6 Early Dining Specials to Know + Is Sails Brunch Worth it? Share Your Thoughts!

Friends and Neighbors,

This week’s stories share a common theme: some places in Naples continue to get the little things right.

I rounded up several early dining specials around town, and there are some surprisingly good deals if you’re willing to eat before the sun goes down. We won’t see a full rollout of summer dining deals yet, but they’re starting to pop up if you know where to look. 

I also took another look at Sails, which was once again named to OpenTable’s list of the Top 100 Brunch Restaurants in the country. In a town with no shortage of polished dining rooms, Sails still stands out for its consistency. It is not casual and it is not inexpensive, but for birthdays, anniversaries, and when you want to impress visiting friends, it remains one of the best special-occasion restaurants in Naples.

And finally, last week’s taco poll produced a close finish, with La Oaxaqueña Taqueria narrowly edging out Taqueria San Julian. Clearly, our readership has great taste. Thank you for being here! 

Cheers,

While it may not be summer quite yet, some restaurants are starting to roll out early dining specials. I went in search of deals and these six confirmed offers give you multi-course dining options, so long as you’re okay with sitting down to eat around 5 PM. 

Alberto’s on 5th
Two courses and a glass of house wine for $44. Available 4:30-5:30 p.m., plus late night from 8:30-9:30 p.m. Note this menu isn’t available on major holidays or 5th Avenue events.
Highlights: Mozzarella caprese, beet salad with shrimp, burrata, or mussels to start. Follow with pappardelle Bolognese, spinach-and-ricotta agnolotti, shrimp fettuccine, mushroom and sausage taglierini, scallop pesto tagliatelle, or veal tenderloin.
Where: 868 5th Ave. S. | albertosonfifth.com | 239-430-1060

Bistro 821
Wine & Dine for Two: two entrées and a bottle of wine for $59 per couple. Daily 4-5 p.m., and all day Sunday and Monday. Excludes holidays and special events.
Highlights: BBQ ribs, lamb stew, mussels and linguini, chicken francaise, blackened salmon, Thai red curry shrimp, or an 8-ounce Wagyu sirloin. Add soup or salad for $6.
Where: 821 5th Ave. S. | bistro821.com | 239-261-5821

Campiello
Early Dining Menu: $42 per person. Available 5-6 p.m. daily.
Highlights: Start with bruschetta, whipped ricotta, or a salad, then choose from ravioli alla Genovese, garganelli, gnocchi, chicken Milanese, or grilled Scottish salmon. Roasted triple tail or ahi tuna is available for a $5 supplement.
Where: 1177 3rd St. S. | campiellonaples.com | 239-435-1166

Mediterrano
Twilight early dining menu: $55 for three courses. Sunday through Thursday, 5-5:45 p.m.
Highlights: Lamb keftedes, chicken francaise, beef tenderloin kabob, branzino with figs and apricots, or salmon pappardelle. Upgrade to carne paella, paella Valenciana, lamb shank, or fish of the day for $10.
Where: 336 13th Ave. S. | mediterrano-naples.com | 239-261-7498

Sea Salt
Buy one, get one three-course chef’s seafood menu for $49. Daily 4-6 p.m., with light bites, happy hour from 3-8 p.m.
Highlights: A rotating seafood menu plus weekly specials like surf and turf on Mondays, BOGO seafood on Thursdays, BOGO meat lover’s dinner on Fridays, and oysters with champagne on Sundays.
Where: 1186 3rd St. S. | aielligroup.com/sea-salt-naples | 239-434-7258

Keewaydin’s
Two courses for $39. Offered 4-6 p.m. daily. Happy hour includes $10 Martinis.
Highlights: Clam chowder, citrusy Caesar, or coconut mussels to start, then grouper and chips, blackened mahi mahi, seafood pasta, or chicken Milanese.
Where: 711 5th Ave. S. | keewaydins.com | 239-262-5787

A couple of things to know: most of these menus do not include major holidays, and some, like Alberto’s, exclude 5th Ave S events as well. Make sure to double-check the timing so you make the most of your evening, and if you aren’t handed the early dining menu, don’t be afraid to ask for it! 

Restaurants come and go, trends rise and fade, and new spots constantly try to make their mark. Yet through all the changes in our dining scene, Sails Restaurant has remained one of the most consistently impressive places, and it’s no wonder they have earned a spot again on OpenTable’s Top 100 Brunch Restaurants in the country. It remains the only Naples restaurant to receive that distinction and one of just a handful in Florida. 

Set on Fifth Avenue South in the heart of Naples, Sails has become one of those rare restaurants that truly lives up to the hype. Yes, it is an indulgence, but it is also an experience that feels worthy of every special occasion. From the welcome glass of Champagne to the final dessert course, everything is executed with remarkable attention to detail.

What becomes clear after even one visit is how meticulously Sails orchestrates the entire experience. Special occasions are treated with thoughtful touches such as personalized menus and beautifully presented desserts, while the staff moves with a precision usually associated with Europe’s grand dining rooms. Live music sets the ambiance without overwhelming conversation, the seafood towers arrive impeccably chilled and exceedingly fresh, and side dishes are prepared with the same care as the headline courses. From the smooth valet arrival to the unhurried pace of brunch, every element is designed to make guests feel that they are part of something genuinely exceptional.

In a city known for its dining, Sails still stands apart. For those who live year-round, it is one of Naples’ signature culinary experiences and a place every out-of-towner should try at least once. Just be sure to secure reservations ahead of time. 

Address: 301 Fifth Ave. S., Naples, FL 34102
Phone: (239) 360-2000
Brunch: Saturday at 11:30 a.m.; Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Dinner Hours: Sunday–Thursday, 4:30–8:30 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 4:30–9:30 p.m.

Last week we asked: Where’s your favorite taco?

Here’s where you landed:

La Oaxaqueña Taqueria earned the top spot with 23.78% of votes, followed closely by Taqueria San Julian with 22%. I loved how close the results were, and how much love there is for Mi Racherito and Taco Lindo too! Have a taco hidden gem? Send me a tip by replying to this newsletter! 

What I love about this week’s issue is that it feels very Naples: a good early dinner if you know where to look, a special-occasion brunch that still earns its reputation, a taco poll that clearly needed every vote counted, and a vacation home that makes staying in feel almost as tempting as going out.

That is the charm of this town. There is always another table to try, another backyard worth lingering in, and another little local opinion worth debating.

Thanks, as always, for reading and for sharing your favorites with me. Keep the tips coming. I love hearing what you’re trying, where you’re booking, and which Naples spots deserve a closer look next.

Elizabeth Bellotti
Editor-In-Chief
Naples, Florida
The Naples Florida Review

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