You’ll have a nice selection of steaks, chops, and tempting veggie options at many of these restaurants. If you’re visiting during stone crab season (mid October to the beginning of May) you’re in for a real treat. Fresh fish like snapper, grouper, and shrimp fresh from the Gulf are usually available. Wherever you go, if you’re a seafood lover, be sure to enjoy the fresh local seafood available here, much of it from local waters. Everyone seems to love going to ice cream shops on Sanibel - maybe it’s the salt air! Whether you’re on a family vacay or romantic getaway may influence your choice of where to dine out, but you’ll enjoy them all at one point during your stay. You’ll find casual laid-back eateries and upscale elegant restaurants, waterfront restaurants with killer views and fun tropical bars with relaxed live music. There’s lots of things to do and many good restaurants on Sanibel, so choosing from over 50 during a short stay on the island can be daunting. Sanibel and Captiva are indeed Florida gems and there are countless reasons to visit these laid-back islands on southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast just off the coast of Ft. You can feel it start to grab you the moment you cross over the Sanibel causeway.

If you’ve been here before, you know the kind of island feel I’m referring to. If this is your first trip to Sanibel and Captiva islands, you may be surprised at the island vibe that’s completely unique to Sanibel and Captiva. Looking to dine on Captiva? Check out the 6 best Captiva Island restaurants! Here are the best restaurants on Sanibel Island for your dining pleasure.

With a variety of cuisines to choose from, there are quite a few noteworthy restaurants on the small islands, therefore we’ll cover the best restaurants on Sanibel Island in this article and Captiva restaurants separately. If all that isn’t enough, a thriving culinary scene means you’ll have a great selection of restaurants on Sanibel and Captiva Islands to make your evenings special as well. With sunny skies, calm warm waters, and beautiful shell-laden beaches, Sanibel and Captiva Islands is a hugely popular vacation destinations in Southwest Florida for travelers looking for a laid-back island vibe. Heading to beautiful Sanibel Island soon and looking for the best Sanibel restaurants to fill your dining card? These are our Top 9!

Mad hatter restaurant sanibel