Elevated dining was the theme for many of the restaurants that launched in the Naples area during the first quarter of 2024. Here’s a quick look back at the many local eateries that kicked off the new year. 

Naples high life 

While not exactly button-up, many new dining spots during the first three months of the year are casually attracting serious foodies with upscale presentations. They follow the lead of Le Colonial Naples, Warren Naples and Limón Rooftop which all launched in December.  

January offerings included Phelan Family Brands’ Keewaydin’s on Fifth replacing Yabba Island Grill on Fifth Avenue South in Naples; Unidos, a modern Latin fusion kitchen and bar in the former space of Starbucks and Valento’s Pizza on the corner of U.S. 41 and Central Avenue in Naples; J. Alexander’s, an American chain in the former North Naples spot of the longtime Buca di Beppo Italian restaurant on U.S. 41 just south of Vanderbilt Beach Road; The Syren Oyster & Cocktail Bar on 10th Street South at the historic Old Naples waterfront on Naples Bay; and Nolita, the latest Italian offering at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples. In March, LoLa 41 brought its international cuisine to a new spot at Ninth Street South and Sixth Avenue South; and 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill opened in the new all-suite Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Naples, the former Staybridge Suites on U.S. 41. 

Smooth transitions 

Flo’s Clam Shack, a popular Rhode Island eatery, replaced Bamz on U.S. 41 East in East Naples. Suga Suga Naples moved into Carole’s House Cafe 2 this season with a similar business in The Strand retail center off Immokalee Road in North Naples. Naples Coastal Kitchen relocated north along U.S. 41 from North Naples to the former Cirella’s in The Prado in Bonita Springs. 

Seeing double 

Floridita Cuban Cafe, which has had a longtime bakery and restaurant in Golden Gate, launched two more locations this season in Collier County. One opened in January in Trinity Plaza on the corner of U.S. 41 and Third Avenue North in Naples; and the other moved into the former Industry Pizza spot in February on Pine Ridge Road in North Naples. 

Osteria Capri expanded beyond the Isles of Capri with a second Italian restaurant opening in February on Marco Island. Crave Cookies launched a location in January along Ben Hill Griffin Parkway in Estero, followed by another two months later on Naples Boulevard in North Naples.  

Pizza parties 

Naples newcomer Bruno’s Italian Kitchen & Pizzeria just opened last week in Tanglewood Marketplace, the center anchored by Outback Steakhouse and Snyderman’s Shoes on U.S. 41 in Naples. The new restaurant specializes in Brooklyn, New York-style pizza and Italian favorites. 

Donatos Pizza, a chain based in Columbus, Ohio, opened its first area location in February in the former space of Naples Flatbread on Naples Boulevard in North Naples. 

Three area pizzerias closed near the end of January. Samuel Mancino’s Pizza & Grinders closed after operating more than three years in Vanderbilt Commons in North Naples. 

PizzaJones! shuttered its locations at Bayfront in Naples and off Collier Center Way in North Naples. 

Drink to that 

A few new places that promote beverages also serve some food. They include Acopio coffee shop, that opened on U.S. 41 south of Pine Ridge Road in Naples; Tempest Tea, which replaced Mila Bistro in Naples Walk on the southeast corner of Airport-Pulling and Vanderbilt Beach roads in North Naples; and Beyond Juicery + Eatery, which opened its first Florida location in the Publix-anchored Naples Plaza where Golden Gate Parkway meets U.S. 41. 

More Collier 

Bontà Bakery, another Italian venue from the folks behind nearby Caffe Milano, started in February in the former longtime space of Regina’s Ice Cream Pavilion on Fifth Avenue South in Naples.  

Imperio Taqueria was one of the first area restaurants to open this year. The Mexican restaurant filled the Vampire Penguin space in the Shoppes at Vanderbilt in North Naples. 

East Naples residents were sad to see the longtime Perkins Restaurant & Bakery permanently close March 24 at 4335 Tamiami Trail E., East Naples. The closing was a lease-driven decision, said Geoff Maltby, regional director for Perkins Restaurants at JDK Management Inc. The franchisee doesn’t have plans to open another area location, but its other longtime Perkins in Collier County remains open on Pine Ridge Road in North Naples. 

Kruk’s Philly Steaks also closed last week after operating for seven years on Naples Boulevard in North Naples. 

More Lee 

Rooftop at Riverside rolled out five food trucks and a two-story bar in January on Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs. Banh Mi & Tea opened an Estero location in February at Miromar Outlets. Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant just launched its dinner service on Sanibel Island.  

Other January openings include Eastwood 77 Bar & Grill and La Fontanella Ristorante in Fort Myers, and Love Boat Ice Cream, BARunch and Bimini Bites Home of The Flying Dog in Cape Coral.  

February launches include Magic Bus Ice Cream and Caffeine on Sanibel; Pi Theory and El Estadio Latin Sports Bar & Grill in Fort Myers; and Checkers, Outback Steakhouse, The Goombah Pizzaiolo and The Hungry Captain in Cape Coral.  

March openings include Hooked Island Grill and Let’s Waffle in Cape Coral, Lombardough’s in San Carlos Park and Taco Works in downtown Fort Myers.  

Three Lee County venues that reopened in March are Nevermind Awesome Bar & Eatery in Cape Coral, Over Easy Cafe on Sanibel and The Waterfront Restaurant in St. James City. Lion’s Den Bar & Grill in Cape Coral closed in March but reopened in I Ragazzi Pizza; then I Ragazzi Pizza permanently closed. I Heart Mac & Cheese closed this season in Cape Coral after opening, closing and reopening in 2023. LJ’s Lounge in Fort Myers Shores permanently closed after operating for more than 30 years. 

Burger prices 

Can you judge a place by its burger? Without a taste test, here are the burgers and their prices and descriptions from dinner menus of upscale restaurants that launched in Naples in 2024. 

$28 – LoLa 41’s The LoLa Burger (Cabot cheddar cheese, red onion compote, foie gras sauce, English muffin) 

$24 – Keewaydin’s Signature Smash Burger (double 5-ounce beef patties, provolone, lettuce, maduros, caramelized onions, tamarind aioli, toasted brioche bun) 

$24 – Unidos’ Unidos Burger (ground chuck and brisket patty, provolone cheese, eggplant mayo, caramelized onions and yuca fries) 

$22 – The Syren Smashburger (twin patties, house pickles, American cheese, Syren sauce on potato bun; served with crispy hot Syren frites) 

$20 – J. Alexander’s Old Fashioned Cheeseburger (served “all the way,” aged Tillamook cheddar with french fries) 

$16.99 – Compass by Margaritaville – 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill’s 5 O’Clock Burger (Choice Premium burger, grilled ham, American cheese, over-easy egg and mayo; served with french fries or cole slaw) 

Flip side 

On the flip side, here are burger prices at a few other new eateries in the Naples area: 

$12 – Butcher’s Blvd’s Smash Burger at Rooftop at Riverside (Wagyu beef patties, American cheese, grilled red onion, lettuce, tomato, B&B pickle, paradise sauce) 

$7.25 – Flo’s Clam Shack’s Juicy Cheeseburger (7-ounce Angus patty with the works) 

$5.50 – Floridita’s La Frita Cubana Burger (beef, pork, Spanish sauce, onions and potato sticks) 

The “Tim Aten Knows” weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at tim.aten@naplespress.com.