🍹 Best June Dining Deals + 5 Summer Cocktails to Try + Father’s Day at Cars & Coffee

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Friends and neighbors,

I’m sipping a watered-down iced coffee, but I’m really wishing it were one of the cocktails I’ve written about in this upcoming issue. An ice cold, fruity drink with a side of gulf breeze could cure a lot. 

In celebration of summer, toast a fruity cocktail or treat yourself to June dining deals. A lot of restaurants are offering real perks for locals right now: twin lobster deals, all-you-can-eat snow crab, and 25% off just for showing your license. 

Inside this issue:
• 4 dining deals you’ll want to catch before June ends
• A guide to 5 summer cocktails around Naples
• Top events this week, including ideas to celebrate Father’s Day 

If you have guests coming into town for the summer, I’ve got a great rec: our sponsor, Naples Florida Rentals. Local owner Dana has spotless properties with private swimming pools, and booking directly with her is a breeze (and saves you unexpected fees). 

Hope you enjoy the read, and if you have a favorite local spot, hidden deal, or just something worth sharing, drop me a line at [email protected]. I always love hearing from you.

Talk soon,

Table of Contents

• Local Love: 4 June Dining Deals You’ll Be Glad You …

• Cool Off with These 5 Summer Cocktails

• 🎉 Top 6 Events This Week: Cars & Coffee, The Grea …

• Here’s What You Said: Perfect Taco?

• This Week’s Poll: How do you find new restaurants?

Local Love: 4 June Dining Deals You’ll Be Glad You Knew About

Many restaurants are showing their love for the locals with unbeatable seafood deals and heavy discounts on the entire check. Most of these are June-only specials, so be sure to make plans before the end of the month.

1. The Boat House on Naples Bay – 20th Annual Clam Bake
📍 990 Broad Ave S, Naples
🕔 June Only | All Day
🌐 boathouseonnaplesbay.com

Back for its 20th year, The Boat House has two fun deals for its 20^th Annual Clam Bake. The first is a whole clam bake for $39. Choose Whole Maine Lobster or Snow Crab Legs served with the lot: Shrimp, Mussels, Clams, Jalapeño Sausage, Red Potatoes, and Corn Cob. I can’t think of a better way to welcome summer.   

Their other deal is a Twin Lobster Special, which includes two 1 lb. whole Maine lobsters for $42. One of life’s many pleasures is the first Maine lobster of the season, something I came to enjoy as I spent many years going up to Acadia during the summer. Enjoy the bayfront breeze as you’re cracking into the shell, and thank me later. 

2. Snook Inn - 25% off check (locals only)
📍 1215 Bald Eagle Dr, Marco Island
🕔 June Only | 25% Off for Locals
🌐 snookinn.com

Snook Inn is thanking Collier County residents with 25% off food and drinks all month long. If you haven’t gone to Marco Island in a while, I recommend making the trek. This iconic staple has all the charm you’re looking for: great grouper sandwiches, friendly, quick service, a complimentary salad bar, and live music. In a word: fun. 

They are also doing additional all-you-can-eat menus 4-9 PM, but these deals can’t be stacked with the 25% off deal. If you have a special affinity that can’t be sated, or want to greet summer with a pile of crab legs, check out their deals below: 

• Monday/Wednesday: $45.99 Snow Crab Legs with roasted potatoes and corn. 

• Tuesday: $29.99 Tacos (Chicken, Fish or Shrimp) 

• Friday & Saturday: $49.99 Seafood Buffet 

Plus! Thursday & Sunday: Kids eat free with purchase of Adult Entrée. 

3. Parmesan Pete’s- 3 Course Meal for $27.50
📍 7935 Airport-Pulling Rd N, Naples
🕔 June Only | Mon-Thurs Only

🌐 parmesanpetes.com

One of the best Italian restaurants in Naples is offering a summer prix fixe you shouldn’t overlook. Their three-course menu includes a starter, entrée, and dessert for just $27.50. Be sure to check their flyer to see which day of the week you should go to maximize your own satisfaction. I’m partial, always, to a big bowl of pasta, so catch me there on Thursdays curing mid-week blues with the trio. You can’t go wrong with the eggplant rollatini either. Monday through Thursday only, so plan accordingly.

4. Bleu Provence – 20% off entire check
📍 1234 8th St S, Naples
🕔 Early Dining | Order by 6:00 PM, Last Seating 5:45 PM
🌐 bleu-provence.com

This classic French spot is a personal favorite, and they’re offering 20% off your check if you dine early: just make sure you're seated by 5:45 PM and place your order by 6. Despite the time constraints, you won’t feel rushed once your order is in. 

For June, Bleu Provence features live music every Friday from 5PM to close. They’re also running a $42 2-course Chef’s special on Fridays that includes an appetizer, a main course of bouillabaisse, and a glass of Domaine de Fontsainte Rosé.

Grab a seat on the terrace and don’t be afraid to talk to the sommelier to get his best recommendations. For a warm summer evening, I’ll stick to the a la carte menu and order moules frites with a simple garlic and parsley sauce and a glass of Sancerre. Heaven.

Cool Off with These 5 Summer Cocktails

As the heat really settles in here, one thing I can appreciate is a good cold drink that helps me unwind from the day. We’re lucky to have so many creative cocktails around town and it wasn’t easy narrowing it down to just a handful. Normally, frozen drinks give me a headache, but I’ve included one exception to the rule because it’s truly worth it.

I’ve rounded up five refreshing options perfect for beating the summer heat. These spots all have great atmospheres, so think of this list as a guide for your next special night out.

1. Queen's Road Cocktail at Tigress Rooftop Bar 

🍸 Tigress Restaurant & Rooftop Bar
📍 12155 Tamiami Trail N, 7th Floor, Naples
🌐 perryhotelnaples.com

The Queen’s Road Cocktail has rum, orange, lemon, ginger, and honey. A classic but oft forgotten cocktail similar to a daiquiri, it calls for aged rum instead of gold rum. You’ll find this cocktail at Tigress, a great new addition to Naples perched above The Perry Hotel. The rooftop feels luxurious without being uptight, and it might just be the perfect locale to enjoy golden hour and introduce the start of summer.

2. Key Lime Martini at Nosh on Naples Bay

🍸 Nosh on Naples Bay
📍 1490 5th Ave S, Suite 101, Naples
🌐 noshonnaplesbay.com

A Key Lime Martini feels like summer in a glass. Tart, creamy, and rimmed with graham cracker crumbs, it’s basically a slice of Key lime pie without the fork. You’ll find variations of this cocktail around Naples, but I particularly love the one at Nosh. This drink pairs particularly well with gazing out on Naples Bay and catching up with a friend you haven’t seen in a while. 

3. The Last Dragon at Bar Tulia

🍸 Bar Tulia
📍 Two locations:

• Fifth Avenue: 462 5th Ave S, Naples

• Mercato: 9118 Strada Pl, Suite 8150, Naples

🌐 bartulia.com

No matter what cocktail you’re getting at Bar Tulia, you can’t go wrong. But for the purposes of this list, I invite you to try The Last Dragon, which combines gin, passion fruit, lime, and sage in a delicate balance. The passion fruit and lime combination especially tastes like the luscious fruits of summer with a punch. Plus, the bartenders are incredibly personable. Don’t be afraid to chat—they might also recommend something off the menu.

(As a reminder, the Fifth Ave location is only open Thursday-Saturday through September).

4. Watermelon Special at FUSE

🍸 FUSE Gastrobar
📍 2500 Tamiami Trail N, Ste 115, Naples
🌐 fuseglobalcuisine.com

If you’re familiar with FUSE, you should know that this restaurant is all about creativity. The husband-and-wife team run a killer restaurant: Chef Greg works his magic in the kitchen, while Monica crafts inventive drinks at the bar. Lately, she’s been making an addictive watermelon cocktail with grilled watermelon, fresh basil, lime, and vodka. I’m calling it the “Watermelon Special” but it doesn’t have a name (as I’m writing this). Monica is running an Instagram contest to decide the winner, with contenders like “The Flamingo Fuse” or “Call an Uber.” Not up your alley? Go anyway. Monica has an uncanny ability with flavors, so I’m sure you’ll find something delicious. 

5. Piña Colada at Gumbo Limbo at The Ritz-Carlton Naples

🍸 Gumbo Limbo at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
📍 280 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Naples
🌐 ritzcarlton.com

There’s a reason some drinks never go out of style. Their piña colada is the real deal and not an achingly sweet, artificial slushie. Sip your coconut delight slowly and cool off while the sun sets. Gumbo Limbo is one of the few places you can sip drinks right on the beach, and they don’t take reservations, which is perfect for spontaneous plans to make an evening memorable.

I hope you can take the chance to slow down, eat well, and toast to something—to summer, to life, to another day in paradise. Catch me trying to pay attention to the specials while licking the graham cracker rim off my key lime martini.

Cheers.

🎉 Top 6 Events This Week: Cars & Coffee, The Great Canoe Race, and Bourbon Tastings!

There’s a lot of inspiration this weekend, whether you’re celebrating Father’s Day or not. Thursday, stop by for gallery hours on Shirley Street and then hang out for an Evening on Fifth. You’ll find bourbon tastings on Saturday, which happens to be National Bourbon Day (who knew?), and Mercato has its ever-popular Cars and Coffee on Sunday. 

1. Open Studios – Naples Art District 🎨

   Thursday, June 12 | 1–5 PM
   📍 Shirley Street, Naples Art District

This is my favorite kind of event: Open Studios lets you gallery hop, talk to artists and get a peek behind the scenes watching them work. Whether you’re browsing or want to find a local to commission a new piece, it’s the perfect chance to connect with the artists of Naples. 

2. Evening on Fifth 🌆
   Thursday, June 12 |  6:30–9:30 PM
   📍 Fifth Avenue South

Live music, boutique shopping, and maybe a sidewalk Aperol spritz? Evening on Fifth is a classic night out in downtown Naples you don’t want to miss. 

3. Comedian Justin Silva @ Off the Hook Comedy 
   Thursday, June 12- Saturday June 14| 6:30 – 9:30 PM
   📍 Off the Hook Comedy Club

Laugh off the week’s troubles with Justin Silva, a former electrician who found comedy fame through social media. Eat, drink, and laugh until your face hurts. You’ll be surprised you haven’t been here sooner. Tickets are $25-35. 

4. The 45^th Annual Great Canoe Races of Naples 🛶
   Saturday, June 14 |  9 AM–2 PM
   📍 Baker Park

This one cracks me up. The Great Canoe Races are equal parts team spirit and chaos, with amateur and professional heats paddling (and sometimes flailing) their way around Baker Park. There will be vendors, live entertainment, and a beer garden. Grab a drink and enjoy the entertainment, and if you’re feeling bold sign up for a race!

5. National Bourbon Day: Local Goods & Whiskey 🥃
   Saturday, June 14 | 5–7 PM
   📍 Whiskey Park, 3380 Mercantile Ave

Whiskey Park is celebrating National Bourbon Day (but of course) with local artisan vendors, barbecue, and bourbon. Sip on an array of barrel aged choices, which go down easily paired with wings, pulled pork, and ribs straight from the smoker. General Admission is $45. 

6. Cars & Coffee 239: Father's Day Edition 🚗
   Sunday, June 16 | 1 – 3 PM
   📍 Mercato

The best way to please the Dads in your life is to take them to Cars & Coffee 239 at Mercato. It’s laid-back and family-friendly, with classics and featured Japanese imports on display, plus plenty of complimentary coffee. 

Here’s What You Said: Perfect Taco?

Last week's poll asked:
Where do you go for the perfect taco? 

Here were the results:

1. Taqueria San Julian – 21%

2. Tacos & Tequila – 18.5%

3. Turco Taco – 16.8%

4. Taqueria Jalisco – 12.6%

5. Taco Lindo – 9.2%

6. Other – 9.2%

7. Salsa Brava Mexican Grill – 6.7%

8. La Oaxaqueña Taqueria – 5.9%

Truly, there are no wrong answers to this poll. But I’m glad that San Julian gets the love it deserves. That was my vote. Did I rig it by putting it as the first option? 

I’m surprised La Oaxaqueña Taqueria came in so low, but it’s a hidden gem. I encourage you to check it out if you’ve never been. Outstanding, authentic Mexican food tucked in a shopping plaza. 

This Week’s Poll: How do you find new restaurants?

The restaurant scene in Naples is unbeatable, and there’s always something new to uncover. Just this past weekend, the highly anticipated, upscale Asian fusion restaurant Blackbird opened at the Naples Bay Resort. I want to know: where do you usually hear the buzz first? Is it a friend’s tip over coffee? A Facebook group?

As always, I appreciate your feedback.

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Why It Matters

Supporting our local dining scene means we're directly contributing to the heart of our community—our favorite spots depend on it, especially during these slower summer months.

Plus, treating ourselves to great food, refreshing drinks, and local events not only helps the neighborhood thrive, but it also reminds us why we love living here.

Cheers to enjoying and preserving the unique flavor of Naples together!

Elizabeth Bellotti
Associate Editor
Naples, Florida
The Naples Florida Review

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