Marco Island Restaurants You Don’t Want To Miss

palm tree at a marco island restaurant
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Welcome to Marco Island, Florida! Known for its beautiful beaches, warm weather, and abundant seafood, there’s no shortage of delicious places to eat here. Whether you’re looking for a hearty breakfast to start your day, a satisfying lunch to fuel your afternoon, or a delicious dinner to end the night, we’ve got you covered. Everything from fine dining to come in off the beach casual dining, here are some of the best Southwest Florida restaurants for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Marco Island:

Marco Island Restaurants by Meal Time

Breakfast:

  • The Blue Heron: This cozy spot serves classic breakfast favorites like pancakes, omelets, and French toast, as well as unique options like their signature “Blue Crab Benedict.” Be sure to try their homemade corned beef hash, too!
  • Island Cafe: If you’re looking for a more laid-back breakfast spot, Island Cafe is the place to go. This casual eatery serves delicious breakfast sandwiches, omelets, skillets, pastries, and coffee. Plus, they offer outdoor seating with a water view, making it the perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee.
  • Snook Inn: This waterfront restaurant is known for its laid-back atmosphere and delicious seafood-inspired breakfast dishes.
  • CJ’s on the Bay: This casual spot offers a variety of breakfast items, including omelets, pancakes, and waffles. Not only is the food delicious, but so is the view overlooking Smokehouse Bay.
  • The Oyster Society: This upscale seafood restaurant serves a variety of breakfast items, including omelets, French toast, and crab cakes Benedict.
  • Marco Island Bagel Company: This cozy café is popular for fresh-baked bagels, sandwiches, and pastries.
  • Doreen’s Cup of Joe: This highly recommended breakfast spot serves coffee, freshly squeezed Florida orange juice, breakfast nachos, and our island’s famous key lime pancakes.

Lunch:

  • Snook Inn: Snook Inn is a Marco Island institution and a must-visit spot for lunch. Located on the water, this casual eatery serves up a variety of seafood options, including their famous grilled grouper sandwich. Be sure to try their conch fritters and Key Lime pie for dessert!
  • The Oyster Society: For a more upscale lunch option, check out The Oyster Society. This trendy spot offers an impressive selection of oysters and a variety of seafood-centric entrees. The raw bar is also a must-try, with various fresh seafood options.
  • Island Cafe: If you’re looking for a more laid-back lunch spot, Island Cafe is the place to go. Dining options include delicious breakfast sandwiches, omelets, skillets, and a variety of pastries and coffee. Plus, they offer outdoor seating with a water view, making it the perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee.
  • The Goodland: This lunch spot serves up a variety of sandwiches and salads and a selection of local seafood dishes. The menu is inspired by the laid-back and casual atmosphere of the Florida Keys.
  • The Blue Heron: The Blue Heron serves classic lunch favorites like sandwiches and salads, as well as unique options like their famous “Blue Crab Benedict.” Be sure to try their homemade corned beef hash, too!
  • The Islander: This casual spot serves up a variety of seafood options, including fresh fish, crab cakes, and shrimp. Guest favorites include the fish tacos and the key lime pie for dessert.
  • Mango’s Dockside Bistro:  Located at Esplande Shoppes, this well-known Marco Island waterside restaurant offers a large menu that with a variety of regional specialties and classic bistro dishes. This is the perfect place to try conch fritters if you’ve never done so! Although less like a creamy chowder than you might think and more like gumbo, the spicy conch chowder is nevertheless delicious. The 750-gallon saltwater fish tank and waterfall, help make this spot a family-friendly favorite.
  • Sunset Grille Marco Island: This beachy spot boasts a beachfront location, a thatched roof bar, delicious seafood, and specialty cocktails – everything you need in a casual seafood restaurant. The crab cake sandwich, snow crab legs, and grilled teriyaki salmon are highly recommended.

Dinner:

  • La Tavola Restaurant and Bar: This Italian restaurant serves an array of delicious pasta dishes and wood-fired pizzas. The menu changes often, but you can’t go wrong with the classic Margherita pizza or the spaghetti carbonara. The tiramisu is a must-try for dessert.
  • Caxambas: If you’re looking for a more casual dinner option, Caxambas is the place to go. This waterfront spot serves an assortment of seafood options, including fresh fish, crab cakes, and shrimp. Be sure to try the fish tacos and the key lime pie for dessert. 
  • The Oyster Society: For a more upscale dining experience, check out The Oyster Society. This trendy spot offers an impressive selection of oysters and a variety of seafood-centric entrees. The raw bar is also a must-try, with various fresh seafood options. The restaurant’s location on the waterfront provides diners with a beautiful view of the Marco River and the city’s waterways.
  • Snook Inn: Snook Inn is a Marco Island institution and a must-visit spot for dinner. Located on the water, this casual eatery serves up a variety of seafood options, including their signature grilled grouper sandwich. Be sure to try their conch fritters and Key Lime pie for dessert! You may even catch a glimpse of manatees by the dock while enjoying live music.
  • Sale e Pepe:  This upscale Italian restaurant is one of the best on the island. Located at the Marco Beach Island Resort, the menu is inspired by the coastal towns of Amalfi and Positano. The menu includes a mix of seafood, pasta and meat dishes. It is highly recommended to make a reservation, as it gets busy on peak hours and weekends.
  • Fin Bistro: This modern seafood restaurant is a hidden gem on Marco Island. The menu features a variety of fresh fish and shellfish dishes, as well as a selection of small plates, raw bar items, and unique entrees. The atmosphere is upscale and elegant, and the service is attentive and friendly. The restaurant is located on the waterfront and offers beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico.
  • Marco’s Prime Steaks and Seafood: One of the Carvelli family’s four restaurants, they debuted Marco Prime Steaks and Seafood, their version of the traditional American steakhouse. To start, try the Vesper, a gin, vodka, and floral Lillet drink at Marco Prime.
  • Verdi’s American Bistro: Verdi’s serves high-end American cuisine. Guests enjoy a sophisticated array of outstanding fine dining options in this intimate, romantic restaurant. The catch of the day specials, triple tail fish, and grilled New Zealand rack of lamb with garlic mashed potatoes, come highly recommended.

Marco Island Restaurants by Cuisine

  • Italian Cuisine Favorites:
    • Sale e Pepe
    • DaVinci Ristorante Italiano
    • Joey’s Pizza & Pasta House
  • French Cuisine Favorites:
    • Bistro Soleil at the Ole Marco Inn

  • Marco Island restaurants are plentiful if you stay at a local resort, such as the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort, you will have access to a variety of restaurant options. The Deck 560 Bar and Restaurant at the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort is a favorite. If you’re staying at JW Mariott, check out Quinn’s on the Beach.

We hope this guide helps you navigate the culinary delights of Marco Island. Bon appétit!

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