Thistle Lodge RestaurantOld Florida style gem.What a beautiful restaurant. We have been to Sanibel and Captiva islands four times in the last five years. The Thistle Lodge is now our favorite upscale restaurant. The food was excellent and so were the cocktails. The next time we travel to Sanibel for a vacation we are hoping to stay at the Casa Ybel resort so we can eat here several times for dinner. My wife and I would get married here if we had to do it all over again.6/9/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect for our special dinnerThistle Lodge was exactly what we were looking for. Great ambience - and the food was delicious. We were even given a card for our anniversary! Next time we are in Sanibel we will definitely be going back - even if there is no special occasion.6/4/2013 12:00:00 AMWir waren nach unserem StrandtagWir waren nach unserem Strandtag von Sanibel Island direkt in dieses schöne Restaurant gefahren. Schon die Begrüßung war sehr herzlich. Wir hatten per Internet einen Tisch auf der Terrasse oder direkt am Fenster gebucht. Wegen einer Hochzeit wurden wir direkt zum Garten/Strand im Restaurant platziert. Zu unserem Hochzeitstag wollten wir uns einen schönen Ausklang gönnen und kaum hörten die Mitarbeiter von diesem schönen Anlass bekamen wir eine persönliche Glückwuschkarte vom Haus. Das Essen war gut und die Empfehlung des Hauses ausgezeichnet. Wir haben dieses Abend in der wunderbaren Kulisse sehr genossen.6/2/2013 12:00:00 AMThe GOOD & the BAD!Great food, lovely view, nice atmosphere, old Floridian ambiance, but the service was EXTREMELY slow.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was excellent. TheThe food was excellent. The service was good. The views were of the gulf were beautiful.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMFive Star!All around a great experience! Had the special fish (pompano) blackened and it was best fish I have had this season. Service was friendly and prompt. A little pricey but well worth it!4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food. Very pricy. WeGreat food. Very pricy. We had their specials which are even more expensive than their menu entrees. We should have asked the prices of the specials before ordering. Our table was close to some other diners., however, we had a nice conversation with them.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was our first time diningThis was our first time dining at The Thistle and it was beautiful. The atmosphere is gorgeous, the food and service was outstanding. It would be a great place to celebrate a special occasion. A great experience, will definitely return.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMA Must for Brunch or anytimeA must for Sanibel visitors. We go every year. Great setting right on the water whether indoors, on the deck or beside the pool. Different menu by the pool. We prefer the gourmet brunch inside on Sunday with the same staff members each year including the multi-talented instrumentalist. Every entre is delectable. I had the eggs benedict resting on artichoke heart over an english muffin. Eggs cooked to perfection. The sauce must be made to order because is just the rigth consitency to grace the eggs,but not so firm as to overwhelm their gentle texture. My wife had the egg white fritatta with chicken saugage, which she loved. The wine list and bar service here always add a special sense of perfection too our visits. Don't miss the truffles!4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMGood food and good service.Good food and good service. Lovely views of the ocean. A bit pricey, especially the kids' menu.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Wedding Anniversary DinnerThe Thistle Lodge Restaurant definitely scored me a lot of points with my wife as we celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary. Great to be able to book online without her knowing. Right on time with our table. Seat overlooked the grounds and out to the ocean. Live piano music in the background blended in and was so relaxing that you loved having it there, but it didn't interfere with the conversation. Steve, our waiter, was awesome. He was there enough, but not too much. You could tell that he was empowered and knowledgeable to make slight adjustments to the menu for us. Food was amazing! Even gave us a signed card and coupon for our anniversary. Very Special. Overall a great pick.4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMThistle Lodge is the bestThistle Lodge is the best restaurant on Sanibel Island and among the best in all of Southwest Florida. Exquisite food and service.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a lovely dinner andWe had a lovely dinner and enjoyed the beautiful view of the ocean. In many Sanibel restaurants it's difficult to have a conversation because of the noise level--this was a pleaasant change. Rosie our server was great!3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good overall and acrossVery good overall and across the board everyone was very friendly and professional.3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent place. Took my parentsExcellent place. Took my parents there to celebrate their 50th. They thoroughly enjoyed every course, the view, and the old Florida feel.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat location with good viewsGreat location with good views of the Gulf from most tables. Nice variety in the menu and the food was very good. The server was helpful in selecting dishes. Excellent overall experience.3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMI have eaten here before andI have eaten here before and so decided to treat myself for a special occasion. I wasn't disappointed. The food was great-grilled yellowtail snapper with risotto and Caesar salad. I had a lovely view looking out over the Gulf. All in all I couldn't have asked for more. Have to mention my server Chris-very attentive and helpful.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is a really beautifulThis is a really beautiful spot with the dining room facing directly out to the Gulf of Mexico. The cocktails were quite good and the food was very good. The portions were rather small, especially for the price. I think that it's a great place for a splurge or for a special occasion.
We were treated to a small wedding being performed right outside our window table.
The choices on Sanibel for fine dining in a very elegant setting are few and far between and this spot does fill that bill.3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have enjoyed The ThistleWe have enjoyed The Thistle Lodge Restaurant several times when staying in Sanibel.
The ingredients are fresh and always flavorful and the presentation of food is always
breath taking. If you can get a sunset seating it is just wonderful to see the changes in the color on the ocean and in the turret dining room.
It is a place I can recommend for a very special occasion to beautiful Sanibel
and Casa Ybel.
It was so beautiful I took pictures of our meals as they arrived and sent them to family.
Not very nice, wish I could have sent them smell and taste vision as well.3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMMy husband and I had a wonderfulMy husband and I had a wonderful time. It was his birthday - each server wished him a happy birthday - the service, food and views were great. It was our first time and wont be our last. We will come back. A+3/11/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have been traveling toWe have been traveling to Sanibel for more years than I can remember. We go to Thistle to celebrate our anniversary each time. We love it, and recommend it to people who want to "dine" rather than "eat". It's a lovely place - the food is always good, and the wait staff is adorable.3/8/2013 12:00:00 AMWe haad a wonderful meal,We haad a wonderful meal, service was great!Going back again!3/8/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and service, alongGreat food and service, along with a beautiful setting.2/21/2013 12:00:00 AM