Two waterfront restaurants to open at Fishermen's Village

Charlotte County residents will soon have two new dining options at Fishermen’s Village when locally owned Tidewater Hospitality Group opens Latitude 26° and Castaways in the former homes of The Captain’s Table and Harpoon Harry’s at the end of the wharf. 

Latitude 26° is expected to open June 15, followed by Castaways on June 29. 

Although the restaurants share a location, each offers a distinct atmosphere and menu concept. 

Latitude 26°, located on the second floor above Castaways and accessible by stairs or elevator, features a polished coastal dining experience centered on seafood, hand-cut steaks, prime rib, craft cocktails and an extensive wine selection. While maintaining a relaxed atmosphere, the restaurant offers enclosed waterfront dining with floor-to-ceiling glass views of Charlotte Harbor. 

“We want guests to feel equally comfortable stopping in after a day on the boat, enjoying a sunset dinner overlooking Charlotte Harbor or spending a night out with friends and family,” said Dave Beers, chief operating officer of Tidewater Hospitality Group. 

Castaways, located on the first floor, embraces a more casual waterfront atmosphere. 

Beers described Castaways as an energetic, social dockside restaurant with an open-air bar-and-grill atmosphere that reflects the waterfront lifestyle and activity along the pier. 

The menu will feature dockside favorites, frozen signature cocktails, such as the Shipwreck, and a selection of tropical and handcrafted drinks. 

Beers said the project began when Lew Bennett identified the opportunity and brought him on to help develop the concepts and execute the vision for the restaurants. 

As plans evolved, Michael Landsberg joined the venture as a partner. Landsberg, a financial planner and principal at Landsberg Bennett Private Wealth Management, and Bennett are longtime Punta Gorda business leaders. 

Beers oversees concept development and daily operations for the restaurants. The leadership team also includes Hospitality Operations Director Joyce Beers and Culinary Operations Director Brent Morgan. 

“One thing that was very important to us from the beginning was respecting the history of Fishermen’s Village and the businesses that helped make it such an iconic waterfront destination over the years,” Beers said. 

“While Castaways and Latitude 26° are completely new and independent concepts, we also recognize that these spaces have been meaningful to both locals and visitors for decades. Our goal has always been to honor that history while building on the energy, character and hospitality that already make the Village special.” 

After Tidewater Hospitality Group signed the lease, the company undertook a comprehensive redevelopment of both restaurant spaces. While rebuilt docks were part of Fishermen’s Village’s broader hurricane recovery efforts, the restaurants themselves were stripped to the shell and rebuilt with new kitchens, bars, dining rooms, plumbing, HVAC systems, electrical infrastructure and operational systems. 

Following months of construction, the interiors have been completely renovated, with final details being completed ahead of opening day. 

“From the beginning, the goal was not simply to refresh the spaces cosmetically, but to thoughtfully reimagine the restaurants for years to come while still preserving the waterfront character and atmosphere that make Fishermen’s Village so unique,” Beers said. 

The company has hired more than 300 employees across the two restaurants, supported by an 11-member leadership team with extensive hospitality experience and local ties. 

Both restaurants will operate from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.