Charles Runnells, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News
Fri, May 22, 2026 at 9:02 AM UTC
Is it downtown Cape Coral or South Cape?
We asked Cape residents what they call that area packed with bars and restaurants just west of Cape Coral Parkway and Del Prado Boulevard. And despite years of it being branded as South Cape, most people seem to prefer the old name: Downtown Cape Coral.
South Cape is, indeed, the official name. The City of Cape Coral calls it that, and so does the city’s South Cape-focused Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). But that doesn’t seem to matter to many people.
The News-Press/Naples Daily News conducted an informal poll of Cape Coral residents on the popular Facebook group Cape Coral Community Information. And an overwhelming majority of the 305 responses all said the same thing: It’s downtown Cape Coral. Although some people have adopted the new name — or even use both.
Here’s what people had to say (answers have been edited for length and clarity):
It’s always been downtown Cape Coral
Born and raised here. Always been and always will be downtown Cape. — Mackenzie A. Robilotta
I call it downtown. I moved here in 2003. I’ve only ever heard it being called ‘South Cape’ very recently. — Sherri Watson Warenik
I own John Michael’s Diamond and Jewelry Studio, and we call it downtown Cape! Great place to be in business. — Bob Lanzieri
Been here since ’77. It’s Downtown. — Lisa Bryant
We refer to it as Downtown Cape. And we always say our store is in Big John’s Plaza, even while we wait for his return. — Tropical Furniture Gallery Cape Coral, referring to the popular statue being repaired after damage from Hurricane Ian
Downtown Cape. That’s what our Realtor called the area when we moved here, and that’s what we continue to call it today. — Karen Locke
It’s a waste of money rebranding that area as South Cape. Only the newbies call it that. — Kelly Peters LaMagna
‘South Cape’ just fits better then ‘downtown Cape Coral’
Cape Coral’s Big John stands guard over South Cape Towne Center, otherwise known as Big John’s Plaza, in October 2024. The statue, currently gone for repairs, is a popular landmark in downtown Cape Coral/South Cape.
I say both. But I live in South Cape. ‘Downtown’ feels off to me. (It) doesn’t have a downtown feel. … Could just be me, but I just say ‘47th Terrace’ if out-of-towners want to bar hop. — Jennifer O’Connell
Drive the area, and you’ll see it’s definitely South Cape. — Facebook page It’s South Cape, posting photos showing signs for South Cape Diner and South Cape Community Redevelopment
The area that was the original business hub of Cape Coral became known as South Cape. Because it lacked the traditional city hall, library, police station, etc., it was branded as the South Cape dining and entertainment district. Many of the new businesses formed after 2000 embraced the new name South Cape. — Helen Ramey, former economic development manager and CRA specialist for the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), which rebranded the area from downtown to South Cape around 2010.
Either is acceptable. But usually, downtown is more of an urban area with actual culture. The only thing to do around there is eating food and getting drunk. — Mason Corbin
A neon-filled hallway welcomes customers to Nice Guys Pizza, one of the most popular restaurants in downtown Cape Coral/South Cape.
South Cape, because up until recently, it didn’t feel like a “downtown.” There wasn’t much to do there, and it was kind of dumpy. Happy to see more walkability, newer businesses, restaurants and people enjoying the area a bit more. — Nicole Dahlberg
Just South Cape, like “South Beach.” No one calls South Beach “Miami Beach downtown.” — Yaro Manzano
South Cape. Downtowns are walkable. … A walkable downtown, to me, would include centralized parking, whether in garages or lots, with additional parking available parallel to the roadways. In South Cape, nearly every business has its own devoted parking lot. This has the effect of encouraging people to drive from one destination to another. — John Schiller
‘South Cape’ means everything south of Pine Island Road or Veterans Parkway
Downtown. To me, South Cape is the entire city south of Veterans (Parkway). — Carissa Domrase
It is and has always been downtown. Downtown is a part of South Cape. South Cape is much bigger than the downtown area. — Bill Wend
Downtown. South Cape would be a much larger area. — Joseph Sears
To me, anything on Cape Parkway is downtown Cape, and everywhere else is South Cape. —Stephanie Snyder
Confusion with downtown Fort Myers
A map of South Cape, also known as downtown Cape Coral and the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency’s special district.
South Cape. When I hear “downtown,” I think downtown Fort Myers. — Miranda Gabrielle
I call it South Cape. I live just this side of the Cleveland bridge (in North Fort Myers). So when someone says “downtown,” it could be either downtown Fort Myers or Cape. — Stephanie Christine Denton
I lived in Cape Coral for 25 years. And my entire childhood, it was always referred to as downtown. However, when we think downtown, we think of a big downtown city like Fort Myers. And this is more like a strip, so I think that’s why people started referring to it more as South Cape. — Angela Fisher
Downtown Cape Coral, home to many shops, bars and restaurants
Clint Strand (right) and Stephen James have been repairing Cape Coral’s hurricane-damaged Big John since removing the statue from its South Cape pedestal in November 2024. They’re doing the work at Cape business Brand 1 Ink and hope the statue can return later in 2026.
I call it “downtown.” To me, that’s exactly what it is, since it’s the spot where most people gather and where you find the highest concentration of bars and restaurants. — Robin Olivarez
Downtown Cape, because it really is the hub of Cape Coral, much like any other downtown area. It’s not a traditional downtown layout. — Summer Molloy
Downtown Cape, cause it’s got the hang-out places. Most places that have that, you call them downtown and fill in the city name (like downtown Fort Myers). — Dawn Verbeke Allard
We’ve got trendy restaurants, rooftop spots, luxury apartments, walkable streets, food trucks, art festivals and the Saturday farmer’s market. It’s where the city shows up (for) holidays, events, celebrations. Everything happens there. That’s what a downtown is. — Bella Martinez
Charles Runnells covers arts and entertainment for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 or email crunnells@usatodayco.com. Follow or message him on Facebook(@charles.runnells.7), Instagram (@crunnells1) and X (@CharlesRunnells).
Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to The News-Press and Naples Daily News. Download the free News-Press or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters here and here.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Downtown Cape Coral or South Cape, what to call SW Florida hotspot