A day on the water entices those looking for adventure, relaxation, and time with family and friends. All this fun will surely build your appetite, after all, you need fuel for yourself, along with your boat! If you’re looking at where to dock your boat for lunch in southwest Florida, you’ve come to the right place.
Boat Friendly Restaurants in Southwest Florida
The Waterfront Restaurant & Marina – Pine Island
The Waterfront Restaurant & Marina offers a variety of dishes on their menu all made with locally sourced food. From burgers and sandwiches to salads and appetizers, their dishes cater to all palates. For the adventurous, try some of the menu’s alligator dishes like gator bites or the alligator basket. Quench your thirst with their draft and bottled beer, along with wine and frozen drinks. This Pine Island eatery even serves up fresh-squeezed orange juice for that touch of citrus in your life.
Find the Waterfront Restaurant & Marina on the southern tip of Pine Island just off the Intracoastal Waterway at Marker 12, N 26’ 29.492, W 086’ 04.899. It’s just a short 35-minute boat ride from Port Sanibel Marina. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, closed on Wednesdays.
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille – Ft Myers
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille has waterfront dining with views sure to impress! Between live music and an expansive menu, you’ll be happy you stopped by. The Fort Myers location is only 40 minutes by boat from Port Sanibel Marina, right in Matanzas Harbor. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
The waterfront view from Doc Ford’s restaurant.
Woody’s Waterside Island Rum & Grille – Pine Island
Woody’s Waterside has everything from classic sweet potato fries and local seafood to some revamped favorites like smoked deviled eggs and Bid D’s meatloaf. Their colorfully named burgers will tickle your tastebuds from bun to patty so much you’ll be wanting more. You’ll find something on their menu you like; dock your trusty vessel and head in for some good eats.
Located at 3051 Stringfellow Road in St. James City, FL, Woody’s Waterside is only a 50-minute boat ride from Port Sanibel Marina, making it a great central location for lunch. Open daily 1 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, closing at 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Woody’s Waterside has a large menu with tons of burgers to choose from.
Mango’s Dockside Bistro – North Captiva Island
Featured on HGTV Island Life, Mango’s Dockside offers a nice change of pace, with delicious breakfast options including handmade crepes and savory French toast. Treat yourself to all the day’s meals with great choices for lunch and dinner too. Even better, Mango’s has a special menu for your four-legged friend! Sweet Pea & Harley’s Canine Selections are on the menu, served with “a bowl of water, a scratch behind the ear, and a pat on the head!”
Mango’s is just an hour boat ride away from Port Sanibel Marina, located at 760 N Collier Blvd #109, Marco Island, FL. Open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. with happy hour from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Mango’s has a wide variety of menu options to choose from.
Lighthouse Waterfront Restaurant – Fort Myers
The newly renovated Lighthouse Waterfront Restaurant is packed with delectable choices, including buffet options, on its expansive menu. Enjoy your meal with live music in the afternoon and evening. With picks like fried calamari rings and fresh fish on the menu, you’ll be sure to pick out some great entrees. Take a look at their buffet lunch and dinner menu options here.
Located right on Port Sanibel Marina premises at 14301 Port Comfort Rd, Fort Myers, FL, the Lighthouse Waterfront Restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. with happy hour running from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Lighthouse Waterfront Restaurant has lovely outdoor seating, so you can eat lunch with a view.
Rumrunners at Cape Harbour – Cape Coral
With a superb bill of fare featuring oysters, shrimp, calamari, and conch fritters, you’ll be tempted to have a helping of all their seafood! Rumrunners also serves up light salads and specialties such as salmon BLTs, seafood pot pie, Caribbean bronzed salmon, and a chicken fettuccine carbonara. Finish your meal with some dessert, cocktails, frozen drinks or coffee beverages! Check out the Rumrunners menu here!
Rumrunners is located at 5848 Cape Harbour Drive in Cape Coral, about 50 minutes from Port Sanibel Marina! They’re open seven days a week, 11:30 a.m. to close with happy hour running from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Marker 92 – Cape Coral
Marker 92 prides itself on using ethical, sustainable, and organic ingredients whenever possible. They have appetizers like guava-jalapeno BBQ chicken wings, queso fundido, and cajun crab cakes on their midday eats menu. To follow, you could order one of five flatbread pizzas with a soup or salad. Wraps and sandwiches like the tarpon point burger, grilled chicken on brioche, turkey wrap, and a fried lobster roll round out some of the most notable entrees.
Located at 5961 Silver King Blvd, Cape Coral, FL, Marker 92 is about a 50-minute boat ride. Happy hour runs daily from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Rent a boat in Fort Myers, Florida
Now that you know where to dock your boat for lunch in Southwest Florida, it’s time to plan that trip! If you’re searching for that perfect Florida boating experience out on the water, rent a boat at Port Sanibel Marina. We have many different options to suit both families and groups! We also have wildlife, shelling, and sunset tours to add to the Florida experience. Give us a call today at (239) 437-1660 or visit our marina rental page to get started on your adventure.
