Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach is one of Florida's shiniest hidden gems—a laid-back, nature-focused destination where manatees mosey through the mangroves and tarpon cruise the passes, but which also boasts thriving arts, entertainment, and food scenes. In fact, our local businesses are all over the Best of Florida 2025 list, a compilation of public nominations and votes created by Guide to Florida.

We're proud of our winners, but the great restaurants and amazing attractions in our area extend far beyond this list. When it comes to dining and having fun, the spirit of exploration and discovery will serve you well on every visit. We recommend exploring our new Flavor Coast site, which features not only several of the winners below, but a range of restaurants from one end of the area to the other.

 

Family learning about one of the Peace River Wildlife Center's ambassador animals, leucistic Eastern Screech owl Luna, on a warm October day.Our arts, entertainment, and sports/recreation honorees include:

Museums | Best of Florida: Military Heritage Museum

Botanical Gardens | Best of Florida: Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens

Family Amusement Places | Regional: Peace River Wildlife Center

Art Galleries | Honorable Mention: Sea Grape Artists Gallery

Yoga & Pilates Studios | Honorable Mention: The Yoga Sanctuary

 

Keep exploring for a range of our "Best" restaurants:

American & Seafood

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Couple eating at Winesett House in Punta Gorda, a Best of Florida Seafood Restaurant honoree, on an October evening.American Cuisine Restaurants | Honorable Mentions: Ken and Barb’s Grove City Kitchen and The Twisted Fork (learn more about them on their Flavor Coast page!)

Romantic Restaurants | Regional: The Grill at 1951

Seafood Restaurants | Honorable Mention: Winesett House (also featured on the Flavor Coast site!)

Southern Restaurants | Best of Florida: Leroy’s Southern Kitchen & Bar 

Steakhouses | Regional: Prime Serious Steak (go behind the scenes on their Flavor Coast page)

Asian Food

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Beautiful tuna dumplings at Big Bamboo Asian Fusion.Chinese Restaurants | Best of Florida: Big Bamboo Asian Fusion

Thai Restaurants | Regional: Peace River Beer Company 

Italian & Mexican Food

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Pizza at Brooklyn Joe's in Punta Gorda, Florida.Italian & Pizza | Best of Florida: Bella Napoli (check out their Flavor Coast page to learn more) and Brooklyn Joe’s

Mexican Restaurants | Best of Florida: Los Mariachis Bar & Grill

Ice Cream & Dessert

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Freshly baked treats at T n D Bakery in Punta Gorda, FloridaBakeries | Regional: Nino’s Bakery & Café and Honorable Mention: T n D Bakery

Ice Cream Parlors | Best of Florida: Swirls n Curls Ice Cream and Honorable Mention: Lava Ice Shop

Drinks

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Bottles of Wine at The Grape Winery & Wine Bar in Port Charlotte, FloridaBars | Regional: Celtic Ray Public House (another winner with their own Flavor Coast page) and Honorable Mentions: unWINEd Wine & Beer Bar and TT’s Tiki Bar

Coffeehouses | Honorable Mention: Downtown Kava

Winery | Best of Florida: The Grape Winery & Wine Bar

There's a lot to enjoy in Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach, from high art and rich history to sophisticated cuisine, so whether you let this "Best of" list be your guide or you go by your own instincts, we're confident you'll have a great time and a wonderful meal...or ten.