Friends and neighbors,

I hope the sun is warming you up again. 

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I’ve put together a list of what I consider some of the most romantic dates in Naples. Yes, sunsets, candlelight, or both belong on the list. But true romance, I’d argue, is really about consideration—and that includes being proactive about date night and planning ahead. From the swankiest restaurants to the most casual spots, I’ve gathered a couple of ways to create a nice evening in good company.

And if you haven’t heard, the Everglades Seafood Festival is back this weekend. If you’ve never been, I’ve included the lowdown on this sleepy fishing village just south of Naples and why it’s worth a visit. 

Thank you for being part of this community and helping to make Naples such a special place.

Cheers,

Romance in Naples rarely needs much staging; nature does most of the work. The real charm lives in the thoughtful details: the dinner you booked before they had to ask, the sunset you timed on purpose, the evening walk you chose because you know they need to decompress. Naples makes that loving consideration easy, be it at the four-dollar sign hotspot or a taco stand. Here’s a handful of favorite romantic dates to do in Naples: 

Naples knows how to do dinner. Sails Restaurant, recently named as one of OpenTable's 100 most romantic restaurants in the country, is the epitome of class and fine dining in Naples, but it isn’t your only option. To the south in Marco Island,  Sale e Pepe and north in Bonita Springs, Angelina’s earned the same recognition.

Locals tend to rotate through familiar favorites: Le Colonial for its mood, The Continental for a steak and martinis, Truluck’s for seafood and service that never misses, and Bleu Provence for elevated French cuisine. When the setting matters as much as the menu, The Turtle Club and BALEEN Naples are beachfront options where Mother Nature sets the ambiance.

The Naples Botanical Garden is beautiful during the day, but takes on a magical quality in the evening. From February through April, late hours on Wednesdays and Fridays let you wander with fewer crowds and watch golden hour light up the lush backdrop.

Wednesdays are relaxed, while Fridays have live music and a bit more social energy. Their cafe stays open during their extended hours, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, if you need a bite, but there are also dinner options close by. For a humble but delicious meal, head to Taqueria San Julian for some of Naples’ best tacos, while just up the street Seventh South Waterfront has a reliable kitchen with more sophistication and scenery.

Sunset cruises remain a classic for a reason: the setting does most of the work, and your only real responsibility is showing up on time. Planning ahead matters here. A cruise through Port Royal delivers one of the city’s most refined views, with waterfront homes catching the last light as the Gulf opens up and the sky shifts color.

For a more memorable night, book a private cruise paired with a catered French dinner from Café de Normandie, or choose a smaller-group sunset cruise with wine and charcuterie. Either way, you’ll see that Naples sunsets earn their reputation, with or without caviar. 

Some nights don’t need much. Clam Pass Park suits those evenings perfectly. Arrive after 6 p.m. and parking is free. Meander along the boardwalk as the air cools, or ride the tram and save the walking for the beach. You could spend the whole day, complete with beach chair rentals and lunch at the beach cafe, or just watch the day fade over the Gulf. 

Some evenings call for ice cream and a bench (which you can grab at the cafe); others lead to dinner nearby. Take a 10-minute drive to Bicyclette Cookshop for thoughtful, small plates or DUSK at The Ritz-Carlton for sushi and a nightcap. 

There’s a particular intimacy in listening to live music together. The London Club at the Bellasera Hotel offers jazz and blues in one of Naples’ swankiest environments. They serve food from The Claw Bar, but it’s also nice to have a separate dinner downstairs at the restaurant, and then head up to the club for drinks and entertainment.

For something bigger, Artis–Naples remains one of the city’s best date-night anchors. Broadway, a tribute concert, or the Philharmonic all work. The romance lives in the choice itself: picking the show your person will love matters more than the seats.

If ever Florida demarcated a seafood hometown, it would be Everglades City, and every February, the Everglades Seafood Festival proves it. This three-day gathering has thrived for more than 55 years, and draws 40,000–50,000 attendees to savor Gulf flavors, local stories, and the charm of a historic fishing village.

Founded in 1970 to support the town and honor its fishing heritage, the festival is now hosted by the Florida Stone Crabbers Association (FLSCA), a nonprofit that unites commercial stone crab fishermen and advocates for the industry. Beyond seafood, it funds school programs, youth initiatives, hurricane relief, and local charities, preserving Everglades City’s culture and traditions. 

The seafood itself is legendary. Chefs and fishermen serve mouth-watering options like soft shell crab sandwiches, stone crab chowder, gumbo, jambalaya and more. Each dish carries decades of local expertise and emphasizes sustainable, locally-sourced ingredients.

The festival also features a full schedule of live music, artisan booths, interactive exhibits, and carnival rides. Kids can explore the rides, adults can relax and listen to music, and everyone leaves with their seafood appetite sated.

Entry is simple: Friday evening via canned food donation; Saturday and Sunday require a $10 minimum. Carnival rides and beverages are cash-only (ATMs on site) and for safety, no chairs, coolers, or pets are permitted.

This festival showcases the best of Florida, celebrating the bounty of the waters, bringing people together over food and fun, and supporting the community that makes it all possible. For more information, including this year’s schedule and hours, visit evergladesseafoodfestival.org

Last week’s poll asked: What’s your go-to brunch cocktail?

Here’s where you landed:

Just Coffee please! led with 22% of the votes! Bloody Marys came in second place in true 

Naples fashion, and I’m loving some of the reader responses: 

“Bailey's & Coffee” - R

“My preferred vodka is Grey Goose. My second drink is a split of Champagne.” - R

“Champagne only, and usually at M Waterfront Cafe!” - C

In a town like Naples, it’s easy to let the days blur together -- work, errands, traffic, dinner, repeat. That’s why little plans matter. A date night you actually book, a sunset you don’t rush, a festival you say yes to even when it’s easier to stay home.

Those are the moments that turn “living here” into really being here. This week, I hope you make one small choice that becomes a good memory.

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

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