112-plus restaurants requiring staff to wear face masks in Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral

Annabelle Tometich
Fort Myers News-Press

To mask, or not to mask, that is the question. 

Florida restaurant workers aren't required to wear face masks.

"Executive Order 20-112 does not mandate the use of masks," Karen Smith, director of communications for the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, said via email.

"However," she noted, "customers, employees and employers are encouraged to consult CDC guidance."

Locally, diners seem to be doing just that. Our inboxes have been flooded with readers demanding masked servers. Over the last 10 days, dozens of emails and messages have poured in, asking which local restaurants require their staff to wear face masks while interacting with customers. 

To accommodate those readers, we have compiled the below list. 

More:As Southwest Florida restaurants rebuild, creating trust is top priority

And:A running list of permanent restaurant closures around SWFL 

Barbara Storci, the owner of Colleoni's Eatery & Bakery in Fort Myers, works on Friday nightÕs dinner on Friday, May 29, 2020. Storci had to lay off her chef, so she has been doing all the cooking alone.

Masks, we understand, are not perfect. However, guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, as well as study after study — from the Cleveland Clinic, the New England Journal of Medicine, the Mayo Clinic — show masks, even homemade cloth ones, are effective at reducing the number of viral particles spread through the air. 

To double-down on that effectiveness, diners should wear masks, too. 

Sound crazy? It doesn't have to be. 

All that's needed is a face mask and a plastic or paper baggie. 

Wear the mask into the restaurant, keeping it over your mouth and nose. When drinks or food arrive, remove the mask by touching only its ear loops or head bands. Place the mask into the baggie and leave it open to allow for airflow. When you've finished the food or drink, replace your mask. 

“Keep it on as long as you are not eating,” Sally Alrabaa, an associate professor of medicine in the Department of Infectious Diseases at the University of South Florida told the Tampa Bay Times in May. 

More:Restaurant news: Sprouts sets opening for Estero, Chocology debuts 

If you forget a baggie, a briefcase or purse will suffice. In a pinch, you can place the mask in your lap and cover it with your napkin. Before putting your mask back on, experts advise to wash or sanitize your hands. As always, avoid touching your face, mouth, nose or eyes while in public. 

Readers have asked about kitchen staff wearing masks. Like servers, restaurant cooks are not mandated to wear masks by the state. Unlike servers, who engage in a lot of face-to-face contact with guests, most restaurant cooks are in their own kitchen worlds. There is no evidence the novel coronavirus can be transmitted through food, meaning in a worst-case-scenario, if a sick or asymptomatic cook prepared your meal and shed virus onto it, there is no evidence eating that food would make you sick. 

In addition to masks, all restaurants must adhere to the state's guidelines for sanitation and social distancing. Dining rooms can currently operate at 50% indoor capacity. Tables inside or out must be spaced at least 6 feet apart. Parties must be no larger than 10 people. If you see a restaurant violating these measures, you can file a complaint with the Department of Business & Professional Regulation

More:Florida restaurant reopenings spark complaints, pushback, precautions

The following Southwest Florida restaurants say they are requiring their servers to wear masks. If masks are a must for you, be sure to call ahead to make sure these policies are still in effect. 

This is not a complete list. If your favorite restaurant isn't on here and its servers wear masks, please email details to atometich@news-press.com with #masks in the subject line. 

Fort Myers area restaurants where servers wear masks

Azure: 15301 McGregor Blvd. No. 1, south Fort Myers; 239-288-4296; azurefortmyers.com

Bahama Breeze: 14701 South Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers; 239-454-9234; bahamabreeze.com

Bentofu: 3398 Forum Blvd. No. 105, Fort Myers; 239-208-2612; bentofusushi.com

Conch ceviche from Bimini Bait Shack in Punta Rassa.

Bimini Bait Shack: 17501 Harbour Pointe Drive, south Fort Myers; 239-360-2248; biminibaitshack.com

Bob Evans: 8940 Colonial Center Drive, Fort Myers; 239-936-4552; 7071 Cypress Lake Drive, south Fort Myers; 239-433-1663; bobevans.com

Bonefish Grill: 1421 South Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers; 239-489-1240; bonefishgrill.com

Bruno's of Brooklyn: 2112 Second St., Fort Myers; 239-278-0211; brunosofbrooklyn.com

Buffalo Wings & Rings: 11751 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers; 239-204-3100; buffalowingsandrings.com

Capone’s Coal Fired Pizza: 2225 First Street, Fort Myers; 239-337-2625; caponescoalfiredpizza.com

Carrabba’s Italian Grill: 10075 Gulf Center, San Carlos Park; 239-690-2426 and 12990 S. Cleveland Ave., south Fort Myers; 239-433-0877; carrabbas.com

Chef Brooke's Natural Cafe (reopened June 1 for no-contact takeout only): 1850 Boy Scout Drive No. A106, Fort Myers; 239-332-2433; chefbrookeonline.com

Cibo: 12901 McGregor Blvd. No. 16, south Fort Myers; 239-454-3700; cibofortmyers.com

The Clam Bake: 16520 S. Tamiami Trail, south Fort Myers; 239-482-1930; clambakefortmyers.com

Connors Steak & Seafood: Gulf Coast Town Center, 10076 Gulf Center Drive, San Carlos Park; 239-267-2677; connorsrestaurant.com

Courtney's Continental Cuisine: 20351 Summerlin Road No. 111, south Fort Myers; 239-466-4646; courtneyscontinentalcuisine.com

Culver's: All locations require masks for staff; culvers.com

Deep Lagoon Seafood: 14040 McGregor Blvd., south Fort Myers; 239-689-5474; deeplagoon.com

Downtown Social House: 1406 Hendry St., Fort Myers; 239-337-7646; downtownsoho.com

Staff don masks at El Gaucho Inca in Fort Myers

El Gaucho Inca: 4383 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers; 239-275-7504; elgauchoinca.com

Firestone: 2224 Bay Street, Fort Myers; 239-334-3473; firestonefl.com

First Watch: The recently reopened breakfast-lunch chain require servers to wear face masks; firstwatch.com

Golden Rind Cheese & Wine: 13251 McGregor Blvd. No. 108, south Fort Myers; 239-313-6001; facebook.com/goldenrindcheeseandwine

Grimaldi's Pizzeria: Bell Tower Shops; 13499 S. Cleveland Ave. No. 201, south Fort Myers; 239-432-9767; grimaldispizzeria.com

Harold's: 15250 S. Tamiami Trail, south Fort Myers; 239-849-0622; haroldscuisine.com

Izzy’s: 2283 First Street, Fort Myers; 239-337-4999; izzysftmyers.com

Jason's Deli: All locations require staff to wear masks; jasonsdeli.com

Jonesez BBQ: Its three food trucks roam Lee and Hendry counties; jonesezbbq.com

Keke's Breakfast Cafe: 6891 Daniels Parkway No. 155, south Fort Myers; 239-225-2249; kekes.com

LaMotta’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria: 15660-225 San Carlos Blvd., south Fort Myers; 239-482-5505; lamottasitalian.com

Lynq: 16230 Summerlin Road Suite No. 223, Fort Myers; 239-204-9345; lynq.life

The Lodge: 2278 First Street, Fort Myers; 239-433-2739; thelodgefl.com

McDonald's: All locations require servers to wear face masks; mcdonalds.com

McGregor Cafe: 4305 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers; 239-936-1771; mcgregorcafe.com

Mellow Mushroom: All locations require servers to wear face masks; mellowmushroom.com

Mel's Diner: All locations require servers to wear face masks; melsdiners.com

A shot of the Mel's Diner in Fort Myers from 2014.

Millennial Brewing Co.: 1811 Royal Palm Ave., Fort Myers; 239-271-2255; millennialbrewing.com

Outback Steakhouse: 12995 South Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers; 239-936-1021; outback.com

Perkins: All locations require servers to wear face masks; perkinsrestaurants.com

P. F. Chang's China Bistro: All locations require servers to wear face masks; pfchangs.com 

The Prawnbroker: 13451 McGregor Blvd Suite No. 16, Fort Myers; 239-489-2226; prawnbrokerfortmyers.com

Rib City: All locations require servers to wear face masks; ribcity.com

Shrimp Shack: 13361 Metro Parkway, south Fort Myers; 239-561-6817; shrimpshackusa.com

Skillets: All locations require servers to wear face masks; skilletsrestaurants.com

Skyline Chili: 5100-323 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers; 239-278-3929; skylinechili.com

Square 1: 5031 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers; 239-931-8111; square1burgers.com

The Standard: 1520 Broadway, Fort Myers; 239-219-6463; thestandardftmyers.com

Tacos y Ceviches: 7600 Alico Road No. 4, San Carlos Park; 239-887-3092; https://www.tacosyceviches.com/

Terra Nostra Ristorante: 15880 San Carlos Blvd., south Fort Myers; 239-590-8147; terranostradining.com

Two Meatballs in the Kitchen: 8880 Salrose Lane, south Fort Myers; 239-489-1111; 2meatballs.com

University Grill: 7790 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers; 239-437-4377; universitygrill.net

The Veranda: 2122 Second St., Fort Myers; 239-332-2065; verandarestaurant.com

Naples area restaurants where servers wear masks

21 Spices: 4270 Tamiami Trail E. No. 21, Naples; 239-919-8830; 21spicesdining.com

Alberto's on Fifth: 868 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-430-1060; albertosonfifth.com

Restaurant servers from Alberto's on Fifth in Naples show off their face masks.

Alexander's Restaurant: 4077 Tamiami Trail N. No. D101, Naples; 239-262-4999; alexandersnaples.com

Barbatella: 1290 Third St. S., Naples; 239-263-1955; barbatellanaples.com

Bar Tulia: 462 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-228-7606; bartulia.com

The Bay House: 799 Walkerbilt Road, Naples; 239-591-3837; bayhousenaples.com

Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar: 4270 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples; 239-649-5552; baysideseafoodgrillandbar.com

Bice Ristorante: 300 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-262-4044; bice-naples.com

Bob Evans: 2570 Northbrook Plaza Drive, Naples; 239-598-5255; bobevans.com

Bonefish Grill: 1500 Fifth Avenue South, Naples; 239-417-1212; bonefishgrill.com

The Bowl: Two locations in Collier County; the-bowl.com

Brambles English Tearoom: 340  Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-262-7894; bramblestearoomnaples.com

The Cafe on 5th: 821 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-430-6555; thecafeon5th.com

Caffe Milano: 800 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-692-8480; caffemilano.com

Carrabba’s Italian Grill: 12631 Tamiami Trail E., Naples; 239-774-2965 and 4320 N. Tamiami Trail, Naples; 239-643-7727; carrabbas.com

A bartender from Caffe Milano in Naples dons a mask while pouring a drink.

CJ's on the Bay: 740 N. Collier Blvd. No. 105, Marco Island; 239-389-4511; cjsonthebay.com

Culver's: All locations require masks for staff; culvers.com

Deep Lagoon Seafood: 10395 Tamiami Trail N., Naples; 239-631-6266; deeplagoon.com

The Dock at Crayton Cove: 845 12th Ave. S., Naples; 239-263-9940; dockcraytoncove.com

Dorona: 2110 Tamiami Trail N., Naples; 239-529-2819; doronanaples.com

First Watch: The recently reopened breakfast-lunch chain require servers to wear face masks; firstwatch.com

The French Brasserie: 651 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-315-4019; thefrenchnaples.com

Grappino: 90 Ninth St. N., Naples; 239-331-4325; grappinonaples.com

Jason's Deli: All locations require staff to wear masks; jasonsdeli.com

La Pescheria: 474  Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-316-7322; lapescherianaples.com

La Trattoria Restaurant: 878 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-315-4571; latrattorianaples.com

The Local: 323 Airport-Pulling Road, Naples; 239-596-3276; thelocalnaples.com

L'Olivo Ristorante: 651 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-302-6446; lolivoristorante.com

McDonald's: All restaurants require employees to wear face masks; mcdonalds.com

Mel's Diner: All locations require servers to wear face masks; melsdiners.com

Meridian Cafe: 3375 Pine Ridge Road No. 106, Naples; 239-280-5536; meridiancafenaples.com

Molto Trattoria: 368 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-261-5853; moltonaples.com

M Waterfront Grille: The Village on Venetian Bay, 4300 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples; 239-263-4421; mwaterfrontgrille.com

Oak & Stone: 2270 Logan Blvd. N., Naples; 239-384-6764; oakandstone.com

Oak & Stone opened Feb. 3 in Logan Landings off Immokalee Road.

Ocean Prime: 699 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-430-0404; ocean-prime.com

Osteria Tulia: 466 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-213-2073; osteriatulia.com

Perkins: All locations require employees to wear face masks; perkinsrestaurants.com

P. F. Chang's China Bistro: All locations require servers to wear face masks; pfchangs.com 

Rib City: All locations require servers to wear face masks; ribcity.com

Ridgway Bar & Grill: 1300 Third St. S., Naples; 239-262-5500; ridgwaybarandgrill.com

Sails Restaurant: 301 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-360-2000; sailsrestaurants.com

Sea Salt: 1186 Third St. S., Naples; 239-434-7258; seasaltnaples.com

Skillets: All locations require servers to wear face masks; skilletsrestaurants.com

Spice and Tea Exchange: 800 Fifth Ave. S. No.102, Naples; 239-776-7730; spiceandtea.com/naples

Straight from New York Bagels: Locations in Bonita Springs and Naples; straightfromny.com

Thai Udon Cafe: Locations in Naples and Estero; thaiudoncafe.com

Tommy Bahama Restaurant: 1220 Third St. S., Naples; 239-643-6889; tommybahama.com

Truluck's: 698  Fourth Ave. S., Naples; 239-530-3131; trulucks.com

Turco Taco: 410 Ninth St. N., Naples; 239-331-4527; theturcotaco.com

Vergina: 700 Fifth Ave. S.; 239-659-7008; verginarestaurant.com

Yard House: 4251 Tamiami Trail N., Naples; 239-263-3773; yardhouse.com

Yard House restaurant launched its first Southwest Florida location Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, at Park Shore Plaza on U.S. 41 in Naples.

Cape Coral restaurants where servers wear masks

Big Blue Brewing: 4721 SE 10th Place, Cape Coral; 239-471-2777; bigbluebrewing.com

Bob Evans: 1420 Southwest Pine Island Road, Cape Coral; 239-242-4315; bobevans.com

Bonefish Grill: 900 Southwest Pine Island Road, Cape Coral; 239-574-1018; bonefishgrill.com

Cafe YOU: 1423 SE 10th St. No. 1A, Cape Coral; 239-600-0966; cafeyou.com

Carrabba’s Italian Grill: 762 SW Pine Island Road, Cape Coral; 239-574-2797; carrabbas.com

Culver's: All locations require masks for staff; culvers.com

Fathoms: Servers will wear masks upon request; 5785 Cape Harbour Drive No. 106, Cape Coral; 239-542-0123; fathomsrestaurant.com

First Watch: The recently reopened breakfast-lunch chain require servers to wear face masks; firstwatch.com

Gather: Servers will wear masks upon request; 5971 Silver King Blvd. No. 116, Cape Coral; 239-673-9939; gathercape.com

Gusto Cucina Italiana: 229 Del Prado Blvd. N., Cape Coral; 239-458-5900; gustocucinaitaliana.com

Jason's Deli: All locations require staff to wear masks; jasonsdeli.com

Keke's Breakfast Cafe: 1847 NE Pine Island Road No. 610, Cape Coral; 239-242-0300; kekes.com

McDonald's: All restaurants require employees to wear face masks; mcdonalds.com

Mel's Diner: All locations require servers to wear face masks; melsdiners.com

Metro Diner: 1625 Cape Coral Parkway East, Cape Coral; 239-288-0057; metrodiner.com

Outback Steakhouse: 1642 Pine Island Road, Cape Coral; 239-772-5454; outback.com

Perkins: All locations require employees to wear face masks; perkinsrestaurants.com

Point 57: 3522 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral; 239-471-7785; point-57.com

Redfish Point Garden Bar & Grill: 1520 Lafayette St., Cape Coral; 239-542-2224; redfishpointbarandgrill.com

Rib City: All locations require servers to wear face masks; ribcity.com

Twisted Lobster: 1341 Del Prado Blvd. S. No. 1, Cape Coral; 239-800-2879; twistedlobster.com

Bonita Springs and Estero restaurants where servers wear masks

Angelina's Ristorante: 24041 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs; 239-390-3187; angelinasofbonitasprings.com

Vanessa Rodgers/Banner Correspondent Interior of Angelina's Ristorante in Bonita Springs.

Binto Thai: 28811 S. Tamiami Trail No. 4, Bonita Springs; 239-676-8683; bintothai.com

Bonefish Grill: 26381 South Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs; 239-390-9208; bonefishgrill.com

Carrabba’s Italian Grill: 27220 Bay Landing Drive, Bonita Springs; 239-949-0981; carrabbas.com

Coconut Jack’s: 5370 Bonita Beach Road Southwest, Bonita Springs; 239-676-7777; coconutjacks.com

Culver's: All locations require masks for staff; culvers.com

DeRomo's Restaurant: 26811 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs; 239-325-3583; deromos.com

Divieto Ristorante: Coconut Point, 23161 Village Shops Way No. 101, Estero; 239-390-2977; divietoristorante.com/estero

First Watch: The recently reopened breakfast-lunch chain require servers to wear face masks; firstwatch.com

Ford’s Garage: 10801 Corkscrew Road Suite No. 519; 239-495-3673; fordsgarageusa.com

Harvest & Wisdom at Shangri-La Springs: 27750 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs; 239-319-shangrilasprings.com/harvestandwisdom

Jason's Deli: All locations require staff to wear masks; jasonsdeli.com

McDonald's: All locations require employees to wear face masks; mcdonalds.com

Mellow Mushroom: All locations require employees to wear face masks; mellowmushroom.com

Mel's Diner: All locations require servers to wear face masks; melsdiners.com

Outback Steakhouse: 27239 Bay Landing Drive, Bonita Springs; 239-948-3575; outback.com

Perkins: All locations require employees to wear face masks; perkinsrestaurants.com

Rib City: All locations require servers to wear face masks; ribcity.com

Roy’s: 26831 South Bay Drive, Bonita Springs; 239-498-7697; roysrestaurant.com

Skillets, which is based in Naples, has restaurants throughout Southwest Florida.

Skillets: All locations require servers to wear face masks; skilletsrestaurants.com

Straight from New York Bagels: Locations in Bonita Springs and Naples; straightfromny.com

Thai Udon Cafe: Locations in Naples and Estero; thaiudoncafe.com

Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Captiva restaurants where servers wear masks

Bleu Rendez-Vous Bistro: 2430 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel; 239-565-1608; bleurendezvous.com

Cantina Captiva: 14970 Captiva Drive, Captiva; 239-472-0248; restaurantsoncaptiva.com

Charley's Boathouse Grill: 6241 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach; 239-765-4700; boathousegrill.net

Cip's Place: 2055 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel; 239-472-0223; cipsplace.com

Gramma Dot’s: 634 N. Yachtsman Drive, Sanibel; 239-472-8138; sanibelmarina.com

Keylime Bistro: 11509 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva; 239-395-4000; keylimebistrocaptiva.com 

Staff from Keylime Bistro on Captiva show off their face masks

Latte Da Coffee & Ice Cream: 11508 Andy Rosse Lane No. 2, Captiva; 239-472-0234; restaurantsoncaptiva.com     

Matzaluna: 1200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel; 239-472-1998; matzaluna.net

The Mucky Duck: 11546 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva; 239-472-3434; muckyduck.com

RC Otter's Island Eats: 11506 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva; 239-395-1142; restaurantsoncaptiva.com

Sunshine Seafood Cafe & Wine Bar: 11508 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva; 239-472-6200; restaurantsoncaptiva.com

Timbers: 703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel; 239-472-3128; timbersofsanibel.com

Don't see your favorite mask-wearing restaurant on the list? Email details to atometich@news-press.com.