Five best Restaurants For Kids on Sanibel and Captiva Islands

We realize that choosing best of anything when the field is a fairly large one is an ambitious and somewhat dangerous objective.



So we'll begin this post by offering apologies to anyone who we leave out by offering some criteria for our list.



And here's the criteria---- noting that we have only included those restaurants that meet at least 2 of the following criteria:



1. The restaurant offers a large enough menu that mom and dad can have some choices as well as the kids

2. The restaurant has enough visual/audio diversion so that kids don't get bored with their environment

3. The restaurant has a history of being kid friendly

4. The restaurant is not going to totally rock mom and dad's budget


That said, here are our top picks in no particular order.



The Hungry Heron on Sanibel bills itself as having the largest kids menu and with 38 selections, it probably does. That, in and of itself, could be a reason to choose this always busy eatery. Centrally located, its a very family focused restaurant and offers both lunch and dinner with hearty portions and affordable prices. The small strip mall where it is located affords it plenty of parking as well.



The Bubble Room on Captiva is decorated with eye-catching memorabilia from the 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's. Toy trains, twinkling colored lights, and more than 2,000 movie stills and glossies of stage and screen legends greet customers curious to see Captiva's famed restaurant. If your kids are seeking color and fun, The Bubble Room will not disappoint.



Though there are two Lazy Flamingo Restaurants on the Islands, the one we are suggesting is the original and smaller of the two. Actually, it's a stretch to call this little island eatery a restaurant as the menu is fairly limited. We would call it a bar, but even that misses the mark in description. Its funky island flavor, the selection of fresh fish dishes, the fun families have playing the ring toss game (few win) as well as the relatively inexpensive meals make it a perfect stop for the hungry folks in your family.



The Mucky Duck, an English Style pub/restaurant, on Captiva offers a Gulf view and because of that never fails to be busy. Despite its popularity with families, the restaurant is lauded for its friendly service. The restaurant also offers a host of souvenirs that guests can bring home to commemorate their visit. Everything from beer mugs to a Mucky Duck golf ball is available, including children's fun wear.





Sanibel's Island Cow, like the Mucky Duck, is also an unexpected reference. (We have lots of animals on Sanibel, but no cows...though manatees, quite common sightings, are also called sea "cows"!) The Island Cow is one of few restaurants that offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Always filled up, families flock here for the fun environment and easy to access location. Also noted for its large kids menu and pet friendly policy.


Ok, that's our take on it, but always happy to read yours!