Curious about Marco Island Restaurants? Whether you are looking for fine dining, seafood dive bars, quirky cafes, or charming beachside restaurants, Marco Island, Florida, has a surprising number of delicious places to eat. This guide covers all of the best restaurants in Marco Island FL for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the Southwest Florida town that’s a foodie’s dream!
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Planning a trip? Also, read my Top 30 Fun Things to Do in Marco Island and Top 20 Favorite Moments from Marco Island.
Best Restaurants in Marco Island
Marco Island Restaurants are absolutely delicious. Visitors gravitate to this sunny Southwest Florida beach town near Naples for the endless summers, beautiful beaches, and boating but this hot spot has become a foodie destination too. If you love to eat well when you travel, this is your spot. There are over 50 restaurants jam-packed into this 24-square-mile island. Whether you are looking for a seafood restaurant, fine dining, beach bars, fresh seafood markets, steaks, or quick cafes, Marco Island has something for everyone. And these restaurants are really good! I’ve been blown away at how delicious the food is on the island.
What to eat on Marco Island?
Fresh seafood is the best thing to eat on Marco Island. While the restaurants have food for all diets, fresh seafood is a key feature of many of the restaurants on the island. Don’t forget to try Florida Grouper! It’s a staple on many menus.
This restaurant guide has everything you need to plan your meals at Marco Island restaurants for your next trip.
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Best Marco Island Restaurants
The Oyster Society
The Oyster Society is my favorite restaurant on the island and will top the list of any Marco Island restaurants. They have an elegant, but approachable atmosphere and an eclectic menu filled with seafood and fish delights, including a delicious raw bar including an extensive and interesting sushi menu. If you love elevated seafood dishes, this is your spot.
They have a gorgeous indoor dining room with a 20’s Art Deco theme and a nice outdoor patio as well. We liked this spot so much that we got them once for takeout and once for dining in! We even took the twins and yes, they had a kids’ menu.
Highlights of the menu are raw bar items like baked oysters and The Oceanic Platter with oysters, clams, lobster, shrimp, ceviche, tuna, crab, and poke.
We also loved the Yuzu-Scented Tuna Tartare.
The Seared Diver Scallops were incredible.
And the food even carried well for takeout! The Macadamia Nut Encrusted Grouper with tropical salsa was amazing. They are open for dinner.
Marco Prime Steak’s and Seafood
Marco Prime Steak and Seafood is one of the more well-known and fancy restaurants on the island. It’s a local steakhouse featuring USDA prime steaks beef and high-quality seafood. Their menu is one of the priciest on the island but is consistently ranked among the best restaurants in Marco Island.
Their prime porterhouse for two, is Chilean sea bass, ceviche, or Maine lobster bisque.
Is there a dress code at Marco Prime? Despite being one of the fancier restaurants on the island, there is no dress code. Shorts with a nice collared shirt can work here!
They are open for dinner.
Doreen’s Cup of Joe
Doreen’s Cup of Joe is a must-try of Marco Island restaurants. This popular breakfast spot often has a wait but for good reason. You can’t beat the delicious menu with a unique breakfast including the Key Lime Pancakes with a tart and creamy key lime sauce, Egg Bentley, and a Fig Omlet with scallions, creamy brie cheese, and figs.
This place is irresistible with delicious food and a cute decor and setting that is simply charming!
A pro tip is to go right when it opens to avoid a wait.
We loved the Banana and Granola pancakes.
And also the Huevos Rancherous. They are open for breakfast and lunch.
Lee Be Fish Company
Lee Be Fish is one of the best restaurants in Marco Island because of its crazy fresh fish, off-the-beaten-path, and super low-key vibe. The restaurant/fish market is totally unassuming with counter service, a cooler for drinks, and a simple paper menu.
If you are looking for something that’s the polar opposite of fine dining on the island, this is it.
The food comes out in paper-lined baskets and is incredible. This simple grouper fish sandwich was one of the best we had on the entire trip.
We also loved our Fresh Catch Tacos and we all gobbled them up. Such a delicious and simple meal! If you like casual but fresh seafood, you can’t beat this place.
Pro tip: They only take cash, so come prepared.
Fin Bistro
Fin Bistro is another one on the top of the list of best Marco Island Restaurants. This assuming strip-mall restaurant isn’t flashy, but the fish is good! They are known for serving fresh fish delivered daily. The menu changes with what fish is available. They are even closed on Sundays when the fish market is closed.
Favorites on the menu are charred octopus, Panko Herb Crusted Yellowtail Snapper, and Shellfish Meyer Lemon Brodetto.
They are open for just dinner.
Mango’s Dockside Bistro
Mango’s Dockside Bistro is a fun, casual spot with a gorgeous bayside waterview. They have a tropical vibe with indoor seating and a nice outdoor patio. The food options range from conch fritters to fish tacos and even pasta. They even have salads and sushi on the menu.
This versatile restaurant has a great menu for families and even has a really cool 750-gallon saltwater fish tank and cascading waterfall inside for anyone to enjoy, but is especially fun for kids.
We loved the Jumbo Stuffed Shrimp, which was filled with blue crab meat.
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And the Dockside Shrimp and Clams Linguine were to die for! So rich and delicious!
Mango’s is open for lunch and dinner year-round and for breakfast from Christmas to Mother’s Day. They are in the Esplanade Shoppes.
Sale E Pepe
Sale E Pepe is consistently top-rated among Marco Island restaurants. This high-end, upscale Italian dining spot has exquisite food and a gorgeous view of the Gulf of Mexico. It’s located in the Marco Beach Ocean Resort.
They are known for their unique combinations of flavors and homemade pasta from scratch combined with fresh local seafood. Try their Crudi, Risotto, or Branzino. They are open for dinner.
Da Vinci’s
Da Vinci’s is another delicious local Italian restaurant that combines local seafood with pasta with a delicious result. While they don’t have a view, they do have charming indoor and covered outdoor seating.
Their food was so well done and tasted amazing.
We especially loved the Insalata Di Polipo, which was a fun twist on an octopus salad.
The calamari was fresh and delicious!
And our favorite dinner was the Zuppa Di Pesce. We got all of this for takeout and it traveled great! They are open for dinner only.
Deep Lagoon & Oyster House
This delicious seafood spot, Deep Lagoon & Oyster House, has a delightful menu featuring ocean delights like Yellowfin Tuna Appetizer, Big Chill Seafood Tower, ceviche, Grouper Oscar, Hogfish Lagoon Style, and Chili Rub Trip. They also have a gorgeous bayside water view.
They are open for lunch and dinner.
CJ’s on the Bay
CJ’s on the Bay is another spot to add to your best Marco Island Restaurants. This classic restaurant has been around for a while and locals love it for the live music, gorgeous Smokehouse Bay waterview, and delicious Florida menu featuring stone crab, coconut shrimp, and Rum Butter Mahi Mahi. They are also known for their daily happy hour dinner and drink specials.
They will even cook your own fish you caught on a fishing boat.
They are open for lunch and dinner.
Snook Inn
Snook Inn is another classic and beloved Marco Island restaurant with a gorgeous bayside water view with a sunset. They offer island-inspired food and drinks and have live music. They also offer indoor and outdoor seating. A favorite on the menu includes raw bar oysters and the Snook Inn Platter with grouper, mahi, scallops, crab cakes, vegetables, and rice. They also have a salad bar.
They were closed for months after Hurricane Ian because of damage to the Inn, but reopened in the summer of 2023.
They are open for lunch and dinner.
Sami’s
Sami’s another island favorite and is a great choice if you want a menu that includes more than just seafood. This top-rated Marco Island restaurant has an extensive menu covering everything from Italian food, sushi, greek food, curries, steaks, pizza, pork, chicken, and more on the menu. Plus a great selection of seafood too. Try their pizza and pasta dishes too. With the extensive menu, this is a great spot to eat if your family has lots of different tastes.
They have happy hour drinks specials plus indoor and outdoor seating.
Sami’s is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
The Deck at 560
The Deck at 560 is the restaurant in the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort. They offer beautiful high-end food with a casual vibe and gorgeous ocean-front water views including sunsets. They their Baja Fish Tacos or Lobster Ravioli. They also have steaks.
We enjoyed our dinner there and our favorite thing was the grouper.
Empire Bagel Company
If you are looking for a casual breakfast spot, Empire Bagel Factory is your spot. This was one of my personal favorite Marco Island restaurants because I love getting bagels at the beach. I consider myself a bagel fan, and these did not disappoint.
Get a sandwich and take it back to your condo for a perfect breakfast with a view. They are open for breakfast and lunch.
The Smith House & Tavern
The Smith House & Tavern is also on the list of best Marco Island restaurants for its delicious breakfast, although it also serves a notable lunch and dinner. Located in the charming Shops of Olde Marco, this hot spot also often has live music.
Smith House Bake Shoppe
If you are looking for sweets or baked goods, the Smith House Bake Shoppe is your spot on Marco Island. This charming spot is located in the same shop as the Smith House restaurant but sells baked goods like muffins, cupcakes, and cookies. You can also special order cakes in advance.
We love the cupcakes and cookies!
Sunset Grille
The Sunset Grille is on the list of best Marco Island restaurants for its amazing beachfront view and location, including a sunset view. They are known for being a great place to walk in from the beach to get a cocktail and lunch or dinner. They have a fun menu including everything from seafood appetizers like steamed mussels to burgers and plated dinners like grouper, salmon, or steak.
Nacho Mama’s
Nacho Mama’s is a classic Marco Island Mexican restaurant with Tex-Mex and American food. They have everything from Fajitas to burgers at some of the more reasonable prices on the island and a family-friendly atmosphere. Plus, a fabulous happy hour menu.
They serve lunch and dinner.
Pinchers
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Pinchers weren’t at the top of the list of Marco Island restaurants, but it was fun, had decent food, and is a great spot to bring your kids. This small Florida chain has a large restaurant with lots of easy parking and even offers free kids’ meals.
We knew it had more of a chain restaurant feel, but decided to take our boys so they could try some different seafood like oysters, mussels, and smoked fish dip without the fine dining prices nearby.
The fun and quirky interior was great for kids and they were excited to be there!
We love the smoked fish dip! My boys gobbled this up.
We also really enjoyed the cheesy crab dip.
And the bowl of mussels was a hit! If you are looking for a fun and easy spot to take kids, this is it.
Cafe de Marco
Cafe de Marco is a quaint cafe that’s been on Marco Island since 1983. This is another one of the lists of top Marco Island restaurants for its old Florida charm and chef-driven menu featuring mainly seafood but also chicken, and steaks.
We ordered it for takeout one night and really enjoyed it.
Pro Tip: It was one of the few local restaurants offering delivery via Door Dash.
We really the lobster bisque and Florida Gulf Snapper Almondine.
We also loved the Macadamia Nut Encrusted Fresh Catch. This spot is open for dinner only.
Summer Day Cafe
The Summer Day Cafe is the perfect addition to your list of healthy Marco Island restaurants. This spot is actually a healthy food market with a small cafe with healthy breakfast and lunch options. They were available for ordering via Door Dash too.
We love the tuna sandwich and acai bowls. If you are looking for a healthy meal out, or a place to grab healthy groceries, this is a fabulous spot to try.
Dolce Mare
Dolce Mare gives a little sweet Italian magic to the Marco Island restaurant scene. This adorable gelato and sweets shop really makes you feel like you are in an Italian gelato shop with this gorgeous spread.
The gelato was creamy, smooth, and amazing! A must-try on the island.
Pro tip: It’s in the same shopping center – Marco Walk Plaza – as Marco Prime, Nacho Mama’s, The Oyster Society, and Da Vinci’s so save room for dessert and try it after your dinner.
Sweet Annie’s Ice Cream Parlour
The second must-try sweets shop on Marco Island is Sweet Annie’s Ice Cream Parlour. This Marco Island institution has been serving ice cream for decades. They are known for their kitschy shop with old-time toys and candy and an extensive ice cream flavor selection. Just look at all of these flavors!
If you need ice cream on your beach vacation, this is your spot!
Capri Fish House
I saved Capri Fish House for last because it technically isn’t on Marco Island, but it’s very close to the nearby Isle of Capri and is a magical place you have to try on your trip. Especially if you love more casual, beachy spots. So no it’s not on Marco Island, but I’m adding it to my list of best Marco Island Restaurants by proximity.
The restaurant sits right on the beach and at high tide it’s nearly over the water. Just look at this view!
It has a super casual, Bahamas dive bar feel that I could not resist. They also offer outdoor tables in the sand.
You can also often hear live music like this.
Beyond the incredible vibe, the food was absolutely dreamy. We could not get enough of the fresh grouper meal.
And this Grouper sandwich was the absolute best on the trip.
Plus these humble little shrimp were incredible. This spot was a short drive off the island, but totally worth the time and effort.
They are open for lunch and dinner and have daily happy-hour drink specials.
More Great Marco Island Restaurants to Try
- Marco Island Brewery – A fun spot with an extensive beer menu, pizza, fish, and more. A great break from the fine dining spots.
- Crazy Flamingo – A quirky spot in a strip mall that serves delicious oysters, and fresh fish in a more casual counter service style. They are known for their indulgent and delicious garlic bread that’s made with three cheeses.
- Cocomo’s Grill – Famous for their whole hogfish and Seared Tuna Nachos, this fun Marco Island restaurant has everything from fish, chicken, and steaks on the menu. They will also cook your daily catch from your fishing trip.
- La Travolo Restaurant – An elevated Italian cuisine eatery that also has classic dishes like pork chops, chicken, and steaks.
- Joeys Pizza and Pasta – An easy-going, down-to-earth pizza and pasta restaurant.
- Ario- Ario is another fine dining option on the island with steak, seafood, and wine. It’s the signature restaurant at the JW Marriott.
- Kane’s Tiki Bar and Grill – Another dining option at the JW Marriott located right on the beach. Go for dinner and enjoy their nightly fire-dancer performance at sunset.
- Marco Island Princess – An iconic dinner cruise boat serving sunset dinners for decades.
Waterfront Marco Island Restaurants
Dining waterfront is a favorite activity in Marco Island, so if you are specifically looking for a waterfront restaurant with a water view, I included a list below of options. I also listed whether they have an ocean or bay view.
- Sale e Pepe – ocean
- Kane’s Tiki Bar – ocean
- Mango’s Dockside Bisto – bay
- Snook Inn – bay
- CJ’s on the Bay – bay
- Sunset Grille – ocean
- Capri Fish House- ocean
So What Are the Best Marco Island Restaurants?
There are so many fabulous Marco Island restaurants that it’s hard to pick favorites, but I thought I’d rank my favorite top 5 styles. The island is filled with such high-quality, delicious restaurants that it’s hard to just pick a few. If you love to eat well on your beach vacations, especially delicious fresh seafood, this island is a great place to visit.
Please add your personal top 5 favorites in the comments below, as I know everyone has a different list!
- The Oyster Society
- Capri Fish House
- Lee Bee Fish
- Da Vinci’s
- Mango’s Dockside
Planning a Trip to Marco Island?
- Top 30 Fun Things to Do in Marco Island
- My Top 20 Favorite Moments from Marco Island
More Island Restaurant Guides:
- Sanibel Restaurant Guide
- Best Anna Maria Island Restaurants
- Destin Restaurant Guide
- Top St. Simons Island Restaurants
- Top Hilton Head Restaurants
- Amelia Island Dining Guide
- Where to Eat on Kiawah Island
- Isle of Palms & Wild Dunes Restaurant Guide
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