The end-of-the year goal is to always provide a holiday gift to readers by smoothly wrapping up everything by publishing a succinct list of all of the local restaurants that launched that calendar year. That’s easier said than done, though, because of early holiday deadlines and so many restaurateurs jockeying to open under the wire in an 11th-hour burst of activity. While it’s difficult to put a big bow on it, here we go.

December flurry

We are still experiencing a flurry of December openings that haven’t been appropriately introduced in some cases, but some fresh local restaurants are visible through the whiteout conditions.

Blue Sky Restaurant opened Dec. 7 in the former space of Franklin Social on the northeast corner of Goodlette-Frank and Pine Ridge roads in North Naples.

Coconut Point had two major restaurants open this month. Real Seafood Co., which closed this summer after operating in North Naples for 20 years, opened a new location Dec. 11 in the large former space of Bokamper’s Sports Bar & Grill in the Estero mall. After launching PJK Neighborhood Chinese in downtown Naples in 2023, Paul Fleming opened the second location of the elevated Asian restaurant on Dec. 19 in the former Coconut Point location of The Saloon and Blue Water Bistro.

In mid-December, Tokyo Nikkei Restobar quietly opened in Gulf Coast Town Center. The venue features a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian flavors in the former space of Blu Sushi and Brahma Sushi. It joins Hummus Republic which launched this fall in GCTC.

Maine Shack, that used to have the lobster roll food truck at Celebration Park, now has a New England seafood restaurant specializing in lobster rolls, clam chowder and fried clams; it opened in late December in the former spot of Kruk’s Philly Steaks off Naples Boulevard in North Naples. Airport Donuts just opened in a former 7-Eleven store next to Spanky’s Speakeasy on Airport-Pulling Road in East Naples. Expanding on his North Naples takeout business, Brooklyn-born Donato Crichigno launched D & Son Pizzeria & Deli this month at Flamingo Island Flea Market on Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs.

At press time, a few local restaurants still were awaiting final inspections and trying to launch by year’s end in North Naples. These include Bella Atalia Ristorante, an Italian restaurant coming to the former spot of Real Seafood Co.; Sushi Sake, a Miami-based Japanese dining concept coming to the Riverchase Plaza space of the former Chicken Salad Chick; and Waxin’s Swedish-American restaurant, coming to the former spot of The Counter at Mercato in North Naples.

Notable newcomers

Great Wolf Lodge South Florida resort and waterpark launched this fall in City Gate with a pack of eateries inside open to the public, including Dunkin’, Fireside, The Hungry Wolf Food Hall, Timbers Table & Kitchen and Wood’s End Creamery.

Naples-based Paul Fleming Restaurant Group launched three new local dining spots in the area. Lake Park Diner launched a second location in May at Founders Square; Paulitas Taqueria opened this summer on Third Avenue North in Naples; and the second location of PJK came to Coconut Point.

The prolific culinary team behind Ichi Togarashi launched two more Asian-fusion restaurants — Tong Yin and Sendo de Cafe — nearby in downtown Naples. A fourth is coming in 2025.

The upscale Soluna Restaurant & Bar breathed new life into the former longtime space of Stoney’s Steakhouse at Bayfront in Naples.

New elevated dining options include Keeywaydin’s on Fifth, LoLa 41, The Syren Oyster & Cocktail Bar and Unidos Latin Kitchen & Bar, which all opened in the city of Naples; Nolita at Ritz-Carlton, Naples and J. Alexander’s Restaurant came to North Naples.

Petar’s in the Center of Bonita Springs doubled its space by expanding into a neighboring unit. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and Tap 42 Craft Kitchen + Bar replaced the longtime Silverspot Cinema and AZN Azian Cuizine, respectively, at Mercato.

Name game

Business transactions this year resulted in seamless transitions of some hospitality concepts.

Cav’s Kitchen and Cocktails, a new neighborhood hangout, carries on the legacy of Joey D’s Italian Restaurant & Bar on Marco Island with a full bar and menu of pasta, pizza, sandwiches, wraps, steaks, chicken and seafood dishes. Meanwhile, the original Joey D’s is expanding its space and concept at Green Tree Center in North Naples.

Scorecard Social brought a new name and game this fall to the sports bar and grill that had been Stevie Tomato’s Sports Page for more than 15 years in Pebblebrooke Center.

Kandela Tacos & Tequilas is the new name for the former La Santa Tacos & Tequilas, and retains the same owners and menu in North Naples. Naples Coastal Kitchen moved north to Bonita Springs but kept its Neapolitan name.

Doubling up

Many restaurant concepts launched additional locations.

Golden Gate-based Floridita Cuban Cafe opened new locations in both Naples and North Naples. Osteria Capri on Isles of Capri spun off a second restaurant on Marco Island. Country House Restaurant in East Naples rolled out a new spot in Golden Gate.

Naples-based Aqua Seafood & Steaks debuted a stunning third location in North Naples. Oahu Fresh Bowls added to its Naples cafe with a Fort Myers address. El Gaucho Inca’s owners added an Italian twist with El Gaucho Trattoria in North Naples.

Jimmie The Beef Guy expanded its Bonita Springs business with a second Chicago-themed sandwich shop in Fort Myers. Taco Worx launched its third location in downtown Fort Myers with plans to add Escondido Lounge speakeasy inside. Hooked Island Grill cast a new bar and its seafood selections in Cape Coral.

Michoacana Ice Cream, which has locations in East Naples and Bonita Springs, opened another one in The Pointe at Founders Square. Love Boat Ice Cream added to its local lineup with another shop at Cape Coral Commons.

Baked goods

Bakery businesses have risen in the region.

Angelic Desserts Bakery & Cafe sweetened the deal with a major move next door at Shoppes at Vanderbilt in North Naples. Naples also has more options for Italian baked goods with Bakery at Grappino sliding into the adjacent former La Colmar Bakery space to grow Aielli Group’s restaurants; and Bontà Bakery scooping up the former Regina’s Ice Cream Pavilion on Fifth Avenue South.

Vicky Bakery, the Miami-based Cuban bakery chain, created two area locations this year in Ave Maria and Cape Coral. Crave Cookies launched area bakeries in Estero and North Naples.

Nothing Bundt Cakes made another area location in Estero this fall. Sour & Dough Artisan Bakery opened in University Village near FGCU. Rock’n Rolls German Bakery & Bistro took the stage in Cape Coral.

Pizza places

Reported last week that numerous pizzerias closed in 2024, many also opened.

Aurelio’s Pizza closed at Coastland Center mall and reopened as a takeout and delivery hub on Naples Boulevard in North Naples. Baci Pizza relocated and relaunched as the bigger Baci Trattoria & Pizza off Bayshore Drive. Under new ownership, Gino’s Pizza in Cape Coral added New Jersey pizza options this fall to its Ohio-based pizzeria.

New local pizzerias creating a buzz are Bruno’s Italian House & Pizzeria in Naples and Trulli Pizza & Pasta and Tony’s NY Pizza in North Naples. Pizzeria chains that opened new locations include Donatos Pizza and Rosati’s Pizza in North Naples, Ledo Pizza in Ave Maria and Romeo’s Pizza in Estero.

BrAva Pizza opened as a ghost kitchen inside The Industry Standard Kitchen + Bar that launched this fall in Bonita Springs. Also in Lee County, Lombardough’s Pizza & Beer launched in San Carlos Park, and new Cape Coral pizzerias include The Goombah Pizzaiolo, Mellow Mushroom, Oda Pizzeria Bistro and Pi Theory Pizza.

Bevy of beverages

New places to grab a hot or cold drink and more include Acopio Coffee & Cacao and Beyond Juicery + Eatery in Naples; and Momo Tea Bar and Tempest Tea in North Naples. A second Three60 Wine bar and shop also launched at Logan Landings in North Naples.

New in Lee County include Chubby Mermaid Brewing in Bonita Springs, Urban Buzz Coffee Co. in Estero, and Voodoo Brewing Co. and Take Two Coffee in Fort Myers.

Chain gang

Some popular restaurant chains offering new area locations include Bahama Breeze Island Grille and Twin Peaks at Coastland Center mall in Naples; The Capital Grille at Bell Tower in south Fort Myers; and Outback Steakhouse in Cape Coral.

First Watch dawned at Hammock Park on Collier Boulevard; Mystic Lobster Roll Co. and Nautical Bowls both came to Marco Island; Coldstone Creamery and Dunkin’ both started serving Ave Maria; McDonald’s opened in the Orangetree area of the Estates.

In Bonita Springs, Burger King razed its old building for a modern replacement; Waffle House was shuttered for months for renovations; and Wendy’s built a drive-thru next to Waffle House. Other new quick-service restaurants include Potbelly Sandwich Works in south Fort Myers, Carvel Ice Cream in Fort Myers, Checkers in Cape Coral and Zaxby’s in Lehigh Acres.

More in Collier County

In Naples, Lavender Cafe & Bistro launched in Trinity Plaza; The Alley was added to The District in Central Square; and 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill debuted in the new Compass Hotel by Margaritaville. New to the Coastland Center food court were Latinos 239, Queen Agave Mexican Grill and Tsaocca Tea.

New North Naples dining options include Tableside Restaurant and Imperio Taqueria in the Shoppes at Vanderbilt, Suga Suga at The Strand in North Naples, Islas Modern Cuisine in Imperial Square, and Havana Libre Cuban Cuisine in Founders Square. New eateries in beautiful East Naples include Flo’s Clam Shack on the East Trail, Cheesesteaks.com in Naples Towne Centre, and Mela’s Cafe in the Shops at Hammock Cove.

Otro Nivel Restaurant & Bar opened in Sunrise Plaza on Collier Boulevard in Golden Gate; and Bravo Cafe debuted near Bravo Supermarket at Wilson Plaza in Golden Gate Estates. Pub 1105 opened on Marco Island, while Blue Agave Mexican Restaurant came to Ave Maria.

More in Lee County

Newcomers in Bonita Springs include Rooftop at Riverside food truck park on Old 41 and Guru Indian Bistro in the Prado at Spring Creek. In Estero, 810 Billiards & Bowling and Banh Mi & Tea opened in Miromar Outlets, Ice-Spot came to Alico Commons, and the village saw the openings of Yummy Yummy Asian Kitchen and Royal Scoop Homemade Ice Cream.

Elsewhere in Lee County, Elevate Kava Bar launched in University Village and Chica Rosa Creperie & Cafe opened in Gulf Coast Town Center. Bellini’s, Mr. Tequila, Nonchalance and Sushi Sake opened in south Fort Myers. Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant and Magic Bus Ice Cream and Caffeine opened on Sanibel.

In downtown Fort Myers, Bay Street Yard launched and Bruno’s of Brooklyn celebrated its new location. Fort Myers also saw the openings of Banh Mi & Tea, Eastwood 77 Bar & Grill, El Estadio Latin Sports Bar & Grill, Florida Boy Burger Co., La Fontanella Ristorante, Taza Cafe and Wicked Pub; while Blossom & Brie Farmside Dining, Jack’s Bar & Eatery and Palmas de Medallo opened in North Fort Myers.

As expected, Cape Coral welcomed many new dining options: BARunch, Bimini Bites Home of The Flying Dog, Cuban’s Coco Loco, Cuban Family Restaurant, The Hungry Captain, Jiggly Tasty, Let’s Waffle, Maddie’s Artisanal Bakery, Old Cuban Restaurant & Bar, Prime Time Bar, Rico Cafe, The Rustic Sandwich Deli, Stuff-A-Bagel Deli-Bakery and Taino Puerto Rican Cuisine

Restaurants reopened

Also in Cape Coral, Nevermind Awesome Bar & Eatery reopened in March in the same spot after a a farewell party and a three-month hiatus. Jeremiah’s Italian Ice closed in April and reopened Nov. 2 with new owners; Holy Moly Ice Cream closed in early 2024 and reopened Nov. 23 with the same owners.
The original Cheeburger Cheeburger on Sanibel Island reopened after a sports bar remodeling. Many other local favorites, such as The Turtle Club in North Naples, reopened after being sidelined by hurricane damage.Some of those include Sanibel venues Over Easy Cafe and The Lighthouse Cafe, which reopened in a new location on the island. Sunshine Seafood Cafe & Wine Bar reopened on Captiva.

Also overcoming hurricane damage, Coste Island Cuisine reopened at DiamondHead Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach, Anthony’s on the Blvd relaunched in Cape Coral after being closed for more than two years, and The Waterfront Restaurant reopened in St. James City. In Matlacha, CW Fudge Factory, Miceli’s Restaurant and Yucatan Waterfront Bar & Grill reopened.

Next week, we’ll look at some of the local restaurants coming in 2025. Happy New Year!

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