Best Brunch in Fort Myers

One of Fort Myers's most popular breakfast spots, this small, strip mall eatery is even more popular for Saturday and Sunday brunch. The gym, located a few doors down, does little to deter diners from indulging on specialties like shrimp and grits, salmon hash, French toast, pancakes, corned beef and biscuits and gravy. If you're an omelet lover, you'll be giddy at the chalkboard full of gourmet choices here. You can get almost any kind of combo of meat, cheese and veggies. And if you really want veggies, Crave has a nice selection of salads. You'll find both mimosas and bloody Mary's here even though there is only a beer and wine license in place.Enjoy Mimosas and Bloody Mary's made with a grape-based vodka. Crave's cuisine is creative and always pleasing.

You can hear the laughter (and sometimes the music) from the outdoor deck of Cork Soakers, blocks away. There are tables inside as well but most of the action here is outside and Sundays are especially fun. This restaurant is known for being a bit irreverent, take for instance the Bitchslap Bloody Mary to set you straight after a night of partying and get you through what is left of the weekend. The food is gourmet comfort, like deviled eggs with toppings such as crab, fish roe, bacon or any number of things; it changes daily. Try the Hangover, a fried bologna sandwich topped with egg, bacon, arugula and roasted poblano aioli. Reservations are not taken so you may have a wait during the busy season.

A family-friendly, casual gourmet spot, Artisan Eatery specializes in classic preparations as well as decadent dishes. The menu has a little bit of everything from more traditional breakfast favorites to salads and sandwiches. The truffle eggs Benedict is a favorite and the buttermilk pancakes are huge. Order and pay at the counter, then take a seat and your food will be delivered. Splits of bubbles are in the stand up cooler and locally squeezed juices are available so you can make your own mimosas. This local spot is also open for lunch and dinner for both take out and dine in. The desserts are to die for and worth saving room for.

Located in the Gateway Community, there's not a lot of 'skinny' on Skinny Dogz menu and no one seems to mind one bit! The kitchen puts inventive spins on some of your favorite breakfast dishes. How about a bagel with sausage, peanut butter and a pickle? You can pick from a number of chicken and waffle combos and more than half a dozen breakfast Benedicts. They are served on biscuits rather than English muffins. If you're not so adventurous in the morning, more traditional fare is also offered, along with a kids menu. A number of coffee drinks are offered along with adult beverages. The expansive back porch facing a lake adds a nice backdrop while inside, see-through garage doors roll up when the weather is nice.

Adjacent to Twisted Vine Bistro, this new bourbon and blues bar has brought a new level of "cool" to downtown Fort Myers. You'll not only find an extensive selection of whiskey, wine and other spirits but also a gastropub menu that has a wide selection of entrees and sides for Sunday Jazz Brunch from 11 am to 2 pm. The space is cozy, with reclaimed wood, low lighting and a small stage that has been home to some of the best jazz and blues musicians in the area, state and those on tour nationally. The Barrel Room is a hot spot with sophisticated fun for Fort Myers wether Friday night or Sunday morning.

Set in an old home along Fort Myers most famously picturesque street (McGregor Blvd), patrons love dining alfresco on the spacious wrap-around porch, or under the shade of umbrellas on the front lawn. It feels like you're attending a garden party at a swanky southern estate. Much of the menu is southern inspired but with an Italian touch. The chef/owner is Sicilian. A great example of the fusion is the fried green tomatoes stack. It also has fresh mozzarella and pancetta. The menu has burgers, large salads, truffle cream gnocchi, braised meats and more. This large property is bustling for both lunch and dinner, as well as brunch; both Saturday and Sunday.

The Standard doesn't reserve brunch for Sunday but also Saturday, where entertainment includes Drag Queen Bingo and Drag Queen Karaoke. Sunday features live music and bottomless mimosas to boot. Menu items come in healthy portions and range from house-made sausage and breakfast pizza to omelets and oysters. The Southwest Benni is a house favorite: poached egg, grilled steak, avocado, chipotle hollandaise and salsa verde on a toasted roll. The Cajun tossed fried pickles are fun for sharing and the mimosas are bottomless so bottoms up. The Standard has a large selection of craft vodkas but don't leave without trying the house-made pineapple-infused tequila, up. The key lime pie is a towering dessert, in fact, all of the portions here are big, and so is the welcome you'll receive.

In the middle of Estero Island, Bayfront Bistro has great views of the mangroves in what locals call the "back bay". Drink bottomless mimosas both Saturday and Sunday until 2:30 at this upscale brunch. Some menu favorites include sumptuous lobster melt served with a cup of their signature tomato parmesan bisque. The Ranchero Omelette is hearty and Cinnamon French Toast is a sweet treat. You can also build your own BLT with fried eggs, salmon and chicken. Wine lovers will be in heaven at the great selections offered here. Brunch is served indoors and on the scenic screened-in lanai. The food is consistent and fresh while the service is spot on.

Slate's is on a side street off of the busy Cape Coral Parkway and on Sunday, the live Jazz serves as a beacon. Serving authentic New Orleans cuisine and libations, you'll be delighted at the selection and quality. The kitchen is small and everything is made to order so relax, and as they say in the Big Easy, let the good times roll. There is also a better than average chance that the later you arrive, Slate's will have run out of something. Thankfully there is much to choose from like gumbo, muffulettas and fried oysters on English muffins. The Champagne Benedict is a house favorite; poached eggs with spinach, tomato, red onion and goat cheese on a croissant, fantastic. The grits are good and cheesy and the beignets melt in your mouth. Put this place on your Sunday "it" list.

Tarpon Bay, the fine dining restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Estero, puts on quite the spread for the Champagne and Jazz Brunch. Even though it's fine dining at night, the atmosphere here is casual with Old Key West style decor and architecture, overlooking an estuary lake. Every Sunday, enjoy unlimited Champagne, mimosa's and bellini's at this all-inclusive brunch while listening to delightful live jazz. The breakfast buffet has decadent cheese, fresh fruit, seafood and beautiful desserts, including a chocolate fountain. Not only can you eat to your heart's content from the buffet, but you can also order an entree the likes of cornish hens, Waygu beef churrasco, omelets, crepes, Belgium waffles and more. You won't leave this brunch hungry.