Naples, Florida, is a small town with big tastes. Once known for their beautiful beaches, they’re now becoming known as a trendy new food scene. Earning recognition from Conde Nast Traveler as one of their 20 best foodie cities and USA Today for one of the top 10 best small town food scenes in the US, visitors are now flocking to the coast for a delicious evening. The best place to start the culinary journey is along 5th Avenue, the small-town version of New York’s 5th Avenue. Lined with ritzy shops and 30 restaurants, you can find a culinary experience to suit any taste. You can’t go wrong if you try any of these Must Visit Restaurants in Naples, Florida.
Must-Visit Restaurants in Naples, Florida
On a steamy Monday night during our visit to Naples, we took one of the most entertaining food tours I’ve taken in years. We strolled down 5th Avenue, taking in the sights and sounds, stopping at different restaurants to sample their specialties. There were five of us in our group and each of us had a favorite restaurant. At each stop, our desire to linger longer grew. By the end of the evening, the five of us, having just met that day, had bonded over our shared love of delicious food and tempting drinks.
1. Sails– Our first stop on the restaurant tour, Sails is located at 301 Fifth Avenue South, just steps from the Inn on Fifth. Their slogan is “Where Port Royal Meets Portofino” and you will revel in the taste of the Mediterranean. The ingredients are fresh, salads overflowing with heirloom tomatoes from local organic farmers and homemade goat cheese made in house, to Kobe Beef flown in from Australia. Even their Luxury Premium Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil by Alexandra Drakias is flown in from Greece.
Overseeing the kitchen is Executive Chef Jacob Jasinski, who splits his attention between creating beautifully designed raw and wood-fired dishes. I heartily recommend the Tomato Salad, made with a mix of heirloom tomatoes, fresh feta, Moscato Vinegar, Cucumber, Pickled Shallot, and Organic Kalamon Olive Paste. It looks like an aspic but the blend of flavors is unforgettable. For drinks, I suggest their Pink Champagne. It’s ordered from a family-owned vineyard in Slovakia and rivals any imported Italian wine. Sails is open for lunch and dinner. During high season, reservations are highly recommended.
2. The French Brasserie Rustique– Looking for a taste of Paris in Naples? The French Brasserie Rustique is the newest restaurant from Vincenzo Betulia, award-winning chef and leader in the Southwest Florida culinary evolution. Designed to look and feel like a classic Parisian brasserie, it’s tucked away into a side street at 365 5th Avenue South.
Open daily for lunch and dinner, you’ll find an array of French favorites like Soupe a L’oignon, a delicious baked onion soup, topped with gruyere cheese and a toasted baguette, an amazing Tartare de Boeuf made with a hand cut beef eye round, cornichons, egg yolk, and market greens, and the classic Escargot de Bourgogne made with burgundy snails, parsley butter, garlic, and a housemade puff pastry. I admit I was not brave enough to try the snails, only the puff pastry dipped in the butter, but those of us who were escargot fans raved about the taste.
They have some unusual offerings too, like fried squash blossoms, made with ricotta, basil, and tomato. They are well worth ordering a plate to share with friends. They have an extensive wine, liquor, cocktail, and beer menu and are happy to suggest a drink that will be the perfect compliment to your meal.
3. Bar Tulia– Opened in 2014 by Chef Vincenzo Betulia, this restaurant excels in creating an intimate tavern-style atmosphere that pays homage to small wineries in Italy, the U.S and internationally and authentic Italian and local handcrafted beers on tap. The extensive cocktail menu is designed to emulate the craft cocktails created in New York and Milan. Who can resist drinks with names like Suze You Lose, Devil’s Backbone, or the Wonderroot made with ‘misunderstood ginger whiskey?’
Of course, there’s plenty of food too. Their menu consists of pub fare, presented with a modern twist. Here you’ll find the classic burgers, pizza, and appetizers, but elevated to new heights. I recommend you start with the Ceviche, a blend of fresh local snapper, octopus, jicama, pineapple, and avocado. Their pizzas, like The Parma, made with prosciutto, mushrooms, tomato, mozzarella, and arugula are well worth stopping by and sharing with a friend. Located at 462 Fifth Avenue South, this is the late night place to be.
4. Ocean Prime- Located in the heart of Old Naples at 699 5th Avenue South, Ocean Prime is devoted to bringing patrons an extraordinary experience. One of 15 locations from coast to coast by renowned restaurateur Cameron Mitchell, this restaurant dishes up steaks, seafood, and cocktails in a modern setting. They are happy to accommodate allergies and have a gluten-free menu as well.
Start the meal with an appetizer like the Ahi Tuna Tartare, made with avocado, ginger ponzu, and sesame seeds. You can’t go wrong with anything on the dinner menu, but the filet mignon served with black truffle butter and a side of garlic mashed potatoes will satisfy almost any palette. The decor is stunning. We were seated with a wall of wine bottles to our back and surrounded by a stunning contemporary decor. It’s the perfect place for an intimate dinner or just to socialize with friends.
5. Trulucks Seafood Steak & Crab House–Trulucks Seafood Steak and Crab House is so committed to fresh Florida Stone Crab that they own their own fishers and operate a fleet of 20 crabbing boats. But, on the night we visited, we didn’t stop in for Stone Crab. We dropped by for desserts and cocktails. We enjoyed our treats as the sounds of live music played softly in the background. Prepared fresh daily by Truluck’s Pastry Chefs, there’s an assortment of sweets for every taste.
We sampled a variety, including the Creme Brulee, Carrot Cake, Chocolate Cake, and Baked Alaska. All of them were delicious and everyone had a favorite. Mine was the Baked Alaska, which was set ablaze at the table and made a perfect ending to our evening. Along with an extensive wine list, they have a selection of handcrafted cocktails, ranging from a Chocolate Negroni to a dessert coffee. Next time I visit I want to sample the entire menu! Truluck’s is also allergy friendly and offers a gluten-free menu. They are located at 698 4th Avenue South.
6. Sea Salt- – If you are in the mood for something different, Sea Salt should be your first choice. Chef Fabrizio uses fresh ingredients blended simply to allow the flavor to shine through in a menu that changes daily. The first thing you’ll notice about Sea Salt is the decor. It’s crisp and nautical with open windows that allow the sea breezes to waft through the restaurant. You’ll also notice that, along with the bread and oil brought to the table, you’ll receive a bowl of three sea salts. Don’t miss the opportunity to mix the oil and salt to give the bread an amazing flavor boost.
I ordered the Pappardelle made with wagyu beef bolognese and fresh parmesan. It’s a bowl stuffed full of a light bolognese sauce that’s so creamy it melts on your tongue. The wagyu beef adds the perfect flavor complement. Sea Salt is more laid back than some of the other restaurants in Naples and welcomes children. It’s a great atmosphere for lunch with the family. Be sure to save room for dessert too! Their handmade chocolates are almost too pretty to eat and come in flavors like peanut butter and jelly.
7. Pinchers Marco Island Sometime during your visit to Naples, you might wander over to nearby Marco Island and decide to stop for a bite to eat. You can’t go wrong at Pinchers Marco Island, one of the 13 Pincher’s restaurants located around the state. (If you are in Naples, there’s a Pinchers located at 1200 5th Avenue South.) Serving freshly caught local fish, crab, and seafood from their own regional fishery, their motto is simple. “You Can’t Fake Fresh.” If you happen to visit during October 15th-May 15th, you’ll also be able to experience Fresh Florida Stone Crab Claws.
The first thing that caught my eye when we entered was the “All Day, Every Day Happy Hour” featuring 2-for-1 wine, beer and well-brand cocktails. Bring a friend because these cocktails are large and you must take two to get the special. I tried the grilled mahi-mahi platter, which came with two sides of my choice. I tried the Steak Fries and fresh coleslaw. These portions were huge1 I had enough leftover for another meal. Of course, you have to save room for dessert. I tried the cool and creamy key lime pie, but I heard from a fellow diner that the shakes were tasty too. The casual atmosphere and the “Kids Eat Free” (with a paying adult) policy make it a great family experience.
Have you visited Naples, Florida? What are some of your must visit restaurants in Naples?
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I think I would choose Sea Salt, sounds like a place I would enjoy. Their Pappardelle made with wagyu beef bolognese and fresh parmesan looks so delicious.
Sounds mighty nice. I would love to learn to cook like that too!
Oh my goodness! They all look amazing with delicious food! But I am so curious to visit the French Brasserie Rustique.
Naples Florida has so much to offer. I would love to visit those restaurants and it seems the foods looks all delicious!
Never been to Naples, but hopefully, we get to explore that place someday. And since we love seafood, we’ll check the seafood restaurant first.
I haven’t been to Naples, but it looks like there are plenty of good places to eat! I’d love to go there one day.
I love love love Marco Island and we go there quite often! Pinchers is awesome! Kids eat free is a great thing!
They opened an Ocean Prime restaurant by our house in Michigan a few years ago but haven’t been there yet. Since that is close to home I’d probably skip that on a visit to Naples. Truluck is the one on your list I’d probably enjoy the most for its fresh caught crab though I’d most likely enjoy eating at all these places.
Bar Tulia is a must visit if I’m in Naples! Thank you for all the wonderful recommendations.
I haven’t been to Naples in so long! Next time we go, I’ll know where to eat.
Looks like a great list!! I definitely want to check out that wine wall at Ocean Prime for myself!
I need to get to Naples one day. All of these restaurants sound amazing. I love to try out new places.
I wish I had known about these restaurants when i was in Marco Island. You had such a culinary experience, I need to go back and try some especially from Chef Betulia
I have relatives that go to Naples every year. I think this would be a great list for them to use to guide them to some restaurants that they have not been to before
I had no idea that Naples had become a foodie place to visit! Growing up it was a quiet Beach Town. Seems that isn’t the case anymore. What a great variety of world tastes to choose from and it sounds like a lot of care is put into every single ingredient.
Naples is so much fun! I haven’t been in years, but the restaurant tasting tour sounds like a plan for the next time I visit. I want to try all the restaurants you listed. Yum!
I’ve never been to Naples before but it sounds like there is a lot of yummy food to eat there! YUM!!
Well if we ever decide to go down to Naples Florida we will have to check out some of these restaurants. The food looks delicious