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  5. Punta Gorda

The Perfect Caper

4.8
4.8
2958 Reviews
$30 and under
Contemporary French / American
The Perfect Caper is Southwest Florida's premier dining destination. Located in Punta Gorda, halfway between Sarasota and Naples, on Florida's Gulf Coast. The Caper is a casually elegant neighborhood restaurant, with something for EVERYONE! The Caper offers a truly unique dining experience as well as superior service and atmosphere & craft cocktails....Globally inspired cuisine, locally sourced!

We feel the Caper is an extension of your home and that you and your family will feel welcomed at our table. Enjoy life...Eat Good Food!

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 20 times today

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Cuisines

    Contemporary French / American, French American, Asian

  • Hours of operation

    Dinner Wed–Fri 11:30 am–9:00 pm Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Lunch Wed–Fri 11:30 am–2:30 pm

  • Phone number

    (941) 505-9009

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Smart Casual

  • Executive chef

    Jeanie Roland-James Beard Semifinalist

  • Private party facilities

    We are always available for private functions.

  • Private party contact

    James Roland: (941) 505-9009

  • Neighborhood

    Punta Gorda

  • Cross street

    Nesbit St.

  • Parking details

    We offer parking in the private lot that is adjacent to the building.

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Smoking Area, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 2,958 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Southwest Florida

    Best Overall

  • Southwest Florida

    Best Food

  • Southwest Florida

    Best Value

  • Southwest Florida

    Good for special occasions

Sort by

  1. Monica

    Atlantic City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of our favorite restaurants in Punta Gorda. The food and service are always exceptional.
  2. Raven

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    This was a great dinner with good friends. Easy to hear, and the food was amazing. All four people were very pleased with the food. Service was excellent.
  3. Char

    Naples

    22 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Lovely restaurant…we will return! Ambience was wonderful, food was excellent, and service was great!
  4. Paula

    Northern MI

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing!!! Everything was perfect, yep even the capers!! Zack, our server was top notch too. A Perfect Evening with a perfect meal!
  5. CarlaV

    Naples

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything perfect as usual. My favorite in Punt Gorda
  6. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The most consistent , excellent restaurant around. I always look forward to going here. Bon Appetite! 5 stars all the way around!
  7. stanleyr

    Naples

    25 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    25 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall4food5service3ambience3
    still great. we always try to find a way to include the Perfect Caper on our travels North from Naples.
  8. EllenS

    Naples

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food and service were great. My only complaint is that they charged $5 for bread. With the prices they charge for food I think the bread should come with the dinner.
  9. KarenM

    New England

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We went with great friends to the perfect caper. The food was great. The service was great! Definitely our favorite restaurant in punta Gorda!
  10. Lanowa

    Tampa

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Portions are small to medium - but, of high quality, We will return soon.
  11. CraigN

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, great service, excellent ambiance, will definitely be back.
  12. KarenJ

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The most delicious crab cake ever tasted, on polenta with asparagus cooked nice and crisp. The appetizer with goat cheese (perfection), roasted garlic, tape nave, eggplant, roasted pepper delicious. French bread also perfect.
  13. TimG

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 19, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Service a little slow but we know it was really busy. Waiter didn’t get my order correct but I did not bring it his attention
  14. BrianJ

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Everything was great except we would have preferred Duck be a little crispier on the salad.
  15. JuanK

    Central Coast

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    As always our favorite Restaurant in Punta Gorda! Food was amazing! Thank you
  16. KeriP

    Detroit

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Perfect dinner out for my husband and I. Our first time here and we will be back! The calamari was the best we’ve ever had, the beet tower was amazing, the grouper special melted in your mouth and the crabby scallops were delicious! Can’t wait to come back and try more!
  17. KarenS

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very enjoyable I would highly recommend this restaurant
  18. Donn

    Naples

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 17, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    I was disappointed the French bread was fresh but old. I order it each time I visit and it was not freshly baked that day but left over. My companion noticed it as well. Very disappointing especially since our lunch order tab is ually over $100.00 each time we visit. I recommend Perfect Caper to friends and have initiated many friends visits there. Very sad for this occur.
  19. DaleB

    New York Area

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always excellent food and service. Our go to restaurant when in the area.
  20. OpenTable Diner

    Naples

    41 reviews

    5.0

    41 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Haven’t been here for a while. So very nice to see the meals still, do not disappoint. From the appetizer, Tuscan picnic, to the salads and entrees. My wife really enjoyed her Pig N The Fig and my Crab-cake were extremely tasty. Olga, our server was great. Really enjoyed our Mothers Day lunch.
  21. Savannah

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We found this place in a random google search and made reservations. We were visiting from Chicago and staying at a hotel nearby. We come from one of the best food cities in the world and we go out often. The Perfect Caper was absolutely outstanding. The food was phenomenal; we got the Duck entree and the Moroccan lamb. We also had the steamed mussels for an app. This was clearly a seasoned and professional chef with experience in fine dining. We had a wonderful experience and we highly recommend! The prices are very reasonable for a fine dining experience, but you should expect to spend more than the average restaurant. This is a great special occasion place. We will definitely return when we come back to town!
  22. JeffreyH

    Raleigh

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience3
    In the past we had some fantastic meals at the perfect caper but the last 2 times have been disappointing. The food is good but for the price I expect excellent not just good.
  23. JEFFREYB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    great food great place i have already told other people.
  24. KevinK

    Houston

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Best food in Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte area. Good wine list
  25. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Enjoyed an early Mother’s Day dinner! Food was delicious! Service was excellent!
  26. JohnH

    Naples

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall1food1service4ambience2
    Today, my friend and I had lunch at the Perfect Caper. We both order the Cob Salad. For $16.00 each, we received a small bowl with shredded lettuce with a vinaigrette dressing and a small cherry tomato. Nothing else. Our server indicated that is the chef's interpretation of a Cob Salad. The salad was so pathetic it was laughable.
  27. Middlejm

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Good food but over priced by 20-30%. Slow service, but friendly. 88 Keys is a better value, in my opinion.
  28. KathleenR

    Toronto

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    It was a little confusing to get there due to the many one way streets. The very unremarkable, southwestern looking building opened to a very cosmopolitan looking dining room. The perimeter was lined with very tall booths. Although they afforded much privacy they also completely cut off any possibility of viewing the rest of the space. Next time I will request a table. Waitstaff was promp in taking out drink orders but delivery was a bit long. We ordered 2 appies and they were delicious! (Pate and calamari). The menu is extensive. The specials menu included one appetizer, one salad and one entree. Dinners were grouper - a special, pork chop, mushrooms pasta. Everyone enjoyed their meals which were beautifully presented. We didn't have dessert. We will definitely go back!
  29. Jerry

    Tampa

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 10, 2023

    overall3food5service5ambience4
    I had to drink water, due to poor beer selection. Never been to a med-high end restaurant that didn't have some good draft beer and "at least" bottled Blue Moon, Shock Top or another good wheat beer. Very disappointed with beer selection, for such a nice restaurant! I would recommend, but give a heads up on the poor beer choice.
  30. OpenTable Diner

    New England

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Can be pricey but worth every penny! Wish I had the recipe & skill to recreate the special chocolate cake! And the entire plate of crabby-scallops
  31. Biggie

    Naples

    50 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    50 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Always get great food and service at the Perfect Caper.
  32. Richard

    New England

    59 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    59 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great menu and specials. The food, cocktails, and service was excellent. Recommend for a get together or a special occasion.
  33. MelanieG

    Miami

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great place for a quality dinner. The Perfect Caper always delivers excellent food and a varied menu for all appetites! We enjoyed it all! Great restaurant, server, food and atmosphere. We will be back! One of our guests said it was the best meal he’s had in a restaurant in a long time!
  34. Penney

    New England

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The server, Olga, was great. It was our first time and she explained and suggested with mastery of the restaurant and the menu. The food was exquisite. We had a wonderful time and will return, if we can get a reservation!
  35. RobertG

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    As usual everyone enjoyed their dinner last nite. The Perfect Caper is our favorite in Florida.
  36. PennyB

    Naples

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience4
    The evening started out with being seated 1/2 hour late from our reservation time, followed by an extremely rude waiter. Thankfully everything was spot on after that.
  37. KarryS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Walking in, the young lady greeted us (and by my name) even though we were about five minutes early; she quickly brought us to our table for 5 and offered us, individually, two types of water. Next, our server arrived and introduced himself while explaining the nightly specials in detail to each side (end?) of the table. The dining room was full and it was busy but not too loud. The lighting was pretty low... I didn't realize how low until I walked outside for a moment after our appetizers.... but it was perfect. Moving on to the food.... I can only say this, there is none better. Everything was magnificent! Perfectly! I would have changed only one thing..... I wish the calamari was on a huge plate with perfectly seasoned perfectly cooked fish was overflowing.. At the end of our meal, Chef came to our table and chatted for a few. It was funny because as we were walking from the car, despite the fact we've been here before I couldn't recall where the door was, Chef was in the parking lot and thought we were going somewhere else and reminded us there was private parking. She then showed us the way to the door; while walking towards the door I made a comment about The Caper having a parking attendant with its small lot (I didn't recognize her!). When Chef came to the table she joked about being the Chef and part time parking attendant! I was relieved she found the humor in my comment. We brought friends with us from out of state and they were blown away! The Perfect Caper is my all time favorite night-out! We can't do it often due to cost, which is worth EVERY penny, so I don't want the prices to turn anyone off. It will be the BEST dinner you have! This eatery stands out in our little town and I am extremely appreciative to Chef for coming to Punta Gorda, FL.
  38. EmCee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Everything we drank and ate was incredible. We arrived early for our reservation, so had a drink at the bar, then had an appetizer and dessert for the table and four entrees. We were all very satisfied with everything we ordered. The service was outstanding and the staff were professional, friendly, and accommodating. In my opinion, it is worth the price to enjoy an amazing meal or celebrate a special occasion. High recommend!
  39. Santina

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    There were five of us gals having dinner together. We had drinks at the bar, then appetizers, dinner and dessert at the table. All were exquisitely delicious. It’s a little too dark inside for my taste but the food and service make it worthwhile. A couple of the gals bought the chef’s cookbook so Jeannie, the chef, sat with us to graciously autograph the cookbooks. It was a great experience.
  40. RichelleB

    Philadelphia

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 4, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    We dine at Perfect Caper several times a year. It is our special occasion go to Restaurant. The food is consistently superb! We are very lucky to have a first rate dining experience so close to us.

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

The Perfect Caper offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (941) 505-9009.

The Perfect Caper is rated 4.8 stars by 2958 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 20 times today
Google Map for The Perfect Caper

121 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda, FL 33950

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Nesbit St.

  • Neighborhood

    Punta Gorda

  • Hours of operation

    Dinner Wed–Fri 11:30 am–9:00 pm Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Lunch Wed–Fri 11:30 am–2:30 pm

  • Cuisines

    Contemporary French / American, French American, Asian

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Dress code

    Smart Casual

  • Parking details

    We offer parking in the private lot that is adjacent to the building.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Jeanie Roland-James Beard Semifinalist

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Smoking Area, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Phone number

    (941) 505-9009

  • Private party facilities

    We are always available for private functions.

  • Private party contact

    James Roland: (941) 505-9009

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