Friends and Neighbors,

With Mother’s Day in less than two weeks, I pulled together a simple guide to a few places around Naples that are good options depending on how you like to celebrate. Some are offering prix-fixe brunches if you want everything taken care of, and others are just reliable spots where you can go, order what you want, and carve out time to make someone feel special.

I also surveyed Cheeky Tiki, a newer spot in East Naples. It’s a fun, casual place with a tropical feel; just don’t get hung up on the official definition of a tiki bar. This is a welcome addition to spots where you’ll just want to hang out. 

Thanks for being here. I hope you are inspired to make some culinary plans!

Cheers,

Table of Contents

PRESENTED BY Naples Florida Rentals
The easiest way to host in Naples and still keep the house calm. 🌴

When friends or family come to town, the guest room always sounds like the easy answer. Then the house gets full, everyone’s on a different schedule, and what was supposed to feel relaxed starts feeling like logistics.

Naples Florida Rentals gives your guests a place of their own near the beach and close to everything they came for, so you can stay close without feeling crowded. It is one of the easiest ways to make a visit feel smoother from the start.

Why it works:

  • More privacy for them and more breathing room for you

  • Great for family visits, longer stays, or overflow guests

  • Well-located Naples homes with live availability

Dana can also help match them with the right rental, which makes the whole process feel much easier.

📞 Call or text Dana: (239) 397-0929

Tiki Bar or Not: Cheeky Tiki in Naples Brings Much-Needed Old-School Florida Aura Back

Despite being on the coast, Naples' tiki bar scene is surprisingly sparse. Not just a place with palm trees and drinks, but somewhere immersive, where the cocktails arrive in ornate mugs, and the atmosphere completely transports you. 

Do you know the difference between a chickee bar and a tiki bar? Traditional tiki bars trace their roots to the 1930s and 1940s, emphasizing escapism through immersive theming, elaborate garnishes, and a curated atmosphere inspired by Polynesian pop culture. By contrast, what some call “chickee bars” are more casual, open-air spaces with thatched roofs that trace their roots to the traditional structures of the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Cheeky Tiki falls somewhere in between. While it doesn’t fully replicate the over-the-top immersion of historic tiki institutions, it delivers enough of the vibe to satisfy most patrons looking for a fun, tropical night out. Opened in September in East Naples, in the former space of a Naples Tiki Bar, it has a firm “Old Florida, Key West” identity, with crushed shell ground cover, palm-frond umbrellas, and an open-air layout designed for hanging out. 

The bar is backed by experienced operators, including co-owner Christopher Lee, whose résumé includes years at the Ritz-Carlton Beach Resort and leadership roles in several well-known Naples hospitality ventures. That experience shows in the execution: a full liquor bar, a strong cocktail program, and a space built for social nights with games like shuffleboard, darts, and pool alongside live music on weekends.

The food is another differentiator. Rather than Polynesian-inspired fare, the menu is firmly Southern and made from scratch, featuring gator bites, frog legs, crab cakes, and a popular grouper sandwich, along with slow-roasted ribs and casual bar staples. They serve regional comfort done well, and feature a generous happy hour menu. 

Cheeky Tiki isn’t a traditional tiki bar in the strictest sense, but it’s an immersive step above the usual Chickee bars nearby. As a lively, well-executed neighborhood spot with tropical flair, it fills a gap Naples didn’t realize it needed, something fun, social and (just a little) cheeky.

Cheeky Tiki

Website: https://www.cheekytikinaples.com
Location: 11498 Tamiami Trail E, Naples
Hours: Daily 11:30 AM–9:30 PM (until 10 PM Fri–Sat)
Happy Hour: 2:30–5:30 PM

Where to Go for Mother’s Day in Naples, FL: Brunch with Parents Guide

Mother’s Day in Naples usually comes down to how you want the table to feel. You can go all-in on a prix fixe brunch or buffet or keep it flexible and order at your own pace. Both work; it just depends on your group and how long you plan to stay. There’s a range of options, from great family spots to more formal dining, depending on what kind of meal you’re looking for. 

Brunch at Maia. JW Marco. 

If you want a full brunch experience (show up, sit down, everything’s covered):

  • Lujack’s
    $59 per adult | $19 kids (4–12) | +$19 bottomless mimosas/Bloody Marys
    More relaxed, a little louder, and built for a social table. Classic brunch plates and steady service.. Easy option if you’re going with family and want something low-pressure.

  • JW Marriott Marco Island – Maia
    $82+  per adult | $27 per child
    This is the full resort spread. Seafood, carving stations, pastries, and desserts. This is a brunch where everyone gets up at least twice. It’s a good choice for bigger groups or when no one wants to negotiate over what to order.

  • M Waterfront Grille
    ~$75 per person
    Right on the water and a little more composed and quieter than most holiday brunches. Expect a course menu with seafood, salads, and plated entrées. Feels like a step up without getting formal.

  • Acqua Bistecca (Estero)
    $75 adult | $39 child
    This one is for an “occasion.” There’s live music, a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, and even small extras like flowers and photos. The menu is set, but the experience is what you’re really there for.

If you’d rather order your own way (and not be confined by time):

  • The Real Macaw
    À la carte (~$18–$32)
    A bit more personality here at Naples’ kitchy Floridian spot. You’ll still find eggs and brunch staples, but dishes like Trinidadian crab cake Benedict liven the menu up. Colorful room, loyal following.

  • The 239 (Mercato)
    À la carte (~$16–$30) | $19 mimosa flights or bottomless
    This is the lively one. Solid brunch options, reasonable pricing, and an emphasis on fresh and local ingredients without being too high-brow. Great for the family. 

  • Rebecca’s
    À la carte (~$18–$35)
    Airy, trendy and spacious spot with incredible food. The food is a little more thoughtful and less heavy than most brunch menus. Note that the dining room can get a bit loud, but they also have patio tables. 

  • The Warren
    À la carte (~$20–$40 entrées)
    A reliable middle ground. The menu runs wide—brunch classics, seafood, steaks—so everyone can land where they want. The room feels polished but still comfortable for a longer meal.

  • Le Colonial
    À la carte (small plates ~$24–$34 | entrées ~$39–$48 | cocktails ~$18+)
    Skip eggs entirely and go this direction instead. The room is polished, the menu is Vietnamese-French, and the whole experience feels more like a long lunch or early dinner. Good if you want something that feels different from the usual holiday rotation.

Bonus: Late Lunch/ Dinner option

  • Nosh on Naples Bay
    À la carte (~$20–$45)
    They’re not usually open until the afternoon, so it’s a solid backup if brunch reservations disappear. Waterfront setting, broader menu and less pressure to rush. Top-notch food and service—a real treat to make Mom feel special. 

A couple of quick notes: waterfront tables and earlier seatings tend to go first, so if you have a specific time in mind, it’s worth booking sooner rather than later.

 If you could attend a wine tasting here in Naples, which one would you be most excited about?

Poll Results: Wine Tastings?

Last week we asked: If you could attend a wine tasting here in Naples, which one would you be most excited about?

Here’s where you landed:

Cheese & Charcuterie Feast was the winner here, with 25% of votes, followed closely by Steakhouse Classics. Clearly, however, our readers have a wide range of tastes. I’m always looking to feature more wine dinners and tastings in our events newsletter. Have a rec? Send it my way! 

This Week’s Poll: Eating out?

For holidays like Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, are you making reservations or cooking at home?

Login or Subscribe to participate

Why It Matters

A good Naples week usually comes down to having a few solid options and knowing which one fits the moment.

That is really the thread through this issue. Maybe it is a new neighborhood spot with a little more personality than expected. Maybe it is finally making a Mother’s Day reservation before the best tables disappear.

Either way, the goal is the same: finding the places that make it easier to enjoy where you live and the people you are sharing it with.

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

P.S. - Check out our sponsor’s vacation homes, comfortable for you, your family, and even your pets. Find out why they currently have more than 600 reviews (all 5 stars!). For more information and to book that perfect vacation, click here.

Love reading The Naples Florida Review? Click here to share with your friends and family.

Advertise with us

Put your brand in front of 100,000 passionate Naples Florida Review readers. Let's partner.

Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.

— John D. Rockefeller

Keep Reading