Gone but not forgotten: Naples Daily News readers share favorite restaurants they miss

Two weeks ago, we asked Naples Daily News readers what restaurant they would bring back to town if they could.

We received dozens of responses via email reminiscing on a range of restaurants from the Old Naples Pub to Inca's Kitchen. However, two restaurants stood out overwhelmingly.

St. George & the Dragon was 'a family staple' for many

It is no surprise that St. George & the Dragon is at the top of the list. Known for its surf-and-turf menu, dress code and holiday decorations, the iconic Naples restaurant was open for 43 years before it closed.

"It was a family staple for us for over 30 years," wrote Jim. "Every Halloween and Christmas the decorations were amazing."

Marilyn and George Ginos opened St. George and the Dragon in November 1969. The restaurant's décor was inspired by the owners' love for England and New England silhouettes.

"The dark, nautical décor made it a perfect place for celebrations. It had a dress code, where men had to wear jackets in the dining room," wrote Susan Ferrel. "It was a great atmosphere, almost always saw someone you knew. Naples was smaller then."

The Great Recession left Naples smaller and the restaurant scene more competitive, forcing St. George & the Dragon to shut its doors on July 23, 2012. Even 12 years later, the Naples restaurant remains a topic of conversation to those to miss it.

"It was such a classy place, had great food and was our go-to dining venue," wrote Donna Fenner and Don Harmon. "How often we say something is really good but 'not as good as St. George.'"

Today, the distinctive British telephone booth, which used to sit outside of the restaurant's entrance, can be found outside of Lake Park Diner as a homage to what once was.

Pippins along U.S. 41 popular for salad bar among 'regulars'

Similar to St. George & the Dragon, Pippins served the community of Naples for decades. The restaurant was open for almost 30 years before closing its doors in 2007. The restaurant was well known in the community for its extensive salad bar.

"It was the day of salad bars and they had a great one; food was excellent," wrote Ferrel. "Naples was not as expensive or high end then."

To many Naples residents, Pippins was a community spot where everybody knew one another. Heartwarming memories were made there as Lisa Mair recalled in this story about her grandfather, a Pippins regular.

In an email, Mair wrote to the Naples Daily News:

"My grandfather, Dick Colenso, aka “The Oldest Barback in SWFL” used to a regular fixture in the bar, and was, as he called himself, the 'Popcorn Boy,' Mair wrote.

"He was not on the payroll, but 'worked for beer,' making popcorn, wiping down the bar tables, chatting up the customers, and was always ready with a joke. When my grandfather died in 2007, we had his memorial wake there ― all the regulars turned up to pay their respects. I am only happy he didn’t live to see it torn down. I have many wonderful memories of dining there, and watching my grandfather enjoy his golden years."

Before it was razed, Pippins sat at the northeast corner of U.S. 41 and 14th Avenue North. Today, the large modern building of Engle Dentistry sits on that site.

Other restaurants

Naples Daily News readers shared their stories of more than 30 different restaurants. Some, like the chain restaurant Lum's, have been closed for decades. Others, like the Old Naples Pub or Poached, closed just months ago.

Regardless, these restaurants continue to live on in the memories of our community. Here's a sampling:

Handsome Harry's ― The restaurant on Third Street South, which opened in 2006, closed in 2014. The property previously had been a Gulf gas station and later The Mole Hole, a retail store from 1979 to 2005.

Mangrove Cafe ― For years a popular restaurant along Fifth Avenue South, it closed in 2016 after a quarter century.

Plan ahead: Best new dishes to try at 9 new restaurants in Naples

Sakura ― The restaurant known for Asian Hawaiian fusion cuisine opened in 2015 at Pine Ridge and Livingston roads in Meridian Marketplace in North Naples. It closed in 2017.

AZN ― One of Mercato's first four restaurants that opened in 2010, the Asian fusion spot closed in 2023.

McCabe's Irish Pub ― The longtime favorite spot to savor Guinness pints and hear live Irish music closed in 2013 along Fifth Avenue South.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples restaurants missed the most: Readers share favorites