ Gourmet Food Vendors,,,Huge Cultural selection. Crazy reasonable prices. We bought a huge basket of fresh produce for Less than $20. We ate Thai spring rolls, Fresh Tamamles, Armenian Meat pies, Gaucamole made fresh in front of you,, delicious doughy flat bread treats (I may be boring with just the cinnamon sugar,,, but it was the best "Elephant ear" I have ever had. Boutique jewelry and clothes. Our family got 2lbs of Smoked Brisket and a rack of ribs to take back for lunch for just a fraction of eating out. This is a MUST GO!!!!

We had a really great experience! Tons of local food options (all very high quality). Lots of free samples and pleasant vendors that want to share stories about their products. The only challenge was parking. Get there early and you should be OK.

This place is so much fun, we stop and shop every Sunday we are here. The fresh food is amazing, and the variety is too. Lots to choose from, and most of the vendors are happy to discuss their products in depth if there is time. It's crowded and there are lines, but worth the trip. Ride a bike if possible, easy to get up close parking.

UPDATE: Jan 2024- LOVE the Mangiamo Italian meatballs! (Can get frozen with their delicious homemade sauce- we took them up north for family Christmas!) AND ALSO really like the BBQ place Herbeque!-now we’ve had the brisket, ribs, and pulled chicken- ALL FABULOUS, they are so nice to chat with also! Highly recommend! From 2022: Great place - have loved it for years. A NEW vendor this year - Chef Sebastian Mazzota- his chef prepared frozen dinners are FANTASTIC!!! We give an A+ to dishes we have tried: beef Wellington with vegetables, short ribs, shepherds pie, corn soufflé and bought more this week to try. All the meals come with vegetable sides and are easy to prepare. We miss the German lady with veal schnitzel- but this MORE than makes up for it! Highly recommend. We also especially love the incredible display of the fruit/ vegetable vendors in the center.

Amazing food !! wonderful, kind service! if you try nothing else, do yourself a favor and try the cranberry walnut muffin! I've never had a better muffin in my life, and I asked if they would make me a fresh batch because they sold out, and they so kindly made me my own batch to come back and pick up! delicious!

Food was delicious! We went here based on the reviews and dairy free and gluten free options. We got a breakfast sandwich and the Buccaneer Açaí Bowl. They were both delicious! The bowl is quite filling. You grab a menu and sit down and figure out what you want. And then go up and order and they bring it to you. We appreciated the outside seating also. Definitely will be back. The coffee was good too.

Update March 2022- STILL GREAT!- BEST turkey cranberry Brie EVER!! And you can now sit outside and relax 😃😃 GREAT place for lunch! “Farm to table” ideas, they try to get fresh food “from Sanibel to Miami”. Paninis incredible with cheese and special jam. Highly recommend! - Bright and fun. Close to causeway, you place your order up front and then get a table, they bring food to you.

Unreal, fresh and even gourmet taste on every part of this breakfast. This is real food, and very good eating! Super high quality, might go as far as saying the best on the island.

Yummy! Food was delicious! Was busy but plenty of seating available. Had ahi tuna wrap, avocado toast, cashew salad, potato salad, and cold brew and everything was really good. Staff is friendly and the store was clean. Would definitely give it another go. Thank u

Quaint little restaurant tucked in off Periwinkle as you head north up Sanibel Island... Stopped by just for a cup of coffee and to check out the menu... Looks like I'll be back while I'm here... Patio out front, plenty of parking in the rear...And the organic coffee is excellent! Only open for breakfast and lunch so come by early...

We visited Sanibel in June and visited Sanibel Fresh because we did not want to wait 45 minutes for breakfast on Father's Day. I'm so glad we went there. Everything we ordered was DELICIOUS. They had an amazing variety of gluten free food which we needed for one of us. GF pancakes were phenomenal. The regular and GF pancakes are gigantic and yummy. The avocado toast with eggs was so darn good I got it twice on our trip and since I've been trying to make a copycat version at home! They had out samples of some of their muffins which were also melt in your mouth tasty! The best part was the coffee for me! The Jamaican Me Crazy was the best coffee I had on the island! I would have eaten there everyday we were there if I could have. Staff was friendly, food was FRESH and I LOVE finding healthy food on vacation. Place was clean!! Wish we had one here at home!!!