Our 11 Favorite Restaurants in Punta Gorda, Florida

We visited Punta Gorda for the first time in our van and turned it into a full-on foodie weekend, hopping between coffee shops, live music bars, and some seriously good restaurants! After trying a little bit of everything, we put together this list of our 11 favorite Punta Gorda restaurants to help you find the best bites in all of town. Whether you’re craving fresh seafood, comforting Italian, or a fun spot for drinks, we’ve got you covered!

The following is a sponsored post courtesy of Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach, Florida however, all opinions are our own.

Punta Gorda Restaurants—Our Top Picks

🥞 Best Breakfast – Corned Beef Hash Omelet at Burg’r Bar

🐟 Best Seafood – Crab and Artichoke Dip at Laishley Crab House

🍝 Best Italian – Bada Bing Special at Carmelo’s Italian Restaurant

❤️‍🔥 Our Overall Favorite – Absolutely everything we ordered at The Perfect Caper

🍹 Best Drinks – Mocktails at Downtown Kava

☕ Best Coffee – Diner Coffee at John Ski’s House of Breakfast

Dinner Restaurants

1. The Perfect Caper

The Perfect Caper is easily one of the best meals we’ve had—no surprise since Chef Jeanie Roland has 7 James Beard nominations and even beat Bobby Flay in a Food Network showdown. The price point of The Perfect Caper is considerably higher than the rest of the spots we mention, but we found it’s 100% worth it when you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion or are just craving a very good meal.

We visited on a Sunday night with an 8 PM reservation (which we recommend booking in advance, especially in winter) and started with the beet tower—a fresh and flavorful opener. Elliot went for the gnocchi, while I ordered the Duck à Deux, and wow! The skin was so crispy that Elliot could hear the crunch from across the table.

And then came dessert. Jeanie’s famous chocolate cake was a game-changer—four layers of dark, milk, and white chocolate, covered in thick ganache. I usually don’t even like chocolate cake, but this was more like a rich, fudgy mousse than a traditional cake. We were still talking about the chocolate cake on the car ride home, which pretty much says it all!

Location: 121 E Marion Ave, Punta Gorda, FL
Price: $75-150
What to Order: Duck à Deux and Chocolate Cake

2. Carmelo’s Italian Ristorante

If you’re craving classic Italian cuisine with a touch of flair, Carmelo’s Italian Ristorante is a must-visit. With the owner hailing from Italy and all the food made in-house (from the pasta to the dessert), we knew we were in for some authentic flavor. They’re most well-known for an off-menu dish, the Bada Bing, a pasta dish flambéed tableside in a giant wheel of imported Grana Padano Cheese.

Although the Bada Bing was tempting, we decided to go for some of their other dishes. Elliot ordered the Shrimp Fra Diavolo with bucatini pasta—spicy, with huge shrimp and amazing pasta. I went for the Sacchettini with sausage, pear, and Gorgonzola cream sauce, and it was a delicious, savory-sweet combo.

For dessert, don’t skip the Profiteroles with vanilla gelato and hot fudge sauce—it’s the perfect ending to an incredible meal. Keep in mind that Carmelo’s is the type of restaurant you come to for a slow date night or a chatty evening with friends! You definitely won’t be rushed out the door. We were very pleased with our experience! It’s an amazing date night spot and we would 100% return.

Location: 321 W Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, FL
Price: $30-50
What to Order: Sacchettini or the Bada Bing (we decided not to order it but it’s very popular)

3. Laishley Crab House

We stopped by Laishley Crab House on a Monday afternoon and grabbed a spot on their outdoor deck, where we had beautiful waterside views of Charlotte Harbor and Punta Gorda Municipal Marina. With multiple dining rooms and bars, we can imagine it gets packed on weekends, but on a weekday, it was a great, relaxing lunch with a view! We can imagine it as an amazing dinner spot too, so we’ve included it in the dinner section, although we went for lunch.

The menu leans heavily into seafood, which is exactly what you want in a waterfront spot like this. We ordered the Crab Tower and the Crab & Artichoke Dip, and both were flavorful and well-plated! We found the price point to be very reasonable as well, especially given the views that your meal comes with!

Location: 150 Laishley Ct, Punta Gorda, FL
Price: $15-$25
What to Order: Crab & Artichoke Dip

Lunch Spots

4. Celtic Ray Public House

Celtic Ray Public House feels like a true Irish pub—classic Irish eats, tons of beer on tap, and a lively crowd. We stopped by on a Sunday afternoon, and both their cozy indoor space as well as their lively back patio were packed with locals enjoying drinks and live music.

Our waitress recommended the brêton chicken pastie, a flaky pastry filled with chicken in a rosemary and Chardonnay cream sauce. If we had come super hungry we probably would have gone for it, but we had our eyes on the fish and chips with a Guinness, and it was spot on—crispy, light batter with perfectly cooked fish. Our meal also came with complementary coleslaw and Irish soda bread which was a nice touch.

Location: 145 E Marion Ave, Punta Gorda, FL
Price: $20-30
What to Order: Fish and Chips

5. Toula’s

If you’re looking for a casual lunch spot in downtown Punta Gorda, look no further than Toula’s, a Greek restaurant serving up gyros, burgers, subs, and wraps. We popped in here for a quick takeaway lunch and were pleasantly surprised! Elliot got the Falafel Wrap while I went for the Chicken Gyro. Both were solid, filling options!

The feta cheese in Elliot’s wrap was super creamy and the falafel was expertly made. Mine was good, but nothing to write home about. Nevertheless, Toula’s is a fantastic budget place to get a quick lunch that hits the spot. The casual counter service was a nice break from sit-down restaurants and we saw tons of locals here on their lunch break, always a good sign!

Location: 119 W Marion Ave, Punta Gorda, FL
Price: $10-20
What to Order: Falafel Wrap

Breakfast Joints

6. T n D Bakery

We always make it a point to try out a local bakery while traveling, and T n D Bakery is a small, family-owned bakery and coffee shop we found that specializes in gluten-free pastries. We tried their white chocolate cranberry scones, and they were fantastic—moist, flavorful, and just the right amount of sweetness.

If you’re a fan of gluten-free treats, or even if you aren’t gluten-free, this place has some seriously tasty options that are worth stopping for!

Location: 122 Nesbit St UNIT 114, Punta Gorda, FL
Price: $5-10
What to Order: Anything in the display case (ask for what’s fresh!)

8. John Ski’s House of Breakfast and Lunch

John Ski’s House of Breakfast and Lunch is the kind of no-frills diner that feels like a local institution. The place was packed with regulars, and it was clear the owner was a die-hard Detroit Lions fan—every inch of the walls was covered in memorabilia.

Elliot kept it classic with a cup of coffee, a cinnamon roll, and a two-egg breakfast, while I went for the crab omelet. It was loaded with generous pieces of lump crab and had just the right hint of Old Bay. Overall, the food was solid, but we did think the prices were a little high for a diner. That said, if you’re looking for a laid-back breakfast spot with friendly service, John Ski’s definitely delivers.

Location: 502 King St, Punta Gorda, FL
Price: $15-25
What to Order: Crab Omelet

Bars

9. TT’s Tiki Bar

TT’s Tiki Bar is the kind of place where you grab a drink, kick back, and stay a while. Even with parts of the outdoor area under repair from Hurricane Milton, the vibe was still spot on—good music, waterfront views, and a super laid-back crowd. We saw tons of locals catching up over drinks, dancing to the live music, and enjoying the sunset just added to the fun.

If you’re looking for a spot to chill with friends, this is it. The sunset over Charlotte Harbor was unreal, and there was plenty of space to spread out and soak it all in. We didn’t try the food, but their menu has all the beach bar staples—burgers, tacos, burritos, and sandwiches. Honestly, this place is all about the atmosphere, and it’s the perfect way to wrap up a day in Punta Gorda.

Location: 33 Tamiami Trl, Punta Gorda, FL
Price: $15-$25
What to Order: We just got drinks but we heard great things about their Mahi Sandwich!

10. Downtown Kava

If you’re looking for a hangout spot that’s suitable for the daytime and nighttime, Downtown Kava is the place to be. Located in a historic Atlantic Coast Line Railroad depot dating back to 1928, the building also houses a Black history exhibition and some objects from a century ago. Not only is Downtown Kava a cozy coffee shop, but also an alcohol-free bar! They’ve designed a unique mocktail menu featuring Kava, Kratom, and CBD-based drinks.

Elliot went with the Sour Strawberry White Kratom, while I enjoyed the Flower Child, and we absolutely loved both! We also enjoyed how spacious their indoor and outdoor seating areas were. If we lived in Punta Gorda, we definitely could imagine this becoming our go-to chillout spot with friends, especially with the live performances they host regularly!

Location: 1009 Taylor St, Punta Gorda, FL
Price: $10-20
What to Order: Coffee during the day and a Flower Child Mocktail at night

11. Harpoon Harry’s

Harpoon Harry’s is all about the vibe, with live music and two lively bar areas right on the water in Fishermen’s Village, one of our favorite places to hang out in Punta Gorda. They were packed to the brim with locals enjoying the sunset views and live music, making it the perfect spot to hang out and relax. We were a bit bummed by their use of plastic utensils and cups, which felt out of place for a sit-down spot, but overall, we can see why this place gets busy. It’s more about the vibe and the view!

We ordered oysters, a Mahi sandwich for Elliot, and a Grouper Bonita for Jen. While the oysters were fresh and salty, we have to say that the rest of the meal didn’t really wow us. What stood out, though, was the lively atmosphere. There were tons of locals and visitors alike, enjoying the music and relaxing after a long day.

Location: 1200 W Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, FL
Price: $15-$25
What to Order: Your go-to drink and a plate of oysters