As the island and its residents recover, day by day, more restaurants, shops and other businesses are welcoming in customers — proving the resilience of the island communities and their unique cultures. 

If you find yourself on the islands, make sure to support some of the below businesses, whose doors are now open again: 

Bank of the Islands - 1699 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL

Cielo Restaurant - 1244 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL

 Beginning December 6, Cielo opened its doors to family and friends on Sanibel, from 11am to 6pm, Tuesday through Saturday.  Come for lunch 11am to 3pm, happy hour 4:30pm to 6pm, or dinner 4pm to 6pm. Cielo is serving a limited menu and currently cannot take reservations.  Cielo’s new sign says “SAN-CAP STRONG.”

BIG ARTS Sanibel Gift Shop - 900 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel, FL

 Unique, local-artist created jewelry, pottery, wearable art, decorative and whimsical art can be purchased in the lobby of the BIG ARTS center on Dunlop Road, Monday through Friday, from 9am to 3pm.  Purchases support BIG ARTS which, due to the storm, had to cancel its previously scheduled 2023 performing arts season.

Blue Giraffe - 2075 Periwinkle way 14, Sanibel, FL

Footloose H20 Outfitters – 1700 Periwinkle Way #4, Sanibel, FL

Some of Gramma Dot’s specialties are now available for lunch or an earlier dinner.  Gramma Dot’s has set up a food truck on the Gramma Dot’s paved lot at the Sanibel Marina, and it is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, and Saturday, 10am to 2pm.  

Island Locksmith - 2340 Periwinkle Way J3, Sanibel, FL

Jerry's Foods - 1700 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL

Jerry's Foods was one of the first businesses to welcome back customers when it opened its doors on Oct. 25, just 27 days after the storm. Stop in for some groceries and home necessities, or grab a bite at the Jerry's Cafe. You can visit the store any day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or the deli and restaurant from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

MudBugs Cajun Kitchen - 1473 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL

Full of cajun flavors and fun island vibes, MudBugs is open for business on Periwinkle Way on Sanibel. Stop in for a classic po'boy or some fresh oysters with your family and loved ones any day from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Enjoy live music every day from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. or happy hour Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Nanny's of Sanibel - 1700 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL

This baby and children’s clothing and accessory store in the Jerry’s Shopping Center is currently open Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 4pm.  Everything in the store is 20% off for now.

Old Captiva House - 15951 Captiva Dr, Captiva, FL

 The Old Captiva House restaurant  at the ‘Tween Waters Inn is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Old Captiva House will be closed in observance of Christmas 12/24 and 12/25.  The Hideway Bar at Old Captiva House remains a top-choice water hole to enjoy at the Inn’s Serenity Pool.

Rosalita's Cantina - 975 Rabbit Road, Sanibel, FL

At Rosaltia's Cantina, enjoy a full Tex-Mex experience, from the margaritas down to the street-style tacos! The kitchen is open Sunday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. You can also stop in for Brunch on Sundays starting at 10 a.m. The bar is open Monday through Saturday until 1 a.m. 

Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory - 2330 Palm Ridge Road, Sanibel, FL

On November 30, Sanibel Deli celebrated a post-hurricane reopening. Deli owner Jeff Weigel is welcoming the lunch crowd of friends, regulars, and city officials who are steadily streaming in each day to grab Reubens, muffins and smoothies.

Sanibel Island Golf Club - 1100 Par View Drive, Sanibel Island, FL

The Sanibel Island Golf Club opened the first nine holes of its golf course to members on November 17.  Members can make a reservation and there are now some golf carts available to rent.

The Mucky Duck - 11546 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, FL

The Sanibel Grill - 703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel Island, FL

The Sanibel Grill is now open Mondays, Wednesday through Sundays, 12pm to 8pm.  The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays.

The Spa at Tween Waters - 15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva, FL

The Island Store - 11500 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, FL

 On November 30, The Island Store celebrated a post-hurricane reopening. The owners of Bailey’s General Store and a current tenant,partnered together this past year to rebuild The Island Store with the same charm shoppers have enjoyed since Ding Darling first opened it as a general store in the early 1900s.  With the help of the historical preservation committee, The Island Store was rebuilt with as much adherence to the original historical building as possible.   

The Shack of Sanibel - 1219 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL

 Not only do customers love the fresh frozen custard at The Shack, they also love its cool air conditioning, ceiling fans, island music, garden patio, and wrap-around porch. A few iguanas and turtles enjoy the shade at The Shack too. The Shack is located 1/4 mile west on Periwinkle from the Sanibel Causeway. Current hours are Mondays, 11am to 4pm, Fridays/Saturdays, 11am to 8pm. Closed on Sundays.

Traders Restaurant - 1551 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL

Traders Restaurant started serving customers delicious, coastal-inspired dishes when it reopened on Nov. 22. Diners can enjoy lunch or dinner at the restaurant on Periwinkle Way Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The music bar will stay open until 8 p.m. Customers can also peruse the gift shop to find the perfect holiday presents! 

Whitney's Bait & Tackle - 1554 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL

 Whitney’s Bait & Tackle and its sister store, Sanibel Fly Outfitters, are working through the motions of rebuilding. While it will take time, the team there is eager to serve the Islands throughout the process. The Bait shop at 1554 Periwinkle is open daily with what merchandise remains, much of it on sale. The team there says they’d love to see residents, “if even just to say hi!”






If your business is open and you would like to be included in our list, please send an email to [email protected].