Best Naples Date Night Spots 2026 Guide to Fancy, Casual, Waterfront and Late Night
Naples was made for date night. Gulf sunsets, walkable historic streets, and a serious food and wine scene all come together here. As locals behind Naples Beach Cabanas, we put in the hours eating around town so you do not have to, and this guide pulls together the places that actually feel special for a night out.
We have organized everything by vibe and by part of town so you can match the restaurant to the kind of evening you want, whether that is a dress up anniversary dinner or a casual first drink near your hotel.
Table of contents
How this guide is organized
To make this actually useful and not just another random top ten list, we are slicing Naples by two things people care about most on a date night.
Vibe
Fancy for white tablecloth, special occasion, serious wine
Casual and upscale casual for relaxed nights where shorts or sundresses still feel right
Day date for brunch, lunch, and afternoon drinks
Late night for the handful of places that stay lively after most of Naples has gone home
Area
North Naples zip codes 34108, 34109, 34110, 34119, 34120
Vanderbilt Beach, Mercato, Waterside Shops and beyondCentral Naples zip codes 34103, 34105, 34116, 34117
Park Shore, Venetian Village, mid US 41South Naples zip codes 34102, 34104, 34112, 34113, 34114
Old Naples, Fifth Avenue South, Third Street South, Bayfront, Naples Bay, Bayshore, East Trail
Within each section you will see quick notes on things couples usually ask about like waterfront views, strong wine lists, live music, group friendly vs intimate, and whether you can easily walk to Fifth, Third, Mercato, or Venetian Village before or after.
Best fancy Naples date night restaurants
These are the places where you dress up a little and expect the food, service, and setting to feel like an occasion.
Fancy waterfront date nights
M Waterfront Grille Central Venetian Village
Best for couples who want a classic special occasion dinner with a view
Area Central 34103 at The Village Shops on Venetian Bay
Why it works
Every room looks out over Venetian Bay, so you are never stuck in a back corner
The menu leans coastal and contemporary, with fresh seafood, steaks, and house made pasta
The wine list is deep enough for people who actually care about wine
This is one of those places where you can do anything from a quiet two top to a family celebration and it still feels right.
Website M Waterfront Grille
Bayside Seafood Grill and Bar Central Venetian Village
Best for classic Naples waterfront and groups or double dates
Area Central 34103 overlooking Venetian Bay
Why it works
Three experiences under one roof, the downstairs cafe, the upstairs grill, and the Upper Deck bar outside
Broad menu that covers local fish, scallops, steaks, and pastas without feeling generic
The Upper Deck is a great compromise if one person wants a view and another prefers a more casual bar setting
Website Bayside Seafood Grill and Bar
T Michaels Steak and Lobster Central Venetian Village
Best for old school steak and lobster with a bay view
Area Central 34103 Park Shore, also on Venetian Bay
Why it works
Feels like the classic clubby steakhouse that also happens to look out over the water
Focus on prime steaks, prime rib, and whole Maine lobsters
Strong red wine options and martinis that fit the room
Website T Michaels Steak and Lobster
Nosh on Naples Bay South Naples Bay Resort
Best for food lovers who like to share
Area South 34102 at Naples Bay Resort marina
Why it works
Romantic setting right on the marina with boats in the background
The menu is built around global small plates and shareable dishes, so you can taste a lot without committing to one huge entree
Good cocktail program and wine list without feeling stuffy
Website Nosh on Naples Bay
The Turtle Club North Vanderbilt Beach
Best for toes in the sand sunset dinners
Area North 34108 on Vanderbilt Beach
Why it works
Tables literally in the sand with waves in front of you
A mix of fresh Gulf seafood, steaks, and Florida comfort dishes
Sunset here is a real experience for visitors and still magic for locals
Book this one ahead in season and ask for beach seating if you want the full effect.
Website The Turtle Club
Baleen Naples North LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort
Best for luxury beachfront fine dining
Area North 34108 at LaPlaya on Vanderbilt Beach
Why it works
Elegant indoor room and terrace right on the sand
Upscale seafood and steak, strong wine and Champagne list
Feels like a special night from the moment you pull into the drive
Website Baleen Naples
The Bay House North Cocohatchee River
Best for Old Florida charm on the marsh
Area North 34110 off Walkerbilt Road
Why it works
Raised above the Cocohatchee River and marsh, with water and mangroves all around
Coastal Southern menu with plenty of seafood and low country touches
Live music on the river side deck during season
Website The Bay House
Fancy non waterfront date nights
Sails Restaurant South Fifth Avenue South
Best for the people in your life who talk about Michelin stars
Area South 34102 on Fifth Avenue South
Why it works
Dialed in service and a menu that reads like a modern European seafood restaurant
Precise cooking, handmade pasta, and a Champagne and wine list that rewards lingering
Champagne Sunday brunch is a whole event on its own
Website Sails Restaurant
Tulia Italian Steak South Fifth Avenue South
Best for steak lovers who still want Italian soul
Area South 34102 on Fifth, in the former French Brasserie space
Why it works
Chef Vincenzo Betulia’s take on an Italian steakhouse, with prime and Wagyu cuts, veal chops, and wood grilled seafood
Dark, moody room with a buzz that works for dates as well as small groups
Very serious about both cocktails and wine
Website Tulia Italian Steak
Campiello South Third Street South
Best for rustic Italian under the string lights
Area South 34102 on Third Street South
Why it works
Courtyard seating, open kitchen, and a bar that fills up with locals and visitors
Wood fired pizzas, pastas, and grilled meats that are built to share
Easy place to transition from dinner to another drink without moving
Website Campiello Naples
Trulucks Ocean’s Finest Seafood and Crab South downtown
Best for classic big night seafood and steak
Area South 34102 a short walk from Fifth Avenue South
Why it works
Stone crab in season, prime steaks, and a polished room
Piano bar energy in the lounge and attentive service in the dining room
Website Trulucks Naples
Bha Bha Persian Bistro South Fifth Avenue South
Best for couples who like bold flavor and trying something different
Area South 34102 on Fifth
Why it works
Persian classics with saffron, pomegranate, herbs, and slow braises
Lots of shareable dips and starters that make for a fun date table
Warm and personal service that keeps locals coming back
Website Bha Bha Persian Bistro
Best casual and upscale casual date night spots
You do not always want a jacket and a tasting menu. These are relaxed places that still feel like a night out.
Old Naples Fifth and Third
Bar Tulia Fifth Avenue South
Best for great cocktails and chef level bar food
Area South 34102 on Fifth
Why it works
One of the strongest cocktail programs in town
A menu that goes well beyond typical bar food, with pizzas, pastas, and seasonal small plates
Late kitchen by Naples standards and a bar crowd that stays interesting
Website Bar Tulia Fifth
La Saliere Naples Old Naples
Best for a lively Italian evening in a dramatic space
Area South 34102 on Twelfth Avenue South, in the former Bevy location
Why it works
Indoor outdoor layout with a central bar and lots of energy
Italian classics inspired by the long running Monaco original
Works just as well for a couple as it does for a group dinner
Search for La Saliere Naples for current menus and reservations
North Naples Mercato and Waterside
Bicyclette Cookshop near Mercato
Best for couples who like chef driven spots
Area North 34108 across from Mercato
Why it works
Thoughtful seasonal menu with a European feel
Room feels intimate without being stiff
Website Bicyclette Cookshop
Bicyclette Cookshop’s Executive Chef, Kayla Pfeiffer, Food Network “Chopped” Winner 2024
The Hampton Social Mercato
Best for fun, lively first dates or group dates
Area North 34108 at Mercato
Why it works
Bright, coastal interior and plenty of patio seating
Rosé and cocktail focused, often with live music or a DJ
Website The Hampton Social Naples
BrickTops Waterside Shops
Best for polished comfort food in a shopping center setting
Area North 34108 at Waterside Shops
Why it works
Big bar, consistent American comfort dishes, and a solid wine and cocktail list
Easy location if you are already at Waterside or staying nearby
Website BrickTops
True Food Kitchen Waterside Shops
Best for health forward dates that still feel like a treat
Area North 34108 at Waterside
Why it works
Bowls, salads, pizzas, and mains with plenty of vegetarian and gluten free options
Bright, modern room that works well for brunch or lunch
Website True Food Kitchen Naples
Best day date spots in Naples
Brunch with a view
M Waterfront Grille Central, known for Sunday brunch with bottomless bubbles and live music in season, all looking out over Venetian Bay
Bayside Central, upstairs brunch in the grill room with big windows on the water
EJs Bayfront Cafe South, casual but scenic brunch and lunch on the Bayfront marina
Garden courtyards and tropical hides
Janes Cafe on Third South, garden courtyard and long brunch hours
The Real Macaw South, colorful bungalows, palms, and a laid back island feel that works for lazy afternoons and low key evenings
Janes Cafe on Third Street South, Naples
Lighter and health focused
True Food Kitchen North, smoothies, juices, lighter mains
The Local North, farm to table comfort food on Airport Pulling that will not put you to sleep afterward
Website The Local
The Local, North Naples
Where to go in Naples after dinner
Naples will never be South Beach, but there are a few spots where you can actually stay out past nine and feel like you are still on a date.
Cocktails and wine
Bar Tulia Fifth and Mercato, for serious cocktails and a food menu that makes it worth staying put
Warren Design District, for people who care about whiskey and wine lists, with a clubby lounge feel
Nat Nat for natural wine in an intimate room that feels like it was built for couples
Old Vines Naples at Mercato, for wine flights, events, and a mellow energy
Mercato Shops, Naples
Live music and atmosphere
The Claw Bar and The London Club downtown, where you can have seafood and a raw bar downstairs and then head upstairs for live jazz or soul in the London Club
Tommy Bahama on Third, with island tunes on the patio and tropical drinks that feel like vacation
Tap 42 at Mercato, with a younger crowd, TVs, and theme nights that run later than most
London Club, Bellasera Hotel, Naples
North vs Central vs South Naples which area fits your date
If you are planning ahead for a visit or trying to decide where to send guests, it helps to think in neighborhoods.
North Naples beach and shopping focus
Best for beachfront sunsets and a slightly younger, more bar friendly crowd
Think
Turtle Club and Baleen for sunset on the sand
BrickTops and True Food at Waterside
Bar Tulia, Hampton Social, Bicyclette, Old Vines, and Tap 42 at Mercato
Central Naples bay views and polished rooms
Best for couples staying in Park Shore or the Moorings who want water views without driving into downtown
Think
The whole Venetian Village cluster, M Waterfront, Bayside, T Michaels, MiraMare, and Fish
Hogfish Harrys and USS Nemo along US 41 for seafood that is a bit away from the main tourist strips
South Naples walkable historic core
Best for the most restaurants in walking distance, plus the pier and historic streets
Think
Fifth Avenue South for Sails, Tulia Italian Steak, Trulucks, and Bha Bha
Third Street South for Campiello, Janes, Tommy Bahama, and the walk down to the pier
Bayfront and Naples Bay for EJs, K Rico, Southern Kitchen, Nosh, and The Syren
Bayshore and East Trail for Real Macaw, The Med, and more local feeling spots
How to choose the right spot
When in doubt, use this simple approach.
Start with vibe
Want to impress someone or mark an anniversary, think Sails, M Waterfront, Tulia Italian Steak, Trulucks, Baleen, Turtle Club
Want a relaxed but quality night, think Bayside, MiraMare, Campiello, Bicyclette, The Local, Fish Restaurant, Village Pub
Want something more offbeat, think Bha Bha, The Real Macaw, Nat Nat, Warren
Choose area based on where you are staying
If you are near Vanderbilt or North Naples, staying up there will save you time in season traffic
If you are near Park Shore or central US 41, Venetian Village and midtown are your sweet spots
If you are near Old Naples, Fifth, Third, and Bayfront give you more options than you can use in one trip
Match time of day
For sunset, lean toward beach or bay views
For brunch and day dates, use the brunch list above
For later nights, plan to end around Fifth, Mercato, or downtown near The Claw Bar and London Club
Check reservations and bar seating
In high season, reserve Sails, Turtle Club, Baleen, M Waterfront, Bayside, Campiello, Tulia Italian Steak, and Trulucks
When you cannot get a table, bar seating at many of those same places can still turn into a great date
Frequently asked questions about Naples date night
What is the most romantic restaurant in Naples?
Romantic is personal, but a short list that almost never misses would be Sails, Turtle Club, Baleen, M Waterfront, Bayside, and Tulia Italian Steak. If you care more about the view than the room, pick a beach or bayfront setting. If you care more about food and wine, lean toward Sails, Tulia Italian Steak, and Trulucks.
Where should we go for a date night brunch in Naples?
For a true brunch experience with views and bottomless bubbles, look at M Waterfront or Bayside. For a more relaxed garden setting, Janes on Third is hard to beat. For something lighter, True Food Kitchen and The Local both work well.
What is a good first date idea in Naples that is not too formal?
Pair a casual dinner or drinks at Bar Tulia, True Food Kitchen, Hampton Social, Village Pub, or The Dock with a walk. Fifth Avenue, Third Street, Mercato, Venetian Village, and the Naples Pier all give you built in things to look at and talk about without a lot of pressure.
Is there any real nightlife in Naples after dinner?
There is more than people think, you just have to know where to look. The London Club above The Claw Bar has live music and a proper lounge atmosphere. Bar Tulia, Tap 42, Old Vines, and Warren all stay lively by Naples standards. Tommy Bahama on Third keeps the island mood going a bit later most nights as well.
As places open, close, or change hands, we will keep this guide updated so it stays useful for both visitors and locals planning a night out.
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