Last updated: July 2026.
Southwest Florida’s dining scene continues to grow in 2026, bringing everything from chef-driven restaurants and wood-fired pizza to gourmet sandwiches, tacos and fresh new brunch concepts.
This guide tracks new restaurants in Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero and Fort Myers that have either opened since the beginning of 2026 or are currently preparing to welcome their first customers.
Because restaurant opening timelines can change, we have divided the list into two categories: now open and coming soon. This article will be updated as additional restaurants open throughout the year.
Click a City Below or Keep Scrolling to Browse All New Restaurants in Southwest Florida!
Naples | Bonita Springs | Fort Myers | Fort Myers Beach
New Restaurants in Naples
Heyday Cookshop
Heyday Cookshop opened in Naples in spring 2026 as a chef-driven restaurant, collaborative kitchen and hi-fi listening room.
The restaurant is led by chef Kayla Pfeiffer and blends creative cooking with music, natural wines and an evolving dining experience. Rather than following the format of a traditional restaurant, Heyday is designed to support guest chefs, culinary residencies, pop-ups and artistic collaborations.
Menu items have included inventive interpretations of familiar dishes, such as a Peking duck snack wrap, crab salad en brick, lamb tartare and a mushroom-based take on beef stroganoff.
Location: 4691 Tamiami Trail N., Naples
Clay Pot
Clay Pot brings authentic Anatolian cuisine to Naples, specializing in traditional dishes slow-cooked in handcrafted clay pots imported from Turkey in a quick-casual atmosphere. Inspired by generations-old family recipes, the restaurant offers a taste of one of the world’s oldest cooking traditions with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and time-honored techniques.
Location: 4910 Tamiami Trail N, Unit #310, Naples
Tiny Kitchen Empanadas
Tiny Kitchen Empanadas brings authentic Argentine street food to downtown Naples, serving homemade empanadas, choripanes and other specialties just steps from Fifth Avenue South. Operated by three generations of the same family, the restaurant grew from the owners’ popular farmers market business, formerly known as CDL Empanadas, and now offers a casual spot to enjoy traditional recipes made with locally sourced ingredients.
Location:524 Park St, Naples
Ce Soir
Ce Soir brings a fresh take on French-inspired dining to Naples’ Bayfront, blending classic French cuisine with a modern, semi-casual atmosphere. The restaurant marks the U.S. debut of Canadian hospitality group Aiden Hospitality and offers an elevated waterfront dining experience featuring refined dishes, handcrafted cocktails, and an extensive wine list.
Location: 492 Bayfront Pl, Naples,
Maruto’s Cuban Café
Maruto’s Cuban Café brings authentic Cuban cuisine to Golden Gate Estates, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with a menu featuring classic sandwiches, mojo pork, palomilla steak, croquetas, Cuban pastries and traditional coffee drinks. Family-owned and operated by a local Cuban American family, the restaurant also offers fresh sugar cane juice, batidos and other authentic Cuban favorites.
Location: 13847 Winchester Trail Unit 300
New Restaurants in Bonita Springs
Acqua Bistecca
One of Southwest Florida’s most anticipated restaurant openings of the year has arrived along Estero Bay.
Acqua Bistecca is an Italian-inspired waterfront restaurant from Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Michael Mina. Located at Saltleaf Marina near The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay, the upscale restaurant combines handmade pasta, fresh seafood and chargrilled steaks with expansive waterfront views.
The restaurant includes indoor and outdoor seating, a marble bar and a private chef’s room designed for intimate dinners and special events.
Location: 5500 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs
Wichcraft Gourmet Sandwiches
Wichcraft Gourmet Sandwiches officially opened in Entrada Plaza in downtown Bonita Springs in April 2026.
The chef-driven sandwich shop comes from Caitlin Emery-Schewe and Brandon Schewe, the team behind The Bohemian, Canary Club and Downtown Coffee & Wine.
Wichcraft specializes in creative sandwiches made with thoughtfully sourced ingredients, including meats smoked in-house. Its colorful interior, vintage furnishings and small curated shopping area give the restaurant the eclectic personality found throughout the owners’ other downtown concepts.
Location: 27975 Old 41 Rd #105, Bonita Springs
Break The Fast
Break The Fast is a family-friendly breakfast and lunch restaurant focused on fresh, made-to-order meals served in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. From handcrafted breakfast favorites and fresh coffee to satisfying lunch options, the restaurant emphasizes quality ingredients, genuine hospitality and creating a place where family and friends can gather over a great meal.
Location: 25301 S Tamiami Trail Ste 2, Bonita Springs
Restaurants Coming Soon to Bonita Springs
Hide•A•Wai Mojito Bar
Hide•A•Wai is preparing to bring fresh-pressed mojitos and locally produced rum to downtown Bonita Springs.
Located across from Benson’s Grocery, the open-air bar comes from brothers Ben and Alex Voss of Alligator Bay Distillers. Its signature mojitos will be made using fresh sugarcane juice pressed on-site, with sugarcane sourced locally from Farmer Mike’s U-Pick.
The downtown project has been under construction while the owners work through design changes and build-out. When it opens, Hide•A•Wai is expected to offer a casual tropical setting centered around rum cocktails, fresh ingredients and local partnerships.
Location: Old 41 Road in downtown Bonita Springs
Restaurants Coming to Midtown at Bonita
Midtown at Bonita is expected to become one of the city’s largest new dining and retail destinations.
The 68-acre mixed-use development is under construction near Bonita Beach Road and Bonita Grande Drive and expected to open in 2027.
LowBrow Pizza & Beer
The Naples-based restaurant is known for creative pizzas, wings, sandwiches and a relaxed neighborhood atmosphere.
Three Sixteen Cafe
Three Sixteen Cafe is planned as another food and beverage addition to the Midtown development.
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls
The fast-casual seafood chain specializes in Maine-style lobster rolls, including classic, Connecticut-style and lobster-salad preparations.
Jeff’s Bagel Run
Jeff’s Bagel Run serves scratch-made, New York-style bagels baked throughout the day.
Gelato & Co.
Gelato & Co. specializes in Italian-style gelato, sorbet and other desserts.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
The national fast-casual restaurant is also included in Midtown’s planned tenant lineup.
Airport Donuts
Airport Donuts, a Naples-based craft doughnut business, was announced for Midtown in June 2026.
Fresh Monkee
Fresh Monkee will offer shakes made with fruit, vegetables, nut butters and limited added sugar.
Oberweis Ice Cream & Dairy
Oberweis Ice Cream & Dairy is planned for Imperial 41, another major mixed-use project taking shape in Bonita Springs.
The Illinois-based company is known for premium ice cream, milkshakes, sundaes and traditional dairy products. The Bonita Springs shop will be part of Imperial 41’s commercial area, which will also include retail, services and a future riverfront restaurant space. Imperial 41 is expected to open in 2027 as well.
New Restaurants in Fort Myers
Turco Taco
Turco Taco opened its newest location in downtown Fort Myers in May 2026.
The locally established restaurant serves what it calls “Mexiterranean” cuisine, blending Mexican and Mediterranean flavors. Its menu includes tacos, bowls, salads and other casual dishes made with fresh ingredients.
Location: 2451 First St, Fort Myers
Amantia Wood Fire Pizzeria
Amantia Wood Fire Pizzeria is now open in south Fort Myers.
The family-owned restaurant draws inspiration from Albania and centers its menu around wood-fired pizza made with dough fermented for 48 hours. The menu also includes pasta, risotto, meatballs, arancini, salads, wings and Italian desserts.
Location: 15245 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers
Cheesesteaks.com
Cheesesteaks.com opened its third location earlier this year, bringing the authentic taste of Philadelphia to Fort Myers.
Location: 8646 Gladiolus Dr, Fort Myers
More Southwest Florida Restaurants Are on the Way
The first half of 2026 has already brought a diverse mix of restaurants to Southwest Florida, from upscale waterfront dining and chef-led concepts to locally owned sandwich shops, pizzerias and cafés.
Bonita Springs is preparing for particularly significant growth as Midtown at Bonita, Imperial 41 and several downtown projects move closer to completion. Naples continues to attract creative independent concepts, while new restaurants are filling spaces in downtown and south Fort Myers.
Know about a new Southwest Florida restaurant that opened in 2026 or one that has plans to open soon? Comment below so we can add it to the list!
Check back as we continue updating this guide with confirmed opening dates, new restaurant announcements and first looks at the latest places to eat in Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero and Fort Myers. Subscribe to our newsletter for new restaurants, SWFL news, upcoming events and more!
