Waterfront Resort & DiningHarbor favorite
Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor
5500 Sunseeker Way · Charlotte Harbor, FL 33980
One of the places Steve and I visit often for its beautiful Charlotte Harbor views, waterfront dining, and the elevated Level Blue rooftop experience with an infinity pool, bar, and lighter fare.
Call 833-914-7300Map & directions →Visit website →Southwest Florida AirportEasy local travel
Punta Gorda Airport (PGD)
28000 Airport Rd. · Punta Gorda, FL 33982
One of the conveniences I appreciate most about living here. Steve and I use PGD regularly because it is easy to navigate and offers convenient nonstop service to many destinations.
Call 941-639-1101Map & directions →Visit website →Home ServicesMy connection
Gator Property Watch
Port Charlotte & surrounding areas
Professional home watch visits, property checks, storm services, and trusted eyes on your Florida home.
Visit website →Golf Cart Sales & ServiceOur daily ride
Matt's Custom Golf Carts — Punta Gorda
28315 E. Twin Lakes Dr. · Punta Gorda, FL 33955
Steve and I bought our golf cart from Matt's Punta Gorda location, part of South Florida's largest golf cart dealership. We use it every day to ride around Riverwood—and our dog, Mercedes, happily joins us several times a day. Matt's also offers parts, customization, maintenance, and highly regarded repair work, although thankfully we haven't needed the repair service ourselves.
Call 941-575-8181Map & directions →Visit website →InsuranceMy connection
Shepherd Insurance — Rachel Fleming
18501 Murdock Cir., Ste. 500 · Port Charlotte, FL 33948
Rachel Fleming, Personal Lines Senior Account Manager — Private Client, helps with homeowners insurance, personal lines, and private-client coverage.
Call 941-336-5465Visit website →RestaurantsMy favorite
Carmelo's Italian Ristorante
321 W. Retta Esplanade · Punta Gorda, FL 33950
My favorite restaurant for authentic Italian and old-world Sicilian dishes in downtown Punta Gorda. Steve and I make Carmelo's our annual tradition on the night before Thanksgiving.
Call 941-621-4091Map & directions →Visit website →RestaurantsBeach favorite
SandBar Tiki & Grille
1975 Beach Rd. · Englewood, FL 34223
A favorite beach spot and the very first restaurant Steve and I visited when we bought our Florida home in 2017. We love the true tiki-hut atmosphere, waterfront setting, daily live music, and relaxed Manasota Key vibe.
Call 941-460-8280Map & directions →Visit website →Seafood & Tiki BarNorth Port favorite
Anna Maria Oyster Bar — North Port
14132 Tamiami Trl. · North Port, FL 34287
Steve and I visit the North Port location fairly often for its great seafood, fun and family-friendly atmosphere, and inviting indoor-outdoor tiki bar. It is a lively local choice for fresh oysters, Gulf Coast flavors, tropical drinks, and relaxed outdoor dining.
Call 941-207-2662Map & directions →Visit website →RestaurantsWaterfront favorite
Lighthouse Grill & Tiki Bar
260 Maryland Ave. · Channel Marker 17A · Englewood, FL 34224
A recently discovered favorite of ours for waterfront dining under the tiki and beautiful views across Lemon Bay. Steve and I especially enjoy watching for the lemon sharks that often make their evening visits close to shore.
Call 941-828-1368Map & directions →Visit website →RestaurantsNear Riverwood
The Twisted Fork
2208 El Jobean Rd. · Port Charlotte, FL 33948
An extremely popular food-and-entertainment destination just down the road from Riverwood. Known for scratch-made Southern food, great bands, outdoor concerts, a lively Harley atmosphere, and a calendar that always seems to have something happening. Connected with neighboring Bert's Black Widow Harley-Davidson.
Call 941-235-3675Map & directions →Visit website →RestaurantsMy pick
Winesett House
139 W. Marion Ave. · Punta Gorda, FL 33950
I love the cool, welcoming atmosphere, creative food, and beautifully made martinis at this stylish coastal tavern in the heart of Punta Gorda's dining district.
Call 941-637-9477Map & directions →Visit website →RestaurantsDowntown favorite
F.M. Don's
201 W. Marion Ave. · Punta Gorda, FL 33950
One of my downtown Punta Gorda favorites, with locally inspired food, a welcoming historic-city atmosphere, patio dining, and an easy location for enjoying the Marion Avenue scene.
Call 941-637-8800Map & directions →Visit website →RestaurantsMy pick
Italia at River City
127 W. Marion Ave. · Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Classic Italian dining in the heart of downtown Punta Gorda, and one of my go-to choices when I'm spending time around Marion Avenue.
Call 941-639-7655Map & directions →Visit website →RestaurantsDowntown dining
River City Grill
131 W. Marion Ave. · Punta Gorda, FL 33950
A downtown Punta Gorda favorite serving fresh global comfort cuisine in a lively setting, conveniently located along the Marion Avenue dining scene I frequent.
Call 941-639-9080Map & directions →Visit website →RestaurantsDowntown favorite
Ortigia Cucina & Bar
212 W. Marion Ave. · Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Chef Carmelo's fresh-air downtown dining experience featuring small plates, imported cheeses, seafood, fresh pasta, craft beer, and cocktails—another Punta Gorda spot I enjoy.
Call 941-646-8039Map & directions →Visit website →RestaurantsMy pick
The Salty Tarpon
408 Tamiami Trl. · Punta Gorda, FL 33950
A relaxed Punta Gorda seafood restaurant and bar housed in a local historic landmark, offering an easygoing stop near the downtown and waterfront scene.
Call 941-844-1352Map & directions →Visit website →RestaurantsCasual favorite
Burg'r Bar
317 Tamiami Trl. · Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Punta Gorda's neighborhood stop for breakfast, burgers, live music, and good times. I like it as part of the casual, friendly downtown restaurant scene.
Call 941-655-8050Map & directions →Visit website →RestaurantsSouthern favorite
Leroy's Southern Kitchen & Bar
201 W. Marion Ave. · Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Contemporary Southern food, Sunday brunch, and a lively downtown atmosphere make Leroy's another restaurant I enjoy while spending time in Punta Gorda.
Call 941-505-2489Map & directions →Visit website →Waterfront RestaurantFishermen's Village
Village Brewhouse
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Unit G-36 · Punta Gorda, FL 33950
A casual waterfront restaurant inside Fishermen's Village with a broad menu, local craft beer, live events nearby, and Charlotte Harbor sunset views.
Call 941-417-8764Map & directions →Visit website →Dockside Seafood & Rum BarNew at Fishermen's Village
Leroy's Fish Shack
Fishermen's Village · 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Units J33–35 · Punta Gorda, FL 33950
A waterfront seafood destination from the same team behind my downtown favorite, Leroy's Southern Kitchen. The Fish Shack serves locally harvested Gulf seafood in an easygoing setting with Charlotte Harbor views, a rum bar, live music, and dockside dining. It opens daily at 11 a.m., and reservations are recommended—especially around sunset.
Call 941-397-5005Map & directions →Visit website →Waterfront SeafoodSunset views
Laishley Crab House
150 Laishley Ct. · Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Seafood, sushi, and outdoor waterfront dining at Laishley Marina. I especially like this harborfront setting for its wonderful sunset views.
Call 941-205-5566Map & directions →Visit website →Yacht Club & Sunday BrunchSunday brunch
Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club
4400 Lister St. · Port Charlotte, FL 33952
Friends of ours are members and love attending the club's social events. Steve and I aren't members, but I appreciate that the club welcomes the public to visit and offers Sunday brunch and lunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Membership opportunities, weekly events, waterfront activities, dining, and private-event spaces make it a wonderful way to enjoy Charlotte Harbor—even if you don't own a boat.
Call 941-629-5131Map & directions →Visit website →Rooftop DiningRooftop views
Perch 360
101 E. Retta Esplanade · The Wyvern Hotel · Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Open-air rooftop dining high above downtown Punta Gorda, with panoramic views of Charlotte Harbor, the city skyline, and Southwest Florida sunsets.
Call 941-639-7700Map & directions →Visit website →Waterfront Tiki BarHarborfront favorite
TT's Tiki Bar
33 Tamiami Trl. · Punta Gorda, FL 33950
A lively open-air tiki bar on Charlotte Harbor with waterfront views, live entertainment, and the relaxed Punta Gorda atmosphere I enjoy.
Call 941-637-6770Map & directions →Visit website →Waterfront DestinationSince day one
Fishermen's Village
1200 W. Retta Esplanade · Punta Gorda, FL 33950
A favorite of ours since our very first day in Florida—and a place Steve and I still visit often. I especially love it at Christmas, when the village glows with lights and King Fisher Fleet cruises through the decorated canals of Punta Gorda Isles.
Call 800-639-0020Map & directions →Visit website →Floating Tiki Boat CruisesOur guest-day favorite
Cruisin' Tikis Charlotte Harbor
Laishley Park Municipal Marina · 120 Laishley Ct. · Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Steve and I have taken this fun Charlotte Harbor cruise several times when friends visit. It is a wonderful way to see Punta Gorda from the water aboard your own floating tiki bar. Bring your favorite food and drinks—the boat provides a cooler stocked with ice—and choose from experiences including a 90-minute pleasure cruise or a two-hour sunset cruise.
Call 941-200-1202Map & directions →Visit website →Coastal Town & BeachMy favorite beach
Englewood & Manasota Key
Dearborn Street · Englewood Beach · Manasota Key
I love Englewood's laid-back downtown vibe, especially the shops, restaurants, local art, farmers market, and events around historic Dearborn Street. Just across Lemon Bay is Englewood Beach on Manasota Key—my favorite beach and a wonderful place for Gulf sunsets, swimming, and an easygoing beach day.
Map & directions →Visit website →RestaurantsBreakfast favorite
Blue Pineapple Bistro
470 W. Dearborn St. · Englewood, FL 34223
Our favorite breakfast stop on Dearborn Street—and a place Steve and I visit often. We love the relaxed Englewood atmosphere, outdoor seating, breakfast menu, and the restaurant's signature Bloody Marys.
Call 941-460-6537Map & directions →Visit website →Beachfront DiningNew Year's tradition
The Waverly Restaurant & Bar
2095 N. Beach Rd. · Manasota Key · Englewood, FL 34223
A polished beachside favorite with a classy atmosphere, inviting bar, and beautiful Gulf sunset and beach views. I especially love celebrating New Year's Eve at The Waverly.
Call 941-475-3500Map & directions →Visit website →Casual Beach DiningCasual beach favorite
The Waves
Downstairs at The Waverly · 2095 N. Beach Rd. · Englewood, FL 34223
The casual downstairs restaurant at The Waverly gives Steve and me an easygoing option near Englewood Beach while still enjoying the Manasota Key atmosphere.
Call 941-475-3500Map & directions →Visit website →RestaurantsPull-tab happy hour
Lock 'N Key Restaurant
2045 N. Beach Rd. · Manasota Key · Englewood, FL 34223
A casual favorite just steps from Englewood Beach, known for steaks, prime rib, fresh seafood, and a fun daily happy hour. Steve and I enjoy trying our luck with the bar's pull tabs, which can discount a drink to half price—or even 50 cents.
Call 941-474-1517Map & directions →Visit website →Music Shop & LessonsMy connection
Ace Drums
590 Tamiami Trl. · Port Charlotte, FL 33953
My friend Ken Giunta owns this local music shop for drums, cymbals, guitars, keyboards, amplifiers, vintage gear, repairs, lessons, and classes. He is also a longtime member of Southwest Florida's music community.
Call 941-979-5457Map & directions →Visit website →Home Inspections & Pest ControlInspections + Pest
Elite Inspections & Pest Solutions
787 S. Tamiami Trl. · Port Charlotte, FL 33953
One trusted local company for both certified home inspections and professional pest control. Family-owned and serving Southwest Florida for more than 30 years, Elite also offers termite services, wind mitigation and four-point inspections, wildlife removal, and lawn care.
Call 941-889-8410Map & directions →Visit website →Beauty
Nail Salons & Beauty
Southwest Florida
My trusted local contacts for nails, beauty, and a little well-earned pampering.
Details coming soonShopping
Boutiques & Local Shops
Southwest Florida
Independent shops, unique finds, gifts, and local businesses worth discovering.
Details coming soon