Happy New Year! Get set for a scrumptious smorgasbord of restaurants preparing to open in the Naples area in 2025.
January jam
The year begins with a series of restaurant newcomers setting tables for what is guaranteed to become a must-experience spread for Southwest Florida foodies.
Tigress, an open-air Cantonese chophouse, is coming in January atop the new Perry Hotel Naples, which will start welcoming guests this month to its highly visible location next to the Bay House at Walkerbilt Road and U.S. 41 in North Naples. Celebrity “Top Chef” Dale Talde plans to showcase his innovative culinary style with dishes such as dry-aged crown of duck, dry-aged beef potstickers and blue crab fried rice with jalapeño aioli. The new hotel also will launch its Easy Tiger rooftop lounge with a view of the Cocohatchee River and Gulf of Mexico.
Also in North Naples, Lujacks All-American Grill plans a mid-January launch in the former large space of The Pearl and Stonewood Tavern in Fountain Park at Airport-Pulling and Vanderbilt Beach roads. The remodeled full-service restaurant and lounge will be a tribute to Fighting Irish football legend and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Lujack.
The folks behind Seventh South Craft Food + Drink are planning to launch Seventh South Waterfront this month in the former spot of Three60 Market on Haldeman Creek off Bayshore Drive in East Naples. Fresh Catch Inland is the latest seafood bistro from prolific local restaurateur Franco Russo whose new place is in the former T42 and TGI Fridays outparcel on the northern edge of Coconut Point in Estero.
The creative team behind the legendary Sugarshack Sessions video platforms plans to share a new state-of-the-art experience in an ultra-cool setting that it’s bringing to life by the end of the month with the launch of the Sugarshack Downtown live music venue, a vibrant entertainment destination with a full-service restaurant, two full bars and a retail shop on Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs.
Sonny’s Pizzeria & Sports Bar will be the new name for the longtime Zookies Sports Bar & Grill off Immokalee Road in North Naples. With new ownership and a fresh name, expect a cosmetic rebrand and menu additions such as Chicago-style pizza.
Backyard Chick-n-Ribs plans to open in early January in the former Vegan Kitchen space in Neapolitan Way Plaza in Naples. GG Brunch Haus hopes to open a new breakfast-lunch spot this month in the former La Rosa Pizza place at Pelican Larry’s Plaza on Davis Boulevard in East Naples.
Two local eateries plan to open second locations this month. Jimmy P’s Burgers & More is coming soon to Vanderbilt Commons on Vanderbilt Beach Road in North Naples; Yacht Club Subs is expanding with a restaurant next to PJK on Fourth Avenue South in Old Naples.
RAVentures Hospitality Group plans to open two of its regional brands this month. Kelly’s Roast Beef is coming soon to a new outparcel location along U.S. 41 at the Gateway Shoppes at North Bay in North Naples; and Oar & Iron Raw Bar & Grill is targeted to open later this month near Topgolf in south Fort Myers.
Roadies Pit Stop is taking shape and opening soon on an outparcel in Founders Square at the corner of Immokalee Road and Collier Boulevard. A family-owned Asian fusion restaurant, Umami Ave, also is expected to open this month in the new Midtown Plaza in Ave Maria.
Tops in Naples
A few more fine-dining restaurants are coming in 2025 to the city of Naples.
Prime Social rooftop restaurant under construction high atop Chops City Grill will be the third upscale restaurant on Fifth Avenue South operated by Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, which also has Del Mar and Ocean Prime. Blackbird Modern Asian restaurant is being built out in the former longtime waterfront space of Bonefish Grill at Naples Bay Resort & Marina. Ce Soir Naples is bringing its modern French cuisine with Mediterranean flair to the former Southern Style Kitchen & Raw Bar in Bayfront.
Expect a restaurant to expand the former space of Old Naples Pub off Third Street South in downtown Naples. Other upscale restaurants are targeted in new local developments such as Four Seasons Resort at Naples Beach Club, Naples Square on Goodlette-Frank Road and the Old Naples Hotel on Third Street South.
The aviation-themed 7J7 Sky Lounge is scheduled to take flight this spring on the corner of First Avenue North and 10th Street North. Mimoto Omakase Cafe, a Japanese sushi and sake bar, is coming soon adjacent to Tong Yin, which share owners on U.S. 41 south of Central Avenue.
Roma Italian Bistro & Pizzeria is relocating blocks west on Fifth Avenue South to the former space of KJ Sushi & Asian Bistro and relaunching as Ottimo on 5th Cucina & Bar. Two pizzerias are shooting to open this spring in Naples; Mister O1 is readying its second location at Eleven Eleven Central, and a Long Island couple is creating a yet-unnamed slice shop in Shea’s former space off Fifth Avenue South.
North Naples newcomers
At least two high-end restaurants are coming to Waterside Shops. Restoration Hardware is planning a glass-roofed restaurant as the centerpiece to its RH Naples gallery proposed at the site of the former Nordstrom store. Darden Restaurants plans the first regional location of Eddie V’s Prime Seafood at an outparcel fronting Seagate Drive.
Across 41, The Carnelian boutique hotel proposed on the site of the former Beacon Bowl bowling alley plans an upscale restaurant. This project may not open to the public until early 2026.
Estia, a Greek-Mediterranean restaurant, is being built out in the former space of Bokamper’s Sports Bar & Grill on Vanderbilt Beach Road. In the adjacent Galleria Shoppes at Vanderbilt, expect the launch of Aufieri & Martinez Steakhouse, Boards & Bubbles, Crazy King Burrito and Tasia’s Cafe.
Coming to Mercato are Beeline, Shake Shack and Waxin’s. Connors Steak & Seafood is planned for an outparcel space in Granada Shoppes, while Sushi Sake is coming to Riverchase Plaza across the street. In Green Tree Center, Joey D’s Italian Restaurant & Bar is expanding and adding an adjacent Italian market, plus two other restaurants will be announced for new spaces on that corner.
In the new Tree Farm Plaza under construction at Immokalee Road and Collier Boulevard, Cava, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Riko’s Pizza are coming soon. Kitty-corner at Founders Square, Panda Express will be built on a new outparcel lot.
East Naples eats
Ascent at Metropolitan Naples, under construction on the corner of U.S. 41 East and Davis Boulevard, will have a yet-unnamed restaurant that is expected to open this year. East on Davis, Cafe Seabreeze and Sage Supper Club are preparing to open in Kings Lake Square and Pelican Larry’s Plaza, respectively.
The Hotel on Bayshore, an eight-suite boutique property being built on Bayshore Drive in East Naples will have a 155-seat restaurant on its ground floor. National chains planning new area locations are Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, Denny’s, Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders and Maple Street Biscuit Co.
Bonita bound
Some more new eateries coming to Bonita Springs include Canary Club Pizza & Cocktails, set to open in the newly built Waterline on Old 41 Road.
Naples-based Neapolitan Gourmet Italian Market & Deli is opening a second location soon in the former space of Mediterranean Paradise in Imperial Bonita Plaza at Imperial and Bonita Beach Road. Jimmy John’s sandwich shop coming freaky fast to Blackjack Pizza’s former location in Askar Center on U.S. 41.
Tenants announced as coming to Midtown at Bonita, the major mixed-use development under construction on the northwest corner of Bonita Beach Road at Bonita Grande Drive include The Hangry Bison restaurant, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Panera Bread and Jeff’s Bagel Run.
These are just the beginning, of course. Expect even more new dining spots this year.
The “Tim Aten Knows” weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at tim.aten@naplespress.com.
