In an effort to snag a piece of the high-volume tourist season, many restaurants launched during the first three months of the year in Southwest Florida.

North Naples – Tigress opened

North Naples

North Naples saw the most activity in the first quarter of 2025.

Tigress, an open-air Cantonese chophouse, and its Easy Tiger rooftop lounge launched in January atop the newly built Perry Hotel Naples next to The Bay House on the Cocohatchee River. Other January launches included Waxin’s, a Swedish-American restaurant in the former space of The Counter burger bar at Mercato; Lujacks All-American Grill in the former Fountain Park space of The Pearl; and Bella Atalia Ristorante in Real Seafood Co.’s vacated space along Vanderbilt Beach Road.

In February, Sonny’s Pizzeria & Sports Bar completed its transformation of the former longtime Zookie’s on Immokalee Road. In that same retail strip, the Wingstop fast-casual chain launched a new location in March.

In late February, Jimmy P’s Burgers & More opened an anxiously awaited second North Naples location in Vanderbilt Commons on Vanderbilt Beach Road.

North Naples – Jimmy P’s opened

In early March, Michoacana launched Swirls & Scoops ice cream and frozen yogurt shop in the former space of 16 Handles, which closed last quarter after operating for less than two years in Meridian Marketplace on the northeast corner of Livingston and Pine Ridge roads.

On March 19, Kelly’s Roast Beef finally opened its latest location in a new multiunit outparcel space in the Gateway Shoppes at North Bay at U.S. 41 North and Wiggins Pass Road.

Naples – Ottimo on 5th opened

Naples

In the city of Naples, Roma Italian Bistro & Pizzeria rebranded as the upscale Ottimo on 5th Cucina & Bar when it relocated less than three blocks west on Fifth Avenue South to the renovated former space of KJ Sushi & Asian Bistro.

Backyard Fire Grill switched things up when it opened in the former Vegan Kitchen space in Neapolitan Way Plaza. The meaty new restaurant for barbecued chicken and ribs is owned by the Karakosta family, who has operated the nearby Mr. Big Fish seafood grill for more than 12 years.

East Naples

GG Brunch Haus has become a new local favorite since the breakfast-lunch spot launched in late January in the refreshed former La Rosa Pizzeria at Pelican Larry’s Plaza on Davis Boulevard in East Naples.

Bringing its taste of Chicago to the little red food cart on the corner of Airport-Pulling Road and Estey Avenue in early February, Mr. Beef started serving Italian beef and sausage sandwiches, Maxwell Street Polish and Chicago dogs. Moving into the Berkshire Commons space vacated last year by the longtime Naples Pizza, Santi’s New York Pizza locally introduced its bite of the Big Apple in late February.

While not exactly a restaurant, local wholesaler Landert Bread satisfied taste buds when it started sharing its European breads, baked goods and pastries directly with the masses on Feb. 28 when it debuted its first retail store, off the beaten path at 4440 Domestic Ave.

Bonita Springs – Sugarshack Downtown

Bonita Springs-Estero

Sugarshack Downtown live music venue, restaurant and bar rocked the region when it took the local stage in late January. The state-of-the-art entertainment destination was created with an ultra-cool setting on Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs.

The popular Naples-based Neapolitan Gourmet Italian Market & Deli launched a second location in January in the former space of Mediterranean Paradise in Imperial Bonita Plaza at Imperial Parkway and Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs.

Fresh Catch Inland opened Feb. 10 as 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.

On the other side of Estero, Rush Inn Bar & Grille rushed into the Miromar Outlets unit that formerly was The Llama’s House. The Rush family expanded into Florida in late March after operating a couple of locations in the Cleveland area for 45 years.

Fort Myers – Sip-and-Sizzle

Fort Myers

Sip & Sizzle elevated local dining when it debuted Jan. 6 in downtown Fort Myers. Kelly’s Roast Beef and Oar & Iron Raw Bar & Grill opened in late January and early February, respectively, on opposite ends of a new retail strip near Topgolf Fort Myers.

Elsewhere in Fort Myers, Stuff-A-Bagel started schmearing on Jan. 20, while Swamp Cat Brewing opened its taps on March 26. In south Fort Myers, Lan Xang Asian restaurant launched in January, while the anticipated Sweet Melissa’s Restaurant opened on March 28.

On Fort Myers Beach in January, Philly Express FL began serving cheese steaks and other sandwiches on the ground floor of Lani Kai Island Resort.

Cape Coral – Florida Boy Burger Co (1)

Cape Coral

The ever-growing community of Cape Coral continues to expand its hospitality offerings.

LadyCakes Bakery opened its new location there on Jan. 1, followed by Fat Boys Pizza & Subs, Clase Azul Mexican restaurant and Eagle Specialty Coffees coffee shop in January.

In February, Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders debuted the chain’s first of many regional locations, while the local Florida Boy Burger Co. opened a Cape Coral restaurant.

In March, Indian Breeze, The Cape Brazilian Grill and Yonutz all opened in Cape Coral.

Closed – 21 Spices

Sorry, We’re Closed

After entertaining guests for nearly 20 years, Bambusa Bar & Grill in Naples closed Feb. 25.

“Will there be another Bambusa? Time will tell. For now, we thank you for your patronage, friendship and unforgettable memories over the years,” Bambusa posted on its Facebook page.

That Empire Plaza anchor space on Goodlette-Frank Road is destined to be Old Town Saloon, which is targeted to launch in May.

Chef Asif Syed recently surprised local diners when he announced the March 31 closing of 21 Spices, the upscale Indian restaurant he co-owned and operated for more than nine years in East Naples. The award-winning chef plans to leave the area to expand his culinary career in a larger market, but details about where he’ll land next have not yet been revealed. Also no word yet about what business may take 21 Spices’ 7,400-square-foot anchor space in Sugden Park Plaza.

The Warehouse Cuisine & Cocktails shuttered March 19 after a nearly eight-year run along Immokalee Road east of Collier Boulevard. The local Italian restaurant concept Two Meatballs in the Kitchen plans to open this summer in the vacated space.

In Lee County, Bonita Bill’s closed Jan. 5 after operating more than 30 years in Fort Myers Beach. The waterfront restaurant and bar will reopen soon as Bonita Fish Co., under new ownership from the local restaurant group behind Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille and the neighboring Dixie Fish Co.

Also, Divine Donuts closed Jan. 27 in Cape Coral, and Voodoo Brewing Co. shuttered March 30 in downtown Fort Myers.

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

Photo credit: Tim Aten; David Dorsey; Tigress