Same fantastic food! Happy hour very affordable with good flavors and drinks. Had the lamb meatballs, cornbread, shrimp and grits and added watermelon salad Chef put together unique flavors and textures! Mixologist Kevin puts his all into the beverages and raises the game. So glad they have a new home - it’s different - but the same. Not Sanibel but still so familiar and delicious!
Linda B
Sweet Melissa's recently reopened in Fort Myers after they lost the Sanibel restaurant during Hurricane Ian. They were open for years on Sanibel. We visited their new location tonight and our meal was expensive and horrible. The cost didn't bother us but the food was unforgivable. The clams and fettuccine was extremely salty and the pasta was not cooked. Not, al Dante, just way under done. The shrimp and grits were another disappointment. The shrimp were okay but the grits were grainy, again, under cooked. The lamb meatballs were overcooked! They were dry and tasteless. Then there were the mussels, while the mussels were tender and meaty, the sauce was tasteless. We will not be going back there, ever.
Ambassador795409
Excellent spot - just a note here for Trip Advisor that the location listed on here is not correct. Unfortunately the original spot was a victim of the storm. Melissa is great and we wish her the best in her new location.
Emp685
A group of friends went to the new home of Sweet Melissa's Cafe last night. We had a wonderful meal! The service was great and even though we had to leave Sanibel, it was worth the trip. For dinner we had Steamed Mussels, Crispy Bourbon Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Belly, House Made Fettuccine and Clams, Roasted Redfish and Blue Corn Crepes. Topped it off by sharing Goat Cheese Cheesecake and House Made Ice Cream. Everything was delicious.
Zack Diamond
My wife and I were excited to return to Sweet Melissas after hearing the great news of their reopening in a new off-island space. It’s always a joy to see a beloved local gem back in business, and we were eager to experience what the new location had to offer. However, while I’m thrilled that Sweet Melissa is back, the overall execution and flavor of many of the dishes fell short of our expectations, especially compared to the high standards set by pre-Ian Sweet Melissas.
We started with the Lamb Meatballs with Whipped Feta was delectable—rich in flavor, tender, and perfectly balanced. It was a standout and, honestly, the highlight of the meal. Unfortunately, the rest of the dishes did not quite live up to that same level of excellence. The Sweet and Spicy Shrimp and Grits, Fettuccine and Clams, and Mussels, while decent, lacked the punch and finesse I’d come to expect from this restaurant. The flavors seemed muted, and the overall execution didn’t quite hit the mark.
The Redfish was tasty, but again, nothing to rave about. A bit of a letdown, considering how often Sweet Melissas knocked it out of the park in the past. To make matters worse, all of our dishes were served lukewarm—not piping hot, not steaming, and certainly not something that needed to be blown down. I can’t help but feel that the kitchen may still be working out a few kinks in the new space.
The service was another area that left us scratching our heads. Our waiter’s etiquette was strange and he didn’t seem to read the table very well. While we weren’t looking for anything extravagant, a more attentive and polished approach would have gone a long way to elevate the experience.
Despite these hiccups, I’m genuinely excited that Sweet Melissas is back in business. It’s clear they’re still trying to find their footing in this new space, and I’m hopeful that with time, they’ll get back to delivering the consistent, flavorful dishes that made them a favorite before. I will absolutely spread the good news that they’re back and plan to return in the future, hoping that the next visit will be a return to the quality we’ve come to love.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
j1xxx
Sweet Melissa's is currently serving on Thursday & Friday nights using the tables and kitchen at Island Pizza. The menu is limited, but had most of our favorites from dinners we enjoyed in years before the restaurant was destroyed by the hurricanes. As before they were very attentive to gluten free diet. The best news...they will be reopening soon just across the Sanibel Causeway in Ft. Myers.
Linda Matchette
This is an amazing place but is not open at the current time. Jan & Feb 2025 There is a sign in front of a vacant lot saying coming soon. Just a
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Jennifer Butterfield
I've been going to Sweet Melissa's Cafe since it opened on Sanibel in 2009, but this is the first time I've left a review.
Melissa's food is incredible. Always fresh, season, and fabulous. And hee staff is always so friendly and attentive.
Tonight, my mom and I shared the watermelon and heirloom tomato salad (empty plate, oops :). And I had the pork belly boa buns for dinner. I don't remember seeing the buns on the menu before. They were magnificent and completely satisfying.
My mom and husband always, always get the famous fish stew. Everybody was a happy camper tonight.
We had our meal in the Island Pizza building while we wait for Melissa's new building to be built on her old site next door... She has a pop-up experience in Island Pizza most Thursdays and Fridays (just call ahead to Island Pizza make a reservation).
Overall, I'm always so satisfied by any meal at this restaurant, and I look forward to seeing what's next for Sweet Melissa's Cafe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish Stew
P1274FOjamess
If you are on Sanibel on Thursday or Friday this is the place to eat. Outstanding food and service. Limited menu and wine list, but the selection is great. We had the scallops and fish stew, both were outstanding.
Kin Fung
the house dish fish stew the fish was not cooked. scallops were raw. The octupus feels like a eating sausage nothing like octupus. white wine was not cold. service in hirry. wirst restaurant you can spend your money.
We come here every trip to Sanibel. Delicious always. Everything we picked, yummy.Great service. Keep this up.We will return
T. Claessens
Very delicious and unique dishes, french inspired. The set menus for holidays like New Year's are an extra special treat. Hearing Melissa communicate with the chefs from the open kitchen gives a rare experience that directly connects you to the artists behind the decadent dishes.
SteveR
Absolutely phenomenal! We are foodies, and this is the best we've had on the island - and from most any other place, honestly. Loved it. We went early, hung out at the bar with Kevin who was pleasant and a joy to talk with, then to our table. We ordered the blackened redfish entrée, petite portion, and the roasted romain salads. Apparently it was the first or second night of a new menu. Food came out quickly, was warm, and quite superb. Can't say enough. We couldn't be more happy, and will go back every time we are here in Sanibel. Probably again on this trip!
MelissaB
Everything was absolutely phenomenal. It was the best meal my family and I have had in a very long time. We will definitely be making reservations at Sweet Melissa's every time we come to Sanibel Island!
Harry Nesteruk
I almost hate to rate this James Beard recognized cafe as a 1 star. We went with another couple who love their fish stew, a clientele favorite. We were dinning at 5:30 and feel that both my wife's stew and my oysters were under cooked and over spicy. My wife had the octopus small plate appetizer. Tasted a bit like lobster, but it had a sauce that was like a strong BBQ sauce that over powered the octopus. My oysters were a bit gelatinous inside, under cooked. The mole sauce was way over powering and to be avoided. The seared top was heavily dusted with a very salty seasoning, I had to scrape it off or just tast salt. My cubed vegetables were also undercooked and without taste. My wife's stew was also undercooked, with raw garlic and other vegetables. Sorry, Melissa, likely won't be back.
Same fantastic food! Happy hour very affordable with good flavors and drinks. Had the lamb meatballs, cornbread, shrimp and grits and added watermelon salad Chef put together unique flavors and textures! Mixologist Kevin puts his all into the beverages and raises the game. So glad they have a new home - it’s different - but the same. Not Sanibel but still so familiar and delicious!
Sweet Melissa's recently reopened in Fort Myers after they lost the Sanibel restaurant during Hurricane Ian. They were open for years on Sanibel. We visited their new location tonight and our meal was expensive and horrible. The cost didn't bother us but the food was unforgivable. The clams and fettuccine was extremely salty and the pasta was not cooked. Not, al Dante, just way under done. The shrimp and grits were another disappointment. The shrimp were okay but the grits were grainy, again, under cooked. The lamb meatballs were overcooked! They were dry and tasteless. Then there were the mussels, while the mussels were tender and meaty, the sauce was tasteless. We will not be going back there, ever.
Excellent spot - just a note here for Trip Advisor that the location listed on here is not correct. Unfortunately the original spot was a victim of the storm. Melissa is great and we wish her the best in her new location.
A group of friends went to the new home of Sweet Melissa's Cafe last night. We had a wonderful meal! The service was great and even though we had to leave Sanibel, it was worth the trip. For dinner we had Steamed Mussels, Crispy Bourbon Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Belly, House Made Fettuccine and Clams, Roasted Redfish and Blue Corn Crepes. Topped it off by sharing Goat Cheese Cheesecake and House Made Ice Cream. Everything was delicious.
My wife and I were excited to return to Sweet Melissas after hearing the great news of their reopening in a new off-island space. It’s always a joy to see a beloved local gem back in business, and we were eager to experience what the new location had to offer. However, while I’m thrilled that Sweet Melissa is back, the overall execution and flavor of many of the dishes fell short of our expectations, especially compared to the high standards set by pre-Ian Sweet Melissas.
We started with the Lamb Meatballs with Whipped Feta was delectable—rich in flavor, tender, and perfectly balanced. It was a standout and, honestly, the highlight of the meal. Unfortunately, the rest of the dishes did not quite live up to that same level of excellence. The Sweet and Spicy Shrimp and Grits, Fettuccine and Clams, and Mussels, while decent, lacked the punch and finesse I’d come to expect from this restaurant. The flavors seemed muted, and the overall execution didn’t quite hit the mark.
The Redfish was tasty, but again, nothing to rave about. A bit of a letdown, considering how often Sweet Melissas knocked it out of the park in the past. To make matters worse, all of our dishes were served lukewarm—not piping hot, not steaming, and certainly not something that needed to be blown down. I can’t help but feel that the kitchen may still be working out a few kinks in the new space.
The service was another area that left us scratching our heads. Our waiter’s etiquette was strange and he didn’t seem to read the table very well. While we weren’t looking for anything extravagant, a more attentive and polished approach would have gone a long way to elevate the experience.
Despite these hiccups, I’m genuinely excited that Sweet Melissas is back in business. It’s clear they’re still trying to find their footing in this new space, and I’m hopeful that with time, they’ll get back to delivering the consistent, flavorful dishes that made them a favorite before. I will absolutely spread the good news that they’re back and plan to return in the future, hoping that the next visit will be a return to the quality we’ve come to love.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Sweet Melissa's is currently serving on Thursday & Friday nights using the tables and kitchen at Island Pizza. The menu is limited, but had most of our favorites from dinners we enjoyed in years before the restaurant was destroyed by the hurricanes. As before they were very attentive to gluten free diet. The best news...they will be reopening soon just across the Sanibel Causeway in Ft. Myers.
This is an amazing place but is not open at the current time. Jan & Feb 2025 There is a sign in front of a vacant lot saying coming soon. Just a
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I've been going to Sweet Melissa's Cafe since it opened on Sanibel in 2009, but this is the first time I've left a review.
Melissa's food is incredible. Always fresh, season, and fabulous. And hee staff is always so friendly and attentive.
Tonight, my mom and I shared the watermelon and heirloom tomato salad (empty plate, oops :). And I had the pork belly boa buns for dinner. I don't remember seeing the buns on the menu before. They were magnificent and completely satisfying.
My mom and husband always, always get the famous fish stew. Everybody was a happy camper tonight.
We had our meal in the Island Pizza building while we wait for Melissa's new building to be built on her old site next door... She has a pop-up experience in Island Pizza most Thursdays and Fridays (just call ahead to Island Pizza make a reservation).
Overall, I'm always so satisfied by any meal at this restaurant, and I look forward to seeing what's next for Sweet Melissa's Cafe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish Stew
If you are on Sanibel on Thursday or Friday this is the place to eat. Outstanding food and service. Limited menu and wine list, but the selection is great. We had the scallops and fish stew, both were outstanding.
the house dish fish stew the fish was not cooked. scallops were raw. The octupus feels like a eating sausage nothing like octupus.
white wine was not cold.
service in hirry.
wirst restaurant you can spend your money.
Restaurantji Recommends
We come here every trip to Sanibel. Delicious always. Everything we picked, yummy.Great service. Keep this up.We will return
Very delicious and unique dishes, french inspired. The set menus for holidays like New Year's are an extra special treat. Hearing Melissa communicate with the chefs from the open kitchen gives a rare experience that directly connects you to the artists behind the decadent dishes.
Absolutely phenomenal! We are foodies, and this is the best we've had on the island - and from most any other place, honestly. Loved it. We went early, hung out at the bar with Kevin who was pleasant and a joy to talk with, then to our table. We ordered the blackened redfish entrée, petite portion, and the roasted romain salads. Apparently it was the first or second night of a new menu. Food came out quickly, was warm, and quite superb. Can't say enough. We couldn't be more happy, and will go back every time we are here in Sanibel. Probably again on this trip!
Everything was absolutely phenomenal. It was the best meal my family and I have had in a very long time. We will definitely be making reservations at Sweet Melissa's every time we come to Sanibel Island!
I almost hate to rate this James Beard recognized cafe as a 1 star. We went with another couple who love their fish stew, a clientele favorite. We were dinning at 5:30 and feel that both my wife's stew and my oysters were under cooked and over spicy. My wife had the octopus small plate appetizer. Tasted a bit like lobster, but it had a sauce that was like a strong BBQ sauce that over powered the octopus. My oysters were a bit gelatinous inside, under cooked. The mole sauce was way over powering and to be avoided. The seared top was heavily dusted with a very salty seasoning, I had to scrape it off or just tast salt. My cubed vegetables were also undercooked and without taste. My wife's stew was also undercooked, with raw garlic and other vegetables. Sorry, Melissa, likely won't be back.
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