{"id":264286,"date":"2026-05-09T02:24:24","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T02:24:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/264286\/"},"modified":"2026-05-09T02:24:24","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T02:24:24","slug":"southwest-florida-food-scene-continues-to-buzz-with-openings-closings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/264286\/","title":{"rendered":"Southwest Florida food scene continues to buzz with openings, closings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Omelet, taco and chicken salad joints are in, while spaghetti gelato, pizza and (for now) wing places are out.<\/p>\n

At least when it comes to recent openings and closings on the Southwest Florida<\/a> foodie scene, that is.<\/p>\n

Let’s begin this recap of events in Cape Coral<\/a>, where a popular breakfast-and-lunch restaurant<\/a> made its long-awaited debut.<\/p>\n

This is where the omelets come in\u2026<\/p>\n

House of Omelets<\/p>\n

The fourth location of this popular breakfast and lunch restaurant made its highly anticipated debut along Cape Coral Parkway on Monday, May 4.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s amazing,\u201d owner Toni Dedaj said. \u201cI\u2019m very happy. I like this area, the way Cape Coral is growing. And this building is beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n

That building is the eye-catching Bimini Square off Cape Coral Parkway. House of Omelets, which anchors the first-floor northeast corner unit, has a classic European feel. With seating for 89 inside and 40 outside, it\u2019s about half the size of Dedaj\u2019s Pine Island Road location.<\/p>\n

\"Toni<\/p>\n

Toni Dedaj just opened his second House of Omelets in Cape Coral.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe like it,\u201d he said. \u201cWe still have the big menu, but we like the smaller seating area. Service is more personal.\u201d<\/p>\n

And speaking of that menu (the same you\u2019ll find at all House of Omelets locations), it is indeed huge, with about 30 signature omelets alone. Add in all the egg dishes (House Slam is a best seller), favorites (like corned beef hash and chicken & waffles), off the griddle dishes (multiple pancake, French toast and waffle options), Benedicts and crepes, and we\u2019re already up to huge without even getting to the lunch items.<\/p>\n

\"House<\/p>\n

House of Omelets in Cape Coral made its Bimini Square debut on May 4, 2026.<\/p>\n

Those include appetizers, salads, signature sandwiches (from lobster grilled cheese to Philly steak), burgers & melts, and pitas & wraps. Free parking can be found in the parking garage, shared with neighboring Bimini Basin Seafood.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s easy in and out,\u201d Dedaj said. \u201cVery easy. Come visit us.\u201d Find it at 440 Cape Coral Parkway; (239) 360-8083; there are two locations in Cape Coral and one each in Fort Myers and Naples. Go to houseofomelets.com<\/a> or follow on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Chicken Salad Chick\"This<\/p>\n

This one scoop entree from Chicken Salad Chick comes with two sides.<\/p>\n

More than 100 customers were waiting outside when this chicken salad-loving, fast-casual restaurant opened its new Cape Coral location on April 29. Located in the Shops at Del Sol (near Swig!), Chicken Salad Chick has 13 different types of chicken salad, including traditional, fruity & nutty, savory and spicy flavors. Get it in one or two scoops, in a sandwich, in a melt (Bacon cheddar or chicken) or in a BLT. A turkey club is also available. It\u2019s all scratch-made, just like the sides which include broccoli, grape and pasta salads, fresh fruit, mac \u2018n cheese and soup. A few desserts (white chocolate layer cake and signature cookies) are also on the menu. Get it all by dining in, driving through, taking out, or\u00a0by delivery. It\u2019s open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Go to chickensaladchick.com<\/a>\u00a0or follow on Facebook<\/a>\u00a0for more.<\/p>\n

Point Ybel Brewing\"Point<\/p>\n

Point Ybel’s new downtown Fort Myers location is bright and open with a nautical theme.<\/p>\n

We recently checked out this brewery\u2019s new downtown Fort Myers location off First Street in the Fortiner Building, and we love it. It\u2019s all the good things from the original San Carlos Boulevard location plunked down in a lighter, brighter space (and it\u2019s next to another Chocolattes location!!!). With 17 taps, you\u2019ll find all the same award-winning beers\u00a0Point Ybel is known for \u2014 including Sanibel Light, Snook Bite IPA, Sanibel Red and (our favorite) The Full Breakfast stout. Even though it\u2019s only been open since April 11, it\u2019s already right at home with a full slate of events \u2014 from live music and yoga to trivia and music bingo.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a new chapter for us,\u201d owner and brewer Jordan Weisberg said. \u201cWe\u2019re excited for it. We want to build the same community downtown that we have (in south Fort Myers).\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Point<\/p>\n

Point Ybel Brewing opened a new spot in downtown Fort Myers on April 11, 2026.<\/p>\n

It’s off to a great start. Drop by 2180 W. First St., Fort Myers; (239) 603-6565; pointybelbrew.com<\/a> and on Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n

Turco Taco<\/p>\n

With three locations in Naples, this fast-casual taco joint has finally come to downtown Fort Myers. It opened April 24 at 2451 First Street. In a former office space, it\u2019s across from Fort Myers Regional Library, on the northwest corner of First and Bay streets. Turco Taco is known for its fresh and bold gourmet Mexican-Turkish fusion tacos, gourmet quesadillas and organic salads. We can\u2019t wait to check it out. (239) 344-7732; theturcotaco.com<\/a> or on Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n

Capriotti\u2019s\"Capriotti's<\/p>\n

Capriotti’s best-selling Bobbie features slow-roasted and hand-puller turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing and mayo.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve already reported that this popular Delaware-founded chain opened a Cape Coral location on April 28 in the Shops at Del Mar off Pine Island Road. But can we just say that The Bobbie \u2014 billed as the original Thanksgiving sandwich \u2014 lives up to the hype? The slow-roasted turkey (cooked overnight and hand-pulled in the morning), house-made stuffing, cranberry sauce and mayo combination won us over on the first bite. Order it hot or cold, in 4, 8, 10 or 18-inch sizes. And if you\u2019re not feeling Thanksgiving-y, Capriotti\u2019s has plenty of other options, including cheesesteaks, tuna, classic Italian, BLT, meatball, Capastrami, Wagyu beef sandwiches and more.\u00a0Find it all at 327 SW 10th\u00a0Place, unit 202, Cape Coral; (239) 471-0469; capriottis.com<\/a>\u00a0or follow on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Closings\"The<\/p>\n

The Fat Apple in North Fort Myers has permanently closed.<\/p>\n

The Fat Apple:\u00a0The sign is down and the doors of this pizza joint in North Fort Myers are locked. After nine years, this staple in the Publix-anchored Eagle Landing plaza off Bayshore Road has permanently closed. It steadily built a loyal following after Guy Beekman, who owned the legendary Birdie\u2019s Pizza in Fort Myers for 20 years, opened it in July 2017.<\/p>\n

Spaghy Gelato:\u00a0This small Cape Coral shop in Chelsea Place off Del Prado Boulevard has closed. \u201cCape Coral \u2026 thank you,\u201d an April 28 post on its Facebook page read. \u201cBecause of your support, your love, your energy \u2026 we\u2019re taking the next step. We are officially relocating to the East Coast.\u201d It was known for its viral spaghetti gelato \u2014 handcrafted gelato shaped into spaghetti form and topped with a variety of toppings. \u00a0\u201cThank you for the memories, the laughs, and for believing in something a little different,\u201d the post concluded.<\/p>\n

Wingnuts: After spending the last 15 years at 231 Del Prado Blvd. in Cape Coral, this popular chicken wing restaurant is closing. For now, anyway. “Our time at this location has come to an end,” an April 30 post on the Pub & Grub’s Facebook page read. “Our last day will be May 16th. HOWEVER, we will be moving to a new location soon.” It’s currently in Moderna Plaza, north of Cape Coral Hospital and south of Hancock Bridge Parkway (where the recently closed Misto Bar & Grill was). “Although it will take us time to relocate the restaurant, we will keep you posted, EVERY STEP OF THE WAY,” the post continued. “… We look forward to seeing you in the very near future. Our thanks again for all your support.” Follow along on Facebook<\/a> for updates.<\/p>\n

Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at\u00a0rhgeorge@fortmyer.gannett.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to\u00a0The News-Press<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Naples Daily News<\/a>; download the free\u00a0News-Press<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Naples Daily News app<\/a>, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Southwest Florida restaurant scene busy with these openings, closings<\/a><\/p>\n