Hotel Blog

Fort Myers and Sanibel: The Brunch Guide

• April 15, 2016

Brunch: it may be a small word, for foodies, it’s loaded with meaning.
It’s neither breakfast nor lunch and it’s typically eaten later than the former and earlier than the latter. It could be a buffet or a from-the-menu affair and it’s almost always washed down with adult beverages.
Whatever it means to you, it’s savored slowly on weekends – or, for those lucky enough to be on vacation, leisurely weekdays – and the Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel have plenty of establishments that understand how to provide a satisfying brunch. Here are some of our favorites…

Fort Myers

Artisan Eatery: From 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, enjoy bottomless mimosas along with the chef’s creations, such as truffled Benedict (poached eggs on a croissant with prosciutto and truffle hollandaise), house-made pastrami hash, house-made granola and Greek yogurt, breakfast burritos, lobster rolls, Cubans, burgers, cheesesteaks, salads, flatbreads and freshly baked pastries – do not skip dessert here.
Bistro 41: This Bell Tower Shops institution serves brunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays, with items such as French onion soup, Asian calamari, steak and eggs, quiche, burgers, mahi tacos, and other hearty selections and a choice of dining indoors or out.
Crave: On Sundays, the breakfast/brunch menu is served 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. (and on most days it’s available until 4 p.m.). Omelets abound, along with shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy, salmon hash, a variety of Benedicts, quiche, filet and eggs and other stick-to-your-ribs dishes.

Fort Myers Beach

Bayfront Bistro: All weekend, from 11 a.m. to 2:30- p.m., this elegant waterfront bistro serves lobster bisque, avocado grilled cheese, huevos ranchero, chilaquiles, French toast filled with ham, Swiss cheese and ranch dressing, grouper sandwiches, salads, Oaxaca mahi tacos and more along with a full selection of cocktails, wine and beer.
Jack’s Farm to Fork: The premier dining spot at Pink Shell Beach Resort offers a daily buffet featuring waffles with assorted toppings, made-to-order omelets, fresh baked goods, steel-cut oatmeal, home-fried potatoes and a prime view of the Gulf of Mexico.

Sanibel/Captiva

Blue Coyote Supper Club: Surrounded by the phantasmagorical and anthropomorphic paintings and sculptures of artist Marcus Pierson – known for his coyote art, from which the bistro/bar draws its name – guests are lavished with hospitality and can dine on dishes such as eggs Benedict, PB&J French toast and Dutch babies as well as a hearty bacon and egg bloody Marys or bottomless mimosas from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.
Il Cielo:  Sunday brunch (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) is taken seriously here with dishes such as fried green tomato Benedict, Belgian waffles, corned beef hash, house-cured lox and bagel, cast-iron bacon and cheddar frittata, jumbo lump crab cakes and shrimp and grits.
Thistle Lodge: Smoked salmon or crab cakes? Gumbo or lobster bisque? It’s hard to decide how to begin brunch at the charming beach-front Thistle Lodge. Any of those choices are apt to be good ones and will be satisfactory warmups for entrees such as prime rib, Casa Ybel Sardou (poached eggs, artichoke bottoms, spinach, hollandaise and Holland rusk), Creole shrimp pappardelle, or the Thistle Benedict. Omelets, waffles and pancakes, cheese grits and, of course, adult beverages served, too.

Are you on the search for the best brunch in Fort Myers and Sanibel? Book yourself a stay at the beachfront Best Western PLUS Beach Resort Hotel and follow your taste buds. And after a satisfying brunch, it’s the ideal place to chill out and enjoy the uninterrupted views of the Gulf of Mexico from your private balcony.