Hurricane Ian and its horrific storm surge severely damaged the entire island of Sanibel, and the restaurants were no exception. The great news is that many are working hard to rebuild and come back better than ever!
One by one, the restaurants are reopening. Some, of course, will take longer than others. Currently, the ones that have reopened are only open to Sanibel residents and recovery workers (you need a hurricane pass to cross the causeway until Jan. 2, 2023, when the Sanibel causeway will be open to the public), but I'm looking forward to the day when we all can dine at our favorite island places once again!
Sanibel & Captiva Restaurants that have Reopened Since Hurricane Ian
1. Traders Restaurant
I was so excited when I heard that Trader's had reopened! The staff is so friendly, and the lobster ravioli is to die for!
1551 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL
(239) 472-7242
www.traderssanibel.com
2. Jerry's Deli, Café, and Coquina Coffee
The Deli, Café, and Coquina Coffee at Jerry's Supermarket are open from 7am - 2pm daily. Check out How is Jerry’s Foods Grocery Store after Hurricane Ian? to read more about Jerry's recovery.
3. Cielo
Cielo is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm serving a limited menu.
1244 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL
(239) 472-5555
4. Gramma Dot's
Update: As of February 15, 2024, Gramma Dot's is now open!
Gramma Dot’s has been running for over three decades and is now open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
634 North Yachtsmen Drive, Sanibel, FL
5. Captiva Island Pizza
Captiva Island Pizza is open 11:00 -3:00 Monday - Thursday and 11:00 - 8:00 Friday and Saturday.
11513 Andy Rosse Ln, Captiva, FL
(239) 395-0823
http://www.captivaislandpizza.com
6. The Sanibel Grill
The Sanibel Grill is now open Thursday - Sunday, noon to 6pm!
Stay updated by following their Facebook page HERE.
703 Tarpon Bay Rd, Sanibel, FL
(239) 472-4453
feedback1@prawnbroker.com
thesanibelgrill.com
7. Sanibel Deli
The Sanibel Deli is now open!
You can follow their updates on their Facebook page HERE.
2330 Palm Ridge Road, Sanibel, FL
(239) 472-2555
8. Old Captiva House at Tween Waters
The Old Captiva House restaurant is now open!
15951 Captiva Dr, Captiva, FL 33924
https://www.oldcaptivahouse.com
9. Island Pizza Sanibel
Island Pizza, a fun family pizza place on Sanibel, has a target reopening date of Jan. 1, 2023.
But they’ve fired up the smoker and have been offering BBQ since December 16!
You can stay updated on their progress on their Facebook page HERE.
1619 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957
+1 239-472-1581
islandpizzasanibel@yahoo.com
Island Pizza Sanibel
Island Pizza Sanibel BBQ
10. The Shack of Sanibel
Sanibel's Fresh Frozen Custard Shack -- serving fresh frozen custard dessert treats, is now open!
You can stay updated about The Shack of Sanibel on their Facebook page HERE.
1219 Periwinkle Way Sanibel, FL 33957
The Shack of Sanibel custard - open after Ian!
Sanibel Lighthouse hair clip
and other cute beach hair accessories!
Click below to learn about the lighthouse hair clip named in honor of the steadfast Sanibel lighthouse that withstood the winds & waves of Hurricane Ian! #SanibelStrong
Multiple sizes to fit all types of hair, from baby-fine to super-thick!
11. Mud Bugs Cajun Kitchen
Mud Bugs Cajun Kitchen is open!
Initial hours are 11 am to 7 pm. Live music daily starting at 3pm.
Happiest of Happy Hour specials including a “special hurricane”!
1473 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL
(239) 472-2221
mudbugssanibel@gmail.com
https://www.mudbugssanibel.com
Mudbugs cleanup after Ian
12. Blue Giraffe Sanibel
The Blue Giraffe now has a food trailer open at:
Periwinkle Place Shops
2075 Periwinkle Way
Sanibel, FL
No reopening date for their restaurant yet, but the Blue Giraffe on Sanibel has been working hard to be able to welcome guests once again!
You can stay updated on their progress on their Facebook page HERE.
2075 Periwinkle Way #14, Sanibel, FL
+1 239-472-2525
contact@bluegirafferestaurant.com
13. Huxter's Food Truck
1203 Periwinkle Way
Sanibel, FL
14. Cantina Captiva Food Truck
14970 Captiva Drive
Captiva, FL 33924
15. Tutti Pazzi Sanibel
Tutti Pazzi opened on January 15!
11 AM - 7:30 PM Wednesday through Monday
- 1200 Periwinkle Way
Sanibel, FL
(239) 966-7654
info@tuttipazzisanibel.com
tuttipazzisanibel.com
Facebook page updates HERE.
Tutti Pazzi Sanibel - photo credit Mary Jean Hays
16. The Mucky Duck Captiva
As of January 25, 2023, the Mucky Duck is Open!
11546 Andy Rosse Ln
Captiva, FL
(239) 472-3434
http://www.muckyduck.com/muckyduckcaptiva@comcast.net
You can read more about how Mucky Duck fared during Ian at How is Mucky Duck after Hurricane Ian?
17. Great White Grill
As of January 25, 2023, The Great White Grill is open!
You can stay updated on their Facebook page HERE.
2440 Palm Ridge Rd, Sanibel, FL
(239) 472-0212
18. Sweet Melissa's
Sweet Melissa's has a Pop-up every Thursday and Friday at Island Pizza!
1619 Periwinkle Way
Sanibel, FL
19. Doc Fords Rum Bar & Grille
Although the Captiva Doc Fords location will not be reopening, as of February 17, the Sanibel Doc Fords location is open!
To learn more about Doc Ford's hurricane damage and to stay updated on their recovery, check out their website page HERE.
2500 Island Inn Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957
(239) 472-8311
Doc Ford's Seafood Paella
Doc Ford's Deep Water Mahi Mahi
20. The Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market
Timbers Restaurant is now open 5-8:30pm daily!
The Fish Market at the Timbers is open 1-7pm daily and 2 pm on Sundays.
703 Tarpon Bay Rd, Sanibel, FL
(239) 472-3128
timberssanibelgrill@gmail.com
timbersofsanibel.com
21. Rosalita's Cantina Sanibel
New Sanibel Tex-Mex location! Rosalita’s offers a full menu of both food and drinks. Try their signature table-side guacamole made right in front of you with nachos piled high. They have a full array of classic Mexican dishes, more modern specialties and specialty margaritas.
975 Rabbit Rd, Sanibel, FL
+1 239-955-7673
Rosalitassanibel@gmail.com
rosalitascantina.com
22. Bleu Rendezvous French Bistro & Wine Bar Sanibel
751 Tarpon Bay Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957
+1 239-565-1608
23. The Shipyard at 'Tween Waters Captiva
The Shipyard is a brand new Gulf-view restaurant next to The Old Captiva House at 'Tween Waters Island Resort and Spa. Its grand opening was on May 15, 2023. Be sure to check it out while visiting Captiva!
BREAKFAST 7.30 AM – 11 AM | LUNCH 11.30 AM – 2 PM | LITE BITES 2 PM – 5 PM | DINNER 5 PM – 10 PM
15951 Captiva Drive
Captiva, Florida 33924
239.472.5161
https://shipyardcaptiva.com
24. RC Otter's Captiva
As of June 17, 2023, RC Otter's on Captiva is open!
Live music daily with indoor and outdoor dining available.
11506 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, FL
https://rcotterscaptiva.com/
25. The Crow's Nest Steakhouse
The Crow’s Nest Chophouse and whiskey bar had its grand opening on July 6, 2023.
It is in a stunning new location on top of the new Shipyard Restaurant at 'Tween Waters, for an unrivaled vantage point for watching the legendary sunsets over the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.
15951 Captiva Drive
Captiva, Florida 33924
239.472.5161
https://shipyardcaptiva.com
26. The Green Flash Restaurant Captiva
UDPATE: As of September 22, 2023, The Green Flash Restaurant on Captiva is open!
15183 Captiva Dr, Captiva, FL
+1 239-472-3337
greenflashcaptiva@gmail.com
27. The Sanibel Cafe
UPDATE: As of February 9, 2024, The Sanibel Cafe is open 7 days a week!
Serving breakfast and lunch all day, every day, from 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM.
2007 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL
(239) 966-4017
thesanibelcafesanibelcafe.com
28. Pinocchio's Original Italian Ice Cream
UPDATE: As of February 13, 2024, Pinocchio's Original Italian Ice Cream is open!
2075 Periwinkle Way #33
Periwinkle Place Shops
Sanibel, FL
(239) 472-6566
www.pinocchiosicecream.com
29. Lazy Flamingo Food Trailer
UDPATE: As of February 20, 2024, the Sanibel location of Lazy Flamingo has a food trailer open.
You can enjoy their famous grouper sandwich and other delightful menu items in their outdoor area with picnic tables with umbrellas.
30. Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant
UPDATE: As of April 2, 2024, Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant is OPEN!
From the Wickies' website:
"On this small island of Sanibel, two devastating events happened within two months of each other. A fire completely destroyed The Island Cow Restaurant in August of 2022 and Hurricane Ian wiped out The Mad Hatter Restaurant at the end of September. These two tragic events left two friends wondering what their next moves will be while they wait to rebuild their iconic restaurants. Being idle isn't really their strong suit. That's when... Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant came to fruition!"
362 Periwinkle Way
Sanibel, FL
(239) 472-0011
info@wickieslighthouserestaurant.com
wickieslighthouserestaurant.com
Sanibel Lighthouse Hair Clip
I'm so excited for the release of the new Sanibel lighthouse Flexi hair clip named in honor of the beautiful historic Sanibel Island lighthouse.
Despite devastation all around and losing a leg in the 13-15' storm surge during Hurricane Ian, the steadfast lighthouse remained standing.
It is now a symbol of hope for residents, visitors, and Sanibel-lovers everywhere! ❤️
Watch the video below to learn more about this beautiful new lighthouse clip, and learn 3 quick & easy hairstyles you can do with it, no matter how thick or thin your hair!
You can also purchase it HERE.
What else is open on Sanibel?
There are many businesses, shops, services, activities, and accommodations on Sanibel & Captiva that have reopened since Ian.
Check out our post for the full list: What is Open on Sanibel?
Support Sanibel restaurants and shops
One way you can support the restaurants and shops of Sanibel until you can visit again is to shop through their online store! To see all the Sanibel and Captiva businesses that have online shops, check out my article Sanibel Island Online Shopping Directory (after Hurricane Ian)
Stay Updated!
Follow me on Facebook HERE to stay updated on all things Sanibel, Captiva and SW Florida!
Keep me posted!
This is an on-going article that I hope to keep updated. If you hear of a Sanibel restaurant that has reopened or has set a date to reopen, please let me know in the comments below! Thank you! 💜
Will the Sunset Grill be able to rebuild and reopen? Praying for all on Sanibel!
Blessings to all the workers and residents.
See you in September!