5 Seafood Restaurants to Try in SWFLA!

If you're living in Ft. Myers or Estero and craving an amazing seafood meal, you're in luck! The Ft. Myers and Estero region is home to many scrumptious eateries, so take full advantage of the bounty of seafood, fresh from the Gulf waters. Here are some of our favorite seafood restaurants. 

Skip One Seafoods

For a casual lunch or dinner featuring the freshest catch of the day, don't miss Skip One Seafoods. Since the 1960s, this two Fort Myers institution has been serving up locally sourced fish, oysters, crab, shrimp, scallops and more. (Craving a fried gator tail or frog legs? You'll find it at Skip One!) Choose from a wide range of traditional sides, like creamy potato salad and house-made coleslaw, and be sure to order a tall, cold iced tea with your meal. Don't pass up dessert; favorites like key lime pie and pecan pie add a sweet finish. 

Blue Pointe Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill

If you're heading out on the town for a special night out — or you just want to treat yourself — stop by the Blue Pointe Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill. This popular eatery is known for its great service, inviting patio dining, and fresh seafood from the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. Local favorites include coconut shrimp, crab cakes and miso-glazed Chilean sea bass. There's also the raw bar, where you can sample oysters, clams, shrimp and lobster. Add in an extensive selection of wines and cocktails, and you've got the perfect night out in Fort Myers.

Cape Cod Fish Company

Just because you're in southwestern Florida, that doesn't mean you can't have New England style seafood! At the Cape Cod Fish Company, you'll find a full menu of authentic New England tastes. Choose from favorites like lobster rolls, clam chowder, Ipswich steamer clams, and fried whole belly clams, just to name a few. Daily specials reflect seasonal catches, and tacos, sandwiches and rolls round out the menu, all served in a casual, friendly atmosphere.

South Fork Grille

Estero's South Fork Grille offers lunch, early dining, and dinner with a focus on fresh seafood. From salmon to grouper, scallops to swordfish, you'll find a variety of flavors on the menu. Pastas, sandwiches, salads and steak round out the selections. At this local eatery, the patio is open to pets, making South Fork Grille a great spot for a casual, yet upscale, lunch. Be sure to check out their extensive list of cocktails, too.

Rusty's Raw Bar and Grill

For a laid-back atmosphere and tasty seafood, head to Rusty's Raw Bar and Grill. With locations in both Estero and Ft. Myers, Rusty's offers a casual dining experience complete with live music. Known for its happy hour and raw bar, you'll find a range of bar foods as well as seafood dishes on Rusty's menu. Local favorites include the conch and clam chowder, steamed clams, peel and eat shrimp, and "drunken mussels." The full bar menu offers a wide range of appetizers to start your meal. 

No matter which seafood restaurant you choose, one thing is clear: living in Ft. Myers or Estero means access to fresh flavors, straight from the ocean. That's just part of the many benefits of living in the Springs Apartments in southwest Florida. Enjoy!