Michael A Caronchi (© Michael Caronchi, Caronchi Photography)
Caronchi_Photography_170415_4748OutdoorPatio
The outdoor dining patio at The French in Naples. Photo courtesy Caronchi Photography.
Editor's Note: Every year as part of our Best of the Gulfshore issue, Food and Wine Editor Dorothea Hunter Sönne cultivates an All-Star team, so to say, of the Southwest Florida restaurants that consistently offer the best dining experiences. Here is her list for 2019.
21 Spices by Chef Asif: This isn't your average curry house (although you can get great chicken tikka masala and garlic naan)—expect soaring ceilings, sleek decor and a full bar. Dining review
Angelina’s Ristorante: Fine dining in plush banquettes with an award-winning wine list. Best Bite
Azure: Delectable French cuisine offering everything from filet mignon to quail. Dining review
The Bay House: Located in a quiet mangrove-filled setting with a Southern-influenced menu. Best Waterfront Dining
Bha! Bha! Persian Bistro: Exquisite Persian cuisine offering a wide variety of creative dishes. Dining review
Bleu Provence: Take a tour of southern France in the heart of Old Naples at Bleu Provence with its amazing food and a stunning wine list. Creating Paradise From Scratch
Campiello: Traditional Italian with a contemporary interpretation at a favorite hot spot. Best Dining with a View
The Continental: Top-quality cuts of steak from around the globe are enhanced by modern decor, private cabanas and a cocktail lab. Dining review
Dusk: A sleek sushi bar with excellent cocktails. The Best Hotel Restaurants
Fish Tale Grill: Starting with fresh fish from an adjacent market, many popular items here, like coconut shrimp, seared ahi and blackened mahi mahi, earn descriptions like “the best I ever ate” from diners who voyage to this understated spot on the Cape. Best New Restaurants 2014
The French: This is celebrated local chef Vincenzo Betulia’s newest eatery; expect exquisite escargots and steak tartare in a buzzworthy atmosphere. Dining Review
Fuse Global Cuisine: Chef Greg Scarlatos blends cuisines from around the world into a cohesive menu. In 2018, he expanded the restaurant and added a barbecue-themed lunch service. Dining review
Il Cielo: Eclectic fare with a choice of fine or more casual dining. Meals that say, 'I Love You'
Jimmy P’s Charred: Naples' favorite butcher debuted this intimate, casually elegant steakhouse next door specializing in signature cuts of the finest wagyu. Dining review
La Trattoria Café Napoli: Known for its paella, this Spanish restaurant also features a variety of pasta, meat and seafood dishes. How Gloria Jordan de Cabral Became Restaurant Royalty
The Local: Fresh, healthy cuisine locally sourced from farm and sea. Dining review
M Waterfront Grille: Tapas, organic meats and produce. Features a full-service bar and terrace. Dining review
Mad Hatter: Whimsical, exquisite fine dining from amuse bouche to sweet ending. Arrive early for a glass of wine on the sand (no outdoor seats). Best Waterfront Dining
Osteria Tulia: Enjoy Sicilian-inspired dishes in a farmhouse Italian setting or the Bar Tulia gastropub. Dining review
Ridgway Bar & Grill: A quintessential Old Naples restaurant with creative American fare. Forty Years of Delicious Dishes
Sea Salt: Organic produce and naturally raised ingredients. Dedicated to seafood and its accompaniments. A Week of Dream Dining
Sweet Melissa’s: Dine on watermelon salad with mozzarella or the big-eye tuna tartare. Chef Named James Beard Award Semifinalist
A Table Apart: International cuisine ranging from Pan-Asian to Pacific Rim. Best Bite
Timeless—An MHK Eatery: Gourmet sandwiches and elevated gastropub fare (including thin- crust pizzas) from former Truluck’s chef David Nelson. Dining Review
USS Nemo: Seafood, ethnic specialties, sashimi and chicken tandoori from a classically trained chef who is among the best in Southwest Florida. When Money's No Object
The Veranda: Dine on filet mignon and veal while surrounded by lush foliage. Dining review
Veranda E: Courtyard setting and menu with both Asian and French influences. Dining with a View
Wyld’s Café: Three chefs join forces for a modern American fine-dining experience at a reasonable price. Best Small Bites