Thistle Lodge Beachfront Restaurant

Ambiance, food, service and overall experience was absolutely amazing. Our server (chastity) was very pleasant and responsive.

Upon making our reservation on Open Table, I made a special note to be seated by a window. The reservation was made weeks in advance. . When we arrived at Thistle Lodge, we were seated in an empty room that was facing the parking lot with one window! I felt like we were in a box! I reminded the hostess that I had noted in the reservation to be seated by a window, she said all the window tables had been reserved already? The manager came and let us know that since we had booked thru Open Table, that open table selects the tables. Really? After expressing disappointment, they sat us on high top tables in the bar area. Despite there being a few open tables by all the restaurant windows. (What we originally asks for). The service was great, Renee was awesome! The welcome upon entering restaurant & reservation experience, not so much. Not a great first impression as an islander, being there to support their business after grand opening.

Wow! So happy to have this restaurant open again. Stunningly beautiful place with full windows to enjoy the view of the Gulf. I had the filet, and truly one of the best I've had in a long time. Others in our group had the lamb and had scallops. Every bit was great! Our waitress, Chasity, was polite, efficient, and very helpful! Can't wait to go back and I highly recommend it!!!!

Food was very good. My mother in law got the Seabass and said it was excellent. I got the chicken roulade. It was okay. Not sure I would get it again. My daughter got the filet which she really enjoyed. They would not substitute the broccoli that came with my daughter's dish for anything else. Server stated they don't do substitutions. Cesar and Wedge salads were good. They did offer a gluten free menu with quite a few options. We were also impressed that they brought out gluten free bread as well as regular bread. Ambience and decor of restaurant was a bit dull. We were taken back that the tables didn't have any linens for price point. They could use some decoration for the walls and maybe a floral arrangement. Dining area had a bit of a cafeteria feel. Hoping this was just because they just opened less than a month ago and they are hopefully planning improving the decor and feel of the restaurant. Big plus for this restaurant is that it's one of the only ones with beachfront views. Server was nice but smacked her gum the entire time she waited on us. Food was served in timely manner and drinks were refreshed. I would be willing to try it again after a few more months of being opened and see if they have made any improvements.

Reopened after Ian. A terrific find on Sanibel... service was excellent- friendly and warm!

Still recovering from the rebuild, it's true—but the food, OMG, it was so good, memorably good! The octopus was the best I've had ever had, and I order it whenever it's on a menu. Seriously! The steak was also the best tasting and perfectly cooked I remember. Mashed potatoes were bland, but the scallops & risotto were delicious, I cannot wait to return!

We were happy to see that the Thistle Restaurant has reopened at Casa Ybel on Sanibel. The ambiance, food, and service were wonderful, and the view of the beach is lovely. Parking is easy. I'm so glad it's open again.

Good service, nice menu, well-executed (my ahi tuna tartare was excellent), but the ambiance is dreadful, seems unfinished (which maybe it is), poor lighting, zero decoration, more like a hospital cafeteria than a beach restaurant. A shame because it used to be one of the cozier, better-designed places on the island. Surely this isn't the final result, but opening before basic decor was completed is a bad business decision, since you're repelling potential repeat customers.

The fish tacos were the best I've had in the Naples area! Beautiful ocean view and great service!

So very happy to see The Thistle Lodge return after Hurricane Ian!! The food was as good as ever and our service was excellent! Ambiance isn't quite complete but given what they've been through after the hurricane, it's understandable. We're confident they will complete the decor soon as they get settled in after reopening. Highly recommended! We look forward to many years of their continued success!!

Only their 5th night of being open after hurricane reconstruction so they are still ironing out a few bumps. However the food and service were good. We had eaten in the old Thistle many times. The new restaurant is much more casual—No carpet, no tablecloths. The bar is larger and centrally located. We liked the old atmosphere a bit better as it made dining there more of a special occasion but will continue to be customers of the new venue.

Three of six meals good, three were not. One was originally not entered by server and therefore one of us had to wait 15 minutes while the others ate. Very cold inside.

Bad experience. Brought out the wrong order and atmosphere was poor. Seated next to the Kitchen. Food was less than mediocre.

It has only been reopened for a week so hopefully it will improve. No ambiance with remodel and looks like a typical hotel restaurant. Food was marginal but high priced for having no atmosphere. Not the old quaint Thistle Lodge.

Attentive service but food quality poor for the price. Cioppono shrimp overcooked and potatoes undercooked. Filet ordered medium came well done. All dishes were over salted. Tap water not offered but was apparently poor tasting. Offered still or sparkling selected still which was Fiji at $5 a small bottle. Nothing close to the quality that existed prior to Hurricane Ian.