Tim Aten Knows: Restaurants shuffle during slow months 

Many Naples area restaurants switched up concepts and opened or closed during the slowest months of the year. The third quarter of 2025 saw an abundance of dining changes in July, August and September. 

Concept conflux 

Owners of a few local restaurants recently closed their existing dining concepts with plans to launch new restaurants this fall. 

Chef Vincenzo Betulia closed The French and Rouge in early September in order to open Tulia Italian Steak in early November on Fifth Avenue South. Restaurateur Stefano Frittella ended The Bevy’s run this summer in downtown Naples with plans to present La Saliere Italian restaurant there in November. Phelan Family Brands shuttered its Two Fillets at the end of August on U.S. 41 in North Naples with plans to introduce Caiman Cantina Mexican restaurant there this fall. 

After operating for about 15 years, Bravo Cucina Italiano shuttered in early July at Mercato. Chicago-based Violi Mediterranean restaurant is building out that space for a fall opening. 

On the East Trail, a new chef-owner morphed Espiritu Peruvian Cuisine into Paella’s Mediterranean Fusion in July at Naples Towne Centre South. In Golden Gate, the longtime Mel’s Diner on Collier Boulevard became Golden Grove Kitchen in late September under new ownership.  

Closing time 

In addition to restaurants already mentioned above, a few more dining spots recently closed.  

In North Naples, the longtime Black Eyed Pig BBQ extinguished its smokers in July; The Catch of the Pelican permanently closed at Naples Grande Beach Resort; Tableside Restaurant went dark in the Shoppes at Vanderbilt; and the recently shuttered Skillets location in The Strand shopping center is being transformed into a Cuban restaurant. In East Naples, the legendary Massey’s Sub Shop retired on Domestic Avenue. 

In Lee County, shuttered restaurants include Gatsby’s Pizza in Bonita Springs, South Fork Grille at Coconut Point, Zino Pizzeria in Estero, Le Macaron French Pastries in south Fort Myers, Buddha Live in Fort Myers, Grandma Penny’s in North Fort Myers and First Round Draft sports bar, Lehne Burger and Texas Tony’s in Cape Coral. Cheesesteaks.com is opening its second location in Gatsby’s former space in early November, while J. Vito’s Supper Club and Lounge opened in September in Zino’s former unit. 

Naples newbies 

In the city of Naples, Slice Shop pizzeria opened off Fifth Avenue South in late August. La Trova Restaurant & Lounge launched in the former location of Bodega Olé, Barbosa Kitchen and I.M. Tapas on Fourth Avenue North in July.  

Three eateries opened this summer at Wiggins Pass Crossing in North Naples: 1942 Mexican Grill launched on July 4; ThreeSixteen Coffee & Bakery opened in August in the former Naples Coastal Kitchen space; and CJ’s Pastelillos Puerto Rican restaurant replaced the longtime Café Figaro in late August. 

Also in North Naples, Sunny House Cafe debuted in June at Creekside Corners; the family-owned La Familia Mediterranean Restaurant replaced Boutique Sweet Couple in late July at Collier Health Park; Two Meatballs in the Kitchen moved into The Warehouse’s former digs at Cameron Commons in August; and Crazy King Burrito launched in late September in the Shoppes at Vanderbilt.  

Other North Naples newcomers included Pure Green, which came to Mercato in July; Sushi Sake, which opened in August at Riverchase Plaza; and Chipotle Mexican Grill, which introduced its Chipotlane pickup window to Collier County at the new Tree Farm Plaza in September. 

In East Naples, chef-owner John Colón had a September debut of Bayshore Bodega, a waterfront cafe serving Spanish cuisine on Bayshore Drive. Nearby on Bayshore, Bean To Cup coffee lounge returned to action in a new location. Also in East Naples, Magic Masala Indian Cuisine opened in July in the former space of China Dragon Star near the southwest corner of Davis and Collier boulevards.  

On Marco Island, The Burrow Food & Bar and Micro coffee bar by Marco Island Coffee Roasters jointly launched in August in the former location of Mario’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill on Bald Eagle Drive. The new businesses serve full-service meals for breakfast and lunch, as well as coffee, smoothies, pastries and acai bowls. 

Lee launches 

The Bubble Room reopened in July on Captiva after bouncing back from Hurricane Ian damage, while Over Easy Cafe moved to higher ground on Sanibel. In Fort Myers Beach, The Beach Bar relaunched in July and Matanzas on the Bay — rebranded as On the Bay — in late September, nearly three years after Ian’s storm surge destroyed its original locations. 

SB Bar debuted Sept. 1 at Coconut Point in Estero. Originally planned as a companion dining concept to SB Grill, the bar and grill were combined under one roof in the previous location of the Peach Pit and Brass Tap near the open-air mall’s former cinema. Alba Breakfast & Brunch will be coming this fall to the nearby spot previously intended for SB Grill and formerly home to Lehne Burger, BurgerIM and Johnny Rockets.  

Nearby in Estero, Miller’s Ale House and McDonald’s both recently opened in the new Marketplace at Coconut Point; and Legno Italian Kitchen launched this summer at The Shoppes at Verdana Village in Estero. Luis’ Kitchen opened in early September at the Flamingo Island Flea Market in Bonita Springs. 

In downtown Fort Myers, OISE Ristorante opened at the former location of Blu Sushi; Savour Restaurant debuted in the former Azure space; and Fancy’s Southern Cafe launched a fancy second location in Twisted Vine Bistro’s former spot. Southern Roots Kava Bar opened this summer in south Fort Myers, and Mochi Dough & Bober Tea debuted in Gulf Coast Town Center. 

Cape Coral saw the launch of Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina and IBEX The German Bakery in July, Bacio’s Pizzeria in August and 7&7 Gourmet Gelato Factory and Pei Wei Asian Kitchen in September. 

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