The Naples restaurant scene is constantly evolving and growing, bringing new and unique spots to the area every season. But for every new restaurant that opens in Collier, two close. The restaurants that continue to endure deserve their flowers, and these nine spots have endured quite deliciously for decades.
So, what’s the recipe for success when it comes to maintaining a popular restaurant in Naples? These nine restaurants all have different owners, menus, and environments, but have a few things in common: great service, fresh local ingredients, and an authenticity you can’t buy.
While lots of new restaurants have chic modern interiors and flashy unique dishes, these Collier gems find the simplicity in good ingredients, classic dishes, and friendly service to be the pillars that keep them in business for decades.
Snook Inn
I know this spot isn’t in Naples. but it’s too special to skip over. Marco Island’s historic restaurant Snook Inn was established over 40 years ago and has remained loved by locals and visitors alike since 1985.
Snook Inn received an outpour of support and love from the Marco and Naples communities when Hurricane Ian flooded the entire restaurant in September 2022. The landmark was closed for over a year as the Snook Inn team worked to repair the damage but reopened in October 2023. The repairs allowed Snook Inn to get a modern facelift: new windows, a better view of the Marco River from the indoor area, and a new stage for live entertainment.
At its core, Snook Inn is the same as it’s always been. “It a very fun restaurant,” owner Luigi Carvelli said to Naples Daily News in 2023. “It’s the water, the boats, the music. … It’s a different vibe here. I feel like I’m in the Caribbean. The Snook, it is part of the fabric of Marco Island.”
If you go, hit up the famous salad bar that includes a pickle barrel, pea salad, fresh bread and creamy garlic dressing. And if you haven’t tried it yet, order the grouper sandwich. Don’t forget to say hello to Milton the mailbox manatee when you arrive!
(1215 Bald Eagle Drive, Marco Island; 239-394-3313; snookinn.com)
Kelly’s Fish House Dining Room
The oldest among the bunch is a Naples classic: Kelly’s Fish House Dining Room. Pat Combs founded the seafood restaurant in 1953, making the spot 72 years old this year. Kelly McGill took it over in 1971 and passed it on to her son, Kelly Ellis.
If you miss the feeling of “Old Florida,” just grab a table at Kelly’s Fish House. The warm cypress walls, knotty pine ceiling and fishing artifacts will transport you right back to that down-home environment that Naples sometimes seems to have lost.
Located on the Gordon River, Kelly’s Fish House knows seafood well. If you’re looking for the freshest catch, book a table. The restaurant specializes in stone crabs, Florida Gulf grouper and snapper, Key West mahi-mahi, scallops, and even domestic red grouper caught from their own boats.
While it’s not upscale dining, that may be the secret to its longevity: focusing on good food and friendly service. In a city full of suit-and-tie dinner spots, Kelly’s Fish House has remained laidback. Prices are fair, staff is friendly, and the seafood is fresh. What more can a patron ask for?
If you’ve never gone to Kelly’s Fish House, take advice from Naples locals on what to order: Key lime pie, fried hush puppies and stone crabs caught the same day they’re served.
(1302 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-774-0494; kellysfishhousediningroom.com)
The Dock at Crayton Cove
What you’ll start to learn about this list is that a lot of the oldest restaurants in Naples revolve around seafood. Is that the secret to success?
The Dock at Crayton Cove has been an iconic Naples seafood spot since 1976 when it opened its doors. The restaurant is walk-in only, no reservations needed.
Even though the restaurant is celebrating its 50 year anniversary this year, nothing about it feels dated. The menu has evolved over time, but The Dock still has a few favorites from its original 1976 menu available like fish and chips, grouper and chips, shrimp, oysters, and soft shell crab.
Seafood is the star of the menu with delicious options like pineapple Chilean sea bass, miso glazed salmon, Key lime grouper and more.
(845 12th Ave. S., Naples; 239-263-9940; dockcraytoncove.com)
Riverwalk at Tin City
Riverwalk at Tin City is an open-air waterfront restaurant overlooking the Gordon River. It’s located in Tin City, a quaint shopping area originally built in the 1940s as a working dock. Riverwalk has been a Naples favorite since it opened in 1974.
Enjoy flavors of the Gulf Coast while looking out at a relaxing river view. If you’re lucky, you’ll even catch a glimpse of dolphins that swim through the area.
Local products are important to Riverwalk. The menu is an undeniable product of Southwest Florida, with specialties like fried oysters and flounder, scallops, Gulf shrimp, coconut shrimp and grouper.
(1200 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-263-2734; riverwalktincity.com)
The Pewter Mug
The Pewter Mug has been a local favorite for prime rib since it opened in 1970. The steakhouse has an extensive selection of hand-cut steaks and seafood, along with a soup and salad bar.
After more than 50 years in business, The Pewter Mug team feels that they’ve perfected their recipes ― and locals agree. The Pewter Mug’s average rating is 4.4 stars out of five online, coming from more than 1,000 patron reviews.
The restaurant’s warm atmosphere is inviting, keeping locals coming back time and time again.
(14700 Tamiami Trail N, Naples; 239-347-4092; pewtermugnorth.com)
The Real Macaw
The Real Macaw brings the charm of Key West to Naples with island cuisine, live music and a great sense of community. It’s a hidden gem that many locals would love to keep for themselves, but even travelers can’t get enough of the island vibe and friendly service.
The restaurant was originally opened by Jeanne Harvey in 1991, but was passed down to her daughter, Siobhan Cleveland, after she died in 2021.
Located in the heart of the Bayshore Arts District, The Real Macaw has established itself as an iconic Naples spot that visitors and locals can both enjoy.
(3275 Bayshore Drive, Naples; 239-732-1188; therealmacaw.com)
Bistro 821
If you take a walk down Fifth Avenue South, you’re sure to come across this Naples gem. Bistro 821 was established in 1994, bringing a taste of Miami’s South Beach to the Gulf Coast.
Bistro 821 is one of those places that really makes you feel like you’re on vacation. The decor is warm and elevated throughout the restaurant, plus every dish is Instagram-worthy.
According to Bistro 821’s website, the restaurant is famously known for its miso-sake marinated Chilean sea bass. It was created in 1997 as a special, but gained a full-time spot on the menu in 2003. Other menu highlights include small plates like prawns with sushi rice cakes, pasta and risotto dishes, and plenty of seafood staples.
(821 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-261-5821; bistro821.com)
Spanky’s Speakeasy
Spanky’s is a Naples landmark, immersing patrons in a vintage environment with tasty food since 1984. The restaurant is themed around the 1994 classic family comedy movie “The Little Rascals,” something that sets it apart from other vintage spots.
The interior of Spanky’s is filled floor to ceiling with antiques and vintage memorabilia, giving you something new to look at every time you visit. A 1924 Ford Model T is arguably the best antique inside the restaurant ― because it doubles as a soup and salad bar.
There’s something for everyone on the Spanky’s menu, from classic burgers, to chicken tenders, to seafood dishes. An entree will run you anywhere from $15 for a chicken sandwich or Philly cheesesteak to $38 for a 16-ounce prime rib.
(1550 Airport-Pulling Road, Naples; 239-643-1559; spankysspeakeasy.com)
Pastrami Dan’s
Regarded by many as the best sandwich shop in town, Pastrami Dan’s has been open as a Naples classic since 1975. The beloved restaurant has sourced its pastrami from the same Bronx butcher since the start, but it’s definitely not a typical NYC deli. The pastrami is sliced ultra-thin and loaded onto fresh rolls.
Pastrami Dan’s has been owned by the Costaregni family since its inception 50 years ago. While rumors have been swirling for years that the sandwich shop is closing soon, I’ll believe it when I see it.
(586 Tamiami Trail N., Naples; 239-263-3431; .facebook.com/PastramiDans#)
This article originally appeared on Marco Eagle: Recipe for success: These restaurants have withstood the test of time
Reporting by Kendall Little, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Marco Eagle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
