Maruto’s Cuban Cafe launched in June at Winchester Center in Golden Gate Estates.
Because it’s difficult to keep track of all the regional comings and goings, this annual halftime report provides a quick refresher on most of the area restaurants that opened or closed during the first six months of 2026.
Brio Italian Grille permanently closed in April at Waterside Shops in Naples.
Broken links
Readers tend to best recall the restaurants that close because that jarring news is unexpected. While more restaurants actually open than close, it sometimes seems that the opposite is true.
Another common fallacy is that restaurant chains outlive mom-and-pop venues, but recent franchise failures prove otherwise. For instance, the year began with the closing of all three regional locations of Kelly’s Roast Beef in January. Later, four locations of Arby’s roast beef closed in the Fort Myers area.
Longtime franchises of Skyline Chili in Naples and Fort Myers both called it quits in April. Other longtimers closing included Sonic Drive-In in East Naples and Brio Italian Grille and Haagen-Dazs at Waterside Shops. The last regional location of Ruby Tuesday in south Fort Myers also closed.
It also hasn’t been a good year for burrito chains in North Naples. The longtime Moe’s Southwest Grill shuttered in Granada Shoppes, Bubbakoo’s Burritos abandoned Naples Boulevard and Crazy King Burrito closed in the Shoppes at Vanderbilt, where Imperio Taqueria also locked its doors.
Other shuttered locations include Uncle Julio’s at Coastland Center in Naples and Cheddars Scratch Kitchen at Granada Shoppes in North Naples.
Local losses
The Central Square destinations of The District, The Mini Bar, The Alley and Staff Only all closed in June. Other closings within the city of Naples during the first half of the year include Liki Tiki BBQ, Kunjani Craft Coffee & Gallery, Molcajetes Mexican restaurant in Park Shore Plaza and Soluna in Bayfront.
Longtimers closing in East Naples include Lima Restaurant & Pisco Bar in The Village Falls and Thee City’s Diner in Naples Towne Centre South. In North Naples, shuttered restaurants include Cavo Lounge in Mercato, Giuseppe and the Lion in Mission Square, Napoli on the Bay Pizza in Pebblebrooke Center and Sakura Buffet in Cameron Commons.
Country House Restaurant closed its Golden Gate location on Collier Boulevard in March, and dine-in cinema Marco Movies faded to black at the end of April after operating more than 30 years on Marco Island.
In Lee County, closings include the Fort Myers location of Seed & Bean Market, Thai Star in south Fort Myers and The Fat Apple pizzeria in North Fort Myers. Cape Coral closings include East of Chicago Pizza on Santa Barbara Boulevard, Misto Bar & Grill and Wingnuts Pub & Grub. Gazoops Ice Cream & Waffle Bar and Spaghy Gelato also closed in Cape Coral.
The Oasis Restaurant in Fort Myers changed hands June 1 with plans to be renamed Fort Myers Brunch this fall.
Reshuffled
Some area restaurants were renamed or reshuffled.
The final Pelican Larry’s now is BackRoads Brewhouse & Sports at University Village. In that same retail center near Florida Gulf Coast University, Unico Ristorante Italiano became the new name of San Matteo Italian Restaurant & Bar.
The same owner transformed Zen Asian BBQ to Papa Joe’s Trattoria in North Naples. Under new ownership, Señor Tequila’s at Marquesa Plaza in the Naples area is now Tequilas Mexican Bar & Grill. The Oasis Restaurant in Fort Myers changed hands June 1 with plans to be renamed Fort Myers Brunch this fall. Other local restaurants that changed hands, but not names, include Alva Country Diner on Palm Beach Boulevard, Artisan Eatery in south Fort Myers, Bha! Bha! Persian Bistro in Naples, Islas Restaurant in North Naples and Steve’s Place in North Fort Myers.
Ambrosi & Sons relocated from East Naples to the Shoppes at Vanderbilt in North Naples. Summer Day Cafe moved from Marco Island to the Shoppes at Fiddlers Creek. Chop It Up Sandwiches left Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina in Cape Coral and opened a brick-and-mortar spot at Oasis Outdoors in North Fort Myers. Longtime Italian restaurant Mangia Bene closed for a couple of months of remodeling to debut its pizzeria concept, Mangia Bene Big Slice, in Cape Coral.
Kayla Pfeifer, executive chef and co-owner of Bicyclette Cookshop and Heyday Cookshop, prepares plates at Heyday, which launched in April at Neapolitan Way in Naples.
Naples newcomers
New dining spots in Naples include Heyday Cookshop in Neapolitan Way, Ce Soir in Bayfront and Clay Pot Naples in Tanglewood Marketplace. New downtown destinations feature Annie’s Bistro in the new Olde Naples Hotel, Tiny Kitchen Empanadas on Park Street and All Too Well Gourmet Sandwiches and Barrio Taqueria along Fifth Avenue South.
Vito’s Famous Cheesesteaks came to Trinity Plaza, and Juice Society to Park Shore Plaza.
The Wager sports pub previewed in April at the Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort, and Gourmet Chariot debuted its mobile caviar bar in Naples this spring.
ChaChaCha Fusion Cuban restaurant opened in February at The Strand retail center in North Naples.
North Naples noshes
New options in North Naples include Eddie V’s Prime Seafood at Waterside Shops, ChaChaCha Fusion Cuban in The Strand, Connors Steak & Seafood in Granada Shoppes and Bernwood Tavern & Cucina in Pebblebrooke Center.
Diners welcomed the first regional Shake Shack at Mercato, Panda Express at Founders Square, and The Tipsy Corner and Umi Sushi in Cameron Commons. Joey D’s Italian Market & Deli launched in Green Tree Center, Beyond Juicery + Eatery came to The Pavilion and The Roast & Rush Society coffee and kava bar started brewing in the Galleria at Vanderbilt.
Maruto’s Cuban Cafe launched in June at Winchester Center in Golden Gate Estates.
More in Collier
East Naples saw the addition of Adore Bar & Cucina on Davis Boulevard, Casa Cotzelli East in the Shops at Eagle Creek, Saigon To Paris Restaurant, Bar & Bakery at Airport and Estey and Bru Bistro & Lobster Roll in Berkshire Commons.
Mimi’s Country Cafe debuted in Golden Gate, Chick-fil-A opened in City Gate and the first regional location of Saucy! by KFC came to Carillon Place.
The Orangetree area of Golden Gate Estates increased its dining options with Maruto’s Cuban Cafe, Osaka Hibachi, Little Caesars and Cold Stone Creamery in Winchester Center; and Tropical Smoothie Cafe and Wingstop in the Shoppes at Orange Blossom. Umami Ave debuted in Ave Maria.
Wichcraft gourmet sandwich shop opened in May next to The Bohemian at Entrada in Bonita Springs.
Bonita/Estero eateries
Newcomers in Bonita Springs include Acqua Bistecca at Saltleaf on Estero Bay, Wichcraft gourmet sandwich shop and Craft Spirits Social at Entrada, as well as Break The Fast and Cazaroto Pizza & Pasta in Prado at Spring Creek. Lemonade Land at Flamingo Island Flea Market and Cali Coffee on Bonita Beach Road also began pouring in Bonita.
Estero saw the addition of Wasabi by Suji Japanese Steakhouse at Miromar Outlets, 41 Bagels on U.S. 41 and Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, in addition to Fresh Monkee, at Coconut Point.
After closing in 2020, Sweet Tomatoes returned to south Fort Myers in May.
Lee’s latest
New locations for Cheesesteaks.com, Turco Taco and Point Ybel Brewing launched in downtown Fort Myers. South Cypress Brewing came to Backyard Social in Fort Myers.
Vybe and Oak & Vine Celtic Cafe opened at Bell Tower in south Fort Myers, and Chuck Lager Legendary Kitchen launched near Gulf Coast Town Center. Other additions in south Fort Myers include the return of Sweet Tomatoes, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Amantia Wood Fire Pizzeria, The Book Café, Lotus Thai Bistro, Resurgence Brewing Co., Dutch Bros Coffee and Foxtail Coffee.
Coming to the islands were the relaunched Mucky Duck on Captiva, and Scooters Pizza, Ibis Grill and Island Panda on Sanibel. Edgar’s Steakhouse also opened in The Dunes Golf and Tennis Club on Sanibel.
Courtside Steakhouse rebuilt and reopened after Hurricane Ian at Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Punta Rassa, Anarchy Ale Works opened in Alva and Oar & Iron Raw Bar & Grill expanded to Babcock Ranch.
Aqua Seafood & Steaks opened in March at the Cove at 47th in Cape Coral.
Cape comings
New restaurants in Cape Coral include Aqua Seafood & Steaks, Bimini Basin Seafood & Cocktails, El Jardín and a Bimini Square location for House of Omelets. Other Cape newcomers include Big Nick’s Barbecue, Sazon To Go and The Dominican Experience.
Botanical Brewing Co. expanded in south Cape Coral and Street Wok came to Slipaway Food Truck Park. New franchises in the Cape include Aroma Joe’s, Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, Chicken Salad Chick, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Swig.
The Tim Aten Knows weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at Tim.Aten@NaplesPress.com.
(1) comment
Brio and Moe’s will be missed. The East Naples Sonic was good at one time, but it had been slipping for years. Ordering on its app was a waste of time, slow customer service, and - pardon the pun - the last straw was corporate thinking a paper straw was a good idea to drink thick shakes with (they did go back to plastic straws). I will miss their banana shake.
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