Your Guide To Must-Try Marco Island Restaurants And Bars

The Marco Island dining scene ranges from sophisticated to ultra-casual, but two elements remain consistent across the island: delicious fresh seafood served with a side of breathtaking views and friendly, small-town charm. Best of all, there are a variety of other cuisine types to choose from as well.

Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly spot or a table for two with a romantic rendezvous in mind, Marco Island restaurants have you covered.

UPSCALE DINING ON MARCO ISLAND

Marco Beach Ocean Suites' elegant dining room, Sale e Pepe, features refined, made-from-scratch Southern Italian fare and an impressive wine list, along with stunning Gulf of Mexico views.

Deck at 560 at the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa manages to be both upscale and family-friendly at the same time. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with offerings that range from Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal to a Cuban Sandwich to a 16-ounce ribeye. Enjoy majestic views of the Gulf during any meal of the day.

The JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort’s refined steakhouse, Ario, specializes in cuts that are dry-aged in-house, along with fresh seafood and expert wine pairings. The resort also offers Tesoro, which is located on an upper floor of the adults-only Paradise by Sirene building. Delve into the restaurant’s Mediterranean-focused menu while taking in a dazzling sunset.

Go back in time at The Oyster Society, a 1920s-inspired restaurant and cocktail lounge. Indulge in craft cocktails, locally sourced seafood and an excellent raw bar. You can take in some live jazz on weekends.

BREAKFAST ON MARCO ISLAND

Start your day deliciously at Doreen’s Cup of Joe, a charming spot that proudly serves regionally sourced ingredients, including Florida-brewed Kana coffee. The space is airy and well lit, along with a covered outdoor dining patio, and the combination of food and atmosphere is sure to get you going for a day of activity on Florida’s Paradise Coast.

Maia, the JW Marriott’s breakfast restaurant, has a coastal decor that evokes an island cottage. Grab a plate and fill it up at the big buffet, or order a la carte.

Hoot’s proudly calls itself “The Best Diner in Town,” and backs that up with easy-on-the-wallet prices. The eatery’s quick service is ideal for families heading out on a family adventure on Florida’s Paradise Coast. 

CASUAL RESTAURANTS ON MARCO ISLAND

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to eat well on Marco Island.

Sami’s is a laid-back place that specializes in Italian fare, but its massive menu (for breakfast, lunch and dinner) covers just about everything. If the weather’s right, catch some rays or some moonlight on the large outdoor patio. Take in live music Thursday through Monday.

Marco Island Brewery’s spacious tasting room offers a vast selection of beers on tap — including its own brands, which are brewed in Naples —  that go well with tasty pub grub and 40 flat-screen TVs.

The quirky Crazy Flamingo serves up raw oysters shucked to order and its Legendary Garlic Bread, made with three different types of cheese. You can also choose from “wingz,” seafood baskets, salads, sandwiches and Italian items, plus a generous kids menu.

Fin Bistro’s game is — you guessed it — fresh fish and seafood, from charred octopus to seared Florida black grouper. The restaurant skews a little more fancy than other casual eateries on the Island, but it’s still come-as-you-are — and bring the family if you like. Speaking of …

FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS ON MARCO ISLAND

Kids never go hungry on Marco. Most restaurants on the Island invite families to dine, but here are a few that are more appropriate for younger ones:

Cocomo’s Grill — a chilled-out, Island-themed place — has pretty much every food angle covered, including a generous kids menu. If you’ve been out on the Gulf waters and had a good day hauling in fish, bring in your fresh catch and Cocomo’s will cook it for you several different ways (for a price, of course).

Local seafood shack Pinchers serves uber-fresh fish, crab and more, and you can get shrimp nine different ways. The restaurant offers an all-day happy hour and kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée.

Families also love the lively tropical atmosphere at Mango’s Dockside Bistro. Its 750-gallon saltwater fish tank, waterfall and patio dining are especially popular with the younger set.

WATERFRONT DINING ON MARCO ISLAND

The beachfront resorts offer the prime waterfront dining, but there are other places as well.

Dig into some seasonally inspired small plates and a drink or two at Sunset Grille, then watch the sun go down over the Gulf. If you want a closer look, the restaurant is just steps away from a boardwalk that will take you out to the beach.

Come by boat or car to the Snook Inn, which is named after one of the Paradise Coast’s favorite sport fish. Situated on the northern tip of the Island, this spacious hangout has indoor and outdoor seating (under a thatched roof). Catch live music seven days a week, with one act playing from 1-6 p.m, and a second act taking over for the 6 to 10 slot.

CJ’s on the Bay, a popular eatery overlooking boat docks and Smokehouse Bay, serves classic American seafood dishes and cocktails. Have fun conversing with locals or other travelers under the giant gazebo bar.

The JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort offers Quinn’s on the Beach, where you’ll find Caribbean-style food and colorful tropical drinks, plus a special bonus — a nightly Sunset Celebration featuring fire dancers.

The SpeakEasy is a Prohibition Era-inspired restaurant that serves Chicago-inspired fare. It’s the place to come if you’re looking for thick-crust Windy City pizza. You can dine inside or out on the waterfront deck.

These are just a few of the restaurants on Florida’s Paradise Coast that offer terrific food and drink with waterfront views.

RESTAURANTS NEAR MARCO ISLAND

Feel like venturing out — but not too far? On the Isle of Capri, just north of Marco, check out Crabby Lady, where you can dig into fresh seafood and soak up the Island vibe.

Another option on the Isle is Capri Fish House, where you can dine and drink under a spacious, thatched-roof tiki hut. You’ll get terrific views of Johnson Bay. The restaurant also rents kayaks and paddleboards. Florida’s Paradise Coast offers plenty of options for both kayaking and paddleboarding.

Other Isle of Capri restaurants include the beach bar-styled Pelican Bend; Osteria Capri, an upscale Italian restaurant; and the Island Gypsy Cafe, which is accessible by boat.

All Isle of Capri restaurants are easily accessible by land vehicle as well.

Over in the fishing village of Goodland, you’ll find a beach-bar complex called Stan’s Idle Hour, where the beer flows easily, live bands entertain from an outdoor stage and the Fried Oysters Basket tastes fantastic.

So work up your appetite and head to Marco Island. It’s the perfect place for sun, sand and lounging by the pool – not to mention a slice of paradise that will keep you well fed, too.