From luxurious Ritz-Carlton establishments to traditional Mexican holes-in-the-wall, dining in Naples, Florida is an unforgettable experience full of friendly atmosphere and exquisite gourmet cuisine. With top restaurants like Sails Restaurant, Chops City Grill, and others highly recommended, it’s easy to understand why the city has been a fine dining destination for many years.

Naples, Florida is widely acclaimed as a top dining destination, being named among the “Top 20 U.S. Small Towns for Dining” by. The city is renowned for its wide range of quality restaurants, from luxurious Ritz-Carlton establishments to traditional Mexican holes-in-the-wall. Wherever you choose to dine, you can be sure that the cuisine will reflect the unique atmosphere of Naples, which lies between alabaster beaches and wild Everglades wilderness. With so many excellent eateries in this town, narrowing down the best of them has been no easy task. But after much consideration and sampling, the following 9 places have emerged as some of the finest restaurants that Naples has to offer, along with an additional 7 which are highly recommended.

Refined Dining at Sails Restaurant

Since the 1990s renaissance of Fifth Avenue South, Naples dining has become a sidewalk café society. Sails Restaurant opened in 2018 at the crossroads of Fifth and Third Street South and has quickly become a popular destination for discerning diners. Husband-wife team Veljko Pavicevic and Corinne Ryan have brought their expertise running Ritz-Carlton restaurants and brokering fine steaks to create a refined, elevated menu. Exotic seafood from all over the world is displayed next to the open kitchen, while the sail-shaped white marble bar offers an a la carte menu. Service is attentive yet warm, and weekend brunches are so popular they require reservations weeks in advance. Don’t miss the Grand Marnier custard French toast!

Experience a Prime Steak Experience at Chops City Grill

At Chops City Grill, the unforgettable and luxurious atmosphere is as exquisite as the food. Owner Skip Quillen has made sure that from the velvet banquettes, silver-threaded drapes, deep wood tones, and exhibition kitchen, to the imposing bar, all of the elements combine to create a retro ambiance of elegance and affluence. The steak selection at Chops lives up to the hype – choose from Wagyu from Japan, Australia (grade-nine filet), Idaho, and Ohio strip steak sampler for a prime steak experience. Even the ‘Best Ever’ Clam Chowder should not be skipped!

An Intimate & Lively Space

Nosh on Naples Bay, the newest addition to the high-end fine dining scene in Naples, stands out with its slightly more casual and novel approach. It boasts an intimate yet lively space seating 150 guests, featuring a convivial craft cocktail bar, a view of the kitchen, and alfresco seating overlooking the stunning yacht harbor of the Naples Bay Resort & Marina. Nosh is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday during the season.

Veteran chef Todd Johnson and his wife Dana have crafted a menu at Nosh that reflects their eating preferences. The small plates are especially popular, though the duck-cooked two ways dish is also highly recommended. Those looking to savor something special should try the seared Hokkaido scallop atop sweet corn bisque, miso caramel pork belly steamed buns, or foie gras pate slicked with apple gelee.

Experience the Ultimate in High-End Seafood Dining

At Sea Salt – Fabrizio Aielli’s flagship restaurant on Third Street South – guests can experience the ultimate in high-end seafood dining. With sustainable catches, local produce, organic foods, and a vast wine selection, this beach-toned dining room is chic yet comfortable and welcoming to all, including pets on the popular patio. Hundreds of small jars of salts from around the world line one wall, with guests receiving a flight to sample with their bread course. Dinner is an artful expression of flavor, from the fresh seafood display’s branzino, and European sea bass, to house-made pasta and wagyu short ribs. For an extra special treat, invite friends to participate in the multi-course, custom-designed Chef’s Table experience!

Experience Exquisite Indian Cuisine at 21 Spices

Downtown Naples is home to an array of exquisite dining experiences, however, if you’re looking for a unique and affordable global cuisine then 21 Spices by celebrity chef Asif Syed should be your top choice. His talent was showcased on Food Network when he beat Bobby Flay in 2018, and since then, he has been bringing Indian food to the city with flair and finesse. The restaurant features a mix of traditional Indian decor and modern touches, as well as a show kitchen. When dining at 21 Spices, some must-try dishes include the tandoori Kashmiri chicken, 21 Spices Lamb Chops, chicken tikka masala, garlic naan, and Palakwala Chaat. To top it off, order the signature cucumber-infused gin cocktail – laced with cukes, chile heat, and complexity that will tantalize your taste buds.

A Vibrant Open-Air Dining Experience

Experience the vibrant energy of Celebration Park, an open-air bar with live music and more than a half-dozen vendors serving delicious dishes from barbecue to Greek. With its waterside setting and lively atmosphere, it’s one of Naples’ most popular dining spots. Be sure to check out the Islands Seafood Truck where you can get a snapper sandwich (fried, grilled, blackened, or jerk) and a seafood bowl featuring Florida pink shrimp and fish. For an extra treat, head over to Three60 Market for a delectable tomato pie that will rival Charleston’s. Just down the street lies Molcajetes, a genuine Mexican restaurant known for its expansive menu and signature Molcajete Supreme – a volcanic stone vessel filled with shrimp, chorizo, steak, chicken, and grilled cactus. End your meal with a Michelada – a Bloody Mary with a bottle of Corona beer inverted into its stemware.

Great Places to Eat in North Naples

North Naples is becoming a major dining destination, particularly among young residents. On Tamiami Trail, Mercato is home to many great restaurants, including the highly acclaimed Bar Tulia. This spin-off of the original Chef Vincenzo Betulia’s Osteria Tulia and 5th Avenue Bar Tulia has been met with rave reviews due to the oversized pizza oven, its Italian pub atmosphere with steampunk accents, and its delicious menu which features both classic Tulia favorites and new south Mediterranean creations. The Neapolitan-style pizzas are especially noteworthy, such as the Sweet Baby Cheesus with black truffles, while the Fiore Revisited cocktail with its notes of passionfruit, ginger, and raspberry is perfect for hot Southwest Florida days. Joe’s Diner has also been a staple of North Naples for over two decades, offering classic diner comfort food in a retro setting.

Experience Joe’s Diner

Joe’s Diner is a destination for breakfast lovers and lunch-goers alike. Their pot roast bennie is an ideal comfort food choice, while those looking for something more adventurous can sample one of their famous biscuit and gravy dishes. The lunch menu offers any sandwich imaginable, as well as platters and baskets that are sure to satisfy. For a truly unique experience, Joe’s Diner is the place to go.

Naples, Florida continues to be one of the best culinary hubs in the United States. From Sails restaurant—a relatively new spot at the crux of Fifth and Third Street—to its more traditional but much-lauded eateries such as Chops City Grill, there is something here for all taste buds. Enjoy delicacies that take advantage of hometown culinary traditions, like the ‘Best Ever’ Clam Chowder, or indulge in extravagant dishes crafted from the finest wagyu from Japan, Australia, and all over the world. No matter your preference, a meal in Naples is sure to be an unforgettable experience.