The beautiful beaches attract tourists, but it's the surprising number of incredible Naples restaurants that keeps them coming back for more.
In the southwest corner of Florida where the white beaches attract nearly 2 million visitors each year, Naples has become a favorite getaway for U.S. and international tourists who also have become accustomed to its bounty of incredible restaurants.
Just over two hours south of Tampa and two hours west of Miami, Naples offers a slower-pace alternative to its visitors. With mostly U.S.. tourists in the peak season from October through April and European travelers during the summer months, it's no surprise that Naples restaurants have earned a reputation among even the pickiest of diners expecting great food.
From waterfront dining to the most elegant seating, Naples restaurants offer a wide range of options.
Downtown Naples Restaurants
Inside the city limits of Naples, the oldest, more established neighborhoods have thrived for nearly a century on what is considered prime real estate closest to the Gulf of Mexico. It's no surprise that this area also includes some of the best dining options near some of the most exclusive beaches. In one of the nation's wealthiest Zip Codes, downtown Naples restaurants cater to some of the most demanding of customers, many of whom have dined all over the world.
And downtown Naples restaurants do not disappoint. The area includes some of the best known destinations, from 3rd Street South to 5th Avenue South, and Affront to Tin City, and all offer a surprising mix of dining options that include steakhouses, seafood, Asian, Italian, Mexican and more.
5th Avenue Naples Restaurants
The most popular attraction is 5th Avenue, located in the heart of downtown Naples. Known for shopping, what really stands out are the 5th Avenue Naples restaurants. This one street provides a tasty sampling of the many cuisines offered throughout the area, including Thai, Peruvian, seafood, Italian, German, along with some of the finest steakhouses. Many, including Sails Restaurant, offer patio seating for dinner along 5th Avenue to watch the crowds walk along the busy corridor.
3rd Street Restaurants
The 3rd Street area, just three blocks from the famous Naples Pier where visitors come for the breathtaking sunsets, is another standout for Naples restaurants. Long a favorite among locals trying to avoid the rush of tourists, word is getting out about 3rd Street restaurants. Seafood and Italian restaurants make up a number of the offerings among the 3rd Street restaurants, along with Mediterranean and new American cuisine. The district also includes cafes, diners and a coffee shop.
Beach Restaurants
In an area known as paradise because of its sugar-white beaches, Naples offers a number of beach restaurants for those who want to enjoy the Gulf view while dining. Perhaps some of the best waterfront restaurants can be found at hotels like the Naples Beach Hotel and the Ritz-Carlton. But there are several other restaurants on the beach sprinkled up and down the coast, from the mostly casual Beach Box Cafe for lunch to the more upscale Baleen for dinner.
North Naples Restaurants
While outside the city limits, North Naples restaurants provide the same spectacular dining experiences as those in the most established districts. From pub rooms to palatial dining, North Naples restaurants represent a broad variety of cuisines. There are cafes for breakfast, brew houses for casual meals and white-cloth fine dining restaurants like The Bay House; Korean and authentic Mexican; Italian and Cuban; sushi and sandwich shops.
Mercato Restaurants
Mercato is a North Naples shopping and dining destination. And Mercato restaurants feature some of the best food in the area, with seafood, steak, Mexican and American dining options. Mercato restaurants, both in the open-air mall and nearby, include comfortable national chain offerings and fine dining restaurants.
Venetian Village Restaurants
Venetian Village restaurants are nestled along Venetian Bay, with the calming waterfront views in outdoor seating like those offered at FISH Restaurant. The village consists of dozens of shops and restaurants featuring Italian and seafood cuisine, along with pub and American dining.
Italian Restaurants in Naples, FL
In a city that shares the name with the coastal destination in Italy, there are dozens of Italian restaurants. With an impressive variety that includes carry-out pizza parlors and elegant formal dining, the cuisine in the Italian restaurants of Naples ranges from the heartier northern Italian style to the lighter southern Italian.
Seafood Restaurants
Perhaps the most popular of all the Naples restaurants, seafood is the foundation of most of dining in the area. The variety available includes seafood restaurants specializing in broiled, boiled, baked and fried fish, shrimp, oysters, crabs and even alligator.
Mexican Restaurants Naples, FL
Naples also offers an impressive selection of Mexican restaurants, including nuevo Mexican styles with fancy tequila offerings and more authentic Mexican restaurants opened by some of the immigrants who have moved to the area and helped make Hispanics the largest minority in Naples.
French Restaurants in Naples, FL
With so many European tourists visiting Naples, French restaurants soon became a main attraction. There are quaint cafes with outdoor seating in North Naples and exquisite dining rooms in downtown, with more than a dozen restaurants to choose from in the area.
Chinese Restaurants
Among the many popular offerings among Naples establishments are Chinese restaurants. Like other cities, Naples has its share of carryout Chinese restaurants scattered among strip malls. But there are also those that offer Asian fusion menus and the more traditional styles, such as Hunan and Szechwan.
Greek Restaurants
Naples is home to more than a dozen Greek restaurants, with nearly all stretching throughout the area along the Tamiami Trail, the main north-south corridor. Most offer a casual setting that makes it easy for beach goers to grab a bite, while several provide more formal dining experiences and a more specialized menu.
Cuban Restaurants Naples, FL
The South Florida influence is alive and well in Naples, located just over two miles west of Miami's Cuban population. A number of Cuban restaurants in Naples have become well known for their authentic and flavorful food. Several Cuban restaurants can be found in North Naples and some in the growing southern communities that have become home to many former Miami residents who relocated to the area.
Vegan Restaurants
While many of the Naples restaurants showcase seafood and meat on their menus, Vegan restaurants are also popular among residents and tourists seeking a healthy option. There are farm-to-table vegan restaurants that specialize in fresh and organic ingredients, and even the most popular of restaurants known for other items on their menus include vegan offerings, from Italian to Mediterranean to Asian.
Pizza Restaurants
As a vacation destination for many families, pizza restaurants are among the many choices available in Naples restaurants that offer affordable dining in a causal atmosphere. Many of the Italian restaurants include specialty and made-to-order pizza on their menus. But there are also restaurants that serve mostly pizza, made fresh in uniquely crafted brick ovens and, in some cases, offering a wide selection of craft beers to complement the meal.
Steak Restaurants
The nation's finest steak restaurants are located in Naples, along with some uniquely local favorites. There are also more than enough of the national chain steak restaurants, but the more exclusive offerings in Mercato, along 5th Avenue and in other areas of the city offer remarkable experiences for even the most demanding steak eater.
Thai Restaurants
Some of the most surprising and flavorful dishes in Naples can be found in the area's Thai restaurants. With nearly two dozen Thai restaurants to choose from, Naples offers an eclectic mix of the Asian eateries, with some specializing in various curries while others feature a sushi bar on site.
Peruvian Restaurants
As a coastal city visited by tourists from all over the world, Naples takes every opportunity to showcase offerings from other coastal areas. The popularity of Peruvian restaurants is growing and that shows in Naples with several offering the spicy cuisine with bold flavors, including a fine-dining establishment along 5th Avenue and more casual restaurants in North Naples.
New Restaurants Naples, FL
With a solid reputation as a city known for extraordinary dining, dozens of new restaurants open each year in Naples, often popping up in growing areas around the city that have seen impressive growth as more homes, condos and rentals are built. Among those recently added to the list of fine Naples restaurants are those featuring Salvadoran, Mediterranean and seafood cuisine.
Michelin Star Restaurants
So many amazing restaurants, so little time. But one way to ensure the best dining experience is to choose from the Michelin Star restaurants that Naples has to offer. While several can be found on 5th Avenue, there are several others in North Naples and an Asian restaurant in south Naples that specializes in Chinese food.
Fun Restaurants
As a destination spot for travelers, Naples offers a variety of fun restaurants that make the experience even more unique. From beach side cafes steps away from the Gulf for sunbathers searching for a cocktail to trivia enthusiasts looking for a good meal in North Naples, there is plenty to do on vacation at Naples restaurants.
FAQ
What are must-try Naples restaurants?
The must-try Naples restaurants include Bistro 821 on 5th Avenue, 21 Spices in south Naples, Sushi Thai in north Naples, USS Nemo near downtown, Tommy Bahama in the 3rd Street area and Ocean Prime on 5th Avenue.
How any restaurants are in Naples?
There are not enough days over three years to try every restaurant in Naples, if there was ever such an inclination. The tourist-based area is home to just under 1,000 restaurants, and expectations are that number will grow in the coming years as more tourists discover the destination and more people make Naples their home.