Business all over Southwest Florida are still regrouping, reimagine and reinventing a year after Hurricane Ian. This is big news for foodies and in the restaurant community. Two iconic Sanibel restaurants to reopen under a new name. The new partnership on Sanibel is between the owners of the famous Island Cow and Mad Hatter restaurants. The charming, award-winning Mad Hatter sat off of Blind Pass, leading to Captiva. It was literally washed into the Gulf of Mexico by Hurricane Ian. The colorful, Island Cow was destroyed by fire.
Not wanting to give up on the island and their longtime patrons, owners Brian & Elke Podlasek (Island Cow) and Max & Bridget Kolshak (Mad Hatter) are opening two new spots in the Seahorse Shopping Center on Periwinkle Way. Introducing Wickie’s Lighthouse Restaurant and The Magic Bus Ice Cream & Caffeine. That plaza used to be home to two other longtime favorite family owned spots, the Lighthouse Café and Sanibel Ice Cream.
Wickie’s will feature breakfast, lunch and dinner along with a full bar and signature drinks. It is said to be casual and approachable, but also have some of the Mad Hatter’s elegance. The Magic Bus will feature vintage VW-inspired décor with indoor and outdoor seating. Think old-fashioned ice cream shop and candy store vibe with modern coffee creations and baked goods.
The new restaurant partners are hoping to revitalize the east end of the island with their new venues. Opening is planned for November. Southwest Floridians have so many great memories in these former restaurants. It is great to see their spirit still alive. Congratulations.
25 Restaurants Are Now Open On Sanibel And Captiva Islands
It's hard to believe Hurricane Ian hit almost a year and a half ago and while we still have a long way to go, more than 25 restaurants are now open on Sanibel and Captiva Islands.
I've been spending a lot time on our local beaches. I love that here in Southwest Florida, even when there's nothing to do, there's something to do. And that something for me, is always heading to the beach. I usually head to Sanibel to either Bowman's Beach or Tarpon Bay Beach. I love Gulfside City Park too, but rarely do I make it out early enough to get a parking spot. It's been SO nice seeing all the people out enjoying the beaches, it's been busy nearly every weekend.
There's also a lot of businesses reopening too. Between lodging, restaurants, shopping, and things to do like kayaking and fishing charters. I will say that driving around out there just breaks your heart. It's not so much that there's debris everywhere, it just looks very bare and to see huge homes and condo complexes just crumbling, is so sad. Slowly but surely though, things are reopening and the island is welcoming visitors back out to the islands to stay, play and dine. You can find a full list of open businesses here
25 Restaurants Now Open on Sanibel & Captiva Islands:
Bleu Rendezvous French Bistro
They've been open, but now taking a break for summer. They'll reopen in October. Menu items include lamb chops, duck, steak and more.
Blue Giraffe Food Truck
Open Monday through Saturday, 10 am-2 pm at 2075 Periwinkle Way. Enjoy breakfast items and a variety of wraps and sandwiches.
Boops by the Bubble Room
Boops By The Bubble Room is a dessert shop serving cake, ice cream, pastries, and coffee. Open 8:30am-9pm daily at 15001 Captiva Drive.
Cantina Captiva Food Truck
The restaurant itself is still closed, but the food truck is set up in the parking lot at 14970 Captiva Dr.
Captiva Island Pizza
Voted Best Pizza 2023 by Restaurant Guru. Open daily from 11am-7pm for take-out and offering free delivery Friday & Saturday nights.
Cielo Restaurant
Offering farm to table cuisine, craft cocktails and scratch-made desserts. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Saturday.
Crow’s Nest at Tween Waters
Enjoy great views of the Gulf, delicious food and craft cocktails. Make sure to make a reservation as seating is limited to 60 guests.
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille
With 2 dining rooms and an outdoor patio, they're open daily for lunch & dinner. Everything I've ever had has been delicious, Doc Ford's is a favorite of mine.
Gramma Dots
Gramma Dots is open daily from 11:30am-8pm serving lunch and dinner. Located at Sanibel Marina 634 N Yachtsman Drive
Great White Grill
Open Monday-Friday 11-7. Enjoy gyros, burgers, wings, salads and more.
Huxters Market
The deli and mini mart are open! Sandwiches, chips, beer, wine, drinks and salads available. Lots of grocery items as well.
Island Pizza & Sweet Melissa’s Cafe
Open 11am-close at 1619 Periwinkle Way. Sanibel's #1 ranked jumbo wings.
Jerry’s Grocery, Café and Coffee Shop
With meat, cheese, a bakery, produce, grocery and floral departments, they have everything you need. Great weekly specials too.
The Mucky Duck
Featuring a variety of seafood, sandwiches, apps, soups and salads. Open 11:30-9 daily.
Mudbugs
Located at 1473 Periwinkle Way with live music and happy hour daily. Offering cajun style food with an island twist. Enjoy oysters, fried green tomatoes, beignets and more.
Old Captiva House at Tween Waters
Open for dinner only with reservations available from 5-9pm. Entrees include filet, duck, lobster & crab crusted scallops and more. Enjoy desserts too like banana bread pudding and crème brulee.
RC Otter’s
RC Otter's officially reopened last week on Captiva. With nearly 100 menu items, they're open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Rosalita’s Cantina
Rosalita's Cantina is a new restaurant located where 400 Rabbits was pre-Hurricane Ian. Enjoy signature table-side guacamole and a wide variety of Mexican dishes including their specialty Cadillac Fajitas.
Sanibel Deli and Coffee
Winner of Best Pizza from Taste of the Islands. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner at 2330 Palm Ridge Road
Sanibel Grill
Open daily from 4-10pm. Serving oysters, scallops, lobster and grouper.
Starbucks
Located in the Chadwicks Square South plaza at 5400 Plantation Rd. Open 7am-2:30pm daily.
Shipyard at Tween Waters
Located next to Old Captiva House at ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa on Captiva. Open daily for breakfast and dinner.
The Shack
Enjoy fresh frozen custard in flavors like key lime cheesecake, lemon raspberry, mint brownie, sea turtle and red velvet. Located on the East End of Sanibel Island, 1/4 mile up Periwinkle from the Sanibel Causeway.
Traders
Located at 1551 Periwinkle Way. Serving lunch and dinner daily from 11am-8pm.
Tutti Pazzi
Open daily for dinner. Serving a variety of Italian dishes including Ravioli alla Formaggio, Pollo alla Parmigiana, Insalata Caprese and Fettuccine Alfredo.
Update 3/4
For even more restaurants open on Sanibel and Captiva islands click here
