Naples Top Breastaurant, Holiday Stroll, Best New Restaurant of 2024, Discounted Tickets for Nash To Naples 🎶

Sponsored by

Friends & Neighbors,

Who writes a food review / faceoff of the local Naples breastaurants? This may be the first and last one you read. After a hectic few weeks of dining at esteemed local establishments, such as Baleen, The Turtle Club and Dusk – culminating with a charity brunch at Sails – I was ready to kick back and have a lazy lunch somewhere that I could wear flip flops and eat wings. So I grabbed a fellow local mom and headed on over to Naples newcomer Twin Peaks (in the Coastland parking lot, opened in May of this year) and Hooters back to back to see which establishment was better endowed with tasty food. Read on to find out. 

Also in this issue are two upcoming local events to add to your calendar. First, the Naples Design District’s Eighth Annual Holiday Stroll is taking place on Wednesday, December 4th from 4pm to 8pm. It’s family-friendly and – importantly – free. Read more about this upcoming event below and mark your calendar. Second, tickets for Nash 2 Naples are now on sale. Our leading sponsor, Naples Florida Rentals, is also a sponsor of the event, and they passed on a discount code for readers. Read more about the event inside. 

Finally, I am going to keep our “Best New Restaurant of 2024” poll open for the next month. Have you voted yet? Currently, Unidos and Le Colonial are neck and neck (which is exciting because they have such different menus). Click here to visit last week’s issue and add your vote! 

Thank you again for all your comments and feedback. I got some great tips and ideas after the last issue and I truly welcome them. Please feel free to email [email protected] or reply to this email. 

All the best,

Table of Contents

• Hooters vs. Twin Peaks: A Food Review

• Stroll on over to the Naples Design District on De …

• Nash 2 Naples Tickets Available Now

Hooters vs. Twin Peaks: A Food Review

Two notable events happened in April of 1983: I was born, and six buddies in Clearwater, FL incorporated Hooters, looking to establish a restaurant that “they couldn’t get kicked out of.” That’s right, Hooters and I happen to be the same age. 

Societal and cultural norms have changed a lot since 1983, but really, how much? You have to wonder how much stigma there really is about walking into a “breastaurant,” when the demand is clearly there: Twin Peaks, a Hooters remix, opened a giant new location smack in the center of Naples in 2024. So, while plenty of ink has been spilled in the last 41 years about the propriety of restaurants with scantily clad waitresses, this isn’t going to be one of those articles. The two intrepid Naples Moms in this review ventured into the land of high-cut shorts and low-cut shirts to see which establishment had the best wings and coldest beer in town. 

Our journey began at the brand new Twin Peaks next to the aging Coastland Center Mall. We parked in the adjacent garage (which was great because it was raining) and stepped inside. My first impression was that it seemed like a Disney-fied version of a man cave. A large central bar was pretty packed at 1PM, so we were escorted past a series of regular tables to a comfortable booth in the corner where we could take in the scene. The host was a very friendly man who greeted us immediately and seated us quickly – a big plus. 

The booth was upholstered in fabric that evoked a sanitary version of the cloth couches I remember from college. There are touches everywhere to make it feel homey and lodge-like, but somehow the high ceilings distract a little from the vibe. Our server – who was training a new recruit – came quickly to our table with her charge and welcomed us with a smile. So far, so good. 

The beer list at Twin Peaks is extensive and there is something for everyone. Twin Peaks has their own signature ales on tap, along with a wide variety of IPAs, lagers, porters and stouts both domestic and imported. They also carry Athletic Brewing Company’s 0% Upside Dawn  Golden Ale if you’re looking for beer without the buzz. Ours came out in giant, thick, frosted glass mugs. Ridiculously cold and crisp – exactly what you’re looking for on a hot day. 

For food we tried the queso app, the Backyard Brisket BBQ flatbread and an order of buffalo wings. Our extremely professional, kind, and patient waitress recommended that we add ground beef to the queso app, and she was spot on – it was a great combination. The flatbread had good flavor and the brisket on top was plentiful and moist. The wings were also very good – crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. I could have done with a little more heat in the sauce but, overall, a win. Over an hour after our drinks had arrived the beer was still cold – shockingly cold. 

A few days later we were off to Hooters, braving the noon traffic on Pine Ridge Road to finish the faceoff. It feels like Hooters has always been tucked away across from the former Harley Davidson dealership, but property records reveal that the land was purchased by the chain in 2002. The interior looks like it’s been the same since opening night, which is honestly the vibe I expected. Low ceilings, a central bar, booths, and high tops in between. 

We were greeted immediately by a friendly hostess who seated us in a comfortable booth against the wall. Looking around, Hooters certainly seemed busier than Twin Peaks, but it’s possible it had more to do with the size of the restaurants and the height of the ceilings. Our waitress arrived soon after we sat down and was cheerful and kind. I’d done some research on Hooters before we arrived and learned that the chain had encouraged waitresses to switch to a newer, more revealing, uniform a few years back. Waitresses could also pick the traditional uniform you’re familiar with. Our waitress seemed pretty comfortable in the updated look. We ordered a couple of frosty beverages along with the buffalo chicken dip appetizer, fried pickles and buffalo wings. 

First, the beer and frosty mugs. Hooters has a wide variety of different beers with non-alcoholic options, alongside a full bar.  Hooters provided us generous pours in regular – albeit chilled – pint glasses. This meant that by the time we had tackled the appetizers we were both left with the room-temperature last quarter of our beer. Twin Peaks certainly has the edge on Hooters when it comes to impossibly cold beer that stays cold impossibly long. 

As for the food, I thought that the buffalo chicken dip was good (but my favorite remains the Publix version) and the fried pickles were a little limp. Remembering my not-spicy-enough experience at Twin Peaks, we opted for the spiciest version of their buffalo, which bore the ominous title of “3 Mile.” The wings were traditional and quite good (we finished them off). The heat was enough but not too much. 

So who reigns supreme in the Napes breastraunt space? Your two 40-something mom reviewers are going with Twin Peaks, mostly because of the frosty mugs – but also because of the quality and variety of food. Twin Peaks also feels like a place you could comfortably go with a group of girls or guys - or even kids during the day. Hooters does the man-cave aesthetic in a much more authentic way, but the space feels tired and they could do a better job on the pint glasses. 

Stroll on over to the Naples Design District on December 4^th

When my husband and I moved to the Lake Park Neighborhood in early 2017, I had heard rumors of an up-and-coming Naples Design District nearby. Walking the dog in the area during those first couple of years I had to wonder, “what Design District?” 

Since those early days, though, the Naples Design District has blossomed with the growth of a trio of restaurants - aptly called “The District” - alongside the opening of The Collective and other shops and galleries. 

The perfect time to see the Naples Design District for yourself is December 4^th from 4PM to 8PM during the Naples Design District’s 8^th Annual Holiday Stroll. The five-block loop will include live music, small bites, hot apple cider, hot chocolate, train displays, and lots more (I’ve included a list of businesses and events below). 

The stroll is family-friendly and, best of all, it’s free! So, venture down to The Collective at 111 10^th Street South on December 4^th – it’s a great place to start the stroll – and check out this unique slice of Naples. We might even bump into each other along the way!

Participating businesses and their activities:

- 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Beverages, craft ornaments to make, snacks, decorated golf cart, holiday music

- 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗲: Photo op with Santa, small charcuterie bites, accessories & wines in shop are 15% off
- 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘂𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀: 5PM: Holiday Photobooth & Special Ice cream from Food Truck
- 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲: Antique train display - drinks and light bites
- 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘀-𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘆: Featuring a show of “small treasures” by gallery artists.

-  𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱 & 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁: Starting at 5PM, holiday gift market & artists in attendance & live performance and music

- 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀: Antipasto, Drinks, Accordion player
- 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 & 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘀: Make-and-take bracelets, hot chocolate bar, carolers
- 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Character on sidewalk (front and/or rear) in a big star costume, Gift Raffle, and Treats!
- 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝘀: Live Music, lite bites, Shop the Holiday Shoppe!
- 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝘂𝘅𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Miss Baking Lady Desserts
- 𝗨𝗔𝗖 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿: hosted in The Studio at The Collective
- 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼: Charcuterie and wooden ornament decorating

Nash 2 Naples Tickets Available Now

As a child of the golden MTV/VH1 era, I’ve always enjoyed programs that take you “behind the music” to meet the storytellers responsible for your favorite hits. It’s fascinating to hear the real story behind your favorite songs from the writers themselves. 

Nash 2 Naples aims to do just that this January with some of the songwriters behind some of the biggest county hits in history. Not every musician is a songwriter, and you’d be surprised that some of the names and stories behind your favorite music don’t belong to the headliners. 

This year’s lineup features the names behind some of the biggest country hits that have been performed by Taylor Swift (remember when she was country?), Little Big Town, Jason Aldean, Brett Young, Justin Moore, Travis Denning, Reba McEntire, Tricia Yearwood and more. The venue – Cambier Park downtown under the stars – certainly adds to the atmosphere. 

While Nash 2 Naples isn’t until January 11^th 2025, tickets are on sale now. Our lead sponsor, Naples Florida Rentals, is also a sponsor of Nash 2 Naples, and they provided us with a 15% off discount code for readers. Click here to purchase your tickets now (events fill up quick in season) and enter code NFRN2N2025 for 15% off. 

Presented by Naples Florida Rentals: Discover the Best Family Vacation Homes in Naples!

Are you ready to elevate your vacation experience? Naples Florida Rentals offers an exquisite collection of luxurious vacation homes that cater to your every need. Owned and meticulously maintained by us, each property guarantees a super-clean, comfortable stay, perfect for you, your family, and even your pets.

Why settle for less when you can indulge in our award-winning, guest-favorite homes? Join over 300 satisfied guests who’ve rated us 5-stars. Save on third-party fees by booking directly with our owner, Dana, and immerse yourself in Naples’ vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and endless sunshine.

Why It Matters

Beneath the crispy wings, holiday lights, and soulful lyrics lies the real magic: experiences that connect us, surprise us, and make us pause. Life’s best stories come from stepping into the unfamiliar – whether it’s a new restaurant, a rediscovered neighborhood, or the tale behind a song that moves you.

Every moment is a chance to be curious and savor what’s in front of you. So go ahead, make the memories count – one bite, one stroll, one story at a time.

Carolyn Cervoni
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 300 reviews and all of them 5 stars. For more information and to book that perfect vacation, click here.