Get ready for slices of orange crunch, red velvet and a handful of other delightful cake flavors.
The Bubble Room is set to reopen Monday, July 14.
It’ll be the first time in 1,020-plus days this beloved Captiva restaurant will be welcoming guests after being heavily damaged by Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28, 2022.
Here are a few things to know before you go:
What took so long?
Hurricane Ian dealt the first blow in late 2022. Permanent power didn’t officially come back to the restaurant until January 2025 — 854 days after Ian. And just when things were looking up, along came Hurricanes Helene and Milton in late 2024. The water level from the last two was three feet higher than it was with Ian. By the time they came through, some of the wood had been put back. Longtime manager Rachel Peach said a lot of that needed to be replaced.
Will it look the same?
Pretty much. The new carpet is the same pattern as the old and the antique toys, bubble lights, black & white photos are back on shelves, walls, ceilings — everywhere. Peach and staff have taken great pains to put it all back together as it was. But there will be differences here and there — a few new additions, servers’ station and coffee stations moved, a raised ceiling and other small changes. Peach told us that only the most loyal customers will notice.
Just how old is it?
It opened along Captiva Drive in 1979 in one room of a family home. Over the years, it grew to room after room and three floors of Christmas and old Hollywood flair 365 days a year. It’s known for its luscious cakes just as much as its décor. And speaking of those cakes. …
How are the cakes made and sold while the restaurant is closed?
You can get a taste of the melt-in-your-mouth goodness next door at Boops By The Bubble Room — open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
While the restaurant is down, cakes have been made in the kitchens of Great White Grill on Sanibel and Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers and brought to Boops.
And if you’re looking for Bubble Room merch, The Bubble Room Emporium is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Hours and reservations
Starting July 14, lunch will be served daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and followed by dinner from 4:30-9 p.m.
Reservations aren’t being accepted for now, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
We’ll take a slice of orange crunch and white Christmas and tropical breeze and …
The Bubble Room, 15001 Captiva Drive, Captiva; follow on Facebook for more
Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at rhgeorge@fortmyer.gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: The Bubble Room on Captiva is about to open; 5 things to know and a sneak peek inside
Reporting by Robyn George, Fort Myers News-Press / Fort Myers News-Press
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