Dixie Fish Company
714 Fisherman’s Wharf, Fort Myers Beach – 239-233-8837
This whitewashed fish house, overlooking the water, serves as a beacon welcoming tourists and locals to Fort Myers Beach. It is one of the area’s oldest classic restaurants. The owners have gone to great lengths, partnering with produce farms, cattle ranches, and fisheries to get you the best of their best. Every item at Dixie’s is made from scratch and cooked to order. The most popular item on Dixie’s menu – as showcased on The Food Network – is the buttermilk-battered and whole fried fish. Once plated, this large fresh-catch dangles off the plate’s edge – served “The Dixie Way”- with garlic butter sauce, a zucchini and grape tomato medley and roasted parsley potatoes. More traditional items include Fish and Chips for $25.95 or a crab cake sandwich for $13.95. This local staple gives generously to the nonprofit Captains for Clean Water, which seeks to keep the Gulf healthy and filled with the very fish Dixie’s serves up daily. Open Monday – Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Lodge
2278 First St., Fort Myers – 239-433-2739
If the idea of self-poured beers suits your fancy, come on out to The Lodge in Fort Myers. Opened in 2015, in the former Red Rocks Saloon building, this BBQ restaurant and bar is known for its “mountain lodge” theme, highlighted by a 700-pound capacity meat smoker, beer taps on the wall and an automatic ski lift. Yep. A ski lift. Right here in Southwest Florida. Diners come to The Lodge for the mountain atmosphere, but they stick around for great food and unique twists on classic items. The Lodge offers traditional barbecue like ribs and burnt ends, but brisket tacos are also featured on the menu. The sides are southern, with such favorites as mac and cheese, fried okra and skin-on red mashed potatoes. For dessert, why not enjoy rounded spoonfuls of Amish bread pudding? The bread pudding is topped with ice cream, drizzled with both caramel and chocolate decadence. The Lodge accepts reservations and is open Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Farmers Market Restaurant
2736 Edison Ave., Fort Myers – 239-334-1687…