Waterside Dining on Marco Island

There are several options for dining on Marco Island if you're looking for beautiful views of the bays and Gulf.  I will cover a small part of the west side of the island in this blog.  Your choices begin with the shopping and dining destination known as The Esplanade Shoppes.  There are 3 restaurants to choose from located on beautiful Smokehouse Bay.  The first is CJ's on the Bay.  Featuring a large outdoor gazebo bar with nightly happy hour specials, it also includes outdoor tableside seating and a beautiful indoor restaurant as well.  Live entertainment is also presented Thursdays-Saturdays and their food is spectacular.  Chef Laura offers pasta and seafood entrees as well as burgers, pizza and a wide variety of salads.  Next door is Tara Steak and Lobster House.  As it's name implies, steak and lobster are offered on the menu as well as fresh fish dishes, crab cakes and a steakhouse potato platter.  Wine is featured here as well as evidenced by Tara's Wine Spectator Award from 2004-2010.  You can enjoy the awesome views al fresco or inside.  Last but not least is Mango's Dockside Bistro.  Offering everything from seafood, including sushi, to burgers and wraps, Mango's is a fun, casual spot to hang out and enjoy a nice frozen cocktail with incredible views.  Also offering indoor or outdoor dining, Mango's is where you go to relax and eat great food.

  Heading south from the Esplanade, you will come to the Marco Beach Ocean Resort.  You don't have to stay there to enjoy their fine dining options.  Sale e Pepe, known on Marco Island as one of the best places to take friends and loved ones for special occasions, offers delicious foods created by Italian chef, Giuliano Matarese.  Featuring Italian dishes and spectacular wine selections as well as amazing views of the Gulf, your night will be unsurpassed.  Also located within Sale e Pepe is a more casual dining experience known as The Saletta.  With large windows overlooking the Gulf and terrace, you'll love the food as well as the bar.  Chalet, Dunnfoire and Surf Club are all within walking distance of the Resort.  For more information on any of these restaurants, contact us anytime!