21 Must-Visit Marco Island Restaurants in 2024

Marco Island is known for its spectacular beaches and golf courses. But a day on the sand or walking around the green is sure to build up an appetite. But which Marco Island restaurants are worth trying? We’ve got you covered. Check out this guide to our favorite places to eat on the island. 

Marco Island Restaurants on the Water 

1. CJ’s On The Bay 

Why Eat Here: If you’re looking for a meal on the waterfront to remember, CJ’s On The Bay should be your first stop. Whether you’re in the mood for world-class seafood or a light sandwich or salad, the dishes here are top-notch and will not disappoint. 

A favorite for visitors and locals alike, we recommend making a reservation, especially if you’re looking to eat inside the restaurant. The open-air dining area is just as stellar, as the entire restaurant offers stunning views of Smokehouse Bay. 

Not only one of the best Marco Island restaurants, but it also features an amazing outdoor gazebo bar. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the laid-back beach experience.

With exceptional food and ambiance to match, it really is one of the best restaurants in Marco Island with a view. 

2. Dolphin Tiki Bar & Grill 

Why Eat Here: When it comes to hidden Restaurants in Marco Island, FL, Dolphin Tiki Bar & Grill is our top choice. Located on a dock behind a string of other establishments, Dolphin Tiki Bar & Grill teases that half the fun of the dining experience is finding their location. 

Don’t worry; the intoxicating aroma of their famous Jumbo Lump Crab Stack should lure you in just fine. Once you’ve reached the fun tiki-bar-styled space, views of the Marco River really make this one of the best restaurants in Marco Island on the water.  

Its delicious appetizers (there are so many to choose from!) and entrees are made fresh to order and are sure to fill you up with large portions. You can choose from the likes of wraps and salads or get more serious with the house specialties, which are usually seafood based. 

The service here is fast and friendly. The food is both colorful and tasteful. You don’t want to miss this place! 

3. Kane Tiki Bar & Grill 

Why Eat Here: Kane Tiki Bar & Grill is named after Kane, the Polynesian god of creation and growth. One of the most creative restaurants in Marco Island, this spot aims to blend Polynesian street food with the unmistakable ambiance of an outdoor tiki sand bar. Plus, they even have chicken tenders and fries for the kids!  

This upscale hut adorned with torch lights is one of our favorite waterfront restaurants to visit. Home to one of the most impressive rum bars on Marco Island, it’s a fun spot to sit near the sand and let the evening slip by. 

The gulf views aren’t the only entertainment at this restaurant in the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort. If you visit on the weekends, you might catch some fire dancers or other performances on the beach. 

One of the most amazing waterfront restaurants on Marco Island, Kane Tiki Bar & Grill, really has it all. The beach backdrop, delectable Asian-inspired dishes and drinks, and a comfortable environment. It really captures what a beach getaway is all about.  

4. Mango’s Dockside Bistro 

Why Eat Here: Mango’s Dockside Bistro specializes in traditional seafood dishes with a twist to keep the flavor fun and the consumer interested. Homemade soups, salads, island sandwiches, burgers, pasta, and steaks are also covered on the menu – and that’s just the start of it. Everyone in your group, including kids, will find something to love at Mango’s Dockside Bistro. 

When it comes to outdoor dining near Marco Island, FL, this is an amazing spot to eat. It features a large outdoor dining patio and bar. Self-proclaimed as the best in family-friendly waterside dining in the area, this is a fun place to enjoy a meal with the family while taking in fantastic views of the gulf and bay.  

And if the food and mood weren’t enough, the kids will certainly love the enormous 750-gallon saltwater fish tank here. That little extra is sure to make it one of their favorite restaurants on Marco Island.  

 5. Sale E Pepe 

Why Eat Here: While most of the eateries on our Marco Island list are casual joints, Sale e Pepe is in a class of its own. This fine Italian restaurant is known for its delicious and beautifully plated authentic Italian entrees. Not to mention the restaurant’s classy ambiance as well. 

The food and stunning views overlooking the Gulf of Mexico are the best you will find in the area, but it’s the service that is most notable. Repeat customers experience truly exceptional customer service, with servers recalling them and their favorite dishes. Enabling each visit here to be an amazing dining experience over and over again. 

Be sure to stop by Sale e Pepe when you’re looking for a nice place to dine for a special occasion. It’s one of the best restaurants in Marco Island, for sure! 

6. Stilts Bar & Grill 

Why Eat Here: Stilts Bar & Grill is one of the most fun waterfront restaurants on Marco Island. Located at the Marriott’s Crystal Shores Resort, this beachfront location offers casual dining in a modern open-air setting.  

Keep in mind this restaurant is located near the resort’s pool area, so the small dining space fills quickly. That said, the sandwiches and tacos are delicious, and the drinks are the strongest you’ll find on Marco Island. 

Not the most intimate setting and thought to be overpriced by some, this restaurant is super convenient for those staying at the resort but not a must-eat in Marco Island.  

7. Sunset Grille

Why Eat Here: Sunset Grille is a popular oceanfront sports bar in Marco Island. This eatery features typical fare for this type of establishment. The menu includes a lot of appetizer-style dishes like nachos and wings. 

The seafood baskets, as well as burgers and salads are decent, but largely considered overpriced for the quality of the food and service. The price might be worth it for those who are looking for a lively sports bar environment with amazing beach views. If that’s not you, you might want to pass this one up. 

Marco Island Seafood Restaurants 

8. Cocomo’s Grill

Why Eat Here: Cocomo’s Grill is one of the most casual seafood restaurants near Marco Island, FL. This laid-back spot is a great family-friendly restaurant where your whole group will enjoy the great service and excellent food. 

The menu covers a variety of specialties, including pasta, burgers, chicken, salads, and seafood dishes. Best of all, this is one of the best restaurants on Marco Island to bring your own fresh-caught fish to be expertly prepared. 

With both indoor and outdoor dining spaces, not to mention an impressive bar, Cocomo’s Grill is a great place to enjoy a meal!

9. Deep Lagoon Seafood and Oyster House 

Why Eat Here: Deep Lagoon Seafood and Oyster House is proud to be a local seafood restaurant supplied by local fishermen. This is certainly one of the best Marco Island restaurants to visit if you’re hoping to get an authentic Southwest Florida experience. 

Deep Lagoon Seafood and Oyster House offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The vibe is upscale but still comfortable enough to be family accessible. Plus, where else are you going to be able to dare your kids to try a Gator nugget?! The food, service, and gorgeous location all add to the great dining experience. 

One of the most healthy restaurants near Marco Island, FL, this restaurant features a gluten-free menu and a lighter fare section featuring smaller portion sizes.  

10. Fin Bistro 

Why Eat Here: Fin Bistro is Marco Island’s answer to family-friendly, fine-dining restaurants without pretension. This family-run restaurant chose Southwest Florida as its home base when it opened its doors over a decade ago for a specific reason.

The area offers access to a variety of fresh fish for delectable dishes, but the region is also known for its playful ambiance. This eatery aims to capture both moods. 

Self-described as a clean, vibrant, and relaxed island oasis, this restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy a wonderful dinner out with your family. 

With a menu full of classic and inventive seafood dishes, there’s sure to be an entree to fit your desires. Signature cocktails featuring only top-shelf liquors are an extra special cherry on top of this dining experience. 

11. Kretch’s Restaurant 

Why Eat Here: Kretch’s Restaurant is another family-owned and family-friendly Marco Island restaurant.  

Chicken wings, Greek salads, cheeseburgers, and of course, seafood dishes, are all prepared and plated under the direction of Chef Bruce Kretschmer. Bruce has owned the restaurant with his wife for nearly 40 years. 

The food here is top-notch, but thankfully the prices are not. Kretch’s Restaurant is definitely one of the best restaurants on Marco Island, Florida, for visitors looking for a quality meal at a fair price. 

With friendly and interactive owners and staff, this is a very comfortable and fun place to take in a meal with your family. 

12. Pinchers 

Why Eat Here: Pinchers is a restaurant chain with a few locations in the Marco Island area. You can’t miss this building, it’s a cute white and red shack. The indoor dining area is filled with booths and tables and all the nautical decor you could imagine. 

Pinchers is another seafood eatery that prides itself on delivering only the freshest seafood from the Gulf of Mexico. The restaurant chain actually owns Island Crab Company, for which local fishermen and crabbers work to catch the freshest seafood to supply Pinchers.  

The prices here may seem a little steep for some visitors. That said, it’s a great place to bring the family. Great food, fun ambiance, and kids eat free! 

13. Quinn’s On The Beach 

Why Eat Here: Quinn’s On The Beach is one of the very best Marco Island restaurants with outdoor seating. It’s located at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, so you are virtually eating on the beach. Overall, it’s an amazing place to savor a seafood meal while watching the sun sink low in the sky. 

This beachside spot specializes in Caribbean-style seafood and steak. Fish tacos and peel-and-eat shrimp are some of the most popular items. Quinn’s On The Beach is also known for its colorful and tasty tropical drinks. 

On top of the food and lovely beach atmosphere, live music and fire dancers often enhance the dining experience. 

14. The Oyster Society 

Why Eat Here: The Oyster Society is one of the most unique Marco Island seafood restaurants. The decor alone sets it apart from most of the other eateries on this list. Warm and reminiscent of a 1920s jazz hall, this ornately decorated space plays home to some of the very best food in the area.  

Dishes are prepared with hand-selected local seafood and shellfish. You can expect the daily raw bar specials to be only the freshest catches as well. 

For those who love to pair drinks with their meal, this spot works to expertly pair each seafood dish with its optimal complimentary cocktail or something from its extensive wine list. 

This is an upscale spot, so prepare to shell out some serious dough for your meal. The classy setting and the delicious food make this a great place to dress up and enjoy a night out on the town. 

Marco Island Restaurants for Breakfast 

15. Doreen’s Cup of Joe 

Why Eat Here: Doreen’s Cup of Joe is one of the best Marco Island restaurants, especially when it comes to breakfast. Only open from 7:30 am – 2:00 pm, you’ll want to arrive at this spot early if you’d like to avoid a long wait. 

This joint offers both sweet and savory breakfast options, oftentimes paying homage to its Florida roots. Nothing is more Floridian than key lime pancakes or more southern than fried green tomatoes heaped on a homemade biscuit topped with grits! 

16. Empire Bagel Factory 

Why Eat Here: Empire Bagel Factory is Marco Island’s go-to bagel and coffee shop. It’s a casual spot with some modern touches that make a killer breakfast sandwich and a stellar coffee beverage. 

Visitors can choose from an array of flavored bagels, from the typical plain and multigrain to the likes of garlic, egg, and jalapeno cheddar. Then load them up with cream cheeses like scallion, cinnamon, honey walnut, or strawberry. 

If cream cheese isn’t your jam, the tastiest way to enjoy these bagels is by stacking them with egg, cheese and ham, sausage, or bacon. They also offer some amazing subs and salads here too! 

Know before you go that the dining space here isn’t overly welcoming. It’s sparsely decorated, with an aim to usher customers through the line and on their way. We suggest this location as a takeout spot, as opposed to dining in.  

17. Hoot’s 

Why Eat Here: Hoot’s is a great place to enjoy a down-home, country-style breakfast. Though the decor of this clean and simple space doesn’t scream diner, that’s definitely the tone they aim to strike. 

The ambiance here is very warm, friendly, and welcoming, like stepping into decades past when the world felt simpler. Breakfast comfort foods, including eggs benedict, scrambles, short stacks, and French toast, are served in generous portions.  

Hoot’s is a bit off the main drag of Marco Island, but for quality food at a decent price, it’s worth it. Trust us, your family will be happy you went out of your way to try it! 

18. Red Rooster 

Why Eat Here: The best breakfast food typically tends to be home-style food. Red Rooster is no exception to that rule. They’ve got all the breakfast classics covered, eggs in a variety of ways (including benedicts), pancakes, waffles, and French toast too. 

And if you’re looking to keep breakfast light, they also have healthier options, including granola parfaits, oatmeal, and a breakfast veggie sandwich or veggie egg-white scramble. 

Best of all, all entrees are prepared fresh to order. So you can take comfort that no part of your meal has been prepped before you order it. We’re not going to lie; a tasty meal under the sun on the outdoor patio at Red Rooster isn’t a bad way to start your day.

19. Smith House 

Why Eat Here: Smith House is a small yet cozy breakfast restaurant. It’s decorated in a modern yet warm style. The wooden floors and white tables make for a really pretty interior, but most people visit this spot for outdoor seating. 

The patio is adorable and is a really fun place to enjoy breakfast with the family. There’s a canopy of vines that helps provide shade to the small tables and even a nice fountain to help enhance the space. 

We all know that kids can be picky, but with the fun, outdoor ambiance, and phenomenal food, your kids will love it here. Just let them order the chocolate chip pancakes, and we promise they will want to come back to Smith House the next day! 

20. Stonewalls

Why Eat Here: Stonewalls is primarily known in the area as a pizza joint. But don’t be dismayed, they offer quite a breakfast selection. Known for only the freshest ingredients and spicy potatoes, customers rave over the Island Breakfast and Fruit French Toast. 

This is a popular tourist spot, so expect the ambiance to be buzzing and for the prices to be a little high. No matter the level of activity, the service is quick and friendly. Large-portion entrees are delivered to both indoor and outdoor seating. 

Our favorite thing about this restaurant is the muffles. To get creative and fun, instead of baking muffins in the usual way, Stonewalls decided to put their mixture in a waffle iron. The final product is a muffin in the form of a waffle – a muffle. They top it off with whipped cream for an added bonus!  

21. Wake Up Marco 

Why Eat Here: When in need of coffee, turn to Wake Up Marco. The only specialty coffee shop on the island, it’s known for its extensive caffeinated menu. And this isn’t run-of-the-mill style coffee. The ingredients are of the highest quality, and you can tell in the taste of the beverages. 

From drip American coffee to espresso, latte, and cappuccino, they’ve got your coffee cravings covered. And for those hot Marco Island mornings, you can choose a more refreshing cold brew option as well. 

In terms of food, they stock the bakery’s usuals. You can grab a smattering of croissants, muffins, scones, or mini donuts for the family while snagging your morning charge. It’s a fun and friendly environment with stellar food and drink options. Don’t pass this one up! 

Things to Do on Marco Island 

Beach Fun

Marco Island is a wonderful place to enjoy a beach day. Be sure to bring sand toys for building or shell hunting. South Marco Beach is the perfect place for families to swim or snorkel together. 

The water is such a beautiful color here. We couldn’t believe the beautiful emerald color of the water. Make sure to bring a good beach chair with an umbrella and a kite!

Also known for exceptional fishing, if you’d like to try your hand at the sport, consider renting a pontoon boat. Or you could take the boat to nearby Cape Romano to explore. There’s nothing like making family memories floating around on the water on a sunny day. 

Sunset Fire Dancers on the Beach 

One of our favorite things to do in Marco Island is to watch the fire dancers on the beach. You can catch these performances from JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort restaurants like Kane Tiki Bar & Grill and Quinn’s On The Beach.

It’s a fun way to enjoy the beach with your family as the sun sets. Kids will be mesmerized by the intricate and daring performances. 

Wildlife Watching

The sandy beach and crystal waters aren’t the only sights to be seen when visiting Marco Island. This area is also well known for its wildlife. Whether you spend your time lounging on the beach or decide to venture out into the water on a boat, bring some binoculars with you. 

Keep a lookout for dolphins and an array of birds. You never know what you might spot, and your kids will love discovering something new in nature! 

City Events

If you’re visiting during the week, you can catch the Marco Island Farmers Market on Wednesdays from 7:30 am – 1 pm. Walking through the market and taking in the different stands could be another fun way to share the local life of Marco Island with your kids. 

When visiting in early spring, be sure to check out Marco Island Seafood And Music Festival. It’s an amazing community event filled with exceptional food and fun live entertainment! 

Marco Island Tours

Marco Island Dolphin-Watching and Shelling Tour

This Dolphin and Shelling Tour will carry you from Marco Island to Cape Romano in search of one of Florida’s most precious gems – dolphins! While on the lookout for marine life, your guide will tell you all about the area’s mangrove ecosystem, and you can even go shelling! It’s a great way to spend an afternoon out on the water! 

▶️ BOOK Marco Island Dolphin-Watching and Shelling Tour

Eco Shelling Cruise to Keewaydin Island

The Eco Sheeling Cruise to Keewaydin Island is a great tour for nature lovers interested in further exploring the ecosystem surrounding Marco Island. The cruise departs from nearby Naples and transports guests to the remote island of Keewaydin. 

On the way to the island, participants will pass through mangrove forests, ripe with wildlife like alligators, manatees, and maybe even dolphins. Once you reach Keewaydin Island, you’ll have the chance to explore nature there on foot. This is often the best part for kids, as they can collect treasures from the island to take home with them. 

▶️ BOOK Eco Shelling Cruise to Keewaydin Island

FAQ: Marco Island Restaurants

Where Do the Locals Eat in Marco Island?

Marco Island is full of delicious restaurants. Locals enjoy Sunset Grille and CJ’s On The Bay for fun waterfront eats. For more upscale dining, locals recommend Sale e Pepe and Fin Bistro. 

What Are the Most Popular Restaurants on Marco Island? 

CJ’s On The Bay is certainly one of Marco Island’s most popular restaurants. Other busy eateries include The Oyster Society and Cafe De Marco. 

What Are the Best Restaurants in Marco Island That Deliver? 

Several of the best restaurants in Marco Island offer a delivery service. Some of those restaurants include Sami’s, La Tavola Restaurant and Bar, Davide Italian Cafe, and Su’s Garden Chinese Restaurant. 

What is Marco Island Known For? 

Marco Island is known for some of the most beautiful beaches on Flordia’s Gulf Coast and for high-end shopping. It’s also home to some of the most visited golf courses in the country. 

Does Marco Island Have a Downtown? 

Yes, Marco Island has a lively downtown area. Mainly known for shopping, the downtown area has both mainstream department stores as well as small boutiques and Esplanade Shoppes. It’s a fun place to wander to get a real feel for the Marco Island local culture. 

What is the Name of the Restaurant At Lake San Marcos?

IslaMarotta – The Lakeside Eatery is the name of the restaurant located near Lake San Marcos. This restaurant serves American food entrees for breakfast and lunch. 

Conclusion: Marco Island Restaurants 

We hope our suggestions of great restaurants will keep you from going hungry on your visit to Marco Island. Enjoy the sun, shade, and all the fresh seafood you can handle on your vacation!