Marco Island may be most well-known for its natural preserves and enriching wildlife, but there’s no shortage of great places to eat.
Some of the most popular Marco Island restaurants are low-key, casual, and filled with some splendid dishes made with premium locally sourced ingredients. Below are four casual dining spots by the water: reasonably priced, family-friendly, and prompt.
Mango’s Dockside Bistro
Location: 760 N Collier Blvd # 109, Marco Island, FL 34145
This wide-spanning American cafe includes all the little familiar bits you love and appreciate, including a slew of burger styles and ideal seafood dishes.
You can find some affordable fruity cocktails from an accessible bar. There’s a plentiful menu filled with seafood, wings, breakfast sandwiches, shrimp dishes, rack oysters, and more.
The menu reaches into a wide spread of oddball burgers, including the Blue Cheese Burger, Avocado Burger, and the Rodeo, topped with jalapenos, onion rings, and pepper jack cheese.
It’s open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the boutique collective, the Esplanade Shoppes.
Hoot’s Breakfast and Lunch
Location: 563 E Elkcam Cir, Marco Island, FL 34145
Hoot’s changes the pace, just a bit, for some comfort foods in a small café. This breakfast and lunch-only location is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner is also served briefly from 4:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Don’t be fooled by its quaint décor and simple menu. The items here are made with expertise that will have you coming back for more.
The Bacon and Swiss burger is everything you could have asked for, with bacon, Swiss cheese, grilled onions, and more along with an assortment of other burgers. The Chicken Pot Pie is made to perfection, and the red beans and rice coated in salsa is a delicate treat, among dozens of other options.
Sami’s Pizza and Grill
Location: 3011, 227 N Collier Blvd, Marco Island, FL 34145
It wouldn’t be a very casual dining experience without pizza as an option. Sami’s is your go-to spot for some authentic pizza, and oh what a pizza it is!
Sami’s offers the full array of New York Style options. The sizes are available in 14” or 18” as medium and large. Favorites include the Hawaiian, Supreme, Buffalo, and the classic White Pizza.
You can always put together your own from all fresh ingredients and freshly-made dough every day. You can also nab some chicken wings, Sammi’s (sandwiches, of course) and a mix of pasta, salads, and pasta salads. It’s all available for some fresh-faced and fabulous food delivery.
Call 239-389-PIZZA for delivery, pick-up, or more before you stop on by. This pizza place is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with an extra hour for Fridays and Saturdays.
CJ’s on the Bay
Location: 740 N Collier Blvd #105, Marco Island, FL 34145
CJ’s on the Bay is located in a shopping district called Esplanade Shoppes. The shoppes include some of the best boutiques on the island, with stunning water views nearby.
CJ’s is located right on the water and overlooks Smokehouse Bay. The outdoor seating features a pavilion-esque atmosphere, with a circular roof and a large circle bar – one of the best outdoor dining experiences on the island.
CJ’s itself is known for its fruitful and vibrant mixed cocktails, capturing a little bit of that island relaxation. It’s brightly-lit late into the night and ideal for an evening out on Marco Island. Indoor seating is available for a quieter hangout.
Menu highlights include the fanciful black bean nachos, the avocado ahi tuna, and a full plate littleneck clams, among dozens of other seafood and land fare delicacies.
Happy Hour is available from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., with live entertainment Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. outside and Thursdays to Saturdays from 8 p.m. to close.
You can find CJ’s open to you from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. These are similar hours for most of the local places to see at the Esplanade Shoppes.
For more on the best local dining on Marco Island or vacation rentals here, contact us at (239)-394-0514. We can offer guidance on the island’s finest attractions, as well as direct you to some reasonably priced yet luxurious and comfortable Marco Island vacation rentals.