Looking for the ideal waterfront view restaurant on Sanibel to enjoy a special occasion or just a nice dinner out? Due to the commitment of the local island community to maintaining a balance with natural environment, much of the island is still underdeveloped and as a result, locating a restaurant with a waterfront view can sometimes be a challenge on Sanibel, even if you have lived here for awhile.
There are a few resorts in the Sanibel area that do offer waterfront view dining but only to guests of the resorts. There are; however, two excellent restaurants that offer not only delicious menus for lunch and dinner to the public but also waterfront views as well.
One of those is Granma Dot’s Seaside Saloon. This Sanibel Island spot is a popular lunchtime destination for those in the know. It is also one of the oldest dining establishments on the island of Sanibel. Situated on the Sanibel Marina docks, this open-air restaurant is definitely an experience to enjoy. The screened-in dining room provides each and every table with an excellent view of the water. Not only might you happen to spot one of the yachts and fishing boats that frequently make their way through the water nearby but you might also just happen to see manatee, fish or otter frolicking in the surrounding waters as you enjoy a memorable meal, such as the house special, the Soft Shell Crab Sandwich. Just be aware that this particular dish can be somewhat addictive! Whether you are looking for a place to enjoy a Saturday brunch with family or you want to treat guests from out of town, this restaurant is ideal.
Another excellent destination to consider is The Green Flash Restaurant, which can be found not far from the bridge that joins Captiva Island and Sanibel Island. Both indoor as well as outdoor dining is available along with ideal waterfront views of Pine Island Sound and Roosevelt Channel. While dining, if you are alert, you just might catch sight of otter, fish and even dolphin so you may want to bring your camera along with you. The restaurant is particularly well known for their way with seafood, including the grouper dishes. They also serve an excellent seafood salad. No reservations are needed at the restaurant, which is open for lunch from 11:30 to 3:30 and dinner from 5:30 to 9:30.