The News-Press – What restaurants are opening in Cape Coral, Fort Myers in 2025? Here’s a list of 30-plus

This year is off to a quick foodie start.

LadyCakes Bakery in Cape Coral and Sip & Sizzle in downtown Fort Myers have already opened since we rang in the New Year.

Here are 30-plus more restaurants, bars, bakeries and coffee shops — from Cape Coral to Captiva — to expect in 2025.

Cape Coral

Aqua: This Naples-based fine-dining seafood and steak restaurant will anchor the new Cove at 47th in South Cape. It is expected to open in April.

Big Nick’s BBQ: Speaking of Cove at 47^th, one of our favorite Fort Myers barbecue joints, is heading there too.

Buddha-Bachi Express: This popular food truck will get its first brick-and-mortar in early 2025 in The Shops at Santa Barbara, 2311 Santa Barbara Blvd., Unit 107, across from Cape Coral High School.

Cali Coffee: The fast-growing, drive-thru-based coffee chain will open in a new 3,900-square-foot, single-story building at 942 Pine Island Road (near Andalusia Boulevard). The designs for the first of several “stands” in the area — including in Fort Myers and Bonita Springs — have been completed.

Class Azul: This restaurant, which serves authentic Mexican flavors in a modern and upscale space, is getting close to announcing its grand opening in IchiYummy’s former space at 3922 Del Prado Blvd. S.

Eagle Specialty Coffee: This coffee shop just opened in the space previously occupied by PJ’s Coffee in Cape Coral Commons. A Thursday, Jan. 9, post on its Facebook page states it’s open from 7 a.m. to 5 pm. seven days a week at 1519 NE Pine Island Road, Suite 110.

Escondido Lounge: Early this year, the owners of the splendid speakeasy in downtown Fort Myers will bring the same concept to the space behind the South Cape Taco Worx, previously occupied by Ollie’s Pub.

Fat Boys: This pizza, burgers, wings and subs joint is coming to Luciano’s Too’s recently vacated spot in Entrada Plaza off Del Prado Boulevard in northeast Cape.

Florida Boy Burger Co.: This Florida-flavored burger joint will open a second location in FK Your Diet’s previous space along Del Prado Boulevard, hopefully in late January.

Friesfactory: With a location in Naples, this lobster roll, fries and poutine joint will open another spot at 1319 Cape Coral Parkway E. (in No. 3 Craft Brews’ old spot).

Huey Magoo’s: A coming soon banner is flying in front of the new development on Pine Island Road next to Cape Coral Commons that’s expected to house this self-titled Filet Mignon of Chicken chain.

Nothing Bundt Cakes: When Karen and Larry Weber debuted their sweet Estero location in October with their son Chris, they vowed to open another shop on Pine Island Road in the Shops at Del Mar “hopefully before Easter.”

Oak & Stone: This laid-back and casual craft beer and artisan pizza restaurant will also open at Cove at 47th.

Palace Pub: We’re patiently awaiting this pub & wine bar’s reopening in its new space next to Nice Guys on Cape Coral Parkway.

The Salad King: Farm-fresh salads and homemade soups are coming to Little Casar’s old spot in Tuscany Plaza off Del Prado Boulevard in April.

Slipaway: Construction on the food truck park is rolling right along at the base of the Cape Coral Bridge. It’s expected to be completed in spring.

Vicky Bakery: Franchise owner Andretti Tomeu opened a Fort Myers shop near Edison Mall in early December and hopes to open a second location in southeast Cape by the end of 2025.

Walk Ons: On June 20, a ground-breaking ceremony was held for this Cajun-inspired Drew Brees co-owned Sports Bistreaux at 1127 SW Pine Island Road. It’s expected to debut this spring.

Fort Myers

Lan Xang Fort Myers: The Asian restaurant will take over DJ Chinese Restaurant’s previous space at 12995 Cleveland Ave. S., Unit 133. While it gets ready to open, you can still enjoy all your Thai, Vietnamese, Laotian and sushi favorites at its current 1400 Colonial Blvd, Suite 57, location.

Oar & Iron: The Naples-based raw bar & grill will soon join Kelly’s and Potbelly Sandwich Works in the new Palmetto Commons, next to Top Golf at I-75 and Colonial Boulevard.

Stuff-A-Bagel: This popular bagel shop and deli will take over Pizzeria Di Biscardi’s former spot at 12541 Metro Parkway in early February.

Swamp Cat: Big things are brewing at this 1950s church-turned-businesses-turning-into-a-brewery at the northeast corner of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Fowler Street and we can’t wait.

Tap 42: This trendy and upscale craft kitchen and bar is expected to open in Bell Tower this summer.

Wonderland at Pelican Preserve: The ice cream shop has its coming soon banner up at 10570 Colonial Blvd., Unit 107.

Fort Myers Beach

The Beach Bar: After Hurricane Ian destroyed the original structure, a groundbreaking ceremony was held on Oct. 17 for a new 5,813-square-foot, three-story building. The popular live music venue at 1668 I St. will feature an open-air, walk-up bar with covered beachfront seating on the first floor. It’s expected to be completed this year.

Bonita Fish Company: The owners of Doc Ford’s and Dixie Fish House bought Bonita Bill’s and have vowed to preserve the charm of the waterfront gem and add the hospitality and food Doc’s and Dixie are known for. Opening in early to mid-2025 at Fishermans Wharf.

The Cottage: The property, which sat between Margaritaville and Lani Kai, was sold for $9 million in 2023 and the new owners are rebuilding a new version of the old favorite. Plans to rebuild were approved in June. Expect a three-level structure with the restaurant on one floor and bar on another at 1250 Estero Blvd.

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