It’s getting steamy in the Southwest Florida dining scene.
Popular reservation platform OpenTable featured three Southwest Florida restaurants as a few of the most romantic restaurants in the country. Out of 100 restaurants across the country that made this year’s list, two call Collier County home: Sails Restaurant and Sale e Pepe.
But what makes these two spots so romantic? We’ll let the reviews speak for themselves.
“This was such an amazing experience for me and my fiancé. The services was impeccable and extremely friendly every step of the way from when we arrived to taking our picture at the end in front of the entrance,” an anonymous OpenTable user wrote about Sails on March 15, 2025. “The food was top notch especially the dessert. I would highly recommend Sails for a romantic dinner.”
As for Sale e Pepe…
“The staff was incredible and the views of the sunset made for a romantic dinner,” OpenTable user Erica wrote after dining on Dec. 20, 2025.
The third SWFL named in the Top 100 Romantic Restaurants list is Angelina’s Ristorante, marking its third consecutive year earning the honor.
OpenTable user Iris left a review after dining at Angelina’s on Jan. 25, 2026, saying, “This restaurant never disappoints! The service is impeccable, the ambiance is lovely, and the food is delicious. Our dining experience was quite special in every way.”
Here’s a glimpse into the three restaurants OpenTable considers to be some of the most romantic in the country.
Sails Restaurant
Sails is a Naples staple. The elegant Fifth Avenue spot is known for its fresh European flavors and champagne brunch events. The popular dining spot opened in 2018 at the site of a former bank branch in downtown Naples.
This isn’t the first time OpenTable recognized Sails as one of the best in the biz. Last year, Sails made the first Top 100 Brunch Restaurants list and in 2024, it landed a spot on the Top 100 Restaurants in America list.
The restaurant has earned a 4.8 star rating on OpenTable with nearly 4,400 reviews as of Feb. 2, 2026. Sails has exploded in popularity in the last year, with 3,600 reviews since April 2025.
Sails ensures every aspect of your dining experience is upscale and thoughtful, from friendly service to fresh menu items to beachy interior design.
The restaurant is on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples, but you’ll find parking behind Sails on Third Street. Spots marked with “305 5th Ave” are for Sails guests during the day.
(301 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-360-2000; make reservations on OpenTable; sailsrestaurants.com)
Sale e Pepe — Marco Beach Ocean Resort
Fine Italian dining spot Sale e Pepe overlooks the Gulf at Marco Island Beach Resort and serves dinner nightly from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The restaurant earned an OpenTable Diners’ Choice award in 2024 and maintains a 4.8 rating, with almost 4,000 reviews on the platform.
Inside the restaurant diners are transported to the romance of Italy, surrounded by aged stone, marble floors, and hand-painted wall art. The menu highlights heirloom recipes, made with fresh Florida produce and seafood. To maintain the elevated romantic feel, a business casual dress code is enforced inside the formal dining room. A stunning view of the beach is the only thing that reminds patrons they’re in Southwest Florida.
Sale e Pepe provides a special dining experience with Italian style, romantic ambience, amazing food, and the best Gulf view.
(480 S. Collier Blvd., Marco Island; 239-393-1600; make reservations on OpenTable; sale-e-pepe.com)
Angelina’s Ristorante
Angelina’s has been building a loyal fanbase ever since Angela and Don Smith opened it April 16, 2008.
“My wife is an excellent cook, and I’m a great eater, an unbeatable combination,” Don wrote in a 2023 email to the Naples Daily News. “More seriously, we are incredibly proud of the many awards we received over the years. We are even more proud of the devoted staff and management dedicated to delivering the high-end dining experience our guests expect.”
The fine-dining destination along South Tamiami Trail is known for high-quality ingredients, excellent service and attention to detail. It offers Wagyu steaks, handmade pasta dishes and much more, plus an extensive wine list that has been awarded Wine Spectator Magazine’s 2-glass and Best of Award of Excellence.
Reservations are strongly suggested. Angelina’s Ristorante, 24041 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs; (239) 390-3187; make reservations on OpenTable; angelinasofbonitasprings.com
About OpenTable lists
OpenTable compiled its list from more than 9 million reviews made by verified diners and dining metrics from Dec. 1, 2024, to Nov. 30, 2025.
According to its website, “diner ratings, the percentage of five-star reviews, the number of alerts set, the percentage of reservations made in advance, percentage of capacity and direct searches” are used to evaluate restaurants. All of those metrics “were weighted to comprise an overall score.”
For the complete list, go to opentable.com. Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order by state and by restaurant name.
This article originally appeared on Marco Eagle: Dining: Marco, Naples, Bonita restaurants named ‘most romantic’
Reporting by Kendall Little and Robyn George, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Marco Eagle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
