Toes-in-the-sand Florida dining takes place as the Baleen Restaurant spills out through grand doors to a terrace with tables overlooking the sweeping beach and ends with a few more tables for cocktails where diners are happy to go barefoot in the sand. Guests enjoy a palate-pleasing lunch menu with options like the lobster Cobb salad dazzling guests. For the ultimate “on-the-beach” dining experience Baleen is the place to go.
A short walk down the boardwalk from The Ritz-Carlton, toward the beach sits this nice little al fresco homage to beach casual at the sophisticated resort. It is also easily accessible from the beach and open to the public. It gets its name from a native tree also called the “tourist tree” for its red peely bark. Family friendly, it’s a great place for a frozen cocktail, cold beer or glass of lemonade. Its lunch menu lists a typical array of noshes such as wings, a quesadilla, conch chowder, handcrafted burgers, salads, sandwiches and entrees.
Its prime real estate located at the Coastland Mall in the heart of Naples make it an easy and popular destination for visitors. The Cheesecake Factory offers an extensive and eclectic list of appetizers, drinks, deserts, and entrees with a range that would appeal to even the pickiest eaters. Menu choices include American fare as well as ethnically-inspired dishes. Well known for their cheesecakes with non-traditional varieties such as red velvet cheesecake and white chocolate caramel macadamia nut cheesecake. They even offer a Sunday brunch menu and take-out just in case waiting isn’t an option.
This laid-back Olde Naples destination has, as you would expect, a definite tropical theme. A prototype for the chain, it was the first Tommy Bahama restaurant to open. The Caribbean decor is bright, marked by all sorts of tropical plants and artwork. Outdoor seating is especially popular, particularly when there is live music. Tommy Bahama’s serves a hybrid of slightly spicy American and island cuisine, including Cuban sandwich and fish tacos. Many patrons fall in love with this place and end up spending a good part of their day sipping the Tommy’s Bungalow Brew. Located beside the restaurant are men’s and women’s retail shops that sell tropical apparel bearing Tommy Bahama’s name.
The Turtle Club at Vanderbilt Beach
Has a fairly extensive and well rounded wine list with some recognizable vintner names and an intriguing selection of vintages you will want to try for the first time. Plus it offers a full selection of beer and liquor. Most come here to dine because the food is as excellent as the front row view. Salads and seafood dominate the lunch menu, but there is a burger and pulled pork sliders, too.
Swan River Restaurant and Raw Bar
Known for it’s nautical theme and boat-shaped bar Swan River delivers some of the freshest and highest quality Northern and Southern Oysters and Little Necks and Top Necks on the ½ shell. The sparkling glass cases tempt patrons with heaps of fresh oysters and clams packed on ice. Pair these delicacies with any of their icy beers or divine wines and you have the start of a memorable seafood experience. Some of the most popular dishes include the gorgeous Ahi Tuna Platter arranged with seaweed salad, pickled ginger and flatbread crackers and the Cold Water Sashimi Oysters on the ½ shell. The seafood that makes it to the raw bar is of the highest quality and freshness. Handcrafted and fresh-made describes all the food served at Swan River.
Who would believe that a restaurant can pull off submarine decor and do it tastefully? But that’s not all that’s tasteful about this small restaurant that has a faithful following. USS Nemo’s seafood tastes fresh, and there’s a freshness to the way it is prepared. The diver scallops come with leek fondue and goat cheese polenta, for instance. Grouper, shrimp and calamari populate the Commodore’s Mixed Grill, treated to an orange and tomato puree. Regulars rave about the signature miso sea bass. And the even better news is price. Away from the posh downtown neighborhoods and upscale shopping centers and resorts, its price point is also easy to swallow. Meat-lovers, don’t worry. There’s plenty for you to choose from, too.