Many of our island visitors ask us about “the best” places to dine, relax, and explore on Sanibel Island. Guests scour the internet to locate the best reviews to locate the most popular hotspots on the island. Why trust the internet when you can ask the locals?
Each year, the Sanibel community has the opportunity to fill out ballots with dozens of categories to vote for “the best of the island” businesses and destinations.
On Sept. 25, the Island Reporter and Sanibel-Captiva Islander recognized the 2018 Best of the Islands winners. Several island businesses took home not one, but multiple awards this year.
The full list of winners for the 2018 Best of the Islands is as follows:
Attractions/Shopping/Destinations
– Art Gallery: Tower Gallery
– Bicycle Rental: Billy’s Bikes & Rentals
– Book Store: Macintosh Books
– Boutique: B Unique Boutique
– Children’s Clothing: Nanny’s Children’s Shoppe
– Concierge Tour Service: Captain Bubby’s IsLAND Tours
– Craft Shop: Three Crafty Ladies
– Event Facility: Sanibel Community House
– Fishing Charter: Whitney’s Bait & Tackle
– Fishing Equipment: Whitney’s Bait & Tackle
– Fishing Guide: Whitney’s Bait & Tackle
– Gift Shop: Suncatcher’s Dream
– Golf Course: The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club
– Health Club: Sanibel Health Club
– Historic Site: Sanibel Historical Museum and Village
– Island Gear Rental: YOLO Watersports
– Jewelry: Lily & Company
– Manicure/Pedicure: Sanibel Skin Spa
– Marina: Sanibel Marina
– Museum: Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
– Pet Store: Island Paws
– Pickleball Courts: Sundial Beach Resort & Spa
– Place For Dancing: George & Wendy’s Seafood Grille
– Place For Entertainment: Traditions on the Beach
– Place For Family Fun: Billy’s Bikes & Rentals
– Place To Watch The Game: The Sanibel Grill
– Sailing School: Offshore Sailing School
– Salon: Sanibel Day Spa
– Shell Shop: She Sells Sea Shells
– Shopping: Periwinkle Place Shops
– Sightseeing Cruises: Captiva Cruises
– Spa: Sanibel Day Spa
– Surf Shop: YOLO Watersports
– Taxi Limo Service: Island Taxi
– T-Shirt Shop: On Island
– Water Sports: YOLO Watersports
– Wedding Venue: Casa Ybel
– Women’s Clothing: Chico’s
Dining and Drinking
– Bakery: Totally Baked On Sanibel
– Bar: The Sanibel Grill
– Bartender: Joe Schulz, of The Sandbar
– Beach Food To-Go: Geppetto’s Beach Foodies
– Beer Selection: The Sandbar
– Breakfast: Over Easy Cafe
– Burgers: Cheeburger Cheeburger
– Chef: Melissa Talmage, of Sweet Melissa’s Cafe
– Chocolate Shop: Bailey’s General Store
– Coffee Bar: Bailey’s General Store
– Convenience Store: Huxter’s Market & Deli
– Croissant Bakery: Geppetto’s Beach Foodies
– Custard: Joey’s Custard
– Deli: Sanibel Deli
– Diner: Jerry’s Foods
– Family Dining: Island Cow
– Fine Dining: IL Cielo
– Fresh Doughnuts: Jerry’s Foods
– Frozen Yogurt: Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream
– Gelato: Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream
– General Store: Bailey’s General Store
– Grocery Store: Bailey’s General Store
– Gulf Front Dining: Sundial Beach Resort & Spa
– Happy Hour: The Sandbar
– Ice Cream: Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream
– Italian Dining: Matzaluna
– Lunch: Island Cow
– Martini: Traditions on the Beach
– New Restaurant: The Jac Island Grille & Rum Bar
– Pizza: Island Pizza
– Seafood: Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market
– Server: Joe Schulz, of The Sandbar
– Specialty Cheeses: Jerry’s Foods
– Steak: Shima Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
– Sushi: Shima Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
– Tapas: Traditions on the Beach
– Tiki Bar: Sundial Beach Resort & Spa
– Wine Selection: Bailey’s General Store
Did your favorites make the list? It’s easy to discover the best attractions on Sanibel Island!
