A FEAST FOR THE SENSES

Delightful alfresco dining options in the Fort Myers area

By Heather Turk

Foodies hungry to enjoy the warm weather in Southwest Florida for as long as possible during their trip to Fort Myers will discover several delectable restaurants in the area known for alfresco dining.

A staple of the Fort Myers Beach community for more than 35 years, Matanzas on the Bay serves up beautiful bayside views from inside the restaurant as well as out on its 110-seat waterfront deck. Open for lunch and dinner, the local favorite offers guests a true taste of Southwest Florida, with fresh, locally sourced seafood from Blue Star Seafood Company, produce from Pair-A-Dice Produce, and draft beers from Fort Myers Brewing Company. Diners can savor specialties like the flash-fried Crunchy Grouper served with a zesty orange dipping sauce or enjoy “the best pizza on the beach” — Dave’s Dockside Pizza — upstairs at Petey’s Upper Deck, which offers additional covered outdoor seating overlooking the sailboats nearby. Live entertainment is featured daily, too. matanzasonthebay.com

PierSide Grill and Famous Blowfish Bar is another generational favorite on Fort Myers Beach. Known for its spectacular sunset views, the relaxed restaurant invites guests to soak up views of the Gulf of Mexico from its 150-seat patio while enjoying delicious dishes like the Gulf Shrimp Burger for lunch or dinner. Live music is also featured twice daily. Whatever entrée you decide on, be sure to start your meal with The Original World Famous Beach Bread topped with garlic butter, three types of cheese, a hint of onion, vine-ripened tomatoes and chopped green olives — the flavorful appetizer has been ordered more than 200,000 times over the past 25 years! piersidegrill.com

Over on Sanibel Island, The Island Cow has been a family favorite for more than two decades. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the casual eatery boasts an expansive menu of 300 different items, from Old Florida coastal comfort food to Caribbean-inspired cuisine. Guests can enjoy such delectable dishes as Hey That Paella — the house specialty made with large shrimp, scallops, fresh fish, chicken, andouille sausage and shellfish — while dining in a tropical outdoor setting on the restaurant’s 60-seat patio and playing a game of ring toss. On the weekends, guests can even enjoy live music. sanibelislandcow.com

Savor beautiful waterfront views on the outside deck of Matanzas on the Bay

PierSide Grill and Famous Blowfish Bar prides itself on giving guests the “quintessential beachfront dining experience”