Fort Myers Beach Observer readers name Best of the Beach awards
Each morning, Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant co-owner Nick Ruland brings in the newest catches from out in the Gulf to his Fort Myers Beach docks and heads over to Erickson & Jensen Seafood to pick up the freshest pink gold Gulf shrimp in a routine that has helped make Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant the 2026 Best of the Beach restaurant.
Thousands of readers voted in the first Best of the Beach awards poll conducted by the Fort Myers Beach Observer online since before Hurricane Ian.
Fort Myers Beach Observer and Beach Bulletin readers chose Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant as not only the best restaurant on Fort Myers Beach, but also found the Old San Carlos Boulevard restaurant to be the best seafood restaurant, with the best calamari on Fort Myers Beach.
For the calamari, Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant managing partner Peter Ennis credited Mary Ruland’s calamari sauce recipe, which was first introduced at the Ruland’s old restaurant The Fishmonger.
Ennis credited all of the employees and partners of Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant in earning the Best of the Beach award for best restaurant.
“I can’t say how proud that makes me and my partners feel,” Ennis said. “It is an honor.” Ennis said the entire staff works hard so that “day in and day out we give the best possible service and hospitality for every customer.”
Ennis gave special credit to Mr. Ruland, who is responsible for picking up the fresh seafood catches as they come by boat from out in the Gulf into harbor.
“If a boat is coming in, he jumps in his truck to unload that boat and he is cooking up stone crabs. You can’t get more fresher than that,” Ennis said.
The most popular seafood dishes are red snapper, grouper, golden tile fish, and once in a while when available, swordfish. One of the specialties they offer is grouper wings. They use a tender part of the grouper to make the wings.
In addition to the great food, Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant also benefits from its great location off Old San Carlos Boulevard with boat access to its docks. The restaurant can accommodate about 20 boats, Ennis said.
Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant managing partner Peter Ennis helps a boat dock at Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant on Fort Myers Beach. The docks at Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant can accommodate about 20 boats. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
“There are more and more boaters” this season, he said. They are right next door to Moss Marina, which offers floating docks where boaters can also dock for the day if they want.
Also next door to Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant is Bayside Veterans Park, where free live music is offered every Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Even though they didn’t win best burger, Ennis said the burgers are so popular that they have customers who special trips by boat from as far as Estero just to pick one up. “We get a lot of compliments on that,” Ennis said.
The award for best burger went to Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille.
Ennis also is a partner in Wahoo Willie’s, located under a tiki hut keeping customers nice and cool next door to Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant. Wahoo Willie’s racked up four Best of the Beach awards, including best prime rib, best bar, best happy hour and best live music.
Wahoo Willie’s General Manager Bill Ignatti made the introduction of the prime rib one of the initiatives of the restaurant to customers. They offer the same sourced prime rib that Ignatti served when he worked at the iconic Fort Myers Beach restaurant Charley’s Boat House Grill & Wine Bar. There is a prime rib special every Wednesday and Saturday from 4 p.m. until it is gone.
Wahoo Willie’s is also known for its wide variety of seafood, burgers, sandwiches chicken kabobs, wings, half-price Tuesday pizza, and its Saturday and Sunday brunch from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Live music has been a staple at Wahoo Willie’s since its inception, with live musicians performing each day. The restaurant was one of the first businesses to open back up on Fort Myers Beach after Hurricane Ian, a miraculous six weeks after the storm flooded Old San Carlos Boulevard.
“It’s hard to believe,” Ennis said, when looking bat at how quickly Wahoo Willie’s was back up and running. He credited the staff at Wahoo Willie’s, along with assistance from the town government at the time, and volunteers with helping to get the business back up and running. “People we didn’t even know were coming and volunteering were helping for hours at a time in cleaning and moving chairs around to help get us ready,” Ennis said.
Ennis credited Fort Myers Beach musician Stephen Clark with helping to raise funds for local musicians at Wahoo Willie’s after Hurricane Ian.
“We really feel that working with the local musicians and being one of the first ones open after the hurricane, we have some loyal musicians along with our customers who follow the music,” Ennis said. Clark recently joined with Wahoo Willie’s and Snug Harbor Restaurant to help raise funds for local musician Frank Thomson after he had a heart attack. Thomson is expected to return to performing again at Wahoo Willie’s on Saturday, April 11.
For Wahoo Willie’s, winning best bar and best happy hour it is not hard to see why. “We have an awesome atmosphere and staff,” Ignatti said. The staff includes former longtime employees of former Fort Myers Beach staples like The Cottage Bar and Charley’s. Wahoo Willie’s has happy hour all day, every day starting from opening at 11 a.m. and ends when the bar closes. The bar closes at 9 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays. Wahoo Willie’s closes at 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Drinks are moderately priced with domestic bottles at $4.50 and imported beers at $5.50. Well drinks and house wines go for $6. Martinis, frozen drinks and seltzer’s are also popular, and its wide selection of other drinks.
Ignatti said margaritas are the most popular drink. The bar also features big screen televisions carrying all the top sporting events. “The live music goes hand in hand with the games and the tiki,” Ignatti said.
Ignatti said this has been a good season for Wahoo Willie’s. “There are definitely more people on the beach this year,” he said.
Ennis also is a partner in the management of Smokin’ Oyster Brewery, which he helped reopen with Ruland and partner Hank Leitnaker. Smokin’ Oyster Brewery won best appetizers and best oysters. “We take so much time and pride in our selection of the oysters sell and the oysters we bring in and the way we prepare them,” Ennis said. Ennis said they get raw oysters from either Prince Edward Island in Canada or the Carolinas, along the Virginia coast and other spots along the East Coast. In the winter, they will offer baked oysters.
In addition to the oysters, Ennis highlighted the shrimp dishes, crab cakes, beach bread as among the other top appetizers the restaurant offers.
It has been a good season for Smokin’ Oystery Brewery, which also won best chili sauce at the Fort Myers Beach Woman’s Club chili cook-off.
The Diamondhead Beach Resort won best resort and its Coste Island Cuisine won numerous awards, including best fine dining, best beachfront restaurant, best international restaurant, best wine bar and best steak for its popular New York strip steak.
Marcel Chartier, who runs Coste Island Cuisine, said “I appreciate everything. I think its great to get the Best of the Beach awards.” Chartier said this has been the best season for Coste Island Cuisine since it first opened in 2018. “It’s been a good year. It’s been great to see the Beach coming back again,” he said.
In addition to its celebrated steak, the fine dining menu at Coste Island Cuisine features preserved lemon-apricot chicken tangine, blackened redfish, gremolata crusted Faroe Island salmon, seafood cioppino with shrimp, scallops, mussels, tomato sauce and grilled crostini. There are several soup options and seafood dishes. For desert, they offer vanilla creme brulee, molten chocolate lava cake, burnt basque cheesecake and key lime pie in jar.
For those who enjoy Coste Island Cuisine’s fine dining menu, the best is yet to come. Chartier said a new, updated menu will be introduced in June.
Down on the north end of the island, the Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina won best hotel award for their beachfront property.
“We’re very proud,” said Pink Shell Beach Resort General Manager Bill Waichulis. “This has been a good year. We also won the best shrimp parade float.”
Waichulis said the Pink Shell enjoyed the best revenue in its history last year and is expecting even better results this year. “It’s jamming,” he said. “2026 is shaping up to be better than 2025.”
Waichulis credited the increased business to Fort Myers Beach “getting back together” with new businesses and more residential properties opening back up. He said this season was also boosted by a harsh winter up north that sent more people seeking the sun and beaches of Southwest Florida. He expects the good times to continue when the Fort Myers Beach Pier and restroom facilities at Lynn Hall Memorial Park are completed next year as expected. He is also looking forward to work at Bowditch Point Regional Park being completed by Lee County in reopening the facilities there. A new terminal at Southwest International Airport in Fort Myers is expected to boost tourism further. “There are good headwinds,” Waichulus said.
The hotel recently opened two new bedroom suites and in May will open a new spa.
Alex King, who heads the Alex King Group, was named Realtor of the year. The realty group has more than 150 listings. “The renaissance is happening,” King said. “Intentional buyers are showing up.” By that, King said more buyers are shopping on Fort Myers Beach with a purpose. Buyers are seeking larger homes with three rooms or more.
King said there are more families seeking homes on the Fort Myers Beach. “Younger families are coming to the island,” he said. King said new construction on Fort Myers Beach is bringing more interest into the Fort Myers Beach real estate market. “The new construction is really at the forefront of the island coming back,” he said.
Madeline Boyd, co-owner of The Beach Bar, was the first businessowner to complete a full rebuild on the island when it opened in July.
“It was fun to have some recognition our first season open,” Boyd said. “It’s been a very good season. Everybody really needs it. People need it. We have worked so hard.”
Boyd said it was a busy February and March especially. Boyd credited the live music the business offers most days from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The bar has been known for its blues musicians and other acts from around the region. Boyd credited co-manager Matt Faller with finding and booking the musicians.
Boyd said she liked the diverse group of award winners that were recognized by the Best of the Beach Awards, and some of the small businesses that have reopened. “It’s really good to spread the wealth around,” she said.
The Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce was named the best community organization.
Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce President Jacki Liszak said “the Chamber Team is deeply honored and truly humbled to be recognized with the Best Community Organization award. This recognition is a testament to the passion, resilience, and unwavering commitment our team brings each and every day. We take great pride in representing our members and our community with professionalism, positivity, and purpose.”
Liszak said the community has faced many challenges over the past few years after several hurricanes. “This team continues to show up with energy, determination, and a shared belief in the future of our special seven-mile island. I could not be more proud of the exceptional work they have accomplished or the integrity and heart they demonstrate in everything they do. The success of the Chamber is not the result of any one individual, but rather a collective effort driven by people who care deeply about this community and are dedicated to its continued growth, recovery, and success,” Liszak said.
Other big winners include The Whale, which took home best sports bar, best bloody Mary and best wings.
Salty Sam’s Marina, located off Main Street, won best cruises and tours and best boat rentals. Its bayfront restaurant Parrot Key Caribbean Grill won best waterfront restaurant, while its Marina Cantina Waterfront Tin Tiki Restaurant won best Mexican restaurant and best Margaritas.
Diversified Plumbing Services of Southwest Florida won best plumbing contractor.
“We have been serving and supporting the Fort Myers Beach community for over 15 years,” Diversified Plumbing Services of Southwest Florida Chief Operating Officer Ashleydawn Wells said. “We are honored to be supported and celebrated with the honor of Best of The Beach award. Thank you so much to all the amazing people who made this possible by voting for us.”
The Islander, Gift Gallery & Boutique at Santini Marina Plaza won best jewelry store and best ladie’s apparel.
Anita Cereceda, owner of The Islander, Gift Gallery & Boutique, said the awards were “quite a surprise.”
Cereceda said that after recovering from all of the hurricanes, “just to be standing up and open has been such a phenomenal feat. To have people recognizing us as one of the best, is just wonderful. It’s very affirming. I hope that we continue to bring great things to the island and that our customers continue to support us.”
Cereceda said it has been a “great season. I am hoping it keeps continuing a little bit here.”
Among the most popular items at her store are crochet shirts and jeans. The most ordered item on her website are hurricane crosses, which she said are shipped out all over the country.
The hottest-selling jewelry item is E. Newton bracelets. “They guarantee not to tarnish and to wear just like gold but of course not at the price of gold,” Cereceda said.
Best new restaurant went to Grace’s Trattoria at the Lani Kai Island Resort. The Lani Kai Island Resort also won best view.
To read the full list of the 2026 Fort Myers Beach Observer and Beach Bulletin Best of the Beach award winners, visit:
https://www.fortmyersbeachtalk.com/e-editions/2026/04/best-of-the-beach-winners-26/
The full list of the Best of the Beach Award winners are as follows:
Bar Wahoo Willie’s Tiki Bar & Grill
Beachfront Bar The Beach Bar
Bloody Mary The Whale FMB
Coffee Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii
Happy Hour Wahoo Willie’s Tiki Bar & Grill
Margarita Marina Cantina Waterfront Tin Tiki
Sports Bar The Whale FMB
Tiki Bar Lighthouse Tiki Bar & Grill
Wine Bar Cōste Island Cuisine
Community Organization Greater Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Non-Profit Organization Fort Myers Beach Woman’s Club
Bayfront Restaurant Parrot Key Caribbean Grill
Beachfront Restaurant Coste Island Cuisine
Best View Lani Kai Island Resort
Casual Dining Junkanoo Below Deck
Family Dining Nervous Nellie’s
Fine Dining Coste Island Cuisine
Bait & Tackle Bait N Wait
Bike Rentals Fun In the Sun Rentals Inc
Boat Rentals Salty Sam’s Marina
Cruises & Tours Salty Sam’s Marina
Fishing Charter Galaxy Adventures
Golf Cart Rentals Island Carts FMB
Live Music Wahoo Willie’s Tiki Bar & Grill
Marina Snook Bight Marina
Miniature Golf Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf
Moped and Scooter Rentals Sun-N-Fun Sport Rentals
Parasail Paradise Parasail
Transportation Beach Boy Island Rides
Watersports All Island Watersports
Appetizer Smokin’ Oyster Brewery
Barbecue Nervous Nellie’s
Breakfast The Island’s Pancake House
Brunch Margaritaville
Burger Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille
Cafe Summerlin Cafe
Calamari Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant
Favorite Restaurant Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant
Italian Restaurant Legno Italian Kitchen
Mexican Restaurant Marina Cantina Waterfront Tin Tiki
New Restaurant Grace’s Trattoria
Omlettes The Island’s Pancake House
Other International Restaurant Cōste Island Cuisine
Oysters Smokin Oyster Brewery
Pancakes The Island’s Pancake House
Pizza Petey’s Upper Deck
Prime Rib Wahoo Willie’s Tiki Bar & Grill
Salad Junkanoo Below Deck
Seafood Restaurant Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant
Soup Parrot Key Caribbean Grill
Steak Coste Island Cuisine
Sushi Wicked Wasabi-Sushi, Poke & Boba Tea
Wings The Whale
Chiropractor Bennett Chiropractic and Wellness Center
Dentist Shannon L. Bennett D.M.D.
Family Health Center Family Health Centers of SWFL
Air Conditioning Service & Repair Beach Boys A/C
Boat Docks BMI Marine Construction
Electrician Semmer Electric, Inc
Flooring Interiors Unlimited
Garage Doors & Repair West Coast Garage Doors
Handyman Andrew’s Honey-Do’s
Home Builder Potter Homes, Inc
Home Improvement Idyll Construction
Hurricane Shutters Alufab USA
Impact Windows & Doors Randy’s Island Glass
Landscape Contractor Horseman’s Landscape & Lawncare
Mold Remediation First Response Water and Mold Removal
Painting Company Fort Myers Beach Painting
Pavers Next Level Paver Company LLC
Plumbing Contractor Diversified Plumbing Services of SW Florida
Pool Cleaning & Repair Island Pool Pros
Pool Contractor Custom Pools By Design
Pressure Washing Cozad Cleaning Solutions
Roofing Contractor Nastar Roofing
Seawall Contractor Gulfshore Marine Construction
Tree Service Joshua Tree, Inc
Water Restoration First Response Water and Mold Removal
Hotel Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina
Inn/Motel Matanzas Inn
Resort DiamondHead Beach Resort
RV Park San Carlos RV Park
Timeshare Rentals/Sales RAL Resort Property Management, Inc.
Vacation Rentals Kathy Nesbit Vacations, Inc
Automotive Repair Jerry’s Tire & Auto Services Inc
Bank Sanibel Captiva Community Bank
Barber Shop Beach Barber Shop
Boat Service and Repair Diversified Yacht Services, Inc
Dry Cleaner 60 Minute Cleaners and Tailor Shop
Fairy Hair Diva’s N Doll’s Fairy Hair & Permanent Jewelry LLC
Financial Advisor Lorrie Wolf-Edward Jones
Home Health Care Comfort Keepers
Insurance Agency State Insurance USA
Massage Skin Therapy of SWFL-Nykolle Willetts
Mortgage Company Sanibel Captiva Community Bank
Physical Therapy IslandFit Physical Therapy and Wellness
Property Management Kathy Nesbit Vacations, Inc.
Real Estate Agency Royal Shell Real Estate
Real Estate Agent Alex King
Real Estate Vacation Rental Agency Royal Shell Vacations
Salon Diva’s N Doll’s Fairy Hair & Permanent Jewelry LLC
Spa Aquagene Spa at Pink Shell
Storage Units Santini Marina Plaza Self Storage
Tattoo Studio Paradise Tattoo
Beach Apparel Island Girl FMB
Boat Dealer Fish-Tale Marina
CBD Store Paradise Vape and Smoke
Cigar Store Cigar Hut
Gift Shop Blue Parrot in Lani Kai
Hardware Store Gavin’s Ace Hardware
Jewelry Store The Islander, Gift Gallery & Boutique
Ladies Apparel The Islander, Gift Gallery & Boutique
Liquor Store Nick’s Liquor
Marine Supply Snook Bight Marina
Permanent Jewelry i Shine Forever Permanent Jewelry
Seafood Market Big Daddy’s Seafood Market
Souvenir Shop Big Dick’s Salty Seaman
Swimwear Island Girl FMB
Thrift Shop Kiwanis Club of Fort Myers Beach
Used Car Dealer First Auto Credit
Vape Store Paradise Vape and Smoke
Bakery Mom’s Restaurant
Dessert Nervous Nellie’s
Ice Cream 2000 Flavors Homemade Ice Cream