Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Southwest Florida

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Southwest Florida? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Next Door

4.9

4.9 (206)

$31 to $50

Italian

Cape Coral

About the restaurant

Welcome to Next Door.

Fresh pasta restaurant in Cape Coral, that combines authentic traditional recipes with a modern twist.

Using only the best ingredients and importing the most popular products, our chefs prepare fresh dishes direct to your table daily.

Papardelle, ravioli, gnocchi, and other typical pasta dishes are all made in our open kitchen.

Wines from the old world regions are available as well as delicious craft cocktails.

Besides dining in, Next Door has a market where foodies can pick up their favorite ingredients, and handmade pastas to cook in the comfort of their homes.

Top review

Bethany

Dined 6 days ago

Next door is one of our favs. Food, drinks, desert—SO SO good! The staff are phenomenal and give the best recommendations! We were celebrating our anniversary tonight and they brought us champagne and our desert even had happy anniversary written on it. Such a nice touch!

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Popular dish

Ravioli

Nosh on Naples Bay

4.8

4.8 (1788)

$31 to $50

Global, International

Naples

About the restaurant

Welcome to Nosh on Naples Bay, an upscale, modern waterfront and open kitchen dining experience at Naples Bay Resort created by award-winning Chef Todd Johnson. By sourcing only the finest ingredients and flavors, Nosh on Naples Bay delivers the best of global cuisine, craft cocktail and incredible wine list. We invite you to enjoy our small plates to your hearts content! At Nosh on Naples Bay, you can explore many types of global cuisine. Whether its Wagyu beef flown in from Japan and Australia or freshly caught seafood and home-grown produce, each delicious plate features only the purest ingredients and flavors. In addition to small plates, we offer traditional entrees and large shareable dishes. Thanks to its prime waterfront location and an open-kitchen concept Nosh on Naples Bay offers both indoor & outdoor dining with spectacular views Chef Todd and his team are ready to provide you with most excellent experience from start to finish! $40 corkage 1 btl limit. No cakes or balloons

Top review

IrinaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Once again we had a fabulous dining experience at beautiful Nosh! Our handcrafted cocktails was delicious, our dinner and desserts scrumptious and our service was outstanding! Every time we dine at Nosh we are always pleased to see beautiful and delicious variety of foods ! We are always looking forward to another dining adventure!

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Experience

Mothers Day at Nosh

Cafe Creme de la Creme - Naples

4.8

4.8 (29)

$31 to $50

European

Naples

About the restaurant

At our European style bistro inside of Naples, Florida it is not about making food, rather about the endless quest for the perfect fusion of senses.

Top review

Anisa

Dined on Apr 28, 2025

Amazing service and delicious food for dinner service! Will be coming back for brunch!

Fuse Global Cuisine

4.6

4.6 (808)

$31 to $50

Fusion / Eclectic

Naples

About the restaurant

Chef and bartender owned and operated award-winning venue that offers eclectic global fusion, traditional American BBQ, craft cocktails and extensive whiskey list.

Top review

Izabella

Dined on May 1, 2025

It was my first time at Fuse and it was absolutely incredible experience! I recommend this place 10000%!

Hyde N Chic Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (533)

$31 to $50

Global, International

Naples

About the restaurant

Welcome to Hyde N Chic Restaurant

Nestled in the heart of Naples, FL, Hyde N Chic Restaurant is an intimate fine dining destination where culinary artistry meets a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Led by Chef Andy Hyde, we offer a unique gastronomic journey through Afro-European-Tropical Fusion—a creative blend of flavors inspired by diverse cultures. For dinner, guests can indulge in a carefully curated prix-fixe menu featuring three to five courses, each crafted with passion and precision.

In addition to our exceptional dinner service, we also provide private catering and lunch offerings, tailored to suit any occasion.

At Hyde N Chic, we believe dining should be more than a meal—it should be a memorable experience. We invite you to join us for an evening of exquisite cuisine, impeccable service, and an ambiance that feels like home.

Top review

Steve

Dined 7 days ago

Great food experience paired with very personal service.

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Experience

Off Season Tasting Menu

Experience

🌸 Mother’s Day Menu & Live Performance 🌸

Sweet Melissa's Restaurant - Fort Myers

4.6

4.6 (54)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Cypress Lake

About the restaurant

Sweet Melissa's Cafe is a culinary gem in Fort Myers, offering a vibrant dining experience that delights the senses. Led by Chef Melissa Donahue, the menu features fresh, seasonal ingredients, showcasing innovative seafood dishes and perfectly cooked steaks that highlight her culinary talent. The inviting ambiance, with elegant decor and a cozy patio, creates the perfect backdrop for any occasion, whether it's a celebration or a casual night out with friends. The attentive staff is dedicated to ensuring your dining experience is exceptional, while the extensive wine list pairs beautifully with your meal. Don't miss out on dessert! Chef Melissa's signature treats, like the rich chocolate lava cake, are the perfect way to end your meal. Visit Sweet Melissa's Cafe for an unforgettable culinary journey that will leave you craving more.

Top review

Katie

Dined 1 day ago

Loved the watermelon and Tomato salad, Steak was a great!

Tanglewood - Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa

4.5

4.5 (378)

$30 and under

Country kitchen

Bonita Springs

About the restaurant

Savor your favorite dishes, artfully updated with exotic flavors and interesting ingredients, all day long at Tanglewood restaurant. In our newly renovated dining room and expanded kitchen, international cuisine takes center stage, as our Executive Chef consistently delivers "comfortable food with an exciting twist." Join us for our Breakfast Buffet, Lunch or Dinner served daily.

Top review

Chuck

Dined on Apr 20, 2025

We enjoyed the Easter Brunch Extravaganza and it was amazing! We are not typically buffet people but the spread was extensive, fresh and amazing. The service by Edward and Silvia was attentive and prompt. We thoroughly enjoyed our brunch.

Tigress Rooftop Restaurant & Bar

4.5

4.5 (227)

$31 to $50

Cantonese

Naples Park

About the restaurant

Tigress Cantonese Chophouse perches atop The Perry Hotel, Naples, on the seventh-floor rooftop. Chef Dale Talde's innovative menu blends Cantonese flavors with American chophouse classics.
Indulge in Dry-Aged Crown of Duck, Black Angus Rib-Eye with soy black garlic butter, and Blue Crab Fried Rice. Savor panoramic views of the River and Gulf while enjoying a romantic dinner or celebrating a special occasion.

Just steps away, Easy Tiger Rooftop Bar awaits, an open-air oasis designed by mixology legend Lynnette Marrero. Her inventive cocktails, like the Tigress-Tini and Hong Kong Old-Fashioned, complement Tigress' diverse menu perfectly.

Whether you're savoring a delectable dish at Tigress or sipping a crafted cocktail at Easy Tiger, both venues offer an unforgettable experience. Immerse yourself in world-class cuisine and cocktails while enjoying breathtaking views.

Top review

ChrisVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We had dinner and it was great ! The outdoor rooftop experience definitely made it excellent . Our server Elvis was excellent !!He gided us through the menu . I highly recommend this restaurant , and if your lucky Elvis will be your waiter !

Sip & Sizzle

4.5

4.5 (135)

$31 to $50

American

Fort Myers

About the restaurant

Sip & Sizzle offers on a truly unique journey of taste and atmosphere in the very heart of the historic Downtown Fort Myers River District. We are an elegant spot for a delicious beakfast & lunch in the daytime, and a one-off experience for dinner!

Our menu boasts a diverse selection. Fresh and light in the daytime, we transform into dinner destination by night. Whether you crave extraordinary steak, fresh seafood, or a vegetarian delight, our kitchen will deliver a memorable experience for you & your friends and family.

From the first sip of our extensive list of handcrafted cocktails, over the composed dishes from the chef's kitchen and our 500 degree sizzling steak stone dinners, to the last bite of our delectable desserts from a local pastry chef, every element is designed to ignite your senses - and our sommerlier curated wine list tops it off.

We are a casual weeknight dinner spot as much as your perfect date night rendezvous and your favorite location for any celebration.

Top review

Debra

Dined on May 1, 2025

Unique experience!! Fun ambiance for dinner with friends. We enjoyed the “sizzle” experience - will definitely visit again!

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Experience

Mother's Day 4-course Sizzle Stone Dinner

Experience

Mothers Day Brunch at Sip & Sizzle

Experience

3-course Venison & Wine 'surf and turf' dinner

Waxin's Naples

4.1

4.1 (126)

$31 to $50

Swedish

Naples Park

About the restaurant

The Waxins moved from Sweden to America over a decade ago and as they settled themselves in and the years passed, the family felt that there was something missing in their life. After careful thought and consideration they decided that it was time for America to enjoy the full Swedish experience when it comes to food and design. Their vision was to create a second home for themselves and all of our guests. They have strived and succeeded in making Waxin’s a go to spot for authentic Swedish and American food and craft cocktails in a beautiful atmosphere.

Top review

CatherineVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Histess greeted us with a smile, server was pleasant abd helpful. Food was delicious and offered a great variety of foods. Ate outside wuth covered top. Very comfortable chairs with lots if soace between tables. A very enjoyable evening.

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