Season's eatings: 40 new restaurants open and coming soon in Fort Myers, Cape Coral

It’s been a busy few weeks for local restaurateurs.

The holidays promise a bounty of new restaurants, to join the dozens of newbies that have already opened throughout Southwest Florida this fall. As peak tourist season approaches, the pressure mounts for these new concepts to open and rake in the visitor dollars. 

The Fort Myers area alone has added more than 20 new restaurants in the past several weeks, with ever more opening in Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel and Bonita Springs. 

Here’s a look at 40 (yes, 40!) of the new and coming-soon restaurants area diners can look forward to, with some of the newest concepts highlighted in large italics. 

Fort Myers area

10 Twenty Five

This casual, craft-beer focused gastropub debuted in Cape Coral in October 2016. Last month it announced a plan to take over the former Prime de Leon space in downtown Fort Myers, with hopes of opening by early January. Owners Chad and Amber Zollinger spent years in the restaurant business before striking out on their own with 10 Twenty Five. Their new location, while much larger, won't be all that different from the original. Look for fried pork shanks, pretzel sticks with beer cheese, Philly cheesesteaks, burgers and more. What will be new? The menu of hand-crafted cocktails that will complement the restaurant's long list of craft beers. (33 Patio de Leon, Fort Myers; cape10twentyfive.com)

The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen: The San Francisco-born franchise launched its first location outside of the Bay Area at Marlins Plaza in south Fort Myers in mid-November. The store offers counter service and a menu filled with unique comfort fare. Think smoked-tomato soup, fried Brussels sprouts and toasty grilled cheese sandwiches crafted with artisan twists. (5611 Six Mile Commercial Court, south Fort Myers; 239-672-8444; facebook.com/flgrilledcheese)

More:NewAmerican Grilled Cheese Kitchen draws crowds in Fort Myers 

Buffet City: This all-you-can-eat concept opened last month next to Chuck E. Cheese's in Fort Myers. The restaurant offers endless sushi and hibachi buffets for lunch ($9.49 for adults) and dinner ($13.49) with discounts for seniors and children. It also offers buffets-to-go starting at $5.49 per pound. (5020 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers; 239-500-8688; buffet-fl.com)

Chocolattes Coffee & Roasting: This coffee shop opened last month in the former 11:Eleven Café space next to Point Ybel Brewing Co. in south Fort Myers. Its owners have operated coffee kiosks at local hospitals for years. This is the first freestanding store for the concept. In addition to coffee, it also offers horchata, matcha, chai and fruit juices. To eat, the restaurant has smoothie bowls, oatmeal and locally made baked goods. (16120 San Carlos Blvd., south Fort Myers; chocolattes.biz)

Divine Donuts: This doughnut shop and breakfast café opened on Thanksgiving Day in the same plaza as the Walmart Neighborhood Market on College Parkway in south Fort Myers. Divine crafts more than 200 flavors and styles of doughnuts in house and from scratch, including yeast and cake doughnuts, croissant-based “Kronuts,” fritters, cinnamon rolls and long Johns. It sells 40 to 50 of those flavors at its 1,400-square-foot shop each day, and when they’re gone they’re gone. Divine also offers bagels, croissants and hot breakfast sandwiches from its grill. (9131 College Parkway, south Fort Myers; 239-672-8390; facebook.com/divinedonutsfortmyers)

More:Eat more doughnuts: Divine Donuts promises heavenly treats

Downtown House of Pizza: The longtime downtown Fort Myers pizzeria and slice shop debuted its expanded dining room and new craft-beer bar last month. DHOP took over two of its adjoining units, almost doubling in size. (1520 Hendry St., Fort Myers; 239-337-3467; downtownhouseofpizza.com)

More:Downtown House of Pizza in Fort Myers expands, adds craft beer bar

Ember Korean Steakhouse

Under construction for more than a year, this Korean barbecue restaurant and Asian-fusion gastropub plans to open Dec. 12 in the former Stonewood Grill space in south Fort Myers. Ember promises traditional Korean barbecue tables where customers can choose from bulgogi, pork belly and short ribs, as well as well as higher-end cuts such as Wagyu beef and Kurobuta pork. Its bar will offer a unique menu of Korean-American fusion fare including burgers, sandwiches and more. Ember will also feature a seven-seat sushi bar. Jack Shin, formerly of Tokyo Bay, owns the restaurant with his brother Tom Shin. Jack's son Chris Shin is Ember's general manager. Chris recently moved back to the area after spending the last decade working at top restaurants in Los Angeles. "Our whole concept," Chris Shin said, "is crossing that bridge between traditional American steakhouse and that fun style of Korean barbecue." (7091 College Parkway, south Fort Myers; facebook.com/embersteakhousefortmyers)

Jimmy John's: The area's newest Jimmy John's franchise opened this month near the new Krispy Kreme in Fort Myers. It's the fifth store in the Fort Myers/Cape Coral area for franchisees Kevin and Shawn Hess. (4928 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers; 239-215-2000; jimmyjohns.com)

More:1 million doughnuts later: Krispy Kreme Fort Myers opening sets records

Keke’s Breakfast Café: Lee County's first location for this Florida-based breakfast and lunch chain opened in Cape Coral last month. A second is opening soon in the Whole Foods-anchored Daniels Marketplace in south Fort Myers. (6911 Daniels Parkway, south Fort Myers; kekes.com)

Leopardi’s Italian Restaurant: This family friendly Italian restaurant is breathing new life into the castle-like space in south Fort Myers that first opened as Dwyer's. From the founders of Cornerstone Builders, Leopardi’s has given this former Irish pub some Tuscan-style twists. Its menu features traditional pastas and pizzas along with higher-end steak, pork and veal dishes. (13851 S. Tamiami Trail, south Fort Myers; 239-887-4940; leopardi.com)

More:Leopardi's Italian Restaurant opens  in old Tilted Kilt space

Monarca’s: This Cape Coral-born Mexican restaurant opened a colorful second location at the Edison Mall in Fort Myers earlier this fall. Monarca’s took over the long-empty Elephant Bar space near J.C. Penney. It offers a full bar with a variety of margaritas, along with a menu of classic Mexican and Tex-Mex fare. (4125 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers; monarcasrestaurants.com)

Norman Love Confections at Whole Foods Market: While Love has several salons throughout Southwest Florida, his concept inside the new Whole Foods in south Fort Myers is unique. The café offers quiche, salads, wraps, scratch-made cinnamon rolls, Love’s artisan croissants, locally roasted coffee drinks, as well as an exclusive line of Love’s award-winning chocolates crafted just for Whole Foods. The shop has more than 100 seats and is a centerpiece of the new market, which opened in early November. (6891 Daniels Parkway, south Fort Myers; normanloveconfections.com)

More:Whole Foods Fort Myers: Norman Love dishes on in-house salon and cafe

PokeBowl Café

One of a handful of new poke restaurants in town, PokeBowl is a build-your-own concept where bowls can be customized from start to finish. PokeBowl opened Nov. 18 in the former home of PrimoHoagies in south Fort Myers. Owner Yan Wang has completely redesigned the space, adding green-blue glass tiles and pendant lamps. Her bowls start with a choice of sushi rice, brown rice or greens. Fillings include sushi-grade tuna, spicy tuna and salmon, along with cooked tofu, scallops and shrimp. Those proteins can be teamed with a variety of toppings and sauces. The café also offers cold-brew coffee, house-made boba teas and more. Bowls range from $8 for a small with one protein to $17 for a large with three proteins. (12001 S. Cleveland Ave., south Fort Myers; 239-887-4551; pokebowlcafe.com)

Premier Poke: Another poke-based concept, Premier is coming to the University Crossings plaza at the corner of Summerlin Road and Cypress Lake Parkway in south Fort Myers. Signs are up for the new spot in the former Jackie's Chinese space next to Publix. State records show Mei Woon Cheng as the owner. (13401 Summerlin Road, south Fort Myers)

Rusty’s Raw Bar: The area’s fifth Rusty’s plans to open later this month in the former La Grotta space near the intersection of Daniels Parkway and I-75 in south Fort Myers. Managers say a thorough renovation has just been completed, featuring a full bar offering beer, wine, cocktails and just-shucked Gulf oysters. (9520 Marketplace Road, south Fort Myers; 239-225-9776; rustysraw.com)

More:Rusty's Raw Bar Cape Coral, at its best, is a shucking good time — JLB review

Skillets: This local breakfast-lunch chain plans to open its eighth area location by mid-January at the Cypress Trace plaza between Bealls and Stein Mart in south Fort Myers. It will be the third Skillets in Lee, joining outlets in Bonita Springs and Estero. The forthcoming 4,000-square-foot space will have 170 seats, 40 of which will be on a covered front patio. Ross Edlund and his wife, Noreen, opened the original Skillets in Naples in 1995. (13300 S. Cleveland Ave Ste., south Fort Myers; skilletsrestaurants.com)

Slurping Dragon: Another fast-casual concept for Marlins Plaza, Slurping Dragon will join Chronic Tacos and American Grilled Cheese Kitchen in the south Fort Myers center. The restaurant offers noodles, poke and a "fresh Asian grill," per its Facebook page. Managers say the store should open in four to six weeks. (5611 Six Mile Commercial Court, south Fort Myers; slurpingdragon.com)

The Southland Taproom: The area’s newest craft-beer bar and bottleshop opened Nov. 17 in the same plaza as LYNQ and Five Guys near Health Park Medical Center in south Fort Myers. Southland offers 24 taps of craft beers, along with growler fills and can/bottle inventory that can be consumed onsite or taken to go. (16230 Summerlin Road, south Fort Myers; 239-689-5375; thesouthlandtaproom.com)

More:3 restaurants and a taproom open, La Corte closes in Cape Coral

Tubby Pig: The restaurant plans to open in the former Chianti's space in Fort Myers by February. But Tubby Pig got off to a rough start. It first launched in the San Carlos Park/Estero area in August 2017. Hurricane Irma struck just weeks later destroying its building. The new Tubby Pig promises Thai-infused barbecue dishes and an in-house brewery from owner James Boyle who's also a classically trained chef. Despite the restaurant's name, customers can expect a range of vegan and vegetarian options in addition to omnivorous ones. (3732 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers; facebook.com/thetubbypig)

UhmazeBowls: This farmers market favorite opened its first brick-and-mortar location Dec. 1 in Daniels Marketplace next to Zoes Kitchen. UhmazeBowls offers a range of acai and pitaya bowls, along with super-food smoothies and poke bowls made with sushi-grade tuna or salmon, as well as tofu. Bowls start at $6 for a kid's size acai bowl and go up to $12.50 for a poke bowl. (6881 Daniels Parkway, south Fort Myers; 239-689-5224; uhmazebowls.com)

Whole Foods Market: The natural and organic grocery chain opened its first Lee store on Nov. 7 in south Fort Myers. The market sells an array of local seafood, meats and produce, along with a huge selection of cheeses. It also features various prepared food options ranging from scratch-made Detroit-style pizzas to salads, Asian fare and a full-service bakery and cafe operated by world-famous local chocolatier Norman Love. (6891 Daniels Parkway, south Fort Myers; 239-935-6550; wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/fortmyers)

More:Whole Foods Market Fort Myers opening: 19 things to know before you go

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Cape Coral

Backyard Beer Garden: Opened by two lifelong restaurant workers and managers, Backyard debuted in the former Two Amigos space in Cape Coral in mid-October. The restaurant offers craft cocktails and beers along with a concise menu of bar fare, sandwiches and burgers. (1339 Cape Coral Parkway E., Cape Coral, 239-540-5454; bybgarden.com)

More:Backyard Beer Garden in Cape Coral is a party in progress — JLB review

Danger, Danger: This long-time-coming concept faced its final inspection this week, according to co-owner and Nice Guys founder Jovana Batkovic. She said Danger's staff will be spending the next month or so fine-tuning the menu and getting up to speed on operations with plans to open in January. The venture, co-owned by Nevermind's chef-owner Shannon Yates, was first announced in August 2016. Batkovic said the 16 (or so) seat Danger, Danger remains focused on creative takeout dishes and fresh takes on fast food. Look for Nevermind-style burgers, a few Nice Guys-style pizzas, buckets of fried chicken and hand-crafted tacos. Batkovic promised a range of unique vegan options, as well. (1017 Cape Coral Parkway E., Cape Coral)

Eat Smart: This fast-casual bowls shop opened in early November in the former home of The Doener on Del Prado Boulevard. Operated by The Doener's same owners, Eat Smart offers noodle, rice and quinoa bowls that can be customized with a choice of proteins, vegetables and 12 sauces including Thai green curry, teriyaki, barbecue and sweet-and-sour. (1806 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral; 239-237-0707; facebook.com/eatsmart24)

Keg & Cow: The former Mr. Brews Taphouse became Keg & Cow in early November. The new concept comes from the same owner of Mr. Brews, Mason Moyle. Like Mr. Brews, Keg & Cow features 48 craft beers on tap along with a full menu of burgers, sandwiches, nachos and other pub-grub dishes. (2384 Surfside Blvd., Cape Corall 239-558-5001; kegandcow.com)

Keke’s Breakfast Café: This Orlando-based chain opened its first Southwest Florida location in mid-November on Pine Island Road in the same plaza as Aldi and Bed Bath & Beyond. The breakfast-lunch-brunch restaurant offers a variety of waffles, pancakes, omelets and poached-egg dishes, along with panini, burgers, wraps and salads. Most dishes are priced at $10 or less. (1847 NE Pine Island Road, Cape Coral; 239-242-0300; kekes.com)

Mirone's Italian Hoagies & More: Signs are up for this sandwich shop in the plaza at 814 Pine Island Road, Cape Coral near Stevie Tomato's Sports Page. State records show Stephanie and Robert Casale as the owners. 

Palace Pub & Wine Bar

Signs are up, as well, for this wine bar at 1317 Cape Coral Parkway E. across from Nice Guys and next door to No. 3 Craft Brews. Owners Ryan Lay, 28, and Naomi Biber, 24, want Palace to do for wine what No. 3 and so many others have done for craft beer. "There's this stigma around wine, that it's stuffy and only for old people," said Lay, who's studying to get his sommelier certification. "I love wine. I want to share that with people and help make them feel more informed." Lay said the area's lack of serious wine bars stood out to him as an unfilled niche. He wants Palace to be comfortable and friendly with couches and lounge areas for seating, as well as 25 to 30 spots around the bar. Palace will not offer food, but will welcome food trucks and takeout or deliveries from nearby restaurants. Palace's 3,000-square-foot space used to be part of Anytime Fitness. Lay plans to use it to host musicians and live-art exhibits. "We're really trying to push the culture around here," the Cape Coral High grad said. "We want to support that, because it's so nice to finally see it blooming." Visit facebook.com/palacewinebar for more or find it on Instagram. 

Redfish Point Garden Bar & Grill

This new concept plans to open Dec. 17 in the former home of La Corte Bistro which closed Nov. 25 in south Cape Coral. Redfish owner Kyle Williams was not part of La Corte, though he is an owner of nearby Point 57. Williams said his Point 57 partner and chef Matt Arnold is not involved with Redfish. The restaurant nods to Cape Coral's original name, back when the area was a patch of mangroves and palmetto scrub known as Redfish Point. Redfish's Facebook page calls the concept, "Florida casual in the heart of Cape Coral." (1520 Lafayette St., Cape Coral; facebook.com/redfishpoint18)

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South Lee              

Bonita Beach Balloon Bar & Grill: Since lifting off in late November, the Balloon Bar has become a lively spot to dine and drink. The new concept completely refurbished the former Fitzgerald's Irish Pub space, making its debut on Black Friday. "We anticipated doing a week’s worth of soft openings, but due to the curiosity in town, it was not a soft opening,” general manager Ken Simons said. “We’ve seen a consistent increase daily.” Simons said the menu is a mix of comfort food and pub fare. "We have everything from loaded curly fries to filet mignon." (9070 Bonita Beach Road; 239-678-8178; bonitabeachballoon.com)

More:In the Know: Bonita Beach Balloon ascends with new bar and grill

FK Your Diet: This edgy-named restaurant opened in San Carlos Park in October, though that edgy moniker is actually for a good cause. The “FK” stands for "foster kids," who are the beneficiaries of the restaurant’s mission, according to the eatery's owners, Doug Miller and Amy Eldridge of Naples. The couple said 5 percent of FK Your Diet’s revenue will be donated to the Every Child Initiative, a Summit Church program that connects people with opportunities to adopt or foster vulnerable children. FK is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner most days. Its menu includes pancakes, eggs Benedicts, fried-chicken sandwiches, soups, salads, milkshakes and more, with most dishes priced around $10. (19630 S. Tamiami Trail, San Carlos Park; 239-245-8877; fkyourdiet.com)

Naples Coastal Kitchen: Opened on Nov. 18 in the former Foster's Grille space at Gulf Coast Town Center, this is the second location for this Naples-born restaurant which opened its original store in December 2017. “The menu is the same. The look and the vibe are the same,” said Stuart Bell, the majority owner of the local restaurants. “I’m really insistent on having the exact same potato salad and the exact same food all across the board, including the Key lime pie, the different fish dishes and sauces.” The restaurant calls its menu "upscale casual" with a focus on seafood. Tacos start at $13.95 with most entrees in the $20 to $30 range. (9908 Gulf Coast Main St., San Carlos Park; 239-887-4378; coastalkitchennaples.com)

More:New restaurants: Naples Coastal Kitchen opens at Gulf Coast Town Center

Newk's Eatery: This fast-casual chain known for its soups, salads, sandwiches and pizzas, is coming to Southwest Florida in time for the holiday season. Newk’s local franchisees hope to debut their first area store by the end of the year on Naples Boulevard in North Naples. Another Newk's is planned for the building between Twin Peaks and Pei Wei on Alico Road across from Gulf Coast Town Center in San Carlos Park, with a third location under construction at Immokalee Road and Logan Boulevard, also in North Naples. “We are opening in December (on Naples Boulevard),” Newk's franchisee Rebecca Fuller said. “We should have three restaurants open by the end of 2019 in the Fort Myers-Naples area. We are trying to get them open pretty close together.” Find more at newks.com. 

More:Newk's Eatery, a new fast-casual chain, coming soon to Fort Myers area

Poke Fusion

Another restaurant riding the poke trend, Poke Fusion will offer specialty and custom poke bowls at University Village near FGCU in Estero. Poke Fusion offers create-your-own bowls starting at $10.50. "Favorites" are $11.50 and include the Cali Fusion bowl made with ahi tuna, eel sauce and white rice, and the En Fugeo Fusion with spicy tuna, seaweed salad, rice and spicy aioli. Poke Fusion held a hiring event on Dec. 2 and plans to open soon. (19810 Village Center Drive, Estero; pokefusionswfl.com)

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Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel

Felipe’s Taqueria: This New Orleans-based fast-casual concept first opened on Fort Myers Beach in June. It closed in September to undergo a "complete remodel and to upgrade the menu and service systems," a spokesperson said. Felipe's held its grand reopening last week. The restaurant offers burritos, tacos, quesadillas, tamales and a full bar of margaritas that range from $4 to $7.50. (320 Old San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach; 239-233-8817; felipestaqueria.com)

Kava Culture: This local kava and kratom bar will soon open a fourth area location in the former Shark Bar space on Fort Myers Beach. The new concept will offer health food, vegan fare, smoothie bowls, kombucha, kava and CBD. It will also feature live music and late-night entertainment. (17979 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach; kavaculture.us)

More:Kava Culture brings kava and kratom bar to downtown Fort Myers

Malia Island Fusion

Malia opened in late November in the former Blue Coyote space on Sanibel. Offering lunch and dinner, the restaurant's menu includes a fried-green tomato salad with Key West pink shrimp; jerk-grilled octopus with pineapple, crispy chickpeas and cilantro crema; and bucatini pasta with pan-seared scallops in a creamy Meyer-lemon sauce. Starters range from $12 to $18, with dinner entrees from $26 to $46. (1100 Par View Drive, Sanibel; 239-472-9222; maliafoods.com)

MudBugs Bar & Grill: This New Orleans-inspired restaurant is taking over the former Chip's Sanibel Steakhouse space at 1473 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Its Instagram page shows an airy, two-story dining room lined with exposed bricks and black-and-white tiles in a Moroccan-style print. It promises breakfast, lunch and dinner. Find more at instagram.com/mudbugscajunkitchen. 

Spoondrift Island Bowls: This Sanibel farmers market staple is soon opening a brick-and-mortar store at 2441 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Spoondrift offers poke bowls, tuna nachos, Thai-peanut noodle bowls and more. Visit instagram.com/sanibelspoondrift for details. 

TaKote

Formerly Latinos Market, TaKote moved a few blocks south from its original space near Point Ybel Brewing Co. earlier this year. The Mexican taqueria and mini-mart passed its final inspection Thursday and is hosting its soft opening today. Owner Steven Ramunni said a grand opening is planned for Dec. 22. (17200 San Carlos Blvd., 
Fort Myers Beach; 239-437-1471; find it on Facebook)

Staff writers Tim Aten and Brittany Carloni contributed reporting. Connect with this reporter: @ATometich (Twitter)