The team behind Downtown Coffee & Wine Company and The Bohemian have officially opened another food concept in Downtown Bonita Springs. Canary Club Pizza & Cocktails quietly opened it’s doors this week in the Waterline Retail building along Old 41.
The Creatives Behind Canary Club
Brandon & Caitlin met through the local restaurant scene. They moved to Downtown Bonita Springs 12 years ago and watched the area begin to grow. They have believed in Bonita Springs from the beginning, seeing the “big bright future” mentioned in the city’s longtime slogan. In 2017, the city invested millions in the downtown area, and shortly after, businesses began to trickle in.
The pioneer was Downtown Coffee & Wine Company. After experiencing wild success, they opened The Bohemian in the Entrada Plaza just up the road. The trendy tapas spot gained attention quickly for its beautifully eclectic interior and sophisticated menu. The Bohemian was another first for the up-and-coming downtown. It brought a chic, upscale vibe that had yet to be seen along Old 41 Rd.
Now, the restaurateurs are paving the way again with their latest concept, Canary Club.
The Atmosphere
This vibrant new restaurant instantly sets the tone with its bold coral walls, eclectic decor, and an atmosphere that feels both upscale and playful. The space seamlessly blends Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences into its design, from the oversized pendant lights to the incredible rugs strewn across the cement floors.
At the heart of the restaurant is an open-air kitchen that adds a lively, interactive energy to the dining experience. Guests can watch chefs in action as they hand-stretch dough and fire up artisanal pizzas in a true wood-fired oven.
The bar area is equally inviting, backed by a well-lit bottle display framed by a window to the outdoor dining area, and flanked by cozy counter seating. Whether you’re sipping on a craft cocktail or enjoying a spread of tapas, the ambiance balances polished charm with a relaxed, coastal ease.
The Food
The Canary Club menu brings a fresh, playful twist to Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors. The Tapas are bold and fresh, starting with a creamy hummus drowning in olive oil served with a sourdough pita. The fire-roasted head of cauliflower is drizzled with a delicate goat cheese crema and then stabbed through the middle with a steak knife- for sharing, and a little drama.
The pizzas are equally as bold and fresh. If you are looking for a good, old-fashioned greasy pepperoni pizza to share with the family, head down the road to Grandpa’s Pizza. If you want to take your tastebuds on a mini-vacation across the Atlantic, you’re in the right place. All pizzas start with a sourdough crust and are topped with perfectly complementary ingredients. We were unaware that pizza could be “refreshing” until we tried the Nightshade. This white pie is topped with whipped goat cheese, eggplant, zucchini, tomato, and zhoug- a spicy cilantro sauce.
In typical Schewe fashion, the menu focuses on quality ingredients and techniques. Everything on the menu is cooked in the wood-fired oven, which is no easy feat. Each pizza, the lamb, chicken, all of the vegetables, and everything else must be tended to and manually turned while maintaining the right temperature. It’s not easy, but the Schewes have not gotten this far by taking the easy route.
The Drinks
The cocktail menu shakes up the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flair with classic favorites like the “Levant Bloom”- a twist on the Aperol Spritz using elderflower and sumac. The “Desert Mirage” takes the foundation of a spicy margarita but adds harissa, a red chile paste that is popular in many Middle Eastern dishes. The “House of Cardamom” is Canary Club’s take on an espresso martini, but swaps out vodka for rum and adds a bit of anise for a deep flavor profile.
Canary Club is currently closed Tuesdays and open from 4-10 PM Wednesday-Monday. The restaurant will announce lunch hours soon after it gets into the swing of things.
10610 Founders Way, Ste 140
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
@CanaryClubBonita on Instagram
To be the first to know about new businesses coming to the area and stay up-to-date on all things SWFL, subscribe to our newsletter!
