10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Naples

The Local is one of the most locally cherished establishments in Naples serving farm-to-table fare. Sourced fresh and local, these include everything from organic vegetables to fresh-caught seafood right off the boat.

The restaurant boasts a casual atmosphere, an excellent wine bar for food pairings, and a rotating blackboard of seasonal fish. They foster a sustainable partnership with local farmers, sea mongers, ranchers, and artisans so this is one place in Naples where you can enjoy good food and feel good at the same time.

Dilly’s Seafood Shack is a laid-back and casual restaurant that’s family-friendly, and which specializes in down-home comfort food with a seafood focus. Some of the menu highlights include a bucket of peel-and-eat Florida Gulf shrimp and a rotating board of wild-caught seafood that varies day by day.

There’s also the classic Florida staple: fish tacos served on soft corn tortillas with mango pico de gallo. Of course, you’re also in for a treat with what they advertise as the best fish sandwich in Naples.

Grouper & Chips is the place to go if you’re looking to go British while you’re on your southern vacation in the Gulf. This classic fish and chips shop serves up the iconic dish with a twist: they use grouper instead of the traditional cod.

It’s a fun, fast, and casual restaurant that makes for a great lunch or dinner on the go, and it’s also super for a family dining experience. The décor is simple and bright and the staff is welcoming and friendly. The fish is also freshly caught in local waters.

Cracklin’ Jacks is the place to go for some of the best steak, ribs, and fried chicken in all of Florida. Looking for something other than fish? Or maybe you want some surf ‘n turf? They also offer traditional Gulf seafood dishes, all served up in a down-home setting that’ll make you feel like you’re back in grandma’s dining room.

There are different menus for lunch and dinner. Some highlights include sausage gumbo, clam chowder, BBQ beef brisket, crab cakes, frog legs, pulled pork, roast prime rib, fried scallops, gator tail, and more.

Golden Leaf offers Chinese and Japanese fusion in Naples and is a great spot if you want something a little different after all the great daily seafood on your trip. It’s a casual sit-down restaurant that serves up a menu with a focus on traditional Chinese, Mandarin, Szechuan, and Hunan fare, adding a touch of Japanese tempura just for good measure.

Some menu highlights include Hunan chicken with black bean sauce, shrimp with lobster sauce, crab rangoon, hot and sour soup, beef teriyaki, and of course, their outstanding gyoza fried dumplings.

Mr. Big Fish is a casual seafood restaurant decked out with maritime décor and a fun, upbeat environment in Naples. You’ll see plank walls and earth tones on the tables and floor, with paintings and murals celebrating the sea. The whole thing is designed to allow you to sit back and feel right at home with comfort food and great friends. 

Some of the top menu items include fish right off the boat, a variety of chowders including clam, conch and lobster bisque, raw oysters, Florida stone crabs by the pound, filet mignon, fried calamari, and lump crab cakes.

At Lowbrow Pizza & Beer in Naples, you can have a good, old-fashioned pizza and beer. They’re “serious about pizza and beer, but not much else,” and they serve a whole range of gourmet pies. 

Some local favorites include a BBQ pork pizza with pickled red onions and pineapple jalapeno and another called “Cortez the Killer” – served with chorizo, sweet corn, roasted potatoes, crème fraîche, lime mayo, chilies, scallion, cilantro, and cotija. If you never knew you wanted it on a pizza, this is where you’ll find it. Top it all off with a selection of brews from local craft breweries.

Hyde N Chic is “an eclectic and chef-driven restaurant” in Naples, Florida. It’s owned and operated by chef-founder Andy Hyde, who has created a gourmet dining experience from an African-European-American fusion style that’s unlike anything you’ve had before. 

The tasting menu comes in 3- to 6-course options for a wholesome experience, with mouthwatering items like a wild mushroom strudel and summer truffle as well as a tamarind-braised wagyu beef short rib to choose from. Chef Hyde also offers an expansive wine list that’s built specially to pair with specific signature dishes. Booking ahead is necessary.

Bone Hook Brewing Company is one of the leading craft breweries in Naples. There’s a good reason why craft beer is the new wine. Connoisseurs of the sector are constantly looking to try the latest brewery wherever they go.

As with most microbreweries, the tap menu rotates, but a few of their mainstays include The Heff hefeweizen, The Grateful Head American lager, Dapper Dan’s American IPA, Motorboat Red kettle sour, and Chocolate Putin imperial stout. The menu includes staples like tacos, flatbreads, fish and chips, ribs, chili, and craft burgers.

Turco Taco is a traditional sit-down Mexican restaurant in Naples where you can enjoy gourmet tacos. Not everyone thinks about putting the words “gourmet” and “taco” together, but that’s exactly what they did. This eclectic Mexican restaurant includes all the expected dishes like carne asada, tinga con pollo, tacos al pastor, and others on its menu. 

Then there’s the gourmet taco menu where you build your ideal taco from the ground up, starting with a tortilla, add salsa and guac, fillings, veggies, and cheese. There are also organic salads which make for a great vegetarian option. Don’t forget to save some room for the sinful dessert: chocolate churros.