Restaurants open on Matlacha and Pine Island, including all the waterfront and hidden gems

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We’ve recently taken you on culinary escapes to Captiva, Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach.

For our latest island getaway, we headed to Matlacha and Pine Island.

Here’s what we found:

Matlacha restaurants

Blue Dog Bar & Grill: This gem in the center of the island is one of our favorites in Southwest Florida. Not only does it have the freshest of fresh seafood, but it’s prepared to perfection. The blackened mullet sandwich, for example, is boneless, light, flaky and spiced beautifully. You’ll also find fish of the moment cooked your way in tacos, sandwiches, salads, baskets, platters and pasta bowls. We can’t get back there soon enough. 4597 Pine Island Road; (239) 558-4970; bluedogmatlacha.com, on Facebook and Instagram

CW Fudge Factory: We can’t help smiling as we step inside this sweet shop just over the Matlacha Bridge. We love how the chocolate is made right there, including up to 35 flavors of fudge.  We also love the orange creamsicle-colored walls, artfully arranged displays, ice cream, popcorn and candies. We’re smiling just thinking about it. 4548 Pine Island Road; (239) 283-9911; cwfudge.info or find on Facebook

Miceli’s Restaurant: The large outdoor patio around the back of this waterfront staple is one of the coolest hangouts around. Grab a table under the tiki, enjoy a bird’s eye view of the mangrove-lined inlet in Matlacha Pass and listen to live music seven days a week. Food options — as plentiful as the happy hour options (from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily) — include Italian and seafood favorites, plus sandwiches, burgers, wraps, salads and homemade soups. 3930 Pine Island Road; (239) 282-8233; micelis.com or follow on Facebook

The Perfect Cup: This roastery & café just down from CW Fudge is the perfect blend of upbeat and low key. Its 24 coffees, curated from around the world, are roasted on site. Enjoy a cup with breakfast and lunch — from bestselling omelets (try the crabby big daddy) and Benedicts to French toast, breakfast sandwiches and classics. It’s fun, flavorful, and well worth a visit. 4548 Pine Island Road; (239) 283-4447; find it on Facebook

Sweet Floret Cakery: Thanks to her luscious custom cakes, Jodi Trusty had a long line of fans well before she opened this sweet shop in mid-March. Now she’s gaining more customers with her storefront, selling cakes by the slice and whole (Snicker, chocolate chip and lemon raspberry cakes have been some recent ones), cupcakes (s’mores, cannoli and cookie dough perhaps?) and gluten-free items. Her fresh-out-of-the-oven cinnamon rolls have been causing quite a stir too, selling out quickly after opening. 4618 Pine Island Road, Matlacha; (239) 677-1985; sweetfloretcakery.com, plus Facebook and Instagram

That BBQ Place: Our mouths water whenever we’re anywhere near the smokers or grill at this colorful barbecue joint. They’re slowly cooking brisket, pulled pork and beef and pork ribs. Turkey, meatloaf and a fresh catch of the day too. We hope owner John Petrus can keep his cozy little dive going despite a series of recent struggles, including hurricane damage, near eviction and the death of his close friend in a tragic accident. 4590 Pine Island Road, Matlacha; (239) 312-8557; Facebook and Instagram

Yucatan Waterfront:  This waterfront oasis has been buzzing since reopening just two weeks ago. The remodeled space includes a large dining room with an expanded bar, a new outdoor swing bar and lush tropical landscaping. It’s the kind of place where guests love to linger over cool cocktails and bar food (quesadillas are a huge hit), plus full meals of steaks, seafood and pasta. The calming view of the pass offers an easy, breezy tropical escape at the west end of Matlacha.  4875 Pine Island Road; (239) 283-0113; yucatanwaterfront.com and on Facebook and Instagram  

Pine Island restaurants

Capt’n Con’s Fish House: Located on the northern tip of the island in Bokeelia, the waterfront views are as spectacular as you’d expect.  The menu is also as you’d expect — heavy on seafood but with comfort food too. But it’s the 13 different flavors of homemade pie that always bring us back. That peanut butter pie is as lovely as the view of Charlotte Harbor. 8421 Main St., Bokeelia; (239) 283-4300

The Eagle’s Nest: When we say the menu at this Cuban American-influenced restaurant and bar has something for everyone, we’re serious. Breakfast has all the classics from steak n’ eggs and biscuits & gravy to waffles, pancakes, French toast and egg tacos. Lunch and dinner go from tacos, burgers, hand-helds and pizza to seafood and steaks, including a 36-ounce porterhouse and a 50-ounce tomahawk. Live music and Dive Bar Karaoke are as lively as the menu. 10880 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia; (239) 558-5577; eaglesnesteats.com and on Facebook

Froggy’s: This place gets hopping as locals and island visitors enjoy drinks, food and plenty of live music. It’s perfect for hanging out, having fun and shooting some pool. Over 20-plus years, it’s built an island culture unlike anywhere else around. Hop on by. 3620 Stringfellow Road, St. James City; (239) 283-3773; follow on Facebook

The Frozen Flip Flop: This friendly little ice cream and more spot in the Century 21-anchored building just south of the four-way stop can satisfy all your sweet cravings. Want soft-serve or hard ice cream? Check. How about frozen yogurt with an amazing toppings bar, smoothies and ice cream sundaes in dozens of flavors? Check, check and check. There are hot dogs, paninis and boba and regular tea too. With plenty of board games, a gift shop, snack bar and a foosball table, it’s a perfect hangout for all fun-loving ages. 10191 Stringfellow Road, St. James City; (239) 558-4200; thefrozenflipflopontheisland.com and on Facebook

Lazy Flamingo: This is one of our favorite go-to stops on the island. We love the waterfront views of Four Winds Marina as much as we adore the chicken wings (the dead parrot wings are soooo hot), grouper basket, Caesar salad topped with grouper or shrimp and, of course, the ice cold brews. There’s so much to love here as you sit back and let island time with a view take over. 16501-B Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia; (239) 283-5959; lazyflamingo.com/Bokeelia

Low Key Tiki: It’s easy to see why this is a local favorite. Head around the back of the turquoise building and you’ll find the large, easy-breezy tiki bar and umbrella-covered waterfront tables. The menu fits the vibe with appetizers, sandwiches, tacos (the fish or teriyaki chicken with grilled pineapple are the most popular), burgers and baskets. Live music on the dock adds to the party atmosphere. 3135 Stringfellow Road, St. James City; (239) 282-8454; lowkeytiki.com and on Facebook

Marker 3 Cantina: This completely remodeled and updated coastal cantina took over Ragged Ass Saloon’s waterfront spot. The focus is now on homemade everything, including the guacamole and salsa and queso, and craft cocktails — including the fresh fruit in the watermelon margarita and blueberry tequila smash. Best-sellers include egg rolls with a Mexican twist and anything carne asada, including tacos, burritos and quesadillas. 3421 Stringfellow Road, St. James City; (239) 966-4064; marker3coastalcantina.com and on Facebook

Phuzzy’s Boat Shack: For the last two years since Woody’s Waterside became Phuzzy’s, customers have been clamoring for a waterfront seat on the rail. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy best-selling fish sandwiches, tacos and platters. Other menu items include apps and shareables, a raw bar, ribs, oysters, pastas and more. If the seats on the rail are taken, grab a spot under the tiki, in the indoor bar area or dining room. Live music daily. 3051 Stringfellow Road, St. James City; (239) 283-5555; phuzzysboatshack.com and on Facebook

Pine Island Getaway Café: This is another of our favorite spots, not only on the island but in all of Lee County. I’m slowly eating my way around all the fresh-baked daily goodness — from the almond croissants, macarons and cream puffs to the tarts, French onion soup and cream cheese or blueberry filled brioche. If you’re feeling lunchy, the chicken salad croissant is amazing. Have one there and get another to-go. And if it’s a Saturday, the thousand leaves pastry shouldn’t be ignored. Enjoy it as much as I do. 5281 Douglas Taylor Circle, Pine Island; (239) 283-3602

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Pine Island Pizza: This pizza joint has been turning out New York-style pies since 2015. It changed hands when Jeremiah Kuslock recently took it over. But don’t worry, he knows pizza. He and his wife Aimee are the force behind Pi Theory Pizza (and Torched) in Cape Coral.  Their Pine Island place goes beyond pizza though — the menu includes subs (including Boar’s Head), pastas, salads, apps, wings & tenders, stromboli, calzones, salads and more. Dine in or take out. 5465 Pine Island Road, Bokeelia; (239) 283-7992; pineislandpizza.com or on Facebook

Salty Girls Island Café: The owner of Hurricane Ian-closed Olde Fish House opened this breakfast and lunch joint in the Island Exchange Center a year ago. The menu has some pleasant surprises — think mullet & grits, tuna poke and boa bun sliders among the classic breakfast and lunch favorites. Eat inside, out on the porch or call ahead for to-go orders. 10700 Stringfellow Road, Suite 20, Bokeelia; (239) 558-4912; saltygirlsislandcafefl.com or follow on Facebook

Spots Ice Cream, Crepes & Sauces: This cute and cozy little spot in the Island Exchange plaza just north of Pine Island Center opened six months ago. Its 24 flavors of ice cream can be topped with homemade signature sauces for a cool treat. Order a homemade crepe — like the raspberry cheesecake or pesto turkey  — for a sweet or savory meal any time of day. 10700 Stringfellow Road, Suite 80, Bokeelia; (239) 966-4036; spotsicecreamplus.com and on Instagram and Facebook

Street Eatz & Ale: Don’t let this fun neighborhood bar just before the four-way stop fool you — it serves up some seriously good food. Its smash burger was just voted the best in Lee County in The News-Press bracket challenge. The grouper sandwich is a good one. And the crab legs in spicy garlic butter and smoked fish dip are too. We could go on and on but we’d rather go to Street Eatz. 5508 Avenue A, Bokeelia; (239) 312-4697; seabokeelia.com of follow on Facebook and Instagram

Tacos El Viejon: This four-year-old food truck just before the four-way stop is easy to spot thanks to the long lunchtime lines and customers eating under the blue awnings. They’re ordering quesadillas, tortas, burritos (the steak is the best-seller) and burrito bowls, grilled chicken salads and burgers. They’re also getting tacos, lots of them — to the tune of 400 a day. On our recent visit, we gladly added three more to that day’s total. We’ll get in that line anytime. 5476 Avenue A, Bokeelia; (240) 470-5830   

Tarpon Lodge: We love, love, love this waterfront wonder in Pineland. Old Florida charm is everywhere here, including in the upscale and elegant, yet welcoming and comfortable, restaurant. The seafood and locally focused menu offers a taste of paradise that never ceases to impress. Dine on the spacious porch, in the lodge-based dining room or in the coziest of cozy bar around. 13771 Waterfront Drive, Bokeelia; (239) 283-3999; tarponlodge.com and on Facebook and Instagram

The Waterfront Restaurant: Last, but certainly not least, is this longtime waterfront gem on the southern tip of St. James City. We frequented its food trailer to get a taste of what we love when the Hurricane Ian-devastated building was closed. When the restaurant reopened in March with a new look and feel, we were overjoyed to find the same great food. The grouper Reuben is an excellent new addition to the seafood-heavy menu (but don’t sleep on the burgers). Welcome back Waterfront 2.0. Oh, how we missed you. 2131 Oleander St., St. James City; (239) 966-5026; waterfrontrestaurantmarina.com or on Facebook

And… Domino’s and China Garden III are in the Winn-Dixie plaza just south of Pine Island Center.

Enjoy!

Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: From Blue Dog to Waterfront: 23 restaurants in Matlacha, Pine Island