Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Southwest Florida

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Southwest Florida? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Grill - The Ritz-Carlton, Naples

4.9

4.9 (1748)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Naples

About the restaurant

Voted Diners Choice Best Naples Restaurant by Open Table Diners.

A popular venue for sophisticated dining, The Grill features award winning steaks, cocktails and impeccable service that sets the standard for a five star experience.

The Grill is the perfect setting for an intimate dinner that slips into the late hours with menu selections including dry-aged beef, fresh seafood, seasonal favorites and a collection of international award-winning wines.

Top review

MoVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Food delicious, waitstaff fabulous, can’t wait to return.

Sale e Pepe - Marco Beach Ocean Resort

4.8

4.8 (3508)

$50 and over

Italian

Marco Island

About the restaurant

Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, the Sale e Pepe® dining room offers gourmet Italian cuisine and authentic ambiance that are simply sublime. The dining experience transports you to romantic Italy with surroundings of aged stone, marble floors, arabesque walls and hand-painted frescoes. Sale e Pepe offers authentic regional Italian cuisine with a focus on the culinary traditions
of Southern Italy.
The menu features heirloom recipes updated and complemented by South Florida’s fresh produce and seafood and pair it with wines from an extensive collection recognized by Wine Spectator magazine.
Indoor formal dining room requires dress code. Please review details for more information.

Top review

JeffreyVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Great ambiance, food and service! No complaints! Worth the trip!!

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5.0

5 (2420)

$31 to $50

French

Naples

About the restaurant

Following Hurricane, we will reopen on Friday, October 7th 2022. Please call us (239) 643-6177 for more details.
A chic Parisian-style bistro, Chez Boët serves authentic, market-inspired French classics such as Kobe boeuf bourguignon, bouillabaisse, orange duck, locally-sourced seafood, and cheese Fondue. Our menu is now 90% gluten-free and features Kobe beef, organic spices, and healthy French sea salt. The country-French cuisine is inspired by classic recipes of fresh seasonal ingredients handed down through generations of French home cooks. Mixologist Philippe recommends French aperitifs, his classic cocktails, digestifs or scotchs from the full bar. Warm service and designer decor create a welcoming ambiance perfect for an intimate dinner or for entertaining friends. An outdoor covered terrace has views of the waterfront village of Crayton Cove. Since 2003, Parisian imports Lisa and Philippe Boët have been organizing private parties for groups and celebrations.

Top review

TedVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Wonderful atmosphere, amazing food & great personalized service. From the bread to dessert & everything in between is delicious!

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Popular dish

Wagyu Boeuf Bourguignon

Crow's Nest Steakhouse

4.8

4.8 (524)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Captiva Island

About the restaurant

Open for dinner service from Tuesday -Saturday for guests aged 12 and over ONLY for this adult venue space. Children's menu and/or highchairs are not available.

Guests with small children, please visit our Old Captiva location as an option for upscale dining as children under 12 are not permitted in this intimate space.

The Crow's Nest has been reimagined into Captiva's only steakhouse featuring hand-cut prime steaks and chops and offering over 70+ whiskeys and classic cocktails with amazing views over the Gulf of Mexico. Reservations strongly suggested for what is sure to be Captiva's premier dining location. This is an experience restaurant where the food and spirits are guaranteed to tantalize the pallet.

*Resort appropriate upscale attire required for all guests

Top review

John

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

Dress code is NOT formal! It is resort casual. See restaurant web site.

El Basque

5.0

5 (285)

$31 to $50

Basque

Bonita Springs

About the restaurant

From the Latiknow Hospitality Group who first opened Bodega Ole ( No longer affiliated ) We now bring you the cuisine from the Basque Region of Spain and France... El Basque!
Located Steps away from the Prado Cinebistro in the Prado Mall.
Address is 25245 Chamber of Commerce Drive. Bonita Springs Fl 34135
An intimate setting with local art adorning the walls, makes El Basque the perfect date and intimate setting for your next special event and celebration.

We offer Catering | Private Cheffing

Top review

Iler

Dined 3 days ago

Outstanding experience as always. We celebrate our anniversary at this venue for the past 3 years, never disappoints. Great service, intimate atmosphere and the food and wine are excellent.

The Melting Pot - Ft Myers

4.8

4.8 (1134)

$50 and over

Fondue

Fort Myers

About the restaurant

There's just something about a fondue pot that invites conversation. Invites laughter. Invites coming together.

At The Melting Pot Restaurant, we offer a dining experience like no other. A unique, interactive dining experience creating memorable moments with family and friends. From the time the first piece of bread is dipped and the last piece of dessert is savored, you'll be graced with the time to discover new things about people you thought you knew. And, those you're getting to know.

We are the premier fondue restaurant where guests can enjoy a choice of fondue cooking styles and a variety of unique entrees, salads and indulgent desserts. It's up to you. Tailor your visit with a four-course dining experience including cheese fondue, salad, entree and dessert. Or, come by for fondue cheese paired with that perfect glass of wine from our extensive selection.

Top review

Shauna

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

Great staff and service. Jay did a great job serving and was friendly, and helpful. Great experience. Would highly recommend you give this restaurant a try.

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Experience

Christmas Eve Set Menu at The Melting Pot

Experience

New Year's Eve Dinner

The Veranda-Ft Myers

4.9

4.9 (1822)

$50 and over

Southern

Fort Myers

About the restaurant

FOR PARTIES OF 12 GUESTS OR MORE PLEASE CALL FOR RESERVATIONS.

Nestled in the heart of historic downtown Fort Myers. The Veranda will take you away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to a bygone era of Antebellum charm.

The Veranda's romantic setting in two turn-of-the-century homes, combined with our Southern Regional Cuisine, an extensive wine list, and first class service staff will provide you with the most unique dining experience in Southwest Florida.

Exceptional since 1978, The Veranda is consistently honored as one of the most award-winning restaurants in the area.

Join us and experience the romance, the history and the charm that is the Veranda!

Top review

RobinVIP

Dined 2 days ago

One of the nicest restaurants in Fort Myers. Definitely great for special occasions.

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Popular dish

Chateaubriand

Popular dish

Fresh Blue Crab Cakes

Popular dish

Grilled Filet Mignon

Sails Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (3821)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Naples

About the restaurant

Steps from Gulf Coast sunsets, Sails recalls the finest coastal flavors of France, Italy and Greece in each bite. Pairing the freshest food with exceptional five-star service amid beachy-chic décor, relaxed sophistication prevails at Sails, with a nod to the gracious manners of traditional fine dining, ever-so-slightly modernized. A display of whole fish delicacies from deep-azure seas are hand selected by each guest, then prepared to personalized perfection via wood-grilling or searing a la plancha. Sip craft cocktails or Sancerre while savoring just-shucked oysters at the sail-shaped hand-carved marble bar. Watch chefs in the open kitchen prepare tantalizing seafood towers. The menu encourages multitude courses in true European style starting with raw bar, crudo and tartares followed by luscious lobster or seared Kobé over just-picked organic produce. Elevated homemade pasta preludes composed seafood selections plus mouthwatering superior cuts of beef, redefining refined indulgence.

Top review

TedVIP

Dined 3 days ago

The service was outstanding and the food was delicious. We had a wonderful experience and look forward to dining at Sails again.

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Peppered Tuna Rossini

Mediterrano - Naples

4.8

4.8 (4962)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Naples

About the restaurant

Welcome to Mediterrano where we take a coastal approach to the splendor of Mediterranean cuisine. Our valued customers will find tantalizing dishes and extensive varietal wines from the coasts of Spain, Greece, Italy, Morocco and many more of the Mediterranean sea"s bordering countries. We invite you to come experience our culinary vision for coastal Mediterranean, where explosive flavor profiles are delicately balanced through a fresh regional platform. Mediterrano, where exquisite food is complimented with top class hospitality.

Top review

RobertVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Always friendly and helpful. Great place for dinner

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Experience

NEW YEAR'S 3-COURSE DINNER 2025

Harold's - Fort Myers

4.9

4.9 (420)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Villas

About the restaurant

Harold's is synonymous with Ft. Myers. Chef Harold Balink has been feeding folks in the area for 30 years. This latest venture is farm to table with eclectic American cuisine. Complete made from scratch kitchen with influences from around the globe and a full display pastry station. Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday it is the place too dine, celebrate, explore, imbibe or just have fun. Full service, full liquor, extensive global wine list with exceptional service staff. You are treated like family. Best New Restaurant, Golden Spoon, James Beard recognition, Top Tripadvisor are some of many accolades.

Top review

Ebron

Dined 1 day ago

Heather our server was excellent. The drinks are amazing and the food and deserts have every detail. Will return more often thank you !

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