The abundance of excellent eateries in the neighborhood is proof that the gourmet trend is still strong among the Downtown Fort Myers restaurants. While there are many tried-and-true, enduring favorites in this area, new and interesting places always open doors to tantalize your taste senses.
It’s worth the long trip around Sanibel Island for a little romance and a beautiful sunset. These little Downtown Fort Myers restaurants offer fantastic meals together with first-rate service and breathtaking views.
Just ten years ago, the dining room scene in Downtown Fort Myers restaurants was quite different. The region has drawn several wealthy restaurateurs who have invested a significant amount of money into some highly attractive restaurants.
However, they aren’t always those eateries. These are the Downtown Fort Myers restaurants that provide food that is at least as delicious as it appears to be.
1. Downtown Fort Myers Restaurants
Downtown Fort Myers restaurants are fascinating. Numerous of its eateries passionately embrace and promote the interesting culture, history, and tradition of Fort Myers.
This simply adds to the uniqueness of the experience of coming here, exploring, and dining. Every tourist will discover a variety of locations to combine their preferred view with their favorite meals, whether they choose to take in the ambiance of the city’s lovely pier or eat in a renowned diner that has been there for 70 years.
Here is a list of the 10 best Downtown Fort Myers Restaurants that you must try while visiting.
1.1. First Street Restaurant and Bar
There aren’t many eateries or gastropubs in downtown Fort Myers. A unique eatery in Fort Myers’ Riverfront District called the First Street Restaurant & Bar, boasts of serving the best restaurant delicacies, appetizers, liquor, and wine in Florida. It is an eclectic riverfront district restaurant.
You may have great meals prepared by their talented chefs all day long at First Street Restaurant. Above all, First Street Restaurant is not your typical restaurant or bar. It serves breakfast, lunch, and supper. In other words, First Street is your main goal out of all the restaurants and bars in Downtown Fort Myers.
The first street restaurant proudly serves only the best beers on tap and in bottles that Fort Myers has to offer. This First street restaurant have availability favoring English imports. Similar to that, they provide a sizable and diverse selection of vintage and handcrafted wines. Its among the top Downtown Fort Myers restaurants.
Address
2236 First St, Fort Myers, FL 33901, United States
1.2. Downtown Social House
A chef-run snack bar and cocktail lounge have just been added to this long-standing wine bar, which was once a patio covered by trees. The drinks are fantastic and contain homemade bitters and syrups as well as fresh fruit infusion. It’s among the popular Downtown Fort Myers restaurants.
The menu is brief but sufficient to get you through a few gimlets. An excellent spot to start or end your night downtown is Social House. Or, if you manage to score a good table on the patio, you may as well spend the entire evening there.
Address
1406 Hendry St, Fort Myers, FL 33901, United States
The Icy Tales team talked to Alex Ketty, President of Glow Path Pavers, about how a restaurant’s ambiance or setting contributes the most to creating a romantic experience. Here is what he said:
“Creating a truly romantic patio dining experience hinges on the right balance of ambiance, design, and subtlety, something I have extensively worked on at Glow Path Pavers.
The literal groundwork of a romantic setting begins with the aesthetics and functionality of the dining environment, significantly influenced by our glow-in-the-dark pavers, which can transform a simple patio into a luminescent experience under the stars.
One defining aspect is the lighting. Soft, ambient lighting not only adds to the intrigue but also enhances safety and navigability in dim conditions—a crucial factor for evening dining.
Our Glow Path Pavers, for instance, incorporate luminescent aggregates that absorb UV light, which then glows after dusk, providing a serene, enchanting glow that doesn’t overpower the subtle intimacy of a night out.
This technology has been applied in various commercial projects, turning ordinary spaces into mesmerizing spots ideal for date nights.
Moreover, the choice of materials and colors plays a massive role. Using muted, earthy tones found in our paver projects, like subtle grays and blues, helps induce a calm and welcoming feel.
Combining these elements strategically creates an immersive environment that draws guests in.
From our experiences in enhancing commercial spaces, these aspects significantly uplift the ambiance and contribute to making a memorable evening for diners, setting the stage for a romantic experience that’s both visually and emotionally engaging.”
1.3. City Tavern
It is a locally owned eclectic riverfront district restaurant of Downtown Fort Myers river district! City Tavern has been a popular happy hour and nightlife destination in the area for more than 20 years.
During the week, it is a welcoming neighborhood pub with a standing room only. On the weekends, it transforms into a high-energy bar with a standing room only. It is among the popular Downtown Fort Myers restaurants having outdoor seating.
You may take advantage of their daily beer deals, eat something from their cuisine that was inspired by Chef Brian Duffy, dance, play darts, use their free Wi-Fi, or simply hang out with good friends.
Any night, the most welcoming personnel in town will make you feel at home! For your River District experience, downtown Ft. Myers has a tonne of fantastic activities.
Address
2206 Bay St, Fort Myers, FL 33901, United States
1.4. Capone’s Coal-Fired Pizza
Capone’s, a sister establishment to the adjoining Ford’s Garage, has the same luster. The bar from the Prohibition era, the gangster vault in the floor, and the Tommy-gun door knobs. But this area is more than it first appears to be. Ricotta dollops are dotted throughout a crimson sauce that contains silky meatballs.
There are homemade pasta dishes and thin-crust pizzas that have been burned in those coal-burning furnaces to crisp perfection. The furnishings are Jazz Age-inspired.
Address
2225 First St, Fort Myers, FL 33901, United States
1.5. Ford’s Garage
The restaurant pays homage to automaker Henry Ford, whose winter residence is barely a mile away and is designed to seem like a gas station from the 1920s, complete with antique Ford cars, gas pumps, and other auto-related decors. The intriguing bar is made of vintage brick, rich wood, and a hand-hammered copper top in the style of the Prohibition era.
The “All-American” motif is maintained through Ford’s emphasis on gourmet burgers. The bar boasts of serving American craft beers. Burgers of renown honor local luminaries and unsung heroes in the community. Homemade meatloaf, barbecued pig ribs, macaroni and cheese, and other comfort food are also widely consumed in the United States.
You’ll like dining at Ford’s Garage if you enjoy comfort cuisine surrounded by American history and nostalgia. It serves the finest restaurant foods. It’s obvious why it made to the list of best downtown Fort Myers restaurants.
Address
2207 First St, Fort Myers, FL 33901, United States
1.6. Oxbow Bar and Grill
A river’s oxbow means a severe bend or twist, thus, the name of this delightful, informal beachfront restaurant with panoramic riverfront views of the Caloosahatchee River is a perfect match.
For quick lunch, supper, or Sunday brunch on sunny days, boaters at the neighboring marina may dock and walk with sandy toes to the eatery. However, residents and other tourists adore this place with a boater’s retreat motif. It boasts of serving coastal cuisine.
Great shared appetizers include Blue Point Oysters and Oxbow Smoked Chicken Wings. There are also several salads and portable treats on the menu.
The Berry & Goat Cheese Salad with Swiss chard, crumbled goat cheese, strawberry, blackberry, candied walnut, and a tasty maple balsamic vinaigrette is something I’d strongly suggest. Any of Oxbow’s salads may be customized by adding chicken, mahi-mahi, shrimp, or strip steak as an option.
The mouthwatering meal options and breathtaking marina and river views are unbeatable.
Address
1300 Hendry St, Fort Myers, FL 33901, United States
1.7. Ella Mae’s Diner
This quaint corner restaurant is named in honor of Dr. Ella Mae Piper, an African-American physician, visionary, philanthropist, and entrepreneur from Fort Myers. Ella Mae’s, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and supper, combines traditional southern cuisine with a contemporary touch in a retro-style setting. They have the most wonderful avocado toast!
The cafe offers salads, sandwiches, and substantial meal plates for lunch. Along with all the other things that make this a great location to eat, the pricing here is fairly affordable considering the caliber of the cuisine. This downtown restaurant at old fort Myers is a must-visit if you enjoy dining, excellent service, and extremely delicious cuisine. It’s one of the top downtown Fort Myers restaurants.
Address
2200 Edwards Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33901, United States
We interviewed Alex Cornici, Founder and CEO of The Traveler, on the elements that make a patio dining experience romantic. Here is what he had to say:
“Atmosphere is everything, and there’s no other way to set one’s mood but through this play of lights and music. It is the soft, warm lighting coming from string lights, candles, or lanterns that provides an inviting glow, making the surroundings come alive and putting years off.
It’s the gentle, unobtrusive background music that provides intimacy without killing any conversation.
Privacy Plays a Role: Yes, open spaces can be beautiful, but imagine how much more beautiful a strategic greenery approach and additions of architectural elements like trellises or decorative screens could make it, with a sense of seclusion and privacy that many couples appreciate during a romantic meal.
Attentive to detail, down to the smallest detail of comfortable seating and thoughtfully set table settings, perhaps with a view of a garden or water feature, all lend to a greater sense of experience.
Every element comes into play, appealing to the senses and enhancing the connection between the diners.
All the staff should be trained to read the room while at the same time being sensitive to not invade the private space of a couple’s experience.
Personal touches are even possible in a delightful manner on this evening—like seating at a preferred table or ensuring that his or her favorite drink is remembered.
It is not the setting alone, but it is a story on its own, which the diners will remember and cherish.”
1.8. Twisted Vine Bistro
Twisted Vine is a private retreat that is tucked away just enough from First Street’s hubbub. The rear garden courtyard feels like a secluded secret garden in the middle of downtown, while the main dining area has a wine-cellar feel to it. It serves craft cocktails.
The local snapper, the pig shanks, and a dish of fried green tomatoes with burrata that tastes like a Caprese on vacation in Alabama are some of the must-try items.
Address
2214 Bay St, Fort Myers, FL 33901, United States
1.9. King’s Kitchen and Bar
In the heart of Fort Myers, on First Street, is where you’ll find King’s Kitchen and Bar. King’s is a unique restaurant providing dishes from all over the world and is an unusual place. Without a doubt, this gritty downtown restaurant is a hidden gem among dining options in the Fort Myers River District.
Address
2150 W First St. Fort Myers, FL 33901, US
1.10. Downtown House of Pizza
Every community needs a decent pizzeria, and Fort Myers is fortunate to have the Downtown House of Pizza, where since 2005, cooks have been crafting traditional pies in the establishment’s open kitchen.
Customers have the option of ordering just one slice or one of 14 specialty pizzas. Or decide to assemble your own from a variety of components. There are also vegan and vegetarian choices accessible here. But more than simply the pizza is excellent here. In addition to pizza, House of Pizza serves salads, calzones, strombolis, and hot and cold sandwiches.
For those late-night cravings, the pizza place is operating till midnight. Downtown House of Pizza is ready to accept your order when you’re in need of a satisfying pizza while visiting downtown Fort Myers restaurants.
Address
1520 Hendry St, Fort Myers, FL 33901, United States
Conclusion
Knowing that you will have gastronomic options like these in the historic town of Fort Myers will help you better understand the vibrant culture of this priceless Gulf Coast gem.
These 10 Best Downtown Fort Myers Restaurants range from the elegance of eateries in historic buildings to hidden gems buried away in uninspiring strip malls. They are on the classier side, with the ideal balance of the environment, service, food, and overall excellence that keeps diners returning.
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Guest Author: Saket Kumar
Last Updated on by Sathi