5 days ago
Wait, let me take a selfie: 12 restaurants across Southwest Florida perfect for photos
In Southwest Florida, restaurants don't just come with fabulous food. You'll find vibrant vibes and gorgeous views that make for spectacular photos, too.
Whether you're going out with your friends, partner, or just yourself, here are 12 restaurants from Cape Coral to Naples that have picture-perfect backdrops for selfies to level up your social media.
Backyard Social, Fort Myers
This nearly 2-year-old hotspot has something for everyone, with drinks, food trucks, TVs, and games all under one roof. Backyard Social hosts events often too, ranging from game nights to watch parties to exercise classes.
There's plenty of seating in the casual, spacious area, perfect for hanging out and chilling with friends and family. The decor is bright and colorful — a cheery modern backdrop for candid or posed photos.
With several food trucks rolling in, your visit can taste different every time. (16371 Corporate Commerce Way, Fort Myers; 239-703-7077;
Blackbird Modern Asian, Naples
Blackbird is the newest addition to Fifth Avenue South, bringing a new modern Asian menu to Naples. The upscale restaurant has received high praise since it opened at Naples Bay Resort in June. There's one other Blackbird, located on the other coast of Florida in Jupiter.
The interior is dark and moody, pulling inspiration from Asian culture while maintaining a Miami vibe. A brightly lit cherry blossom tree is the statement piece inside Blackbird, showcasing the intentional design choices from the restaurant group's partners.
If you're looking for something new to try, the Peking duck ($95) is a Chinese specialty that takes days to create. It's a whole duck, served with a Chinese pancake, Beijing garnish, and hoisin sauce. The menu has all sorts of Asian cuisine, ranging from Dan Dan noodles ($20) to orange chicken ($25) to Pad Thai ($24). (1500 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-944-2473;
Blossom & Brie, North Fort Myers
This farm-to-table gem is an actual working farm with one of our favorite open-air restaurants around. And that's just part of the fun.
You can wander the farm if you'd like to, catching glimpses of cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, ducks, donkeys, and other kinds of wildlife that stop by.
It provides a lovely setting for Instagram-worthy photos. There's a reason it's a popular wedding venue.
While there, look for (and get a selfie with!) Moo, a humongous steer and former Chick-fil-A mascot, and, of course, Blossom (the family matriarch donkey usually in an enclosure a stone's throw from the restaurant) and Brie (a Jersey dairy cow often hanging with the chickens at the upper part of the driveway).
You'll need to make a reservation to enjoy the farmside dining experience, which you can do online at (8250 Nalle Grade Road, North Fort Myers; 239-385-0415;
The Boba Shop, Bonita Springs
This Bonita Springs-based shop went viral for its Dubai chocolate bars and strawberry cups, bringing in over 14,000 Instagram followers and millions of views on TikTok.
Inside The Boba Shop, you'll find a cute boba-themed mural and a ceiling filled with hanging colorful spheres. Seating is limited due to the size of the shop, but the drinks are worth it.
Standout drinks include the taro boba, matcha boba, and the elusive cereal milk explosion, which is only available for limited time periods.
Right now, The Boba Shop is also selling the latest adorably creepy viral internet trend: Labubus. (27975 Old 41 Road, Suite 109, Bonita Springs; 646-500-2933; @thebobashopbonita on Instagram)
The Bubble Room, Captiva
Just about every inch of this eclectic wonder is photo worthy. Snap a shot in the Tunnel of Love or bending the bars in Bo-Bo's gorilla cage. Or pose beside a replica Humphrey Bogart or a dive suit in the Nemo room. With thousands of antique toys, old Hollywood memorabilia and Christmas lights, you'll want your camera at the ready.
And when you're not snapping shots of the decor, the decadent and colorful layer cakes are also worth a photo or two.
After being closed for years after Hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton, this Captiva gem is back and ready for its closeups. It's open daily for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 4:30-9 p.m. (15001 Captiva Drive, Captiva; 239-472-5558; follow on Facebook)
Cabbage Key Bar and Restaurant, offshore of Pine Island
Boaters have been visiting this slice of old Florida paradise for decades.
The Dollar Bill Bar is a main attraction with more than 65,000 customer-signed bills blanketing the walls and ceilings at any given time. Famous visitors range from Ernest Hemingway to Julia Roberts.
And if guests aren't adding their own dollar to the enormous collection, they're taking photos of it all.
This remote gem also serves a char-grilled cheeseburger that's well known too — Jimmy Buffett, who was a frequent guest, may or may not have sung about. And before you get back on the boat, snap more photos outside of this historic inn and restaurant that dates back to the mid-1940s. It's as old Florida as it gets. (Accessible only by boat at Channel Marker 60 in Pine Island Sound, 4.5 miles west of Pineland; 239-283-2278;
Escondido Lounge, Fort Myers
This two-story speakeasy in downtown is visually stunning.
A soothing red glow washes throughout the inviting space and over a row of lush velvet love seats fronted by the glossy chic tables. An immense wall of backlit mirrors reflects an elaborately stunning 6-foot-tall red chandelier suspended above the gorgeous U-shape bar.
The loft at the top of a mirrored stairway is complete with a shag rug, mirrored ceiling, disco ball and other groovy décor, including an old TV and record player.
And then there's the Safari room — a comfortable forest-green space with couches, glass tables and flamingo-decorated wallpaper.
Needless to say, all of this is the perfect backdrop for photos. Throw a craft cocktail into the shot and it really is picture perfect. (1617 Hendry St., Unit 102, Fort Myers — go through Taco Works; 239-822-2833; or follow on Facebook and Instagram)
Fogg Cafe at Naples Botanical Garden, Naples
Fogg Cafe is inside the Naples Botanical Garden, at the Eleanor and Nicholas Chajabra Visitor Center. Your dining experience will be immersive, with some of the best views of the garden.
The Fogg menu changes seasonally, offering quality dishes and moderate pricing. Standout menu items include the hand-cut fries with steak seasoning ($11), mango chicken salad ($19), and Fogg burger made with Wagyu beef ($21).
Make sure you take advantage of all the beautiful natural backdrops for selfies or group shots. (5030 Bayshore Drive, Naples; 800-435-7372;
Forever Fiore Tea Lounge, Naples
Forever Fiore was originally born in 2018 as a luxury floral boutique in Fort Myers. The company expanded and opened a breakfast, lunch, and brunch restaurant in Naples, allowing visitors to experience a proper tea party.
Located in downtown Naples, you'll step into "Whimsical Brew Haven," which meshes the intimate charm of a tea lounge with the buzz of a modern cafe.
If you want to try a little bit of everything, order the tier ($65). You'll be served a three-tier stand with vanilla cardamon and scones served with rose petal, jam, and butter, petite four, salmon and creme cheese, chicken curry salad, and ricotta truffle honey and walnut. It's only available on Thursday and Sunday.
It's colorful and moody inside the tea house, with beautiful floral accents and furniture with personality. Every corner of the restaurant makes for a great selfie backdrop, but even a shot as simple as posing with your carefully crafted treats will be perfect for Instagram. (970 Fifth Ave. N., Naples; 855-640-0334;
Jungle Bird Tiki, Cape Coral
This authentic tiki bar in South Cape gives major island vibes, with luscious greenery everywhere you look, cool tiki heads, and colorful neon signs adorning the walls.
Jungle Bird Tiki's food and drinks are just as photogenic as the decor, with island-inspired dishes made fun with flavor, color, and texture. No matter what kind of food you're in the mood for, there's something on the menu you'll crave. Top contenders include grilled steak tacos ($15), Korean beef nachos ($19), and sesame katsu chicken skewers ($13).
Drinks are served in unique tiki glasses, which are perfect for an Instagram story photo.
It's the perfect spot for a date night or a girls' night out. (1520 Lafayette Street, Cape Coral; 239-471-4111;
Limon Rooftop Bar, Naples
Rooftop bars always make for great selfies, but Limon's modern decor and atmosphere make the entire place radiate with cool vibes.
Inside you'll find a clean, modern dining experience with neon signs, neutral furniture, and picture-perfect drinks.
Enjoy a gorgeous rooftop sunset view, plus a beautiful blue pool ― all while you have a drink in your hand. (455 12th St. S., Naples; 239-944-3755;
The Turtle Club, Naples
The Turtle Club will seat you with your toes in the sand on Vanderbilt Beach. The longtime staple, dating back to 1998, is one of the only restaurants in Naples that is actually on the beach, rather than just offering a beach view.
No matter what time of day, The Turtle Club gives you a beautiful backdrop for photos. You can check their live video feeds to see what the weather is like before driving over.
The restaurant is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 5-9 p.m. You can't make a reservation for lunch, but dinner reservations are strongly recommended.
The lunch menu includes classics like blackened fish tacos and a classic beach burger, plus lighter options like salads, soups, and sandwiches. Expect a plethora of seafood dishes for dinner, ranging from appetizers for the table to specialty fish entrees. (9225 Gulf Shore Drive, Naples; 239-592-6557;
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Picture-perfect restaurants for selfies from Naples to Cape Coral
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