Fishermen’s Village restaurant wins waterfront seating

The Islands Kitchen & Cocktail House will soon have raised outdoor seating 10 feet from the water after its owners were granted a variance by Punta Gorda City Council on Oct. 28.

The restaurant’s company, PGFL Associates LLC, is owned by a local team consisting of managing partner Kurt Brown; Amber and Dan DeCarlo, who also own retail shops in Fishermen’s Village and corporate partner Dan McKay.

Brown said the variance application was submitted before the sale of Fishermen’s Village, prompting City Council to seek confirmation that the property’s new owners supported the proposed deck expansion.

Under city code, the setback requirement is 25 feet from the water, but the Punta Gorda Board of Zoning Appeals recommended that Council approve the variance request.

The variance met eight criteria, including the existence of special conditions and circumstances, undue hardship from strict enforcement of the setback requirement and compatibility with surrounding businesses.

Four conditions were attached to the approval, including a minimum 10-foot clear route between the deck and the seawall for pedestrians, bicycles and emergency access.

Brown said the restaurant hopes to begin construction before the end of the year. The elevated, covered deck will extend from the rear of the restaurant toward the Castaways side of the building and feature a tiki-style bar on the north side overlooking the sunset.

A second phase is planned to include a speakeasy-style private members’ room with its own deck and dining space. Brown said the restaurant is already accepting membership applications.

The restaurant, which opened Feb. 5, has a Caribbean-inspired menu centered on fresh fish, meats, poultry and vegetarian dishes, with both indoor and outdoor dining.

Currently, patrons dining outdoors must navigate between chairs to get to their seats, Mayor Debi Lux noted.

One member of the public, Tim Ritchie, questioned whether it would be safe to have seating so close to the seawall and whether it would impede emergency vehicles, but council member Greg Julian said the new seating arrangement would be “up and off the walkway.”

Council member Melissa Lockhart said if there was a problem with the variance, fire department officials “would have stepped in and said such.”

Resident and businesswoman Cynthia O’Hara said the community should support all local businesses.

The Islands is one of several new restaurants that debuted in Fishermen’s Village in 2026. The indoor-outdoor mall has reached full occupancy with the addition of the restaurant and new retail options.

Latitude 26°, located at the end of the wharf on the second level where Captain’s Table used to be, opened June 29. Its operator, Tidewater Hospitality Group, is made up of local residents who also opened Castaways on Sept. 14 in the space where Harpoon Harry’s operated for many years.

The long-awaited Leroy’s Fish Shack opened its doors Sept. 1. It is owned by local partners Lee and Jamie Richardson and Mike and Keeley Wright, who also own Leroy’s Southern Kitchen & Bar in downtown Punta Gorda.

Fishermen’s Village faced challenges over the last several years, including hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton, which damaged the wharf and adjoining marina.

Leroy’s Fish Shack, located in the former Village Fish Market space, experienced water intrusion, and the restaurant’s entire interior was gutted and renovated. The owners had planned to open it two years ago.

After two hurricane-free seasons, Fishermen’s Village is thriving and has reached 100% occupancy, officials said.