Located just south of Naples, Florida, on the Gulf of Mexico, is an island with white sands, clear water, near-perfect weather and a tropical atmosphere. Marco Island is also home to some of the most intriguing and high-quality restaurants in the region. From restaurants with seafood-laden menus to Italian cuisine, Marco Island has it all, and you’ll leave your vacation dreaming about it.
As a visitor to the island for many years since I was a child, I feel as if this warm weather retreat is a home away from home. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Marco Island once again and dine at quite a few of the most enticing restaurants on the island. Coincidentally, Taste of Marco, the annual outdoor food event, was taking place at that time as well. So, naturally, I had to take part in the delicious event.
Taste of Marco: Sampling Fare from Some of the Best Dining Establishments on the Island
Taste of Marco was held at the Esplanade, an outdoor area where shops, restaurants and condos are placed in perfect proportion to one another. Taste of Marco was held to benefit the Greater Marco Family YMCA and its many wonderful programs. Attendees paid a small admittance fee and then were able to purchase tickets for various food vendors and activities.
Some of the participating restaurants included CJ’s on the Bay, Mango’s Dockside Bistro, Vandy’s 5 Brothers, Cold Stone Creamery, Verdi’s and more. Live music played as beverage vendors and restaurant kiosks served a steady stream of Taste of Marco guests. Two of my favorite samplings included the steak chimichurri from CJ’s on the Bay and Polynesian pulled pork sliders from Mango’s Dockside Bistro.
An annual event, Taste of Marco is a must-attend for next year as well.
Island Café: Quaint Cafe with an Inclusive Menu
Island Café is a hidden gem on Marco Island, located in a small shopping center. I felt like I entered a whole new world when I walked inside, the pleasing interior greeting me with linen tablecloths and a catering waitstaff.
One wonderful aspect about Island Café is that their menu includes more than just seafood entrees or French cuisine. The menu choices are wide and varied, which offered a lot for our group in particular, as we had some who liked seafood, others who weren’t fond of seafood, meat lovers and more. Everyone was happy, which made for a pleasant dining experience all around.
The wine list was quite extensive. We all tried something different. Whites, reds and rose varieties were plentiful. I selected a Pinot Noir that our server had recommended, and it turned out to be an excellent option.
I started with a mixed green salad with one of the best vinaigrettes I have ever tasted. It had the perfect level of sweetness, which gave it a refreshing and unique taste. I chose the chicken piccata for my entree, which was flavorful without being overly rich, as some piccata dishes tend to be. Crème brulée was my dessert of choice and it finished off the meal perfectly.
The Island Café is an ideal spot for a romantic dinner, but it is also perfect for a family gathering or a get-together with a small group of friends.
Arturo’s: Italian Fare of All Varieties
The next evening it was my turn to pick the restaurant. I love Italian food, so Arturo’s was the chosen location. Arturo’s is a larger restaurant than Island Café and features a full bar. We arrived a little bit late for dinner service but the restaurant was still buzzing with business, both at the bar and in the dining rooms.
Some of Arturo’s fabulous selling points include their specialty martinis (especially the white chocolate martini), extensive pasta entree list and wine options. The pasta entree I opted for, Edgar’s al Modo Mio, featured penne surrounded by artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, portobello mushrooms, roasted red peppers and peas in garlic and oil. It was even more delicious than I had imagined.
Sale e Pepe: Dining Alfresco Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico
Sale e Pepe was our splurge of the vacation. As a must on our dining list each time we visit Marco Island, Sale e Pepe offers top-notch Italian cuisine, excellent service and amazing views of the Gulf of Mexico.
This meal is always a dining adventure, usually lasting a few hours. The wine list is amazing and the entrees are prepared with a care and attention to detail that you simply don’t mind paying a bit more for.
There is indoor and outdoor dining. However, we always choose the porch so that we may enjoy the spectacular sunset, which is promised almost every day on Marco Island. As in past visits, Sale e Pepe didn’t disappoint. My paccheri ai funghi porcini was rich and flavorful. It was easy to see that the dishes were carefully prepared by a skilled hand, i.e., Executive Chef Giuliano Matarese.
When visiting Marco Island, making a reservation at Sale e Pepe is highly recommended.
Davide: Personalized Service and Exceptional Italian Cuisine
Another one of my favorite restaurants on the island is Davide. This establishment featuring Italian fare is wonderful for quite a few reasons. First, the personalized service is a major draw. Davide, the owner, has always been there when we have been in and he makes it a point to greet his customers and introduce himself. Second, the menu items are always a hit. No matter what type of entree or sandwich you crave, the end result is a unique and delicious meal.
We usually save Davide for our last night dining out, as we want to leave the island on a good note and Davide always delivers.
These are just some of the multitude of restaurant options on Marco Island. Some other go-to dining spots around the island include Snook Inn, Capt. Brien’s Seafood and Raw Bar and Bistro Soleil.
- Arturo's photo: Arturo's
- Outdoor photography: Kristen Kwiatkowski
- Davide photo: Quentin Roux/Sun Times
- Island Cafe photo: Island Cafe
