Looking for good local restaurants? (Cape Coral, Fort Myers: crime, cheap house, neighborhoods)

[str8data1]

[SIZE=3]My wife and I are going down to Cape Coral/Ft. Myers area this weekend to scout a few neighborhoods. We are looking for suggestions for local restaurants. We are looking for something casual, maybe on the water, and of course great food. We are also looking for a cool little sports bar or something any suggestions would be great. It really doesn't matter where; we will be all over CC and FM. Is there any type of “down town” area like “Las Olas” or “Riverwalk” in Ft. Lauderdale? Where do the locals go for entertainment? [/SIZE]

[tjstrain]

look up Rumrunners, it's on the water in southern cape coral. Nice beachy restaurant/bar.

[tjstrain]

Locals go to the Gulfcoast town center, or Coconut point Mall in Estero. Downtown Ft Myers closes down after 5 pm. Clubs are closing weekly there.

[tjstrain]

Watch out for cheap houses in vacant area's. Lehigh acres, Parts of Cape Coral.... lots of crime and breakins.

[str8data1]

Thank you for the suggestions. We are definately staying away from lehigh acres. We are targeting SE & SW CC. We are also loking at FM but will have a better idea once we get down there. Thanks again for the help. Are there any zip codes in FM to avoid?

[ruth giordano]

Yes the Rumrunners restaurant is right on a water way it is in Cape Coral Fl also downtown South Cape area has my favorite Italian restaurant called Maria's restaurant & pizza both are in the newest phone book

[kroeran]

also consider a short strip of patio restaurants right at the FM beach pier, Parrot Key on San Carlos, and if you are up for a short drive, the sports bar at the end of fisherman's wharf at punta gorda, stilts waterfront at Marco Island, bubble room at Captiva, 5th avenue Naples, docs beach house bonita, turtle club naples....

for neighourhoods, check out Paseo, take Daniels north just short of interstate, left on Palimino, left on Penzance

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by str8data1

Thank you for the suggestions. We are definately staying away from lehigh acres. We are targeting SE & SW CC. We are also loking at FM but will have a better idea once we get down there. Thanks again for the help. Are there any zip codes in FM to avoid?

It's difficult to answer this without offending some people. However, since you asked, I would avoid East Fort Myers and Tice. I don't care for North Fort Myers much either, although there are some nice communities there. South Fort Myers is the nicest part of Fort Myers IMO. It all depends on your price range and personal preferences.

So many places have closed that it's difficult to suggest anything. If you want waterfront, I like the Lighthouse Restaurant in Fort Myers. I'm not so sure I'd call it casual, however. Sorry, it's been a while, but maybe someone else can tell you if this is still a nice place. I only mentioned it because of the pretty view & nice atmosphere.

Originally Posted by tjstrain

look up Rumrunners, it's on the water in southern cape coral. Nice beachy restaurant/bar.

Took me a while, but now I remember this place. It's in Cape Harbour, right? Yes, I agree this is a nice place to go.

[NJ~LuLu]

Also in Cape Harbor, try "The Joint" there is an outside Tiki Hut overlooking the inside of the marina, or they have inside dining. Nice shops to stroll about. Check out Pisano's Italian market, nice little indoor place for lunch, great menu. Thirsty's is also a few blocks away. We love Red's, heading toward Bokelia. Not on the water, but food is excellent, may be pricey depending on your tastebuds. Huge Menu. Moretti's in Matlacha, outside deck and of course the famous Bert's, don't know why, I could never get a place to park, LOL... Have fun and Good Luck

[justNancy]

Can anyone here recommend Sandy Hook to str8data1? As I said before, it's been a while since I dined out. It's in Matlacha and has a nice atmosphere - right on the water.