NAPLESILLUSTRATED.COM | SEPTEMBER 2019 107NI’s curated dining guide for Greater NAPLES
THE LISTINGS
The Naples area is packed with an abun-
dance of great eateries, serving up food
and drinks to satisfy every palate. Naples
Illustrated has rounded up details on can’t-
miss places for dining delights.= NI’s Dining Hall of Fame*
*Dining establishments that have won three or
more Dining Awards in the same category are
inducted into NI’s Dining Hall of Fame.AMERICAN
7TH AVENUE SOCIAL Eclectic Southern fare and craft
cocktails are best enjoyed on the outdoor patio. 849
Seventh Ave. S., Naples (7thavenuesocial.com)
BALEEN AT LAPLAYA BEACH & GOLF RESORT Dine
amid elegant tropical surroundings indoors or on
the patio to soak up the view. 9891 Gulf Shore Drive,
Naples (laplayaresort.com)
THE BEVY Everything old is new again at The Bevy,
where specialty cocktails cull inspiration from beloved
classics. 360 Twelfth Ave. S., Naples (naplesbevy.com)
BISTRO 821 A long-time favorite, thanks to executive
chef Jesse Housman’s natural fusion menu. 821 Fifth
Ave. S., Naples (bistro821.com)
BLUEBERRY’S RESTAURANT There’s something for
everyone at Blueberry’s, from a hearty skillet to anegg white scramble to pancakes. 3350 Tamiami Trail
N., Naples (blueberrys-restaurant.com)
ÌBOKAMPER’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL Kim Bokam-
per may have retired from football decades ago, but
he’s still scoring at his locations in Estero and North
Naples. 8990 Fontana Del Sol Way, Naples; 8001
Plaza Del Lago Drive, Estero (bokampers.com)
BRICKTOP’S Boasting classic American dishes and
an outstanding brunch featuring gems like brioche
French toast and a crab benedict. 5555 Tamiami
Trail N., Naples (bricktops.com)
BROOKS GOURMET BURGERS AND DOGS Brooks
augments its classic menu with exotic options like al-
ligator. 330 Ninth Street S.; 12655 Tamiami Trail E.; 843
Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples (brooksburgers.com)
COOPER’S HAWK WINERY Signature dishes paired
with Cooper’s Hawk wines. 11905 Tamiami Trail N.,
Naples (chwinery.com)
HAROLD’S PLACE A casual bar and grill that serves
burgers, seafood, and more in a tropical setting. 2555
Tamiami Trail N., Naples (naplesharoldsplace.com)
HOBNOB Savor elevated comfort food in a modern
yet warm atmosphere. 720 Fifth Ave. S., Naples
(hobnobnaples.com)
KC AMERICAN BISTRO As the name implies, Ameri-
can regional cuisine is on tap. 885 Vanderbilt Beach
Road, Naples (kcamericanbistro.com)
THE LOCAL Fresh, healthy meals dominate the menu,
and its brunch is one of the best in town. 5323 Airport
Pulling Road, Naples (thelocalnaples.com)
M WATERFRONT GRILLE This hot spot boasts con-
temporary decor, a view of the bay, attentive service,and fine cuisine. 4300 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples
(mwaterfrontgrille.com)
MICHELBOB’S CHAMPIONSHIP RIBS & STEAKS
This family-run restaurant offers a full bar and a com-
prehensive menu of barbecue favorites. 371 Airport
Pulling Road N., Naples (michelbobs.com)
RIDGWAY BAR & GRILL Master chef Tony Ridgway
continues wowing diners with classic American cuisine.
1300 Third St. S., Naples (ridgwaybarandgrill.com)
THE ROOSTER Serving Southern fare during breakfast
and lunch daily except Mondays, and dinner on Tues-
days and Fridays. 600 Goodlette Road N. Suite 101,
Naples (theroosternaples.com)
SEASONS 52 A rotating menu of healthy, seasonal
dishes and international wines. 8930 Tamiami Trail
N., Naples (seasons52.com)
SOUTH STREET GRILL Inspired by the bars on the Phil-
adelphia street of the same name, South Street pairs
home-style specialties with diverse live music. 1410 Pine
Ridge Road Suite 4, Naples (southstreetnaples.com)
ÌTAVERN ON THE BAY This popular sports bar
boasts huge televisions, great comfort food, and a
lovely view of the Gordon River. 489 Bayfront Place,
Naples (tavernonthebay.net)
ÌTOMMY BAHAMA RESTAURANT & BAR Born in
Naples, the Tommy Bahama laid-back lifestyle is full
throttle in this festive eatery and bar. 1220 Third St.
S., Naples (tommybahama.com)
TRUE FOOD KITCHEN This healthy national chain fea-
tures anti-inflammatory dishes that will make you feel
good from the inside out. 5375 Tamiami Trail N. Suite
15, Naples (truefoodkitchen.com/naples)TASTE TEST
Options for healthy eating in
Naples are expanding all the time,
with an emphasis on smoothies, bowls,
and beverages such as kombucha
and matcha. One category leader is
The Bowl, which offers a menu that
is 100-percent organic, vegan, and
dairy-free. Owner Kylee Brinkman
opened her first store on Pine Ridge
Road in 2016, followed by a second
location on Central Avenue. Both are
run “as green as possible,” to include
cups and bowls that are compostable.
“I lived in California for a while,
and when I moved back to Naples, Irealized what was missing here,” says
Brinkman. “We try to create a happy
and healthy environment. Beyond the
food, it’s really a complete lifestyle.”
The best seller among the açai
bowls is the AB&J, which puts a spin
on the classic PB&J by subbing in
almond butter. Of the pitaya bowls,
the favorite is the Islamorada (pitaya,
strawberries, banana, pineapple juice,
and coconut milk). For a smoothie, try
the Blueberry Brekkie (blueberries,
banana, granola, honey, and coconut
milk) or the Dirty Milkshake (açai,
cacao, almond butter, hemp protein,and hemp milk). There’s cold brew
coffee on tap, along with kombucha,
matcha, matcha lemonade, and a
matcha latte.
The Bowl attracts a younger crowd,
with the primary target market being
women between the ages of 24 and- It’s also a hangout for local middle
and high school students, something
Brinkman encourages. “I work with
all the schools and give away a lot
of sponsorships,” she says. “I’d much
rather see the kids in here than head-
ing for a fast food joint.” (the-bowl.com)
BOWL OVER