Dining in the Naples FL Area

Strolling through Naples it's not unusual to smell spicy curried shrimp sizzling in a wok, prime rib grilling over hickory logs, and mouthwatering New York-style pizza criping in an oven. Our city sets an international table. Cuisines of France, Japan, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Mexico, India, Vietnam, the West Indies, Central Europe, England, Ireland, northern and southern Italy and most of the provinces of China are deliciously represented here, as well as American fare.

On variety alone, Naples dining competes with cities many times its size. And when it comes to culinary resources, there are few places in or outside Florida that can compete. Being on the Gulf coast, Naples has an active commercial fishing industry that keeps local resaurants stocked daily with fresh fish, crab, shrimp, scallops, and lobster. With a subtropical climate and farms only a few miles east, the Southwestern Florida community has fresh fruits and vegetables year round. Earthy pleasures such juicy red tomatoes, luscious watermelon, succulent oranges and other produce sweeten many a dish.

Seafood lovers will find that Florida's ubiquitous grouper is a wonderfully versatile fish that's tasty with virtually any ingredients and all modes of preparation. On it's own, grouper needs only lemon and a little butter to bring out its sweet, mild flavor. But that doesn't keep area chefs from devising imaginative new presentaion of this Florida fish.

During a season running from October to May, stone crabs are a local delicacyin high demand. Inside beautifully sun-colored claws and knuckles, the stone crab yields rich strands of meat, sweet with or without butter.

Discerning beefeaters rarely havr to travel more than a block to find prime-grade satisfaction. Ild-fashionedmeat and potatoes are the main event in an assortmentof American, English and Irish steak-and-chop houses heavily sprinkled all over town.

Many restaurants take advantage of the area's mild climate by offering al fresco dining. Dine on a dock overlooking a rose-hued sunset on the Gulf, or sip your morning coffee and read The New York Times at a sidewalk bistro. Dining outdoors is part of the Naples experience!

Alexander's -- Naples -- International $$$

BALEEN - At LaPlaya Resort on Gulf Shore Drive off Vanderbuilt Beach Road. You can't get closer to eating on the beach than this. - American $$$$

Bice - Downtown Naples on Fifth Ave. -- Italian $$

Cafe Lurcat - Naples -- American $$$

Campiello - Downtown Naples on Third Ave. Often said to be the "Best Italian Food in Naples" Open courtyard atmosphere across street from Tommy Bahamas in the 3rd Ave Shopping District. Walk to Naples Pier for the sunset. -- Italian $$$

Cru - Fort Myers -- International $$$

EVOO Market & Bistro - Naples -- American $$

Kurrents - Marco Island Marriott -- Marco Island -- Steak $$$

Margaux's Restaurant -- Naples -- French $$

Molino's Ristorante -- Bonita Springs -- Italian $$$

Naples Tomato -- Naples -- Italian $$$

Roy's - Bonita Springs -- Eurasian $$$

Roy's - Naples -- Seafood $$$

Ruth's Chris Steak House -- Bonita Springs -- Steak $$$$

Shula's Steak House -- on Tamiami Trail in the Hilton near downtown Naples -- American $$$

Stoney's Steakhouse -- Naples -- Steakhouse $$$

The Turtle Club - Naples -- Seafood $$$

The Turtle Club - Punta Gorda -- Seafood $$$

Zen - Naples -- Eurasian $$$

Tommy Bahama's Tropical Cafe - Downtown on Third near the Naples Pier -- Naples -- Seafood $$$