Friends and neighbors,

Spooky season and pumpkin spice are everywhere, but the real harbingers of October? Restaurants reopening after summer ends and the first stone crabs of the season. 

This week, I’m shining a light on an old standby, Alexander’s Garden Restaurant, which reopens just ahead of the season, and I’m mapping out where I’d head locally to get the freshest stone crab claws.

There are also plenty of new restaurants coming soon that I can’t wait to check out and share in the coming weeks.

Thank you for reading, sharing, and commenting, and thanks to our friends at Naples Florida Rentals for keeping this local guide going.

See you around,

If you have a tip or event to share, email me at [email protected] — I’d love to feature your favorite finds!

The traps are in the water! Stone crab season in Florida officially runs October 15 through May 1, and I’ve already spotted a few locals counting down the days. My best advice? Go for fresh claws whenever you can, and be prepared to take them home and crack them yourself. That said, a few of these spots also let you sit down and enjoy them on the spot. Wherever you plan to go, call ahead because the availability of fresh claws depends entirely on the day’s catch. Below are my top picks for finding the freshest claws: 

1. Kelly’s Fish House
📍 1302 5th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102
🕓 Daily 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
kellysfishhousediningroom.com

The buck stops here at Naples’ oldest seafood restaurant, in business for over 70 years. The stone crab claws are as fresh as they come, hauled straight from their boats and cooked and graded right on their docks. Grab a table by the windows overlooking the Gordon River, and you might catch the crabbers unloading the day’s haul. You can also head over to the docks to buy directly from the boat. 

2. Big Jimmy (Local Fisherman)
📍 Locations vary; check his Facebook Page
Contact: (239) 776-2770

Jimmy Perry is a seasoned commercial fisherman based in Naples, specializing in blue crabs, stone crabs, mullet, tilapia, and channel catfish. He offers the freshest claws, often pulled from the traps that morning. While he supplies local restaurants, purchasing directly from him can be more affordable. Keep an eye on his Facebook page for updates on his catch and locations.

Tip: Bring cash, a cooler, and flexibility. This is as fresh as it gets.

3. Mr. Big Fish
📍 811 Neapolitan Way
🕓 Lunch 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.; Dinner 4:30–9 p.m.
mrbigfish.com

A local favorite, Mr. Big Fish offers a variety of seafood dishes, including stone crab claws, at reasonable prices. The restaurant's casual atmosphere makes it a great spot for both dine-in and take-out. It's advisable to call ahead, as "large" and "jumbo" claws tend to sell out early in the week. They already have their 1 lb Stone Crab on the menu (MP). 

4. Captain & Krewe

📍 629 8th St S, Naples
🕓 Tues–Sun 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m.
cknaples.com

A more low-key local favorite down by the fire station, Captain & Krewe combines a small raw bar, market counter, and outdoor tables by Cambier Park. Their claws are fresh, fairly priced, and usually available early in the season. They also just started online orders!

5. Swan River Seafood

📍 3741 Tamiami Trail N, Naples
🕓 Market: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Restaurant: 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m.
swanriverseafood.com

Swan River Seafood is a longstanding establishment in Naples, known for its wide selection of fresh seafood, including local stone crab claws. They offer both dine-in and take-home options, with claws available in all sizes. Locals keep coming back here for the quality and consistency.

Enjoy the season, and happy cracking!

Chef Alexander Bernard has been at the helm of Alexander’s Garden Restaurant since 1997, continually shaping its menu with an experienced hand for almost 30 years. This family restaurant is now one of Naples’ enduring institutions. In an unassuming spot of Tamiami Trail is a courtyard framed by palms, where the hum of diners has been as steady as the chef’s hands. 

The food here is precise and unshowy, rooted in European gastronomy but adapted to Southwest Florida. Chef Alexander shows classical cooking with fresh ingredients, often changing with the season or the latest catch. 

Seafood is where Alexander’s shines, but the other mains are equally impressive. The Berkshire Pork Chop with caramelized apples and the Crispy Duck with port wine reduction are well-loved, while their snapper and salmon are perfectly cooked with balanced herbs and sauces. 

The garden gives the restaurant its name and charm. Tables sit under a canopy of greenery that softens sound, making Naples’ signature patio dining even more of a delight. Lunch is lovely when sunlight cuts through the palms (and the waiters will make sure to keep you out of the sun). These delightful patio seats fill fast once the season starts, so I recommend reservations or dining on the early side for quiet dinner conversations and quicker service. The interior dining room is also charming, while the high-top bar is a lively hotspot (and my second pick behind patio seating). 

Alexander’s is truly a gem: a garden oasis with meticulously prepared food. Reopening for dinner on October 9 and lunch on October 13, Alexander’s will continue rotating specials and updating the menu based on seasonal ingredients. 

In short, it’s a family restaurant built on a love of food and community that Naples is lucky to have, serving reliable, thoughtfully prepared dishes (and a lighted palm tree doesn’t hurt either).

Alexander’s Garden Restaurant
4077 Tamiami Trail N, Ste D101, Naples, FL
alexandersnaples.com

Hours
Lunch: Monday–Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Dinner: Monday–Saturday, 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

Last week’s poll asked: From restaurants I didn’t cover, who serves your favorite breakfast?

Here’s where you landed:

Readers also mentioned Bayside and Downtown Coffee and Wine as favorite breakfast spots. I appreciated the equal amount of love for the newest spot on the list (GG) and the long-standing favorite (Jane’s). Thank you to all who gave their two cents - I love hearing your opinions! 

Why It Matters

Thanks for reading and for keeping this community tasty. If you spot first-of-the-day claws or a new opening, send a tip to [email protected].

Until next week, enjoy the patio nights, crack a few claws, and I’ll see you around town.

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

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