Best Restaurants on Captiva Island
Captiva Island is an even more relaxed version of its sister island, Sanibel. Time seems to stand still here and many remark that the island is frozen in time. However, its restaurants aren’t and there is plenty of islands dines to take advantage of while you’re here. They are always serving up delicious meals in a great atmosphere, so what’s not to love?
Here are some of the best restaurants on Captiva Island (in no particular order) so you know where to go for a memorable meal:
- Keylime Bistro
- The Mucky Duck
- Bubble Room
- Old Captiva House
- The Green Flash
- RC Otter’s
- Sunshine Seafood Café
- Cantina Captiva
- Latte Da Coffee Shop & Deli
- Mad Hatter
- Sunset Grill
- There are also two excellent restaurants just over the bridge on Sanibel Island. Check out The Mad Hatter and Sunset Grille. In the evening, they both have excellent views of the sunset. You won’t be disappointed!
- If you decide to explore Sanibel Island even further, here are our guides for the best breakfast and lunch restaurants on Sanibel Island and the best dinner restaurants on Sanibel.
Keylime Bistro
One of Captiva Island’s most well-known restaurants, the Keylime Bistro is located right in the heart of Captiva Village. If you are staying in a Captiva Island vacation rental off Andy Rosse Lane, Keylime Bistro sits at the end of the street where it intersects with Captiva Drive. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, so you can dine there for all three meals if you’d like.
Why Plan a Visit:
- The meals from Keylime Bistro on Captiva are delicious, especially if you love seafood. However, they have other options if that’s not your thing. You can dine inside and appreciate its laid-back, tropical décor. Or you can enjoy the Florida sunshine and sit outside. There’s also a full-service bar and live music daily, making this low-key bistro rank among the best restaurants on Captiva Island.
What to Order:
- For breakfast, we recommend the crab cake benedict. It’s a nice seafood twist on the most important meal of the day. If you’re visiting for lunch, the grouper sandwich is a must-try entrée. We also love the key lime pasta. And for dessert, it’s got to be key lime pie.
Visit the Keylime Bistro at 11509 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, Florida, 33924.
The Mucky Duck
This longtime Captiva establishment is one of the best restaurants on Captiva Island and it’s loved by locals and visitors alike. It’s located near the beach in between Andy Rosse and Wightman Lanes. You’ll usually find residents and visitors at the Mucky Duck to watch the sunset. It’s an island tradition. Inside you’ll find old photos and island memorabilia. It’s cozy and warm and perfect for the whole family to enjoy.
Why Plan a Visit:
- The Mucky Duck is just one of those places you have to check out when you’re on Captiva. It’s also one of the best places to go to grab a bite to eat and watch the sunset. And if you like seafood, even better. The Mucky Duck’s entrees are delicious. It’s also a great place to top off a good day at the beach.
What to Order:
- Online reviewers praised the surf and turf and the barbeque bacon-wrapped shrimp. The scallops are also a hot ticket item.
Visit The Mucky Duck at 11546 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, Florida, 33924.
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille – Captiva Island
Doc Ford’s on Captiva is located on the South Seas Island Resort’s property, but it is open to the public. Like the Mucky Duck on Captiva, Doc Ford’s is also an island staple and it’s easy to see why it’s among the best restaurants on Captiva Island. There is a spacious inside and breezy outdoor patio. Photos of Captiva hang on the wall and paint a picture of the island’s history. The restaurant’s Caribbean fare is also delicious and well worth a try.
Why Plan a Visit:
- Doc Ford’s has a fun, casual and upbeat atmosphere. It’s the ultimate dining destination for people looking to enjoy a low-key island vacation. They also have an excellent rum selection to help get you in the island mood.
What to Order:
- Practically anyone you ask will tell you to try the Yucatan shrimp. They have the perfect combination of key lime flavors and Caribbean goodness. The paella and lobster rolls are also popular choices.
Visit Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille – Captiva Island at 5400 South Seas Plantation Road, Captiva, Florida, 33924.
Bubble Room
People drive from all over Southwest Florida just to visit the Bubble Room on Captiva. Not only is the food amazing, but the inside of the Bubble Room will shock and delight you in the best way possible. The walls are covered with kitschy knickknacks and antiques to pay homage to the Bubble Room’s multiple themes. It’s Hollywood, Christmas and a toy store all rolled into one. It’s bright and fun and it’ll take all of your worries away. The Bubble Room is the best place to either kick off your vacation—or end it on a high note.
Why Plan a Visit:
- The Bubble Room is a great place to bring the entire family. The kids will especially love the décor. Some items are from the 1930s, so they’re almost a century old. The moving trains are one of the biggest attractions for kids, and now they’re on all three floors.
What to Order:
- Almost all of the desserts are worth ordering. The portions are big, too! The Bubble Room is also known for its Bubble Bread.
Visit the Bubble Room at 15001 Captiva Drive, Captiva, Florida, 33924.
Old Captiva House Restaurant
The Old Captiva House is steeped in island history. The whole restaurant is bright and open and has a very “Southern Belle” feel to it. It’s charming and it’ll captivate the whole family, so feel free to bring the kids along. The Old Captiva House was first built to be a one-room school, and then a fishing camp. In 1931, it became a restaurant for guests of the Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa. Most of its architecture and art has been preserved, so you’ll feel like you’re going back in time. It truly is an experience and a great Captiva Island restaurant.
Why Plan a Visit:
- The atmosphere is dreamy and the food and service is suburb. There’s also tons of history here. If you’re a history buff, we highly recommend Old Captiva House as one of the best restaurants on Captiva Island.
What to Order:
- Reviewers on TripAdvisor praised the Chilean sea bass, scallops stuffed with lobster, shrimp cocktail appetizer and seafood lasagna.
Visit the Old Captiva House at 15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva, Florida, 33924.
The Green Flash
The Green Flash is a part of Captiva Island history and because of that, some would argue that it’s one of the best restaurants on Captiva Island. The Green Flash was constructed on top of Timmy’s Nook, a popular local gathering hole established in 1950. When the new owners took over, their goal was to preserve the spirit of Timmy’s Nook. The legendary Captiva restaurant features views of the Intracoastal Waterway, the Pine Island Sound and Buck Key. It’s located southwest of marker 38, so if you want to come by boat, you can! There’s a dock out back, too.
Why Plan a Visit:
- The Green Flash is part of Captiva Island history and is still known as a favorite local watering hole. You can pull up in your boat after a day exploring the waters around Captiva Island and enjoy a fantastic meal. After all, that’s what vacationing in Florida is all about.
What to Order:
- Reviewers on Yelp loved the steamed seafood pot, surf and turf, shrimp bisque and shrimp tacos. If you like seafood, this is the place to go!
Visit The Green Flash at 15183 Captiva Drive, Captiva Florida, 33924.
RC Otters Island Eats
RC Otters has a great atmosphere. It’s bright, fun and the inside features a Key West type of vibe. You can either sit inside or enjoy the weather and sit outside. There’s live music every day, too. RC Otters also has an expansive menu, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Additionally, there is a special children’s menu for little ones under 12 years old.
Why Plan a Visit:
- RC Otters is a fun place the whole family can enjoy and they serve up entrees for all three meals of the day. It’s a great place to take the kids and it’s just an all-around good time.
What to Order:
- For breakfast, we recommend trying the ultimate seafood omelet with shrimp and blue crab meat. Their traditional French toast, old-fashioned buttermilk pancakes and Belgian style waffles are also delicious. For lunch or dinner, there are plenty of seafood options like oysters on the half shell and grouper. If you’re looking for something else, try the chicken fingers or New York strip steak. Craving something sweet? Definitely try the key lime pie — we dare you to finish it.
Visit RC Otters Island Eats at 11506 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva Island, Florida, 33924.
Sunshine Seafood Café
The Sunshine Seafood Café is one of the best restaurants on Captiva Island and also one of its best-kept secrets. It’s a great option for fine dining and good wine. You can also sit inside or sit outside and enjoy being in the heart of the island. The Sunshine Seafood Café is known for its seafood fare, but it also has light options, like salads.
Why Plan a Visit:
- This is a great choice if you’re looking for an upscale dining option in the heart of Captiva Village. The interior is sleek and modern and the food is amazing. What other reasons do you need?
What to Order:
- There are a variety of seafood dishes to try, and we suggest you try them all. Start with the wood-grilled jumbo shrimp with an orange blossom honey sauce. The jumbo lump crab cakes are also delicious.
Visit Sunshine Seafood Café at 11508 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, Florida, 33924.
Cantina Captiva
Like RC Otters, Cantina Captiva has a fun and funky vibe, like the types of restaurants you’d find in Key West. It also serves up some delicious Southwestern and Mexican fare.
Why Plan a Visit:
- The homemade guacamole is reason enough to visit this festive lunch and dinner restaurant. Made fresh daily, it comes with pico de gallo and warm tortilla chips. There are enough options on the menu for everyone, even if you don’t like Mexican food. The service is great and the ambiance is even better.
What to Order:
- Yelp reviewers praised the diablo shrimp and their burritos. You also can’t beat the fresh guacamole.
Visit Cantina Captiva at 14970 Captiva Drive, Captiva, Florida, 33924.
Latte Da Coffee Shop & Deli
Latte Da is the perfect place to go for your morning coffee or for a quick pick-me-up after dinner. There are colorful, island-themed decorations inside and out to get you in the island mood. Latte Da serves sandwiches and quick food items if you get hungry. They also serve Queenie’s Homemade Ice Cream. It’s local and many residents will tell you it’s their favorite. Try it for yourself and see what you think!
Why Plan a Visit:
- Visit in the morning to enjoy a coffee and watch the island wake up and come to life. This coffee shop is located in the heart of Captiva, so it’s an excellent spot if you like to people watch. Latte Da is a good option for a quick bite and it’s great for after dinner desserts, whether you’re choosing coffee, ice cream or both.
What to Order:
- Latte Da serves coffee from Seattle’s Best and also offers milkshakes, smoothies, homemade ice cream, books, gifts and delicious old-fashioned candies.
Visit Latte Da Coffee Shop & Deli at 11506 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, Florida, 33924.
Stay in Featured Royal Shell Vacation Rentals Near Some of the Best Restaurants on Captiva Island
Most of these restaurants are on Captiva’s main thoroughfare, Andy Rosse Lane, in the heart of Captiva Village. Royal Shell has a variety of vacation rentals on or near Andy Rosse Lane, but Captiva is such a small island, you won’t be far from some of the best restaurants on Captiva Island no matter where you stay. They are all a quick walk or bike ride away! Just a short drive away are also fantastic eatery options, including the best restaurants in Naples.
Now that you have everything you need to plan your Captiva Island dining experiences on your vacation, all that’s left to do is a book a Royal Shell vacation today. Connect with a Royal Shell real estate agent to help you find the perfect Captiva Island vacation rentals today.
