A Local’s Guide To The 19 Best Restaurants in Naples Florida (2024) — Naples Florida Travel Guide (2024)

With over 700 restaurants, there’s no denying Naples is a dining powerhouse. From new American eateries and organic food trucks to high-end restaurants and private dining clubs, you’re never at a loss for where to eat in Naples.

Naples is a culinary dream, and you can sip and savor to your heart's content at hundreds of great places, so how do you choose which are the the best restaurants in Naples Florida?

For us, compiling the best of the best is a tough but tasty task, and we do it because knowing which are the top restaurants helps you plan your perfect trip!

We live in Naples year round and dine out a few times a week. And as a professional travel writer, readers ask me all the time for recommendations on the best restaurants in Naples.

But it’s almost impossible to answer them without asking them a million questions first: what kind of food do they like or dislike — being in Naples, authentic Italian restaurants are often at the top of their list — what’s their budget, what kind of experience or atmosphere do they want, etc.

The city boasts so many excellent restaurants — some with incredible food, a coveted sunset view, or top notch service. Maybe they have a prime spot along Fifth Avenue South or Third Street South, or they’re known for having the best breakfast in town. But no one restaurant has it all.

Some of Naples’ best restaurants are so off the beaten path, they’re tucked back in unassuming shopping plazas or residential neighborhoods.

The Naples FL Restaurant Scene

Dining out in Naples is one of the best things to do when you visit, though it isn’t just about the food.

Dining here is a bucket list activity, an experience to be savored. It’s the people-watching, the beautiful view, and the balmy breeze.

And while it’s rare to find all of our dining desires in one place, we think these 19 come the closest.

These Naples restaurants continue to deliver excellence with their food presentations, outstanding food, and top-level service you can always rely on.

There are some new additions to our 2024 list, and several new restaurants just now opening for the season, so stay tuned.

For now, here are the 19 Best Restaurants in Naples, Florida.

Naples and Marco Island are sister cities on the Paradise Coast, so be sure and visit these top restaurants on Marco Island when you’re there!

Buon Appetito!

19 Best Restaurants in Naples, Florida

1. The French Brasserie Rustique

365 5th Ave S, Naples

Known locally as “The French”, our first restaurant among the best Naples restaurants is a classic Parisian bistro with the elegantly rustic menu created by Chef Vincenzo Betulia. It’s also a solid spot for a Naples brunch.

You may recognize him for his other restaurants in Naples, the Italian-inspired Osteria Tulia and Bar Tulia, located just across the street. But The French shows he clearly and comfortably has a foot in both worlds.

The menu here features casual French classic dishes, all prepared using time-honored techniques and simple ingredients to present you with excellent, if rustic, French cuisine.

Dine inside in the welcoming dining room or al fresco on the European-styled patio.

I recommend starting with a small plate of Seared Foie Gras, an appetizer of Fried Squash Blossoms, and for your entree, the Plancha Seared Tuna "Au Poivre” is excellent.

The menu includes entrees for two, and for families a child’s menu is available.

No dinner at The French is complete without dessert, and while we haven’t tried all the choices, there are several we love. Among them, the warm Baba Au Rhum is perfection.

Given the 5th Avenue location, reservations are a must.

2. Del Mar

494 5th Ave S, Naples

We fell hard for Del Mar and its Mediterranean-inspired cuisine since it opened in late 2021, and it continues to impress us with every visit. Which is saying a lot for a place like Naples, Florida where there are many, many restaurants vying to be the best.

Owned by the Cameron Mitchell Restaurant Group, the food at Del Mar is creative and varied, offering enough choices whether you’re looking for tapas-style noshes or a 4-course dining experience.

The atmosphere at Del Mar is lively and upscale, with consistent outstanding service from the moment you arrive. But it’s the food that shines and Executive Chef Alejandra Landin creates some very memorable specialties.

Our favorites here lean toward the seafood and we can never get past the Yellowfin Crudo (that melts in your mouth) or Charred Octupus to try other appetizers. The Lobster Spaghetti is enough to share and worth every delectable bite.

3. Osteria Tulia

466 5th Ave S, Naples

Osteria Tulia has been named the best Italian restaurant in Naples and has long been a favorite of ours for excellent Italian food and wine.

This is casual dining at its best with the restaurant billing itself as having a “rustic-chic farmhouse” ambience. We heartily agree.

The restaurant has a casual Tuscan farmhouse feel, which reflects the simple yet delicious Italian dishes of the kitchen.

You can usually count on housemade pasta, cheeses, and sausage, as well as fresh seafood. It’s hard to suggest a favorite dish as everything we’ve tried has been excellent.

And many offerings come and go with the season.

I will suggest asking about the housemade warm ricotta. If they do, give it a try. Their pizza is also good — some of the best pizza we’ve had in Naples.

4. 21 Spices By Chef Asif

4270 Tamiami Trail E #21, Naples

Born in India, award winning Chef Asif creates contemporary Indian cuisine in a stylish setting with modern decor accented with hanging silks and Moroccan-style lanterns.

The food has a distinctive progressive twist on traditional Indian dishes from tandoori kebabs to mouth-watering curries.

Either a soup or an amazing appetizer will prepare your palate for what’s to come.

Indian styled poultry, seafood, and a favorite, Spicy Sikandari Lamb Shank offer a wide range of dishes to try.

The choice won’t be easy, but we will say, everything we’ve tried here has been as impeccable as the service.

The wine list is lengthy but offers a suitable pairing for just about anything on the menu. Just ask your server. They’ll make a perfect recommendation.

If you want something sweet after dinner, and you will, save room for one of the delicious desserts.

This is consistently one of the best restaurants in town.

5. Sails Restaurant

301 5th Ave S, Naples, FL

As the name implies, the specialty here is seafood, and this is one of Naples’ finest seafood restaurants.

But Sails takes freshness and presentation to new levels.

The cuisine alone makes it one of the best restaurants in Naples, but of course the modern European coastal setting and the exacting preparation of the freshest ingredients is what sets them apart from just a very good Naples restaurant.

Fish lovers can select their own seafood by weight, then by preparation — wood-grilled, salt-baked or seared a la plancha.

The Peppered Tuna Rossini with seared foie gras, black truffle and charcoal-roasted onions looked amazing though we started with the Wood-fired Octopus (on their Sunset menu) followed by the Acquerello (Australian Tiger prawns) risotto. and several selections from the raw bar.

Their 4-Course Prix Fixe Menu is also a good value for the price.

Don’t make Sails just a special occasion place. Though it’s pricey, it’s casual enough to become your go-to for seafood in Naples.

6.Campiello

1177 3rd St S, Naples

Housed in the historic Naples Mercantile Building, the award winning Campiello is one of the best Italian restaurants in Naples, Florida.

If you’re not a stickler for purity, you won’t mind that it’s Italian-inspired — a modern take on traditional Tuscan country cooking.

Campiello truly defines elegant upscale dining with impeccable service and flawless execution.

The rustic contemporary menu features the finest cuts of meat roasted over an open fire, fresh made pizzas baked in a wood-burning oven, and traditional Italian dishes with a modern twist.

Their menu changes monthly to present the subtleties of Italian regional cuisine they call “Tour di Italia”.

With an enviable prime location on 3rd Street South, it gets busy in season, so well-in-advance reservations are a must.

Or you might want to opt for an early reservation so you can walk to the Naples Pier in time to watch sunset!

7. The Turtle Club(Currently Closed)

9225 Gulf Shore Drive North, Naples

The Turtle Club is among our top restaurants in Naples Florida for a number of reasons.

First, it’s one of the finest Naples Florida restaurants on the water — actually right on the beach — that does it all with style.

The setting is one of our favorite places to watch sunset in Naples — hard to unsee before you’ve even sat down and tried the food (then again, why would you want to)?

It has consistently excellent food, great service, a top-rate full service bar, and a true toes in the sand setting — the big reasons we always recommend this Naples restaurant to visitors.

We love the fresh seafood and the creative presentations.

If you’re stuck on what to try, go for the Shrimp and Crab Napoleon. It’s one of our favorites.

The Turtle Club is right on the sand, unless you reserve an indoor table.

Ladies, don’t wear heels. After all you’re in Naples and that’s what dress flip flops are for!

Reservations are a must during season.

8. Dorona

2110 Tamiami Trail N, Naples

This elegant and modern Italian Steakhouse is the work ofChef Fabrizio and his wife Ingrid, and it is a powerhouse!

Custom cuts of beef are sourced from select sustainable farms and can be ordered in a variety of sizes and preparations. There are also steak options designed for two.

Look around you at the patrons enjoying one of the menu’s most popular choices — the 32 ounce Tomahawk Ribeye. It’s a carnivore’s delight.

Based on Ingrid’s homeland, there are several signature Italian dishes made modern.

The ambience at Dorona is relaxed and casual, and the food is a cut above.

Make reservations well ahead.

9. Sea Salt

1186 3rd St S, Naples

Fresh and delicious seafood is what you’ll find as the specialty at one of the best restaurants in Naples, Sea Salt.

But it’s the 130 different salts from around the world give the unique flavors to Chef Aielli’s fabulous dishes.

Sessonal ingredients are sourced from local farmers and fisherman practicing sustainability.

But there are a few other notable menu items beyond seafood. Mac & cheese junkies, buckle-up — the Truffled Lobster Mac & Cheese is awesome!

Fresh seafood, house-made pastas, a great wine list and yummy desserts in an elegant setting — what else could you ask for!

10. The Bay House

799 Walkerbilt Drive, Naples

For some of the freshest raw bar fare and seafood from local waters, head to The Bay House.

Located in North Naples along the Imperial River and tranquil Cocohatchee Bay, it has great views and sunset displays from its waterfront location.

There are other choices on the menu, but this restaurant is renowned for fresh seafood along with its Southern inspired items.

Try the house made ceviche, any dish that includes crab, and the Seared Scallops. Or for a real treat order the chilled raw seafood tower!

Reserve a table in the elegant dining room or request a table outside on the comfy patio.

The Bay House is also a fun Naples nightlife spot, and you can hear the live music from inside or out.

11. Bleu Provence

1234 8th St S, Naples

Naples’ award winning French restaurant serves classic authentic French bistro dishes combined with an absolutely fabulous wine list.

With a friendly and knowledgable staff and sommeliers to guide your selection, pairings of wine to food are made simple.

Produce is sourced daily from local producers and selected other ingredients like cheeses, olives, herbs and meats are all of the highest quality.

If you haven’t ventured into French cuisine, Bleu Provence is a great place to begin your journey.

Start with the always delicious Provençal Fish Soup followed by Burgundy Escargot, and finish with decadent Duck Leg Confit.

Be sure to leave room for dessert. Our favorite — Vanilla Bourbon Crème Brûlée!

Reservations are a must.

12. Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar

4270 Gulf Shore Blvd N, Naples

When you arrive at the Village on Venetian Bay on Park Shore Drive you’ll see parking areas, shops, and restaurants on both sides of the road.

All of the restaurants here have an enviable waterfront location overlooking Naples Bay.

Definitely one of the prettiest spots in Naples year round, the Village on Venetian Bay has some of the best waterfront dining that Naples has to offer, and you have several good restaurants to choose from.

Our choice is another year-to-year favorite, Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar.

Without a doubt Bayside is one of the best Naples seafood restaurants on the water and has remained very popular since they opened in 1990.

13. Chops City Grill

837 5th Ave S, Naples

This may very well be the most elegant chophouse we’ve ever eaten in.

The ambience is warm and elegant with soft lighting, white table cloths, bright flatware, and sparkling wine and water glasses at every table.

Newly remodeled after 22 years, Chops offers the very best ‘in-house’ dry aged Prime and American certified Japanese and Australian Wagyu steaks.

When you’re in the mood for a great steak, Chops is the place to go.

Along with steaks the extensive menu includes seafood, sushi and a wide variety of entrees.

A well-rounded wine list offers wines by the glass or bottle or a full service bar features over 100 whiskeys and mixes up some very unique craft co*cktails.

Chops is a great traditional American steak house whose slogan, “a steak house’s steak house”, is spot on.

Bring your appetite.

Bonus: Chops is dog-friendly at the outside tables. Your buddy has to be leashed and show its best manners.

14. BALEEN

9891 Gulf Shore Drive, Naples

Located at the La Playa Beach & Golf Resort, BALEEN is another incredible fine dine restaurant on the beach and one of the best Naples restaurants on the water.

With one of the prettiest beachfront settings in Naples, BALEEN specializes in tropical dining.

The grand interior doors open onto a terrace with tables overlooking the sand and sea. Grab a table or seat around the fire pit on the beach and watch the sunset with your favorite barefoot co*cktail.

For dinner, we recommend the chef’s signature dish — Blackened Gulf grouper with king crab and a charred corn truffle risotto cake. There’s nothing like it!

Make a reservation well in advance for a romantic "toes in the sand" beachfront table.

15. Truluck’s Ocean’s Finest Seafood & Crab

698 4th Ave S, Naples

If you don’t mind feasting on succulent seafood, we won’t mind telling you that this favorite restaurant in Naples is an upscale chain with locations in Texas, Florida, and California.

But their fish and seafood is consistently fresh.

They’ve even purchased their own fishery in Naples ensuring the absolute freshness of their signature item, Florida Stone Crab.

Their crabbers capture, cook, and pack the crab in ice within 24 hours of being harvested.

Stone crab claws come to your table chilled and already cracked with the special house mustard sauce.

The menu may be crab heavy, but also features steaks, sides to be shared, and vegetarian and vegan options.

If crab is not for you and your taste buds are wanting seafood, the Florida Black Grouper is a perfect choice.

Whatever you decide, pair it with a selection from the excellent wine list.

16. The Bevy

360 12th Ave S, Naples

Although it’s a fairly recent edition to the Naples food scene, award winning The Bevy has earned a reputation with five-star American cuisine, a killer full service bar making incredible craft co*cktails, and an excellent wine list to perfectly pair with your meal.

The staff is friendly and welcoming and happy to suggest something to suit your fancy.

The Bevy has a bright and social atmosphere, and goes open-air when doors are opened to the patio area.

It’s a one-of-a-kind in Naples that’s relaxing and enjoyable.

If you’re looking for a new place for brunch, The Bevy has one of the best in town with special pricing for Mimosas and Bloody Marys.

The menu features light appetizers, salads, a selection of pasta dishes, pizzas, and house specialties.

We especially like the house Marinated Skirt Steak.

Make reservations early.

17. M Waterfront Grille

4300 Gulf Shore Blvd N, Naples

If your heart is set on sunset while you enjoy dinner overlooking the water, you’ll love M Waterfront Grille one of Naples’ longest-running waterfront restaurants.

Located in The Village on Venetian Bay this contemporary waterfront restaurant with an open floor plan has great views overlooking Venetian Bay from every seat in the dining room.

This is an upscale setting featuring continental cuisine that emphasizes fresh seafood, steaks, and house made pastas.

Outside, a covered seating area provides either fans or heating, so you can dinner with a view year round. The ambience is warm and relaxing.

Choose a wine from their extensive list and enjoy the warm French baguette with olive tapenade.

M Waterfront Grille is especially busy during season, so make reservations well in advance.

18.Bha Bha Persian Bistro

865 5th Ave S, Naples

If you have never tried Persian cuisine, you’re in for a real treat.

Bha Bha is a classic Persian bistro with a casual ambience. White table cloths, a background of music from around the world, and the aroma of spices and sweet jasmine create an overall relaxing experience.

As you might expect, kebabs are a Persian specialty here but the menu is so much more.

Classic dishes with Chef Michael Mir’s spin and an exciting section on the menu called “Innovative Persian” are all unique and delicious.

Everything we’ve tried has been excellent.

19. Barbatella

1290 3rd St S

Unlike the traditional Italian trattoria that serves mostly take-away food, Barbatella is a classy, albeit whimsical bistro and wine bar.

The extensive menu features authentic regional dishes with fresh interpretations.

Dine outdoors in the lovely covered courtyard, or inside in one of the casual dining spaces.

Tempting pizzas emerge from the wood-burning oven and the menu features artisan pasta dishes, steaks, and seafood.

The Short Rib Ravioli with black truffle cream is to die for.

Choose a bottle from over 100 Italian wines, or do your own tasting. There are over 30 wines available by the glass.

And save room for a scoop or two of the house-made gelato!

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With a daunting number of choices when it comes to restaurants in Naples (well over 700 eateries if you can believe it), you’re sure to find something satisfying.

But you’re on holiday and want more than just a good meal.

You want as close to the full package as you can possibly get — great food, top service, the perfect setting.

Whether you’re trying something new or want something a bit more traditional, you can’t miss with any one of these 19best restaurants in Naples, Florida.