Located on a prime piece of real estate underneath the Bridge at Matanzas Pass (yep, that bridge that’s always backed up with traffic during season), Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille is right next door to Dixie Fish Co. This eatery is so successful that it actually has four locations spread throughout Southwest Florida. Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille overlooks the scenic Matanzas Harbor and while the waterfront location is certainly noteworthy, it’s the Caribbean-inspired plates that make this spot one of the best restaurants in Fort Myers Beach.

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille – with locations on Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, and Captiva – is both a great spot for seafood and island fare as well as sports. It gets its name from the main character in writer and Sanibel resident Randy Wayne White’s island-themed adventure novels. As a partner in the restaurants, he’s often spotted dining and socializing at the restaurants that are known for their innovative seafood entrees, equally inventive cocktails, and out-of-the-ordinary bar fare.

Doc Ford's Rum Bar and Grille is a must-visit waterfront restaurant that offers a unique and vibrant dining experience. Indulge in their mouthwatering Oysters On The Half Shell, savor the flavors of their Crab Cakes, or opt for their delectable Island Style Shrimp & Grits. So, if you're looking for a place that combines scrumptious cuisine, a relaxed ambiance, and breathtaking views, make sure to add Doc Ford's Rum Bar and Grille to your must-visit list in Fort Myers Beach.

Part of the Doc Ford’s family, (Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille is right next door), this open-sided tin-roofed restaurant is right on the waterfront, overlooking Matanzas Pass. Built in 1937, the charming cream-and-black Old Florida warehouse was originally a fish market. It operated as a wholesale Fish House for almost half a century under the Guthrie family, witnessing many changes as Fort Myers Beach transformed itself from shrimp-boat outpost into a top beach resort.

Perfectly positioned on the mesmerizing estuary of Estero Bay on San Carlos Island, this much-loved locale offers supremely satisfying waterfront dining unlike any other in the area. Whether you travel by land or sea, Doc Ford’s is ready to welcome you with open arms, melodious live music, and a picturesque view of the largest shrimp boat fleet in the U.S bobbing gently in the water as they traverse Matanzas Pass.

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille: Known for its fresh seafood and live music, Doc Ford’s is a great spot to enjoy a night out with friends. The lively atmosphere, coupled with a menu that boasts dishes like Yucatan shrimp and fish tacos, makes it a favorite among locals and visitors alike. The live music adds an extra layer of enjoyment, making every visit to Doc Ford’s a celebration of good food and great company.

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille is an award winning restaurant with locations on Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Ft. Myers Beach, & a 4th location opening in St. Pete Florida in 2019. Inspired by a character in a New York Times best-selling novel series by author Randy Wayne White, in turn inspired by Sanibel and Captiva Islands and days spent out on the water, Doc Ford’s is a perennial local favorite.

Named for novelist Randy Wayne White’s well-known character, this sports-bar sibling to The Dixie Fish Co. is a waterfront institution. It’s also now a chain with three locations, but the original spot is within splashing distance of Dixie. Fare is mostly Caribbean-inspired fish and seafood, though there’s an occasional outlier (Maine lobster, Scottish salmon, Texas barbecue ribs).

This famous restaurant is located at the waterfront and gives you a great view of the stunning gulf waters. It has a rather diverse menu which includes appetizers, entrees, raw seafoods and delectable desserts. Some of the more popular items on the menu include buffalo shrimp, shrimp scampi flatbread and chicken tenders, but you’ll find options for every taste preference.

Doc Ford’s is a local culinary landmark that features an epic combination of traditional coastal flavors with creative twists. The restaurant is well-known for its fresh seafood, including delicious Yucatan shrimp, grouper sandwiches, clam chowder, and so much more. Drop in for an evening of gorgeous sunsets, live music, and an exceptional meal after a day of beach fun!

Doc Ford’s is a casual restaurant with an excellent atmosphere. Located in a prime location right on the water underneath the bridge at Matanzas Pass, the menu of this Fort Myers Beach restaurant definitely caters to seafood lovers. This spot is known for its friendly staff, generous portion sizes, and tasty tropical drinks.

Start your culinary journey at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and order the life-changing plank salmon. Take a more casual approach at Heidi’s Island Bistro which has a menu to satisfy all tastes, from schnitzel to pancakes to cherry pie. For crab and brunch, head to The Salty Crab Bar, a delicious eatery along the water.

I’m kicking myself for not discovering this great restaurant in Fort Myers Beach sooner!. Doc Ford’s says they offer the best waterfront dining in Fort Myers Beach and they aren’t kidding. Sitting on Estero Bay, diners are afforded gorgeous views of Matanzas Pass where shrimp boats bring in their bounty.

Inspired by Doc Ford, the protagonist of author Randy Wayne White’s extensive novel series by the same name, this restaurant and bar is a longtime favorite in the area. The menu reflects classic coastal cuisine with a Caribbean twist. The restaurant’s signature dish, the Yucatan Shrimp, is a must-order.

Most beach goers spot Doc Ford's from the big bridge (Matanzas Pass) while crossing over Estero Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. Resembling a sprawling stilt house, Doc's has a cool (as in temperature) inside bar as well as ample dining space. However, the biggest parties occur downstairs, along the dock.

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, sit inside or out and get a great view of Estero Bay while dining on conch chowder, crab cakes, ceviche and other Caribbean-tinged treats and a wide range of libations. For dessert: Drunken Parrot Carrot Cake, which is liberally spiked with Gossling’s Black Seal Rum.

In a louche bayfront setting on San Carlos Island you can dine at one of the area’s preferred eateries. The focus at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille is on locally caught seafood, with a Caribbean twist. This being the Gulf Coast, I think any first-timer has to try the grouper.

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grill: Doc Ford’s is guaranteed to be fun. It’s a great place to go with a group of friends (we don’t typically go here if it’s just our immediate family). The menu is pretty big, so there’s bound to be something for everyone.

I have a tendency to rave (and rightly so) about Doc Ford's younger-sister restaurant, Dixie Fish Co. But this is the place that started it all. Named for one of novelist Randy Wayne White's most beloved characters, this local chain nails it.

On San Carlos Island, the one you cross to get to Estero Island, a good place is Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grill (708 Fishermans Wharf), which offers a varied cuisine but above all has a really nice location that looks directly over the bay.

Savor Caribbean-themed dishes and rum-focused cocktails while overlooking calm waterfront vistas. Outdoor seating options let you appreciate the warm breeze during your meal. Have you tried their popular mojitos or plantain dishes?

Doc Ford's just reopened a few months ago and it's been SO busy ever since. I love everything on their menu and sitting outside on the deck makes for a great setting for dinner. View this post on Instagram

A local favorite, Doc Ford’s serves fresh seafood with Caribbean-inspired flavors. Signature dishes include Yucatan Shrimp and Island Style Tacos. Enjoy waterfront dining with views of Estero Bay.

Glowing green against the twilight sky, Doc Ford’s beckons like a tropical lighthouse for hungry sailors and landlubbers alike. Photo credit: Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille – Ft.