Tim Aten Knows: 160+ Southwest Florida restaurants launch in 2025

Rebranding local restaurant concepts has been a trend in 2025. In some cases, it was akin to throwing spaghetti on the wall in an attempt to find something that sticks and attracts diners in a sluggish economy that rewards value-driven experiences.

What was specifically unique about this year is that ownership didn’t change, but the dining concept did for some restaurants, which temporarily were shuttered before relaunching with new brands.

The most notable examples this fall: Chef/owner Vincenzo Betulia converted The French Rustique Brasserie to Tulia Italian Steak on Fifth Avenue South; prolific restaurateur Stefano Frittella switched The Bevy to La Salière Italian restaurant in downtown Naples; and Phelan Family Brands flipped Two Fillets in North Naples to Caiman Cantina Mexican restaurant.

Seventh South Craft Food + Drink in Naples relocated and rebranded as Seventh South Waterfront, while Roma’s owners relocated their Italian restaurant on Fifth Avenue South and relaunched as Ottimo on 5th Cucina & Bar. 

In North Naples, Gourmet Mama became Gourmet Pita; Mojo Thai & Sushi temporarily closed and reopened as Mojo Thai & E-San; and Off the Bone BBQ became Dough Daddyz Kick’n Italian Kitch’n. Simit became a new location of Turco Taco in East Naples, while Luminary Hotel in Fort Myers rebranded The Silver King Ocean Brasserie as The Silver King Coastal Kitchen.

Changing hands

Other concept revisions occurred because restaurant spaces changed hands. In North Naples, the longtime Zookie’s became Sonny’s Pizzeria & Sports Bar off Immokalee Road; KC’s American Bistro became Amber Cove in The Pavilion shopping center; and Azure in Fort Myers was renamed Savour Restaurant.

In East Naples, Espiritu Peruvian Cuisine became Paella’s Mediterranean Fusion at Naples Towne Centre South; and Mulligan’s Bar & Grill became Brooks Bar & Grill at Hibiscus Golf Club. In North Naples, Chef Shabo Emara sold Shabo’s Bistro to Chef Ron Casterline; Naples restaurateur Matt Moen acquired the Royal Scoop ice cream brand; and 16 Handles morphed into Swirls & Scoops.

Thai Thai Sushi Bowl in Naples Coastal Shoppes rebranded as Maipi Thai Sushi Bar; and Islas Modern Caribe in North Naples became Islas Restaurant by Johnny Sazόn. Marek’s Collier House restaurant on Marco Island was renovated and reopened by new owners, and Phelan Family Brands quietly added Hogfish Harry’s to its Naples portfolio.

Bonita Bill’s became Bonita Fish Co. on San Carlos Island and Eats at the Beach became WaveRunners Beachfront Tiki Bar & Grill on Fort Myers Beach.

Hurricane do-overs

Many local restaurants were still recovering and reopening this year after being destroyed by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. Those included the iconic Bubble Room on Captiva Island, which reopened in July; and The Whale on Fort Myers Beach, which reopened this fall with bars on each of its three levels. Other island restaurants reopening this year included Keylime Bistro on Captiva and Blue Giraffe and Lazy Flamingo on Sanibel.

After Ian destroyed the original On the Bay on Fort Myers Beach, The Beach Bar launched there in September. Marina Cantina Tin Tiki opened in October at the former Shrimp Dock Bar & Grill at Salty Sam’s Marina in Fort Myers Beach. Green Cup Cafe reopened in a new spot in downtown Fort Myers.

More changes

Aqua and Bice restaurants in downtown Naples temporarily closed, renovated and just relaunched with fresh looks. Elsewhere in Naples, Escargot 41 recently added an adjacent Piano Bar in Park Shore Plaza; and District Sushi & Cocktails expanded with a stylish cigar lounge.

After hosting food trucks for nearly nine years, Oil Well Craft Beer in Ave Maria opened its own kitchen in November and became a bar with its own food menu. In Bonita Springs, eateries making notable menu changes included Kim Chi Grill, which launched a seafood menu; and BCN Paella experienced a new generation revamp from the owner’s son, Guillem Millet.

Elsewhere in Lee County, restaurants that relocated include Lan Xang in south Fort Myers, Over Easy Cafe on Sanibel, and LadyCakes Bakery and Palace Pub & Wine Bar in Cape Coral.

Lofty newcomers

Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort launched in Naples with The Merchant Room restaurant off the hotel lobby and reimagined HB’s and Sunset Bar in their classic beachfront footprints. Blackbird Modern Asian brought new life to Naples Bay Resort on Fifth Avenue South.

The new Perry Hotel Naples debuted Tigress restaurant and Easy Tiger lounge on its seventh-story rooftop. Seeking new heights, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants launched Prime Social Reserve as a private rooftop venue for VIPs in downtown Naples, while the Sails Restaurant crew introduced sushi chef-curated dinners at its new Omasava restaurant on Fifth.

Within a short distance of each other in North Naples, Aufieri & Martinez Argentinian Steakhouse and The Supper Club came to the Shoppes at Vanderbilt; Estia debuted a Greek restaurant and lounge in the Galleria at Vanderbilt; Violi’s Greek-inspired taverna launched at Mercato near the new Waxin’s Swedish-American “restaurang;” and Lujacks All-American Grill at Fountain Park pays tribute to late football great Johnny Lujack, who formerly lived in Naples.

In Lee County, OISE Ristorante launched in downtown Fort Myers and a sister restaurant, OISE-Ushi, in Cape Coral. Downtown Fort Myers also saw the launch of Sip & Sizzle and the second location of Fancy's Southern Cafe. New unique hospitality spots in the region include Sugarshack Downtown in Bonita Springs and Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina in Cape Coral.

Hola, Nǐ hǎo, Ciao, Opa!

New restaurants offer menu options for a variety of ethnicities.

In addition to Blackbird, Omasava and Tigress, new Asian-inspired concepts include Mimoto Japanese restaurant and sake bar in Naples and Sushi Sake in North Naples. In Lee County, Pop Onigiri came to Bonita Springs, Tsaocaa & Hibachi opened in south Fort Myers and Mochi Dough & Bober Tea launched in Gulf Coast Town Center.

Besides Caiman Cantina, new Mexican eateries in North Naples include 1942 Mexican Grill in Wiggins Pass Crossing and Crazy King Burrito in the Shoppes at Vanderbilt. In Lee County, Clase Azul Mexican restaurant opened locations in Gulf Coast Town Center and in Cape Coral, and Taqueria Casamigos also launched in Cape Coral.

In addition to Estia, Violi and Gourmet Pita, other new restaurants in North Naples offering Greek/Mediterranean cuisine include Belly Bliss Natural Cafe in the Shoppes at Vanderbilt and Cava in Tree Farm Plaza. The new Restaurant La Familia in Collier Health Park off Immokalee Road offers a Mediterranean menu with Greek and Italian dishes.

In addition to La Salière and Tulia Italian Steak in Naples, new North Naples restaurants with Italian-inspired menus include Bella Atalia Ristorante in Galleria at Vanderbilt; and Two Meatballs in the Kitchen in Cameron Commons on Immokalee Road. Legno Italian Kitchen opened locations in The Shoppes at Verdana Village in Estero this summer and in Fort Myers Beach in December. Also in Lee County, Neapolitan Gourmet Italian Market & Deli came to Bonita Springs, and Stella Marie’s Italian Market & Deli opened in Cape Coral.

Slices of the pie

Two pizza shops made the cut in Old Naples: Slice Shop near Vergina restaurant on Fifth Avenue South; and Tin City Slice near the west entrance of the Tin City waterfront shops. 

Mister O1 opened in December at Eleven Eleven Central in Naples. Off Immokalee Road in North Naples, Detroit Pizza Joint just squared off in the Preserve Lane market near Gulf Coast High School; and Riko’s Pizza opened in Tree Farm Plaza.

In East Naples, Burnt Pizza E Passione recently launched in the former space of El Rincon de Mexico on the East Trail. Other new pizzerias in East Naples include Santi’s New York Pizza in Berkshire Commons; and Rosati’s Pizza in Naples Lakes Village Center and Little Caesars in Hammock Park, both on Collier Boulevard.

In Lee County, Canary Club Pizza and Cocktails launched on Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs,

Aurelio’s Pizza came to Estero, and Bacio's Pizzeria and Fat Boys Pizza & Subs opened in Cape Coral.

Cafes and coffeehouses

New local spots for coffee, breakfast, brunch, lunch and more include many family-run newcomers that diners are raving about. In East Naples, they include GG Brunch Haus in Pelican Larry’s Plaza and Cafe Seabreeze in Kings Lake Square, both on Davis Boulevard; and Bayshore Bodega and Bean To Cup coffee lounge on Bayshore Drive.

North Naples saw the introduction of Sunny House Cafe in Creekside Corners, Roadies Pit Stop drive-thru at Founders Square, and ThreeSixteen Coffee & Bakery and Twin Broomsticks kava bar in Wiggins Pass Crossing.

Golden Grove Kitchen replaced Mel’s Diner in Golden Gate, and The Burrow Food & Bar and Micro Coffee opened in the former space of Mario’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill on Marco Island. Two new locations of Bad Ass Coffee launched in Naples at Eleven Eleven Central and Tin City.

In Lee County, The Warehouse Cafe and Disco Bean Coffee Co. launched in Bonita Springs, Take Two Coffee in Fort Myers, Coffee Rush in The Forum, Eagle Specialty Coffees in Cape Coral, and Southern Roots Kava Bar in south Fort Myers.

More Collier newcomers

Yacht Club Subs relocated from 12th Street South to larger digs on Fourth Avenue South in Old Naples. Also in Naples, Old Town Saloon moved into the Goodlette-Frank unit vacated by Bambusa Bar & Grill; Backyard Fire Grill opened in Neapolitan Way; and La Trova Restaurant & Lounge started this summer on Fourth Avenue North before soon changing its name to El Trovador Steakhouse & Lounge.

In North Naples, CJ's Pastelillos opened in Wiggins Pass Crossing; and Beeline lounge launched in Mercato. Also in North Naples, additional locations of Jimmy P’s Burgers + More came to Vanderbilt Commons, and Empire Bagel Factory opened this month across U.S. 41 North from Trader Joe’s.

In East Naples, we saw the launch of Cheeky Tiki in Hitching Post Plaza on U.S. 41 East, D’Peru and Mr. Beef in the Promenade Plaza at Estey and Airport, and Magic Masala Indian Cuisine in the former space of China Dragon Star at Business Circle North and Collier Boulevard. Wholesale bakery Landert Bread also opened its first retail store on Domestic Avenue in East Naples.

More Lee newcomers

Bonita Springs openings included Bonito Bistro on Bonita Beach Road, Luis’ Kitchen in Flamingo Island Flea Market, That NY Bagel Place in Village Walk of Bonita Springs and a second location of Cheesesteaks.com in the Shops at Hidden Lakes near the Collier-Lee county line on U.S. 41.

New Coconut Point restaurants include Fresh Catch Inland, Casa Blu, SB Bar and Alba Breakfast & Brunch. Also in Estero, Rush Inn Bar & Grille opened in Miromar Outlets, and J. Vito’s Supper Club and Lounge replaced Zino’s in the Estero Ridge retail center. Carlstadt Beer and Wine Bar and Via Roma Gelateria both came to University Village shops near Florida Gulf Coast University.

Echo and Sweet Melissa’s opened in south Fort Myers, and Philly Express started in Lani Kai Island Resort on Fort Myers Beach. In Fort Myers, Swamp Cat Brewing, Auto Inn Tavern, Wonderland Cookie Dough & Ice Cream at Pelican Preserve and Stuff-A-Bagel all launched.

Also launching this year in Cape Coral were locations of Florida Boy Burger Co., IBEX The German Bakery, Indian Breeze, The Cape Brazilian Grill, The Salad King, Escondido Lounge, 7&7 Gourmet Gelato and Yonutz.

Off the chain

Some other locations of restaurant chains opened in the area this year.

After a long wait in East Naples, Denny’s made a comeback to the Naples market at Naples Towne Centre South and DQ Grill & Chill launched a drive-thru on the East Trail. Tropical Smoothie Cafe also opened in Naples Towne Centre.

In North Naples, Pura Vida Miami and Pure Green both launched in Mercato; Cava, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Riko’s and Nothing Bundt Cakes all christened Tree Farm Plaza; Kelly’s Roast Beef opened another location in the Gateway Shoppes at North Bay; and Wingstop took off in Bougainvillea Center off Immokalee Road.

Recently opened in Estero are The Toasted Yolk Cafe in Coconut Trace and Miller’s Ale House and McDonald’s in the Marketplace at Coconut Point. Dunkin’ opened a new location in Bonita Springs.

Near Topgolf in Fort Myers, Oar & Iron Raw Bar & Grill and Kelly’s Roast Beef opened. In south Fort Myers, Tap 42 Craft Kitchen & Bar launched at Bell Tower and Shula Burger was part of the Concourse B terminal expansion at Southwest Florida International Airport.

New locations in Cape Coral include Oak & Stone in The Cove at 47th, Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux, Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders, First Watch, Pei Wei Asian Kitchen, Tropical Smoothie Cafe and Papa John’s Pizza. Cookie Plug in Cape Coral opened this summer and closed about four months later this fall.

Next week: We’ll look back at more of the many restaurants we lost in 2025.

The Tim Aten Knows weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at Tim.Aten@NaplesPress.com.