Many local restaurants have come and gone during the first six months of the year. Our annual halftime report provides a quick recap with a look back at the comings and goings during the first half of 2025, already knowing that we can expect a lot more noteworthy action in the second half.

Down and out

Before we review the heavy-hitting roster of new players, here’s a nod to those who retired.

In Naples, we recently lost Bahama Breeze Island Grille, Bambusa Bar & Grill, Bodega Ole, Divine Naples Coffee & Wine Bar, Dorona, Duck Donuts, HobNob Kitchen & Bar and Lamoraga.

In North Naples, closings included Boutique Sweet Couple, The Cave, The Warehouse Cuisine & Cocktails, 16 Handles, and the Five Guys in the Gateway Shoppes at North Bay.

In East Naples, we lost 21 Spices, Charlena’s Pizza, Dominick Pizzeria, La Sorpresa Latina Cuban Café, Naples Tiki Bar and Grill, Pelican Larry’s Raw Bar & Grill, Simit Fresh Mediterranean and Z’s Music Kitchen.

In Bonita Springs, closings included Jimmy P’s Charred, Industry Standard Kitchen + Bar and Napoli Pizza. Cantina 109 Mexican restaurant, The Keys Bar & Grille and Moe’s Southwest Grill all closed at Gulf Coast Town Center.

Also closing in Lee County were Bonita Bill’s on San Carlos Island, El Nido Modern Mexican and Perkins Restaurant & Bakery in Estero, Joe’s Crab Shack and Voodoo Brewing Co. in Fort Myers, and Divine Donuts in Cape Coral. Sweet Floret Cakery closed its brick-and-mortar store in Matlacha.

Changeup

Some places closed an original location in order to open in a new space. Those included Seventh South Craft Food + Drink and Yacht Club Subs in Naples, Palace Pub & Wine Bar in Cape Coral and Take Two Coffee in Fort Myers. The owners of L’Olivo Ristorante and Roma Italian Bistro & Pizzeria closed in downtown Naples to create new concepts. The owner of Off the Bone BBQ in Logan Landings totally changed concepts with the introduction of Dough Daddyz Kick’n Italian Kitch’n.

Island restaurants that reopened after being shuttered for years after damage from Hurricane Ian included Blue Giraffe and Lazy Flamingo on Sanibel, and Keylime Bistro on Captiva.

Some businesses changed hands. KC American Bistro in North Naples became Amber Cove under new ownership; a new owner morphed Zookie’s Sports Bar & Grill into Sonny’s Pizzeria & Sports Bar in North Naples; Sawgrass Grill in Golden Gate closed but was added to the lineup at nearby Cracklin’ Jack’s; new owners turned Thai Thai Sushi Bowl into Maipi Thai Sushi Bar in Naples Coastal Shoppes on Collier Boulevard; and Larry’s Lunch Box continues to operate in East Naples under new ownership and without the longtime “Soup Nazi.” Some places — such as The Bevy and Bice in downtown Naples – temporarily closed for months with plans to reopen this fall.

Naples newcomers

The highly anticipated Blackbird Modern Asian flew into the former space of Bonefish Grill at Naples Bay Resort to become the one to watch so far this year. Other dining spots attracting deserved attention in the city of Naples include downtown’s new Ottimo on 5th Cucina & Bar and Mimoto Omakaze Café, which continues Chef Somi’s Asian dynasty in Naples in the former European Bakery & Café on Ninth Street South. It’s next door to Tong Yin, which the same talented team opened last year with Sendo de Café after debuting with Ichi Togarashi in downtown Naples.

Other promising newcomers in the city include Backyard Fire Grill in Neapolitan Way and Old Town Saloon on Goodlette-Frank Road.

New in North Naples

Estia Estiatorio in the Galleria at Vanderbilt and Tigress restaurant and bar atop the new Perry Hotel Naples help raise the bar for local dining. Strong competition taking it to the next level in North Naples include Bella Atalia Ristorante in the Galleria at Vanderbilt, Belly Bliss Natural Café in the Shoppes at Vanderbilt, Lujacks All-American Grill in Fountain Park, and Beeline and Waxin’s in Mercato.
Counter-service options launching second locations include Jimmy P’s Burgers + More in Vanderbilt Commons, Kelly’s Roast Beef in the Gateway Shoppes at North Bay, and WingStop in Bougainvillea Center. Other fresh destinations include Roadies Pit Stop coffee and energy drinks in Founders Square and Swirls & Scoops ice cream and frozen yogurt in Meridian Marketplace.

Eats in East Naples

Stepping out off Bayshore Drive, Seventh South Waterfront kicks it up a notch with its craft cuisine and cocktails in the old Three60 Market spot. Other new dining spots filling a niche for good, approachable local restaurants with a personal touch include family-owned ventures such as Brooks Bar & Grill at Hibiscus Golf Club, Cafe Seabreeze in Kings Lake Square, GG Brunch Haus in Pelican Larry’s Plaza on Davis Boulevard and Turco Taco in River Reach Plaza.

New East Naples options include D’Peru in Promenade Plaza, Rosati’s Pizza in Naples Lakes Village Center, Santi’s New York Pizza in Berkshire Commons, and Denny’s and Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Naples Towne Center.

Springing up in Bonita

Sugarshack Downtown brought vibe and vibrancy to Old 41 Road with its unique musical venue and hospitality hub. Canary Club Pizza and Cocktails recently introduced wood-fired pies and cuisine with a Middle Eastern twist to Old 41, where the same young couple operates two local favorites – Downtown Coffee Co. and The Bohemian.

Other new local spots in Bonita include Bonito Bistro, where land, sea and spirits come to life in the old Corner Spot on Bonita Beach Road; Neapolitan Gourmet Italian Market & Deli, a popular Naples transplant in Imperial Bonita Plaza; Pop Onigiri ramen, sushi and boba tea shop in the former Rosati’s Pizza spot in Springs Plaza; and The Warehouse Cafe, a cozy coffee house on Bonita Beach Road with a menu of sandwiches and acai bowls.

Entering Estero

Fresh Catch Inland, the latest offering from local restaurateur Franco Russo, brought a sophisticated seafood restaurant to the former TGI Friday’s freestanding space on the northern edge of Coconut Point. The Cleveland-based Rush family introduced their Rush Inn Bar & Grille to Miromar Outlets in the former space of The Llama’s House. The owners of San Matteo Italian restaurant & Bar in University Village near Florida Gulf Coast University expanded next door this spring with Via Roma Gelateria.

Fort Myers foodies

Sip & Sizzle day cafe, chophouse and cocktail bar led the newcomers this season in downtown Fort Myers. Other notable additions included Swamp Cat Brewing, Oar & Iron Raw Bar & Grill and Kelly’s Roast Beef, as well as Auto Inn Tavern, Stuff-A-Bagel and Wonderland Cookie Dough & Ice Cream.

In south Fort Myers, Tap 42 Craft Kitchen & Bar launched its first two-story location at Bell Tower, and Lan Xang Asian restaurant and Sweet Melissa’s opened. Philly Express joined the options at Lani Kai Island Resort on Fort Myers Beach.

Cape Cuisine

Cape Coral made news with the addition of The Cape Brazilian Grill, Clase Azul Mexican restaurant, Eagle Specialty Coffees, Fat Boys Pizza & Subs, Florida Boy Burger Co., Huey Magoo’s, Indian Breeze, LadyCakes Bakery, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, Yonutz and a second location of Cookie Plug.

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