by Isabelle Esteves

Created on: May 31, 2008   Last Updated: May 22, 2012

Naples is located on the Gulf of Mexico. Given its location you would expect to find that many of the restaurants serve seafood. Seafood is big in Naples but this very sophisticated and family friendly city has a wide variety of dining options, these are just a few of them.

Cafe and Bar Lurcat

This is an edgy cafe and bar that brings its own brand of chic to Naples. The bar has a small plates menu and a good wine list the restaurant offers plenty of seafood as would be expected in this beachfront town but there are also plenty of choices of meat and poultry.

You can treat yourself to raw oysters, ceviche of shrimp or tuna tartare. If raw seafood isn't your cup of tea then try the crab cake or the shrimp cocktail. The bar menu offer Kobe meatloaf among other upscale offerings. The cafe has salmon, prime rib and chicken with honey. The sides are exceptional including the roasted cauliflower and the Boulangere potatoes with bacon and onions.

Whether you are looking for a small taste of a Pinot Grigio for $4 to a $2000 bottle of Dom Perignon you will find it a Lurcat. They also have a great martini menu and an international selection of beers. Try to save room for dessert, they have an excellent selection and they also offer pairings with the appropriate wine.

Campiello's

If you are looking for an upscale Italian restaurant located in a historic building in Old Naples with a Tuscan inspired menu, then this is your place. The setting is designed to resemble an Italian villa with Murano glass light fixtures and two outdoor patios. They also offer live Jazz Wednesday through Sunday.

Start your meal with their fried artichokes or the warm fresh ricotta with herbs and olive oil. Move on to their Caesar or Fresh Mozzarella salad. The main courses run the gamut from wood oven pizza with Sicilian sausage or the Margarita with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil to linguine with crab, tomatoes and basil. If your tastes run to risotto you will love theirs with the asparagus, shell peas and fontina.

It isn't just about pasta at Campiello's, they have plenty of meat choices with roast suckling pig and seared filet of beef among the offerings. It's no wonder they have been voted the best in Naples. Don't forget the dessert, the menu is small but true to it's Tuscan roots.

Riverwalk Restaurant

This restaurant in Tin City is a favorite with both locals and tourist alike and has been for almost twenty years. Even if the food was just mediocre the views alone would make the visit worthwhile. Luckily the food is excellent and plentiful. The freshest of seafood is combined with the spices indicative of southern Florida and it's proximity to the Caribbean. You will have a hard time deciding whether to start with the New England Clam Chowder or the gumbo. For me the coconut grouper fingers won. The freshest catch of the day can be served Char-grilled, blackened or broiled. This is Florida at it's best.

Watermark Grill

Kids and teens will love a visit to Watermark Grill. Not only do they have a very child friendly atmosphere but there is a children's menu that offers barbecued ribs along with the usual child friendly cuisine. The whole family will enjoy the saganaki, imported Kasseri cheese is cooked at your table with flaming ouzo and a splash of lemon. The presentation will impress even a doubting teen.

Naples has an old world charm that has attracted snow birds for decades. Now it has all the elements to be a year round favorite with singles, families and yes snow birds.

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