Restaurants at Ft. Myers Beach?

[judyjht]

We are going to Ft. Myers Beach for 2 weeks and wondered what you favorite restaurants are? We like casual and usually like to sit at the bar if possible - or outside! Thanks a lot

As you can see we have a few back to back weeks - that is why I am asking.

 

[eschjw]

Big Hickory Marina

I went here twice on my last trip to Fort Myers Beach. We were staying on the south end of the beach. This place was past Lover's Key on the left. Great low key locals kind of place with good food and outside dining.

http://www.viewmenu.com/big-hickory-seafood-grille/menu

 

[ronparise]

We are going to Ft. Myers Beach for 2 weeks and wondered what you favorite restaurants are? We like casual and usually like to sit at the bar if possible - or outside! Thanks a lot

As you can see we have a few back to back weeks - that is why I am asking.

Wish I could help I live 15 minutes from the beach and can count the times ive been on the island in the last 10 years on one hand. Come across the bridge to Ft Myers and Id suggest Cristof's on McGregor (almost into Ft Myers)

 

[ronparise]

sorry dup post

 

[theo]

Re: Big Hickory Seafood Grill

I went here twice on my last trip to Fort Myers Beach. We were staying on the south end of the beach. This place was past Lover's Key on the left. Great low key locals kind of place with good food and outside dining.

Big Hickory Seafood Grill is actually located in Bonita Beach (not Fort Myers Beach), on Hickory Blvd., just south of the Big Hickory Pass bridge. I can't honestly say that I share your enthusiasm for the food there, but the outdoor seating and relaxed atmosphere is certainly a nice feature when weather accommodates.

Fresh Catch Bistro is on Estero Blvd. toward the northern end of Fort Myers Beach. Only a few years old (in the former Anthony's restaurant location). Excellent food; a little pricey but not insanely so.

There is a (pink) strip mall called Santini Plaza toward the southern end of FMB. Tucked completely behind that strip mall by the Fish Tale marina docks is the Fish House restaurant. Unpretentious, not in any way "fancy" (...to say the least), reasonable prices. Noisy, always crowded in Snowbird season; expect to have to wait to get in if that's when you're going.

In the front part of that same Santini Plaza is a little Mexican restaurant called Skye's. Unpretentious, decent food, Mexican proprietors. Tequila in the Margueritas is more a rumor than a reality, but it's a decent little place otherwise. There are also several other restaurant choices within Santini Plaza as well (e.g. South Beach Grill, Castaways) which are not particularly noteworthy (at least IMnsHO).

There is a fancy place on the water behind the Publix (grocery store, located on Estero Blvd. around mid-island), beside some boat docks. Restaurant name escapes me at the moment, but it's the one and only restaurant so located. Food and prices are both somewhat high end. Haven't ever chosen to eat there --- we don't do "foofy". YMMV.

For true pub atmosphere and pub food (and yes, where you can eat at the bar), The Smokin' Oyster just outside of Times Square fits that bill. Live music (one guitarist / singer) on occasion --- sometimes quite good, sometimes "not so much"; luck of the draw. I generally don't eat fried food, but I willingly make an occasional exception for the fried oysters there.

There are numerous food & drink places on Estero Blvd. at the northern end of FMB, including an Irish "pub" on the northbound side and a Hooters on the southbound side.
Hope some of this helps. If not, I will cheerfully refund 100% of the amount you've paid me for the requested input.

 

[Bob B]

Try Pincher's Crab Shack Tiki Bar on Estero Blvd in Fort Myer's Beach. It is behind the restaurant and is a great spot for sunset drinking and dining. Food was OK, view was great. Note it is seat yourself so find an open table and grab it, or sit at the bar and enjoy the music and party atmosphere.

 

[Glynda]

Bar-B-Que

When I was growing up in Ft Myers we all loved to go out for "beach bar-b-que".
Actually, the restaurant is called "Hickory Bar-B-Que" and it isn't on Ft Myers Beach but is at 15400 Old McGregor Boulevard not too far from the beach. That's now just off McGregor Blvd where they by-passed McGregor when re-directing the road to Sanibel. It can be a little tricky to find and is only open Tuesday-Saturday from 11 to 8. It's quite an old-fashioned ordinary place but oh, I do love the sliced pork sandwich, fries, and the coconut cream pie is to die for! I never go home without going there. Those in my "Grew up in Ft Myers" Facebook group often reminisce about Hickory Bar-B-Que!

 

[tashamen]

There is a (pink) strip mall called Santini Plaza toward the southern end of FMB. Tucked completely behind that strip mall by the Fish Tale marina docks is the Fish House restaurant. Unpretentious, not in any way "fancy" (...to say the least), reasonable prices. Noisy, always crowded in Snowbird season; expect to have to wait to get in if that's when you're going.

In the front part of that same Santini Plaza is a little Mexican restaurant called Skye's. Unpretentious, decent food, Mexican proprietors.

I also enjoyed both of those places when I stayed at Seawatch on the Beach two summers ago. Might have gone to Fish House more than once.

 

[Sea Six]

That place under the San Carlos bridge is popular, I think it's called the channel mark?? I forget. All I can remember is Hooters.

 

[theo]

That place under the San Carlos bridge is popular, I think it's called the channel mark?? I forget.

Are you maybe thinking of Nervous Nellie's? To the best of my knowledge, there is no restaurant named "Channel Mark" anywhere in that area. Maybe in bygone years, but not now.

Over on the other side of the Matanzas Pass bridge from FMB is another restaurant called Fishmongers. It's quite popular, but I've never actually been there --- the traffic on / over that bridge (both ways, on and off the beach) is just horrendous in Snowbird season. Good seafood notwithstanding, there would have to be free gold bars provided with every dinner to make me endure that traffic nightmare.

 

[eschjw]

Re: Big Hickory Seafood Grill

Big Hickory Seafood Grill is actually located in Bonita Beach (not Fort Myers Beach), on Hickory Blvd., just south of the Big Hickory Pass bridge. I can't honestly say that I share your enthusiasm for the food there, but the outdoor seating and relaxed atmosphere is certainly a nice feature when weather accommodates.

Fresh Catch Bistro is on Estero Blvd. toward the northern end of Fort Myers Beach. Only a few years old (in the former Anthony's restaurant location). Excellent food; a little pricey but not insanely so.

There is a (pink) strip mall called Santini Plaza toward the southern end of FMB. Tucked completely behind that strip mall by the Fish Tale marina docks is the Fish House restaurant. Unpretentious, not in any way "fancy" (...to say the least), reasonable prices. Noisy, always crowded in Snowbird season; expect to have to wait to get in if that's when you're going.

In the front part of that same Santini Plaza is a little Mexican restaurant called Skye's. Unpretentious, decent food, Mexican proprietors. Tequila in the Margueritas is more a rumor than a reality, but it's a decent little place otherwise. There are also several other restaurant choices within Santini Plaza as well (e.g. South Beach Grill, Castaways) which are not particularly noteworthy (at least IMnsHO).

There is a fancy place on the water behind the Publix (grocery store, located on Estero Blvd. around mid-island), beside some boat docks. Restaurant name escapes me at the moment, but it's the one and only restaurant so located. Food and prices are both somewhat high end. Haven't ever chosen to eat there --- we don't do "foofy". YMMV.

For true pub atmosphere and pub food (and yes, where you can eat at the bar), The Smokin' Oyster just outside of Times Square fits that bill. Live music (one guitarist / singer) on occasion --- sometimes quite good, sometimes "not so much"; luck of the draw. I generally don't eat fried food, but I willingly make an occasional exception for the fried oysters there.

There are numerous food & drink places on Estero Blvd. at the northern end of FMB, including an Irish "pub" on the northbound side and a Hooters on the southbound side.
Hope some of this helps. If not, I will cheerfully refund 100% of the amount you've paid me for the requested input.

Yes the Hickory Grill is really in Bonita Beach, but it was closer to our condo than most of the other Fort Myers Beach restaurants. I second your recommendation of the Fish House especially for happy hour. I also ate there a couple of times and it was a better value than the Hickory Grill.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...sh_House-Fort_Myers_Beach_Florida.html#photos

 

[rapmarks]

Charlie's Boat House is good and a great salad bar too. Hickory Grill, probably has a retaurant.com certificate too.

 

[joewillie12]

That place under the San Carlos bridge is popular, I think it's called the channel mark?? I forget. All I can remember is Hooters.

The Channel Mark closed in 2009. They were located on Hurricane Pass just before the bridge to FMB. They had very good food and a nice following but horrible parking. It was a shame to see them close because it was a place I would frequent with friends and clients. The view was great too. The place has changed names several times with the last being the Nauti Turtle. I believe they recently closed their doors as well.

 

[Sea Six]

The Channel Mark closed in 2009. They were located on Hurricane Pass just before the bridge to FMB. They had very good food and a nice following but horrible parking. It was a shame to see them close because it was a place I would frequent with friends and clients. The view was great too. The place has changed names several times with the last being the Nauti Turtle. I believe they recently closed their doors as well.

Glad you remembered. I don't get up that way much anymore. We used to go to Captiva a few times a year, but stopped when the toll went to $6.