The best part of dining at the Lighthouse is the setting; romantic and classy with great views off the terrace. Beyond that, I would rate the food a '2' (unimaginative and bland), the service a '4' (prompt and generally attentive, but had to ask for water), and the value a '3' (price as expected, wine list relatively cheap).
(3)
Dan G.
I have been to this restaurant in the past and had a good meal. I was there last week, and it might be the last time I go. The food was ok, basic fare (had blackened grouper), service was just ok. Worst part was they had "live entertainment". There was a guy with a guitar and a sound system that was pegged at 10....granted this was southwest Florida and 50% of the clientele had hearing aids, but it was obnoxiously loud...and not that good.
(2)
Anne T.
Had dinner here tonight. We ate early as we wanted to enjoy the sunset. Shared a crabcake appetizer--wonderful! Lobster bisque--fantastic! Great panko and pistachio crusted grouper. All in all a great dinner with a wonderful sunset. Would return!
(5)
Chuck M.
Nice view, good food and friendly staff. Its great for Sunday brunch too.
(4)
Karen B.
Started out well with escargot, but grouper was very over cooked as was the veg medley. Also had an uninspired Caesar salad. All in all, a little worse than you would expect from a touristy area.
(2)
Maryanne S.
This is by far the best restaurant in the area. The Caesar salad is the best I've ever had, my only complaint is they wouldn't share the recipe for the salad dressing! I had the crab cakes which were done perfectly. The wine list is varied and has some good wines to choose from at a reasonable price. Definitely worth a try! As far as the entertainment.... He sounded like a cross between Bruce Springstein and Billy Joel and was great!
(5)
Dean H.
This is a sad story indeed. Great location with awesome marina and water views. Clearly just cutting corners at every turn. Food quality is Sysco food service at best... Heck, close your eyes and you will swear your eating salad from a bulk container found at Costco. The service is OK, but just OK... Did I mention the hostess staff that is more worried about their next text? I have went here for the last eight years and have seen a steady decline.... I would not bother. to many other quality choices in the FMB area.
(3)
Rob W.
It's decent. Pretty good food but not amazing. Not big tvs but has a few. If you're close its worth a try. Seafood is good. Don't eat the pork.
(3)
AV G.
This place is huge and packed--the only reason it only has less than 50 yelp reviews is because the customer base does not know how to turn on a computer. The Crown Vics with the MI/MN/WI plates sent a warning. The place is a huge sloppy mess--i would expect the kitchen would represent this as well--food was not bad, although expensive--service was non-existent. Not sure why this place does so much business. We were a group of 10 and did have a nice time, which is why i gave it 2 rather than one stars--but i do not recommend going here.
(2)
Brandon O.
Ate here 2 out of 2 nights in town with wife. Primarily because they had decent selection of fish and cooked it to our liking, being we are gluten free. The steamed vege options were an added bonus...we don't get too creative with sauces, etc. thumbs up to the scallops, salmon, and prime rib. The place is casual, but with nice views and a warm atmosphere. Had a live piano player on saturday night which was cool. People are fairly nice, but nothing over the top. They got the job done. We did like the 30 options of wine you can buy "by the glass", but on the otherhand we saw 30 bottles of wine corked behind the bar...and wondered how fresh all the bottles can be on a nightly basis? I am no wine conisseur however and drank my Mark West pinot noir. Flourless chocolate cake was a nice finish. Outside seating was nice with the heat lamps, a little chilly the nights we were there though.
(4)
Dennis D.
On a recent vacation to the Fort Myers area we had drinks and ate dinner at the Lighthouse Waterfront Restaurant on Sunday (3/01). We started with a cocktail at the bar. We were looking forward to having a martini at the bar before dinner. We ordered two martinis ... one a classic no frills vodka martini, the second a flavored martini with sugar on the rim. We were impressed that the martinis were poured into chilled glasses. Unfortunately the bartender mixed up the orders and poured the classic vodka martini into the sugar rimmed glass and the other flavored martini drink, that should have been poured into the sugar rimmed glass, was poured into a plain glass (no sugar). The GOOD part ... bartender admitted his error. The BAD part ... after wiping away some of the sugar on the rim of the incorrect vodka martini, he poured the contents of each drink back into shakers and got new un-chilled glasses to salvage the drinks. It's okay if a bartender make s a mistake, but I suggest admitting the error and making new drinks. Period. That's the right thing to do. Attempting to salvage the drinks (the cost of alcohol) is an amateur move ... the classic vodka martini now had some sugar flavor, both drinks were watered down after mixing with ice a second time and both drinks were placed in un-chilled glasses. I should have complained, but we were on vacation and wanted to stay positive. Even though there was a screw-up with the martinis, we did leave a nice tip for the bartender.... again, we were on vacation and wanted to stay positive. However, I should have pulled the tip when the bartender announced that the bill was $17.76. I stated 1776, "great year" seeing that it was an historic year. But the bartender stated "Oh, were you around then?" Bit of a smart a** remark. Just an FYI, we were younger than the average patrons that evening. Customer service does not include backhanded, poor taste comments. We sat down and had average - good food, but had to ask for knife / fork / napkin after the server brought the food. FYI, we saw another table's patrons actually get up to get their silverware and napkins from another table. Last thought ... we found it a bit odd that the menu was made up of many more non-seafood entrees than seafood items; especially odd for a restaurant named the Lighthouse Waterfront Restaurant on the water, near yachts??? Recap .... average - good food, weak service and not-so-pleasant experience at the bar. Will we return to LWR during another vacation? ... not sure since there are better. more customer focused restaurants in the area, all things considered.
(2)
Elizabeth W.
We went with good friends for a special evening and were not disappointed. There was a 20 minute wait which went by quickly while we strolled the marina with our drinks, enjoyed a spectacular sunset, watched the Osprey parents return to their nest for the night and chatted up some other friendly guests. The salads were delicious, made with a tender mix of sweet baby lettuces. My husband got perfect prime rib and the rest of us got seafood selections. I had panko crusted jumbo shrimp and scallops finished lightly with lemon beurre blanc. The scallops were so good, my eyes rolled back in my head. They have a good wine list with featured wines for the evening. The meals were a bit pricey but not completely outrageous. I'd look forward to my next special dinner out at Lighthouse.
(4)
Eileen H.
Maybe I was wrong to go there looking for some nightlife, but by the time I got there at 9 PM on Friday it seemed like they were close to closing. The live music seemed to have left for the night, or taken an extended bathroom break. I had a wine and bruscetta at the bar, both respectable but nothing to write home about. My travel blog: drizzlysolotrek.wordpres…
(3)
Lorraine H.
Stopped for lunch - Clean... good location...professional wait staff...fairly priced menu...and good food! I would recommend Lighthouse waterfront restaurant in a minute
(4)
Michelle M.
We had an appetizer and it was ok. But we really enjoy coming here for the nightly entertainment. The duo singing is wonderful!!!!!!! Please check it out! Owners would do better with a friendlier bartender that actually tried to SELL some drinks and keep them coming for profit and customer retention. We would have ordered several more at the 250% profit they sell their wine at due to the kick ass entertainment alone but they couldn't seem to get us out of there fast enough.....sad for the restaurant/bar and sad for the awesome entertainment they provided! I watched the bartenders count their tips while I sat with an empty drink.....soured me completely! If I owned the place they would have been fired, they lost a lot of money from us and others.
(3)
E m.
Nice view, quiet place, friendly service. I gave it 3 stars because it's a fairly regular menu and the whole restaurant needs updating. I think they cater to the marina crowd on the weekends mostly.
(3)
Rhonda G.
We are visiting from Pittsburgh and dined a couple times here. Is was excellent. Great customer drinks and food. Love this place......
(4)
Caitlin J.
Came here for lunch this week and had a fantastic chicken salad on a croissant. My husband got a chicken sandwich and also raved about it. Great service. Peaceful outdoor dining on the deck overlooking the marina and all its beautiful birds and not too over-priced.
(5)
Michael P.
Traveled to Ft. Myers/Sanibel for business purposes, took an late afternoon dolphin tour, and the boat delivered us here for a Monday night dinner. As you might expect, the place was nearly empty, with all the other guests concentrated in a smaller dining area. What we didn't expect was our large party being jammed into a corner of the main dining room, with no one else present. The tables were so close together, the servers had difficulty getting to everyone. Finally we moved the tables ourselves. We were a large group, with a pre-fixe menu. The quality of the food was varied; some appetizers were merely good, other excellent. The same spread was true for the choices of main course and desserts. Service, once we'd moved the tables was consistently good.
(2)
Kristan K.
Yikes - was this ever a bad experience! While waiting for a table, we had a drink at the bar. We were not even greeted. The bartender came up and said, "What do you want?" After ordering he dropped off our drinks without so much as a smile or "here ya go." Our table was ready, so we asked for the bill - he, literally, threw the check at me! Bad bad! Our waitor and the hostess were great, the food was average. It is a shame because the bartender ruined our entire experience.
(1)
Loyal O.
We went to the Lighthouse for dinner tonight despite the many less than favorable reviews on Yelp. We're in town on business and it was close to the Marriott where we were staying. It was a beautiful night so we sat on the porch. To summarize..... I had the Filet and my wife had the Snapper and both were outstanding. The Snapper was excellent as was the atmosphere. Let's not forget, the key lime pie was also top notch. I would go again in a heartbeat.
(5)
Critic D.
Friday night coming home from the airport - 7:00 reservation. The place was crazy busy. There was entertainment. The food was WAY TOO SLOW! It is clear they do not have enough kitchen staff. Why seat people if you can not deliver the food in a timely manner? Close off one room!! The server had too many tables and a trainee with him. The food was not bad but it was almost an hour between salad and main course. It is a shame but reminds me of a place that says - its high season lets get em while we can. The hostess was dragging chairs thru the dining room, a customer got up and helped her mainly because it was so annoying to watch. Then she picked up a chair over her head and carried it thru the dining room. Terrible ambiance. It is a shame - nice spot.
(1)
Jolie W.
The lobster salad on a croissant was phenomenal and so was the grilled grouper sandwich. Great food with a great view and a very friendly and attentive staff.
(4)
Natalie H.
Good food and beautiful scenery. My husband and I visited on a Sunday night and were promptly seated and served. The wait staff was friendly and willing to offer suggestions. Their head to toe black uniforms complimented the formality of the menu, but the slightly worn interior of the restaurant seemed to suggest otherwise. We ordered a bottle of white wine, shrimp cocktail (delicious), and I ordered the filet (lacking in seasoning and slightly heavy on the charred flavor), and my husband ordered the shrimp linguine (looked and tasted wonderful, the shrimp were butterflied and full of flavor). Overall a nice place to go for a nice meal. Nothing outstanding or impression-worthy, but I imagine its a place we would go to again.
(4)
Kathleen D.
Overall, we had a great dinner here (4 plus a baby). I did not come for the decor, so I didn't factor that into the stars I gave The Lighthouse. The food, however, was beautiful. I had the Lobster Capellini with the house salad to start. I also tried the Lobster Bisque and it was some of the best bisque I've ever had. There were a few chunks of lobster in it and the flavor was really good. The Lobster Capellini was a fantastic choice and even our server said it was her favorite on the menu. There was a nice sized portion of lobster on top (though I could always use more!) and the sherry cream sauce was not overwhelming. Just right. I should also mention the fresh, crusty bread they brought to the table. That's a great first sign, isn't it? Good bread says everything. The others in my party raved about their choices as well. Swordfish, Shrimp Pasta, Grilled Salmon. The jumbo shrimp in the Shrimp Pasta were some of the best my Dad has ever had. So there you go. A tip: They don't take reservations, but they do have a call-ahead list. The dining room gets PACKED almost immediately at 5PM when the seating starts for dinner. It was like busses were dropping off huge loads of people! Be prepared to stand and wait.
(5)
bryan c.
Went in tonight with My in-laws, wife, and infant daughter. We had Jess as waitress asked for Mac and Cheese for our daughter. We were told shouldn't be an issue, if it was She would notify us right away. All four of our meals came and nothing for our daughter. Our table never got cleared and no refill drinks had to ask for bread. We never got asked for desert. We had to take check out for payment. My mother in law told Jess our daughter couldn't sit anymore. Jess said "well I am not sitting down". We have gone here every time down for vacation. However not sure if we will visit here again.
(3)
Matthew C.
My wife and I went to this restaurant while on a short vacation to Sanibel Island. I ordered the lobster bisque and the Prime Rib. My wife also got the lobster bisque and the macadamia crusted grouper. The lobster bisque was the highlight of the meal. Good texture and flavor. However, both entrees were very bland, lacking even the correct amount of salt! The prime rib was plain without a seasoned crust. The grouper was tasteless. Definitely not worth the 90 dollars we paid for the entire meal.
(2)
Gina S.
There is no better place in the area to enjoy unbelievable food, a beautiful surrounding, and amazing live entertainment! We dined here not one night, but both nights of our little weekend getaway and were blown away both times. The cuisine is absolutely delicious from the appetizers to the dessert. I could eat the lobster bisque and bruschetta everyday!! Everything is so fresh (especially the seafood) and the ingredients used are some of the finest available. Every plate that came to our table gloated the efforts of the kitchen. The service is fantastic and you can just tell that everyone working here shares a great pride for the restaurant. Lighthouse is ideal for parties of all sizes. There is plenty of comfortable space to eat at the bar if you are coming solo and want to treat yourself an incredible meal (and drinks). If there are two of you, the waterfront location will give you and your date the most romantic setting and you can even take your love a step further onto the dance floor- Chris, the singer/musician is one of the most talented live performers I have seen anywhere (covering anyone from Stevie Wonder to STP and performing his original songs). Or, bring the whole gang if you want... as a matter of fact, after talking to some of the staff, we learned that they often do private events for large groups, which is no surprise since the place is rather large and perfectly set up for parties. Another cool thing is that even though the dining experience is first class, the clientele can 'come as your are.' It's not a stuff environment at all... many guests looked like they came right off their boats, while some decide to get dressed for the occasion. Now that I've read this all back, I kinda sound like a commercial for this place, but if that's what it takes to convince you to experience it for yourself, I'll end with, "now back to your regularly scheduled programming!"
(5)
J C.
Go when Chris Workman is playing and Matt is behind the bar for a perfect evening; Oh, the food is excellent too!!!
(5)
Tom G.
Food and waitstaff were fine - but I will stay away from the bar and the bartender. It was no fun. To me, the male bartender on duty seemed to act like out of towners are not welcome and he acted kind of creepy to me and my adult son. He seemed bitter and sour to me, like a guy who made nothing of his life, so he is going to take it out on others who did. There are other relaxing places to go where you don't have to put up a with a tedious worker with obvious issues, so Ill stay away from the Lighthouse.
(3)
Mark N.
Went on a dead Monday about 3:30. Waited quite awhile to be seated and waited even longer for our food.
(2)
Susan C.
the waterfront dining is the only thing great about this overpriced rest. I eat there when a client of mine is here and that has been about 8 times this season.... The salad has about 10 floppy leaves and 1 grape tomato cut in half. They never tell you the soups you have to ask and its like a privilege for that.. The scallops are so overpriced. 3 Scallops for 31 bucks... Outrageous. the sushi is low grade and about the only decent thing is the prime rib..... I wish they would change up the menu a bit... I have to say the servers are great and accommodating but apparently the chef is stuck in a time warp
(2)
Robert C.
I want to be fair and not mean. In its hey-day, Im sure this was a very nice place to go. The staff is courteous and are some very nice people. The view out towards the water and during sun-sets is nice (but hot with the sun glaring in and the AC less than full blast). The ads and the web site suggest a more than casual (business casual plus dress location); there were shorts and tank tops in the outer bar area - and me in slacks and a button down. We were on vacation and wanted to have a nice time out. The meal was ok; the selection was moderate and the price generally fair. But its time to re-model, re-menu and update the place. Not a bad selection of draft beers (craft) and a full bar. If you like strong drinks - you will get them. But a gin & tonic in a water glass didn't look right. I ordered a dozen blue point oysters - small and very plain presentation. She got a salad that was normal. My steak was so-so. I ribeye medium-rare and got it medium. That's ok. But there wasn't anything special about the taste or the meat quality. She got Mahi, decent potion, but nothing to rave at. Would we go back: Sorry we won't
(2)
Ann Marie D.
Great setting and a pretty view. Service and food were kind of meh. I had the Monte Cristo, which was the sandwich special of the day. I love a Monte Cristo! I did not love this one. The bread had been over drenched and was soggy and lacked any flavor at all. What I ended up doing was eating just the ham and the cheese. There really wasn't that much cheese. I chose the prize as my side item and I really just wasn't overly impressed with them. My boss ordered the grilled chicken Caesar salad and I wish I had ordered grilled chicken instead because that chicken looks absolutely delicious he said he enjoyed the salad and ate the entire thing. On arrival to the restaurant there was no one at the hostess stand, and someone standing ahead of us wanting to make a Thanksgiving day reservation. Once she had been helped we were still waiting and finally a server came around and asked us if they could seat us. We just got outside and while the setting in the view were very nice again the service is really lacking. It took a long time to get the salad and sandwich. Restaurant had steady business but was by no means crowded and there seem to be adequate staff on hand. Not really sure what the problem was.
(2)
Greg G.
We were actually heading to Captiva but when we drove by this place, we were attracted to the old Florida architecture of the building. We pulled in and were taken to our outside prime location table. Nice hostess and nice waitstaff. 5 - stars atmosphere and all that. 5- stars, service and knowledge of the menu etc. Food: Mine-3 stars My date-4 stars I had the special, $29 three tail breaded fish with some shredded vege stuff on cornbread with a very nice and very cold salad. My date had a tomato onion and mozzarella appetizer salad plus a fish cake. My food was good, not great, as the flavor was on the bland side. Corn bread and fish breading is bland. My date gave me a slice of her tomato and onion which amped up my salad 100%! We will absolutely return and suggest you go here too. Just be aware of menu items where there are too many similar items. The bar is awesome and the sunset viewing is outstanding. You'll love this place.
(4)
Courtney W.
My in-laws take us here when we visit them in Florida. They have yummy fish, good presentation and efficient service. They have a great view of the water. The grouper was good and their Cesar salads are huge with fresh parm shavings. Yum. My father in law is obsessed with osprey so he'd be pissed if I didn't mention it in my review. They are just birds that build their nests on a super tall stilts but I guess they're fun to watch...if that's your scene.
(4)
Bonnie M.
This restaurant is not accommodating. They have no signs and even seated us in their outside dining area when we arrived with the dog on a leash. After serving us cocktails another waiter came up a half hour later and informed us we would have to leave or put the dog back on the boat. There were no other people even on the porch. He said this was their policy and health department regulations. We then went to Rum Runners where they seated us immediately in their outside area with other diners and brought Bentley a dish of ice water without us even asking for it.
(1)
Carlos I.
I was worried at first because of the few random low reviews, I have to say this was the best food of the trip. The lobster brusque was very good, we also has a clam chowder that was like no other. We followed the soup with two pasta plates, a lobster capellini and a shrimp linguini. Everything was well seasoned and fresh. For desert we had the banana foster. Overall great experience , view and good . Will be back for sure
(5)
Mike G.
We have driven past this place many times and after reading the yelps we stopped in @5P to beat the rush. Greeted & seated at the best table on the screened in porch. Our waiter Mick/Matt was great and had all the answers about the menu. Wife loves Bruschetta and this was a great example of it, we both loved it as it was not over toasted. We both had the house salads with balsamic which was fresh & tasty. She had the Mahi Neapolitan special which was perfect in it's presentation and taste. I had the lobster mac & cheese, it was very good but the lobster was slightly overcooked. View and setting are outstanding, service was very good and food was very good. We stopped at the bar for a drink on the way out and watched as the place filled up. After the season we will be back for a sunset dinner.
(5)
Scott B.
Great evening with friends, Martini's made right, had appetizers that were fresh, prime rib bites a little over done, all meals were wonderful, Grouper, Red Snapper, FL Lobster, Prime Rib. Service great, deserts great, outdoor seating was relaxing. Will go again!
(5)
Laura R.
I've been here twice with larger groups and they are very accommodating (though I definitely recommend a reservation, especially if its in season). Their garden salad with house dressing is great! I loved their grilled Atlantic salmon with crab, asparagus, & hollandaise was delicious, everything perfect. Beautiful sunset as well!
(4)
Ryan L.
Food is always good. I prefer a little more flavor in my food but all in a the food is good. We go a couple times a month. Would recommend.
(3)
Carol B.
This place has a country club feel. Good place for ladies lunch or Sunday brunch the complimentary mimosas were a nice touch the seating on the porch has the nicest view. The menu doesn't offer a lot of creative or top chef food but it is very fresh and well presented. Nice clean place polo shirt kind of attire. Really good bisque. Fresh salads. I think lunch is the best time to go here.
(4)
Estera P.
We went here for lunch during slow season (July) and there was barely anyone there. It's close to the departure spot for Adventures in Paradise boat tours, so my husband and I decided to have lunch here. We had Lobster Bisque - suuuper delicious! Definitely a 5 star bisque!
(4)
Rich H.
Do yourself a favor and go to this restaurant! Everything about it demands superlatives. Service, food & view. I read a lot of the reviews on Yelp and found a lot of negatives. I am soooo happy that I checked it out for myself. I truly believe that these negative reviewers confused this place w/another restaurant with the same name. We will return often. Thanks Brandi for fabulous service
(5)
Matt S.
Service was OK not great. Had to ask for refills on water more than once. Calamari appetizer was average, not good but not bad either. I had the grilled Swordfish which was cooked perfectly. My daughter had the blackened Swordfish and it was not great, really dry and over cooked. Bill was $200 without any alcohol, so it was a little pricey.
(3)
Dave R.
What a pleasant surprise, being a tourist place, the best meal we had so far since we been here. The burger was cooked exactly the way it was requested. My quesadillas were excellent! We then went back to dinner the following night and had another excellent meal!
(5)
Angie F.
We went here for lunch after reading reviews on Yelp- excellent meal!! The lobster bisque was to die for and the sweet tea martini's are awesome!!
(5)
Beth B.
By far one of the best meals we have had anywhere, not just in Fort Myers. Service was excellent, drinks were strong and delicious and the food was to die for. I had shrimp and scallops and my boyfriend had mako shark, both exceptional. Try the sweet tea martini and the candy basket for dessert! And get there for the sunset, you might even see manatees!
(5)
Steve R.
The best Grouper I've had in a long time. Very good Key Lime Pie too. Add to this a beautiful sunset and it's a can't miss for dinner.
(4)
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Address :14301 Port Comfort Rd
Fort Myers, FL, 33908
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual, Touristy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
Dan d.
The best part of dining at the Lighthouse is the setting; romantic and classy with great views off the terrace. Beyond that, I would rate the food a '2' (unimaginative and bland), the service a '4' (prompt and generally attentive, but had to ask for water), and the value a '3' (price as expected, wine list relatively cheap).
(3)Dan G.
I have been to this restaurant in the past and had a good meal. I was there last week, and it might be the last time I go. The food was ok, basic fare (had blackened grouper), service was just ok. Worst part was they had "live entertainment". There was a guy with a guitar and a sound system that was pegged at 10....granted this was southwest Florida and 50% of the clientele had hearing aids, but it was obnoxiously loud...and not that good.
(2)Anne T.
Had dinner here tonight. We ate early as we wanted to enjoy the sunset. Shared a crabcake appetizer--wonderful! Lobster bisque--fantastic! Great panko and pistachio crusted grouper. All in all a great dinner with a wonderful sunset. Would return!
(5)Chuck M.
Nice view, good food and friendly staff. Its great for Sunday brunch too.
(4)Karen B.
Started out well with escargot, but grouper was very over cooked as was the veg medley. Also had an uninspired Caesar salad. All in all, a little worse than you would expect from a touristy area.
(2)Maryanne S.
This is by far the best restaurant in the area. The Caesar salad is the best I've ever had, my only complaint is they wouldn't share the recipe for the salad dressing! I had the crab cakes which were done perfectly. The wine list is varied and has some good wines to choose from at a reasonable price. Definitely worth a try! As far as the entertainment.... He sounded like a cross between Bruce Springstein and Billy Joel and was great!
(5)Dean H.
This is a sad story indeed. Great location with awesome marina and water views. Clearly just cutting corners at every turn. Food quality is Sysco food service at best... Heck, close your eyes and you will swear your eating salad from a bulk container found at Costco. The service is OK, but just OK... Did I mention the hostess staff that is more worried about their next text? I have went here for the last eight years and have seen a steady decline.... I would not bother. to many other quality choices in the FMB area.
(3)Rob W.
It's decent. Pretty good food but not amazing. Not big tvs but has a few. If you're close its worth a try. Seafood is good. Don't eat the pork.
(3)AV G.
This place is huge and packed--the only reason it only has less than 50 yelp reviews is because the customer base does not know how to turn on a computer. The Crown Vics with the MI/MN/WI plates sent a warning. The place is a huge sloppy mess--i would expect the kitchen would represent this as well--food was not bad, although expensive--service was non-existent. Not sure why this place does so much business. We were a group of 10 and did have a nice time, which is why i gave it 2 rather than one stars--but i do not recommend going here.
(2)Brandon O.
Ate here 2 out of 2 nights in town with wife. Primarily because they had decent selection of fish and cooked it to our liking, being we are gluten free. The steamed vege options were an added bonus...we don't get too creative with sauces, etc. thumbs up to the scallops, salmon, and prime rib. The place is casual, but with nice views and a warm atmosphere. Had a live piano player on saturday night which was cool. People are fairly nice, but nothing over the top. They got the job done. We did like the 30 options of wine you can buy "by the glass", but on the otherhand we saw 30 bottles of wine corked behind the bar...and wondered how fresh all the bottles can be on a nightly basis? I am no wine conisseur however and drank my Mark West pinot noir. Flourless chocolate cake was a nice finish. Outside seating was nice with the heat lamps, a little chilly the nights we were there though.
(4)Dennis D.
On a recent vacation to the Fort Myers area we had drinks and ate dinner at the Lighthouse Waterfront Restaurant on Sunday (3/01). We started with a cocktail at the bar. We were looking forward to having a martini at the bar before dinner. We ordered two martinis ... one a classic no frills vodka martini, the second a flavored martini with sugar on the rim. We were impressed that the martinis were poured into chilled glasses. Unfortunately the bartender mixed up the orders and poured the classic vodka martini into the sugar rimmed glass and the other flavored martini drink, that should have been poured into the sugar rimmed glass, was poured into a plain glass (no sugar). The GOOD part ... bartender admitted his error. The BAD part ... after wiping away some of the sugar on the rim of the incorrect vodka martini, he poured the contents of each drink back into shakers and got new un-chilled glasses to salvage the drinks. It's okay if a bartender make s a mistake, but I suggest admitting the error and making new drinks. Period. That's the right thing to do. Attempting to salvage the drinks (the cost of alcohol) is an amateur move ... the classic vodka martini now had some sugar flavor, both drinks were watered down after mixing with ice a second time and both drinks were placed in un-chilled glasses. I should have complained, but we were on vacation and wanted to stay positive. Even though there was a screw-up with the martinis, we did leave a nice tip for the bartender.... again, we were on vacation and wanted to stay positive. However, I should have pulled the tip when the bartender announced that the bill was $17.76. I stated 1776, "great year" seeing that it was an historic year. But the bartender stated "Oh, were you around then?" Bit of a smart a** remark. Just an FYI, we were younger than the average patrons that evening. Customer service does not include backhanded, poor taste comments. We sat down and had average - good food, but had to ask for knife / fork / napkin after the server brought the food. FYI, we saw another table's patrons actually get up to get their silverware and napkins from another table. Last thought ... we found it a bit odd that the menu was made up of many more non-seafood entrees than seafood items; especially odd for a restaurant named the Lighthouse Waterfront Restaurant on the water, near yachts??? Recap .... average - good food, weak service and not-so-pleasant experience at the bar. Will we return to LWR during another vacation? ... not sure since there are better. more customer focused restaurants in the area, all things considered.
(2)Elizabeth W.
We went with good friends for a special evening and were not disappointed. There was a 20 minute wait which went by quickly while we strolled the marina with our drinks, enjoyed a spectacular sunset, watched the Osprey parents return to their nest for the night and chatted up some other friendly guests. The salads were delicious, made with a tender mix of sweet baby lettuces. My husband got perfect prime rib and the rest of us got seafood selections. I had panko crusted jumbo shrimp and scallops finished lightly with lemon beurre blanc. The scallops were so good, my eyes rolled back in my head. They have a good wine list with featured wines for the evening. The meals were a bit pricey but not completely outrageous. I'd look forward to my next special dinner out at Lighthouse.
(4)Eileen H.
Maybe I was wrong to go there looking for some nightlife, but by the time I got there at 9 PM on Friday it seemed like they were close to closing. The live music seemed to have left for the night, or taken an extended bathroom break. I had a wine and bruscetta at the bar, both respectable but nothing to write home about. My travel blog: drizzlysolotrek.wordpres…
(3)Lorraine H.
Stopped for lunch - Clean... good location...professional wait staff...fairly priced menu...and good food! I would recommend Lighthouse waterfront restaurant in a minute
(4)Michelle M.
We had an appetizer and it was ok. But we really enjoy coming here for the nightly entertainment. The duo singing is wonderful!!!!!!! Please check it out! Owners would do better with a friendlier bartender that actually tried to SELL some drinks and keep them coming for profit and customer retention. We would have ordered several more at the 250% profit they sell their wine at due to the kick ass entertainment alone but they couldn't seem to get us out of there fast enough.....sad for the restaurant/bar and sad for the awesome entertainment they provided! I watched the bartenders count their tips while I sat with an empty drink.....soured me completely! If I owned the place they would have been fired, they lost a lot of money from us and others.
(3)E m.
Nice view, quiet place, friendly service. I gave it 3 stars because it's a fairly regular menu and the whole restaurant needs updating. I think they cater to the marina crowd on the weekends mostly.
(3)Rhonda G.
We are visiting from Pittsburgh and dined a couple times here. Is was excellent. Great customer drinks and food. Love this place......
(4)Caitlin J.
Came here for lunch this week and had a fantastic chicken salad on a croissant. My husband got a chicken sandwich and also raved about it. Great service. Peaceful outdoor dining on the deck overlooking the marina and all its beautiful birds and not too over-priced.
(5)Michael P.
Traveled to Ft. Myers/Sanibel for business purposes, took an late afternoon dolphin tour, and the boat delivered us here for a Monday night dinner. As you might expect, the place was nearly empty, with all the other guests concentrated in a smaller dining area. What we didn't expect was our large party being jammed into a corner of the main dining room, with no one else present. The tables were so close together, the servers had difficulty getting to everyone. Finally we moved the tables ourselves. We were a large group, with a pre-fixe menu. The quality of the food was varied; some appetizers were merely good, other excellent. The same spread was true for the choices of main course and desserts. Service, once we'd moved the tables was consistently good.
(2)Kristan K.
Yikes - was this ever a bad experience! While waiting for a table, we had a drink at the bar. We were not even greeted. The bartender came up and said, "What do you want?" After ordering he dropped off our drinks without so much as a smile or "here ya go." Our table was ready, so we asked for the bill - he, literally, threw the check at me! Bad bad! Our waitor and the hostess were great, the food was average. It is a shame because the bartender ruined our entire experience.
(1)Loyal O.
We went to the Lighthouse for dinner tonight despite the many less than favorable reviews on Yelp. We're in town on business and it was close to the Marriott where we were staying. It was a beautiful night so we sat on the porch. To summarize..... I had the Filet and my wife had the Snapper and both were outstanding. The Snapper was excellent as was the atmosphere. Let's not forget, the key lime pie was also top notch. I would go again in a heartbeat.
(5)Critic D.
Friday night coming home from the airport - 7:00 reservation. The place was crazy busy. There was entertainment. The food was WAY TOO SLOW! It is clear they do not have enough kitchen staff. Why seat people if you can not deliver the food in a timely manner? Close off one room!! The server had too many tables and a trainee with him. The food was not bad but it was almost an hour between salad and main course. It is a shame but reminds me of a place that says - its high season lets get em while we can. The hostess was dragging chairs thru the dining room, a customer got up and helped her mainly because it was so annoying to watch. Then she picked up a chair over her head and carried it thru the dining room. Terrible ambiance. It is a shame - nice spot.
(1)Jolie W.
The lobster salad on a croissant was phenomenal and so was the grilled grouper sandwich. Great food with a great view and a very friendly and attentive staff.
(4)Natalie H.
Good food and beautiful scenery. My husband and I visited on a Sunday night and were promptly seated and served. The wait staff was friendly and willing to offer suggestions. Their head to toe black uniforms complimented the formality of the menu, but the slightly worn interior of the restaurant seemed to suggest otherwise. We ordered a bottle of white wine, shrimp cocktail (delicious), and I ordered the filet (lacking in seasoning and slightly heavy on the charred flavor), and my husband ordered the shrimp linguine (looked and tasted wonderful, the shrimp were butterflied and full of flavor). Overall a nice place to go for a nice meal. Nothing outstanding or impression-worthy, but I imagine its a place we would go to again.
(4)Kathleen D.
Overall, we had a great dinner here (4 plus a baby). I did not come for the decor, so I didn't factor that into the stars I gave The Lighthouse. The food, however, was beautiful. I had the Lobster Capellini with the house salad to start. I also tried the Lobster Bisque and it was some of the best bisque I've ever had. There were a few chunks of lobster in it and the flavor was really good. The Lobster Capellini was a fantastic choice and even our server said it was her favorite on the menu. There was a nice sized portion of lobster on top (though I could always use more!) and the sherry cream sauce was not overwhelming. Just right. I should also mention the fresh, crusty bread they brought to the table. That's a great first sign, isn't it? Good bread says everything. The others in my party raved about their choices as well. Swordfish, Shrimp Pasta, Grilled Salmon. The jumbo shrimp in the Shrimp Pasta were some of the best my Dad has ever had. So there you go. A tip: They don't take reservations, but they do have a call-ahead list. The dining room gets PACKED almost immediately at 5PM when the seating starts for dinner. It was like busses were dropping off huge loads of people! Be prepared to stand and wait.
(5)bryan c.
Went in tonight with My in-laws, wife, and infant daughter. We had Jess as waitress asked for Mac and Cheese for our daughter. We were told shouldn't be an issue, if it was She would notify us right away. All four of our meals came and nothing for our daughter. Our table never got cleared and no refill drinks had to ask for bread. We never got asked for desert. We had to take check out for payment. My mother in law told Jess our daughter couldn't sit anymore. Jess said "well I am not sitting down". We have gone here every time down for vacation. However not sure if we will visit here again.
(3)Matthew C.
My wife and I went to this restaurant while on a short vacation to Sanibel Island. I ordered the lobster bisque and the Prime Rib. My wife also got the lobster bisque and the macadamia crusted grouper. The lobster bisque was the highlight of the meal. Good texture and flavor. However, both entrees were very bland, lacking even the correct amount of salt! The prime rib was plain without a seasoned crust. The grouper was tasteless. Definitely not worth the 90 dollars we paid for the entire meal.
(2)Gina S.
There is no better place in the area to enjoy unbelievable food, a beautiful surrounding, and amazing live entertainment! We dined here not one night, but both nights of our little weekend getaway and were blown away both times. The cuisine is absolutely delicious from the appetizers to the dessert. I could eat the lobster bisque and bruschetta everyday!! Everything is so fresh (especially the seafood) and the ingredients used are some of the finest available. Every plate that came to our table gloated the efforts of the kitchen. The service is fantastic and you can just tell that everyone working here shares a great pride for the restaurant. Lighthouse is ideal for parties of all sizes. There is plenty of comfortable space to eat at the bar if you are coming solo and want to treat yourself an incredible meal (and drinks). If there are two of you, the waterfront location will give you and your date the most romantic setting and you can even take your love a step further onto the dance floor- Chris, the singer/musician is one of the most talented live performers I have seen anywhere (covering anyone from Stevie Wonder to STP and performing his original songs). Or, bring the whole gang if you want... as a matter of fact, after talking to some of the staff, we learned that they often do private events for large groups, which is no surprise since the place is rather large and perfectly set up for parties. Another cool thing is that even though the dining experience is first class, the clientele can 'come as your are.' It's not a stuff environment at all... many guests looked like they came right off their boats, while some decide to get dressed for the occasion. Now that I've read this all back, I kinda sound like a commercial for this place, but if that's what it takes to convince you to experience it for yourself, I'll end with, "now back to your regularly scheduled programming!"
(5)J C.
Go when Chris Workman is playing and Matt is behind the bar for a perfect evening; Oh, the food is excellent too!!!
(5)Tom G.
Food and waitstaff were fine - but I will stay away from the bar and the bartender. It was no fun. To me, the male bartender on duty seemed to act like out of towners are not welcome and he acted kind of creepy to me and my adult son. He seemed bitter and sour to me, like a guy who made nothing of his life, so he is going to take it out on others who did. There are other relaxing places to go where you don't have to put up a with a tedious worker with obvious issues, so Ill stay away from the Lighthouse.
(3)Mark N.
Went on a dead Monday about 3:30. Waited quite awhile to be seated and waited even longer for our food.
(2)Susan C.
the waterfront dining is the only thing great about this overpriced rest. I eat there when a client of mine is here and that has been about 8 times this season.... The salad has about 10 floppy leaves and 1 grape tomato cut in half. They never tell you the soups you have to ask and its like a privilege for that.. The scallops are so overpriced. 3 Scallops for 31 bucks... Outrageous. the sushi is low grade and about the only decent thing is the prime rib..... I wish they would change up the menu a bit... I have to say the servers are great and accommodating but apparently the chef is stuck in a time warp
(2)Robert C.
I want to be fair and not mean. In its hey-day, Im sure this was a very nice place to go. The staff is courteous and are some very nice people. The view out towards the water and during sun-sets is nice (but hot with the sun glaring in and the AC less than full blast). The ads and the web site suggest a more than casual (business casual plus dress location); there were shorts and tank tops in the outer bar area - and me in slacks and a button down. We were on vacation and wanted to have a nice time out. The meal was ok; the selection was moderate and the price generally fair. But its time to re-model, re-menu and update the place. Not a bad selection of draft beers (craft) and a full bar. If you like strong drinks - you will get them. But a gin & tonic in a water glass didn't look right. I ordered a dozen blue point oysters - small and very plain presentation. She got a salad that was normal. My steak was so-so. I ribeye medium-rare and got it medium. That's ok. But there wasn't anything special about the taste or the meat quality. She got Mahi, decent potion, but nothing to rave at. Would we go back: Sorry we won't
(2)Ann Marie D.
Great setting and a pretty view. Service and food were kind of meh. I had the Monte Cristo, which was the sandwich special of the day. I love a Monte Cristo! I did not love this one. The bread had been over drenched and was soggy and lacked any flavor at all. What I ended up doing was eating just the ham and the cheese. There really wasn't that much cheese. I chose the prize as my side item and I really just wasn't overly impressed with them. My boss ordered the grilled chicken Caesar salad and I wish I had ordered grilled chicken instead because that chicken looks absolutely delicious he said he enjoyed the salad and ate the entire thing. On arrival to the restaurant there was no one at the hostess stand, and someone standing ahead of us wanting to make a Thanksgiving day reservation. Once she had been helped we were still waiting and finally a server came around and asked us if they could seat us. We just got outside and while the setting in the view were very nice again the service is really lacking. It took a long time to get the salad and sandwich. Restaurant had steady business but was by no means crowded and there seem to be adequate staff on hand. Not really sure what the problem was.
(2)Greg G.
We were actually heading to Captiva but when we drove by this place, we were attracted to the old Florida architecture of the building. We pulled in and were taken to our outside prime location table. Nice hostess and nice waitstaff. 5 - stars atmosphere and all that. 5- stars, service and knowledge of the menu etc. Food: Mine-3 stars My date-4 stars I had the special, $29 three tail breaded fish with some shredded vege stuff on cornbread with a very nice and very cold salad. My date had a tomato onion and mozzarella appetizer salad plus a fish cake. My food was good, not great, as the flavor was on the bland side. Corn bread and fish breading is bland. My date gave me a slice of her tomato and onion which amped up my salad 100%! We will absolutely return and suggest you go here too. Just be aware of menu items where there are too many similar items. The bar is awesome and the sunset viewing is outstanding. You'll love this place.
(4)Courtney W.
My in-laws take us here when we visit them in Florida. They have yummy fish, good presentation and efficient service. They have a great view of the water. The grouper was good and their Cesar salads are huge with fresh parm shavings. Yum. My father in law is obsessed with osprey so he'd be pissed if I didn't mention it in my review. They are just birds that build their nests on a super tall stilts but I guess they're fun to watch...if that's your scene.
(4)Bonnie M.
This restaurant is not accommodating. They have no signs and even seated us in their outside dining area when we arrived with the dog on a leash. After serving us cocktails another waiter came up a half hour later and informed us we would have to leave or put the dog back on the boat. There were no other people even on the porch. He said this was their policy and health department regulations. We then went to Rum Runners where they seated us immediately in their outside area with other diners and brought Bentley a dish of ice water without us even asking for it.
(1)Carlos I.
I was worried at first because of the few random low reviews, I have to say this was the best food of the trip. The lobster brusque was very good, we also has a clam chowder that was like no other. We followed the soup with two pasta plates, a lobster capellini and a shrimp linguini. Everything was well seasoned and fresh. For desert we had the banana foster. Overall great experience , view and good . Will be back for sure
(5)Mike G.
We have driven past this place many times and after reading the yelps we stopped in @5P to beat the rush. Greeted & seated at the best table on the screened in porch. Our waiter Mick/Matt was great and had all the answers about the menu. Wife loves Bruschetta and this was a great example of it, we both loved it as it was not over toasted. We both had the house salads with balsamic which was fresh & tasty. She had the Mahi Neapolitan special which was perfect in it's presentation and taste. I had the lobster mac & cheese, it was very good but the lobster was slightly overcooked. View and setting are outstanding, service was very good and food was very good. We stopped at the bar for a drink on the way out and watched as the place filled up. After the season we will be back for a sunset dinner.
(5)Scott B.
Great evening with friends, Martini's made right, had appetizers that were fresh, prime rib bites a little over done, all meals were wonderful, Grouper, Red Snapper, FL Lobster, Prime Rib. Service great, deserts great, outdoor seating was relaxing. Will go again!
(5)Laura R.
I've been here twice with larger groups and they are very accommodating (though I definitely recommend a reservation, especially if its in season). Their garden salad with house dressing is great! I loved their grilled Atlantic salmon with crab, asparagus, & hollandaise was delicious, everything perfect. Beautiful sunset as well!
(4)Ryan L.
Food is always good. I prefer a little more flavor in my food but all in a the food is good. We go a couple times a month. Would recommend.
(3)Carol B.
This place has a country club feel. Good place for ladies lunch or Sunday brunch the complimentary mimosas were a nice touch the seating on the porch has the nicest view. The menu doesn't offer a lot of creative or top chef food but it is very fresh and well presented. Nice clean place polo shirt kind of attire. Really good bisque. Fresh salads. I think lunch is the best time to go here.
(4)Estera P.
We went here for lunch during slow season (July) and there was barely anyone there. It's close to the departure spot for Adventures in Paradise boat tours, so my husband and I decided to have lunch here. We had Lobster Bisque - suuuper delicious! Definitely a 5 star bisque!
(4)Rich H.
Do yourself a favor and go to this restaurant! Everything about it demands superlatives. Service, food & view. I read a lot of the reviews on Yelp and found a lot of negatives. I am soooo happy that I checked it out for myself. I truly believe that these negative reviewers confused this place w/another restaurant with the same name. We will return often. Thanks Brandi for fabulous service
(5)Matt S.
Service was OK not great. Had to ask for refills on water more than once. Calamari appetizer was average, not good but not bad either. I had the grilled Swordfish which was cooked perfectly. My daughter had the blackened Swordfish and it was not great, really dry and over cooked. Bill was $200 without any alcohol, so it was a little pricey.
(3)Dave R.
What a pleasant surprise, being a tourist place, the best meal we had so far since we been here. The burger was cooked exactly the way it was requested. My quesadillas were excellent! We then went back to dinner the following night and had another excellent meal!
(5)Angie F.
We went here for lunch after reading reviews on Yelp- excellent meal!! The lobster bisque was to die for and the sweet tea martini's are awesome!!
(5)Beth B.
By far one of the best meals we have had anywhere, not just in Fort Myers. Service was excellent, drinks were strong and delicious and the food was to die for. I had shrimp and scallops and my boyfriend had mako shark, both exceptional. Try the sweet tea martini and the candy basket for dessert! And get there for the sunset, you might even see manatees!
(5)Steve R.
The best Grouper I've had in a long time. Very good Key Lime Pie too. Add to this a beautiful sunset and it's a can't miss for dinner.
(4)