Affordable eats in Sanibel or Ft. Myers

[bcarson]

We are going to be visiting friends in Ft Myers when we are in Fl. They are taking us to Sanibel. I thought it would be nice to take them out to dinner once. But they are a family of 5, and us 4. I don't want to break the bank. Any suggestions?

 

[leahjade]

If you have kids, you will all love Cheeburger, Cheeburger. It's a fun little place with great milkshakes!

 

[100%gemini]

I remember we used to like The Mucky Duck on Sanibel... I don't know if it is still there but that was a fun place....

 

[NaplesRI]

Like seafood?
Shrimp Shacak is reasonable and good! Very casual so no problem taking kids.
Not too far from airport in Ft Myers.
It does get crowded, even after season...so go early if you dont want to wait.

 

[elisebev]

If you have kids, you will all love Cheeburger, Cheeburger. It's a fun little place with great milkshakes!

I second that. The milkshakes are fab.

Island Cow is also good with kids. My neice and nephew love all the games available in the back patio.

Matzaluna is also nice.

A family favourite of hours is Doc Fords. Their fish sandwiches are gorgeous and very reasonably priced too.

 

[elisebev]

I remember we used to like The Mucky Duck on Sanibel... I don't know if it is still there but that was a fun place....

Mucky Duck is still there

 

[meliss8599]

I second that. The milkshakes are fab.

Island Cow is also good with kids. My neice and nephew love all the games available in the back patio.

Matzaluna is also nice.

A family favourite of hours is Doc Fords. Their fish sandwiches are gorgeous and very reasonably priced too.

I'll third this! Cute atmosphere and EXCELLENT cheeseburgers. Ask to take a picture with the stuffed cheeseburger, it makes a cute souvenir.

While Island Cow has good food, I have found the actual restaurant to be filthy (sticky tables, food crumbs/chunks left on seats as we're being seated) and can't stomach it anymore. Grossest example, I once had to sit next to a mosquito smeared on the wall with blood. It was disgusting and I just can't go there anymore. Why would they have not wiped that off? It was obviously there a while. I wouldn't take friends there.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

We really liked the Sunshine Cafe. Food was great and not just burgers.

Teresa

 

[swilshire]

We didn't care much for Cheeseburger, Cheesburger but we LOVE the Island Cow. We always go at least twice. Huge portions (always leftovers for another meal) and very reasonable prices.

Sheila

 

[hickchick]

Ft Myers has a Sweet Tomatoes. That was my favorite meal when we were there over spring break...love salad bar and soup!

 

[rapmarks]

Sweet tomatoes has a good meal for a good price. there are lots of coupons out there. sign up on line and they will send you two for ones that you can duplicate. Also Shrimp Shack is on restaurant.com,
Bar Louis at Gulf coast Cener has $5 lunches, very good.

 

[meliss8599]

So where did you end up going? How did you like Sanibel?

 

[ksantilli]

Oh so sorry I missed this! My grandparents live on Sanibel and we have been visiting for years. The BEST place to eat there is Schnapper's Hots! They have the best grouper fish and chips I have ever had. Yum, I'm craving them now!

Where did you guys end up going?

 

[DipsyDoodles]

Oh so sorry I missed this! My grandparents live on Sanibel and we have been visiting for years. The BEST place to eat there is Schnapper's Hots! They have the best grouper fish and chips I have ever had. Yum, I'm craving them now!

Where did you guys end up going?

Hi, I just came upon this post, I am heading to Sanibel Island for the first time next week for a few night with my hubby. Would you be able to recommend any great restaurants and maybe some fun things to do?

 

[Manda513]

We love the Bubble Room on Captiva Island. We try to make there at least once and usually twice on each trip. Lots of fun, good food, and the kids love it there!

 

[lisa-upnorth]

We love the Bubble Room on Captiva Island. We try to make there at least once and usually twice on each trip. Lots of fun, good food, and the kids love it there!

I LOVE the Bubble Room! It is so much fun. Make sure you save room for dessert cause it huge!

 

[meliss8599]

Sanibel Grill has a phenomenal grouper sandwich and that's saying a lot because I absolutely abhor fish. My husband forced me to try it and I absolutely loved it. They also have a decent burger and nachos.

We also love Cheeburger Cheeburger--they have amazing burgers, milkshakes galore and a cute diner atmosphere.

While Bubble Room is something to try once for the theming and atmosphere, I find it filthy dirty and expensive and have no desire to ever eat in there again. The ONLY reason we go there now is for take-out desserts which are out of this world and well worth the trip to Captiva. Try the red velvet and orange crunch--they are like nothing else.

For things to do, I HIGHLY recommend the Stars and Stripes dolphin cruise run out of Sanibel Marina. It takes you into the bay and dolphins follow the boat. You could reach out the back and almost touch them. Often the boat will stop somwhere in the bay where the dolphins are feeding and you can watch them up close and hear them breathe.

DH has been going there his entire life as his family owns a condo down there and I have been going for the past 11 so if you have any questions, we'd be happy to answer them for you. Sanibel is a pretty lax place so if you're looking for more entertainment, you might want to go to Fort Meyers Beach. If you like shopping, the Tanger Outlet Mall right off the island is fun--Coach, Claire's, Nike, Guess outlets, etc.

 

[DipsyDoodles]

thanks so much!!!! looking forward to a realaxing few days.

 

[cjackearl]

We'll be there in a few weeks. Love it there! My ILs own a time share so we enjoy every other Christmas with them. Sanibel is NOT, by in large, a budget friendly place but you've been given some good suggestions. Cheeburger, cheeburger is ok and definitely cheap.

The Mucky Duck is actually on Captiva along with The Bubble Room, which we really like. We haven't found it dirty, but it is dark and cluttered. The orange crunch cake is amazing!

The Hungry Heron is another family friendly, yummy restaurant. Not sure about the prices, though.