Looking to branch out a bit from dining in Naples or Fort Myers and discover some lesser-known restaurants in Bonita Springs that are equally as fabulous?
You may know Bonita Springs for its stunning beaches — Bonita Beach and Barefoot Beach are among the most beautiful beaches in southwest Florida — but there’s more to this town than meets the eye.
Bonita Springs Florida has long been an agricultural community producing outstanding local fruits and veggies, and with the addition of local Gulf seafood and Florida farm-raised meats.
So it’s not surprising that the city's culinary scene today is bursting at the seams with a variety of unique dishes spanning a myriad of cultures and cuisines.
Want to check out our top 10 favorite restaurants in Bonita Springs Florida?
We’re happy to oblige!
About Bonita Springs, Florida
Bonita Springs is a small historic town located between Ft. Myers and Naples.
While it’s surrounded by beautiful beaches and some of southwest Florida’s more unique history, the town has largely been known as a suburb of its more well-known neighbors.
Until recently, that is.
In the past few years, revitalization efforts have spurred a renaissance in the historic town off Rte. 41/Tamiami Trail, and some of the best restaurants in town now call Bonita home.
Of course, there is lots to see and do in Bonita Springs, from visiting Everglades Wonder Gardens to chilling out at one of several cool coffee houses.
But much of what makes Bonita Springs so alluring revolves around the Imperial River which flows through Bonita out to Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico — which makes for spectacular boating, fishing, kayaking, and other activities.
If you haven’t spent much time in Bonita Springs, or think it’s just a series of Tamiami Trail strip malls, it’s time to revisit!
We urge you to see a part of the “Naples area” that’s fun, funky, and downright delicious!
10 Must-Try Restaurants in Bonita Springs
1. Petar's Restaurant
3300 Bonita Beach Rd SW Suite 120, Bonita Springs, FL
Located in the center of Bonita Springs, Florida, Petar's Restaurant is run by Chef Petar Al Kurdi and his wife, Ana, who are together known for putting their love for food onto every vibrant plate they serve.
The cuisine here is not only flavorful but visually striking.
Elegant and sophisticated, the best seats in the house are at the bar with a view of the world-class open kitchen.
So, pull up a seat and get ready to feast your eyes and sink your teeth into some scrumptious food at one of the top restaurants in Bonita Springs Florida.
With a menu that consists largely of fine dining American and International cuisine, Petar's serves dishes that are complex in flavor but made using simple ingredients and traditional recipes.
Noteworthy dishes at this restaurant include its salmon risotto, lobster linguini, and a variety of decadent desserts.
The restaurant also offers a wide range of vegetarian and vegan options, so don't hesitate to inform them of any dietary restrictions or preferences you may have before making your order.
2. A Table Apart
4295 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs, Florida
Inspired by Hawaiian cuisine, A Table Apart’s concept is quite “apart” from those of the other restaurants in Bonita Springs, Florida.
One of its newest and main aims is to use sustainable ingredients, and its extensive menu is a true testament to that.
Everything they use — from the fish, to other kinds of seafood, meat, and poultry — are organic and sourced from local places that don’t partake in overfishing or over-farming.
And nothing tastes better than guilt-free dining!
That being said, its sustainable approach to dining isn't all that it's got going for it.
Chef Jarrod has extensive experience cooking in some of the finest restaurants all over Asia and America, and it shows.
He uses Le Cordon Bleu French techniques to prepare meals with high attention to detail, which plays a huge part in A Table Apart serving some of the best Global Fusion cuisines you will ever taste.
Favorites on the small but expertly curated menu are sweet potato pie, pear salad, and lamb.
Take the freshest catch of fish and pair it with exceptional expertise, and what do you get?
An experience worth coming back for time and time again.
3. The Fish House
4685 Bonita Beach Rd Bonita Springs, FL
As you can probably tell by its name, the third restaurant on our list is famous for serving the one thing that Bonita Springs is most known for - fish!
First opened in 1994, it gained its popularity by catering to boaters and beachgoers.
Today, it’s one of the best restaurants in Bonita Springs on the water!
The restaurant has been a mainstay for locals and visitors over the years, serving up delicious food and the highest quality fish, brought straight to your table, from the sea to your plate.
The menu also includes a kids' menu so that every family member can join in on the fun.
Here's the best part: everyone is welcome here, including your pets.
So kick back, relax, and get a taste of what The Fish House has to offer.
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4. El Basque Vin & Pintxo Bar
25245 Chamber of Commerce Dr. Bonita Springs, FL
El Basque is a small, intimate restaurant located in the Prado Shopping Center and we think it’s one of the best restaurants in Bonita Springs, though high under-visited.
If you may not be familiar with the Basque culture of Spain, you’re not alone.
We urge you to give it a try!
One bite of El Basque's Croque Monsieur alone will transport you right into the heart of Spain's Basque Country.
The quaint 30-seat restaurant uses local ingredients and long-standing traditions to bring one of Europe's oldest cultures to Bonita Springs.
The restaurant’s owner’s grandmother’s artwork is a key element of the restaurant’s atmosphere and paints a perfect picture of what Spanish & French Nouveau Cuisine represents.
Try dishes such as Croque Madame with an egg on top, toasty baguettes that come with olive tapenade and boquerones on top (fresh anchovies, and not salty at all!), French Toast with a guava sauce and sautéed apples, and Basque styled soups and salads.
El Basque imports all of its cheeses straight from France and Spain to use in their wide selection of sandwiches filled with things such as jamons, tuna salad, chicken, and fish.
Popular dishes include the Basque-style chicken, pan-seared duck, steak frites and bacala, and salted cod
Dinner entrees include traditional Basque stews and dishes like Basque Poullet, Bacala made with potatoes, mountain hams with sausages, and steak frites served with traditional parsley and garlic sauce.
Pair your delicious food with El Basque's specialty drink, the San Sebastian Sparkling Cocktail.
Anyone looking to take their taste buds on an international trip while in Bonita Springs will enjoy the culinary experience at El Basque.
5. Prime House Steak House
4480 Bonita Beach Rd SW, Bonita Springs FL
A list of the best restaurants in Bonita Springs FL is incomplete without a good steakhouse.
But finding a place that serves the perfect steak isn't always easy, am I right?
Prime House Steakhouse makes it a pretty simple choice.
Located on Bonita Springs Beach Road, this upscale establishment is the perfect spot to take your date or family for a cozy and delicious dining experience.
Sit out on the patio for a breezy, laid-back experience or dine inside for a more classic steakhouse vibe.
Either way, it's the steaks that really shine at Prime House.
All of Prime House's steaks are dry-aged for a period of 21-28 days by the experienced staff and are best savored with a glass of wine.
Many patrons agree that the real highlight is the porterhouse steak with potatoes and creamed spinach, but other offerings include fresh seafood and pasta.
6. The Bohemian
27975 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs, FL
When it comes to good restaurants, Bonita has several. But The Bohemian totally stands out.
This is one of the newest additions to the booming downtown area of Bonita Springs that is already garnering attention for its stylish and contemporary ambiance.
With an atmosphere that is relaxed and inviting, this restaurant places emphasis on technique and quality to prepare large portions of good food that is influenced by global cuisine.
The chef-driven kitchen puts forth a menu that changes with the seasons, sometimes even daily.
Featuring a small but expertly-curated selection of dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients including herbs cultivated in their rooftop garden, it’s an interesting mix of global cuisines.
Take a seat inside or outside on the beautiful patio and enjoy unique dishes like lamb sausage flatbread, coconut custard, and ceviche.
Don't skip trying a wine cocktail with your meal. They pride themselves on their craft cocktails and a rotating selection of beers that highlight Florida's finest breweries.
Food and drink that is crafted to perfection, an eclectic ambiance that makes you want to unwind, and service that leaves you wanting more? It’s hard to ask for more.
However, it should be noted that this is a first come first serve establishment that does not accept reservations so make sure to arrive early.
They open for dinner at 5 p.m.
7. Angelina’s Ristorante
24041 S Tamiami Trail. Bonita Springs, FL
If you are looking for a place that serves something different from typical American seafood cuisine, head to Angelena's.
You'll be met with fine dining and Italian food like you've never tasted before.
The restaurant's inventive menu is sure to exceed your expectations while showing you what happens when authentic Italian food meets the Gulf Coast.
The combination of age-old traditions fused with fresh Italian ingredients, seafood, mellow piano music, warm ambiance, and excellent hospitality will have you drifting off into a "riposo" in no time.
A walk through the restaurant will reveal its one-of-a-kind 30-foot refrigerated wine tower that contains more than 4,000 bottles from around the world, a wide selection that will excite any and all wine enthusiasts.
Standout dishes at Angelina’s include their Butternut Squash Ravioli, the signature zeppole, and the always delish Veal Agnolotti.
8. DeRomo’s Gourmet MArket and Restaurant
26851 South Bay Drive, Bonita Springs, FL
Whether you’re on a quest to find the most authentic Italian food in the area (just like Mom made!) or you simply love Italian cuisine, a visit to DeRomo’s in Bonita is an absolute must!
Located in the Promenade just off Rte. 41, this gourmet Italian market is one of our favorite places to go and browse, and eat, then browse some more, and then pick up something for dinner!
You’ll find authentic Italian pastries (the sfogliatelle are insanely good) and a coffee bar, plus a hot and cold deli with prepared salads and other foods to take home.
Then there’s a sandwich bar and pizza bar, and their mozzarella station where they make it fresh before your eyes.
Add to all that a huge assortment of pasta, gourmet foods, and hard-to-find specialty foods from Italian brands you know and love.
And we haven’t even mentioned their Italian restaurant: even with seating for 275, it’s always a packed house!
You’ll enjoy all your favorite comfort foods and traditional dishes, with a few entrees offering a unique twist on the past as well.
They’re open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.
9. C Level
4450 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs FL
C Level is a sophisticated Bistro and Wine bar that is popular for its fantastic food and contemporary ambiance.
The neon-blue-lit place features French-bistro-inspired design elements in both its indoor and outdoor seating areas and is just perfect for a casual yet fancy dinner out in Bonita Springs.
The bar offers a wide variety of martinis, cocktails, and wines to match whatever you are in the mood for.
Pair it with a delicious tapas plate from the menu that predominantly serves contemporary French and American cuisines. You won't regret it!
The eclectic, city-style essence of this restaurant, often compared to trendy restaurants in Miami and other metropolitan areas is a delight for all.
It's the perfect respite for anyone who loves the beach but needs a break from the sun and sand every once in a while.
Slip away for a bit and let loose! You'll be happier for it.
10. Doc's Beach House
27908 Hickory Blvd. Bonita Springs, FL
We couldn’t write a list of must-try restaurants in Bonita Springs without mentioning Doc’s.
And while the food isn’t the main reason you come here, it’s exactly what you’d expect to find at one of the area’s best beach bars right on the sand!
Rather, Doc's Beach House's "ultra-chill" atmosphere puts a smile on your face after a fun day at the beach or for happy hour.
Doc’s is the place you bring out-of-town visitors for a great cold beer on the beach experience.
And to us, that’s often all the bucket list experience you need in SWFL!
Doc’s is also known for being one of the best restaurants in Bonita Springs on the water.
For more than twenty years, this beach shack has served as an affordable local watering hole for residents and visitors who want to experience a no-frills, all-American kind of dining experience.
Those who appreciate some intimacy and a view for miles will love the dining area on the first floor, while others who like staying closer to the buzz might enjoy sitting outside on the patio.
If you’re a sports fan, visit during a game to see the upstairs seating area transform into a sports bar.
Wherever you choose to sit, you can be sure that nothing beats watching the sunset here with some good food and drink in hand.
You’ll love their scrumptious breakfasts and Chicago-style pizzas for lunch.
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We hope you enjoyed our Top 10 restaurants in Bonita Springs, Florida!
What are your favorites?
Where to Eat
Lori Sorrentino
Bonita Springs, restaurants, best restaurants, florida, foodie
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