We've been coming to Sanibel and Captiva for over 20 years, but this was our first time and probably last time trying Trader's. We made a reservation, which I highly recommend doing. Even though we were in island post-Ian during a not busy time, the restaurant was packed. We were only a party of 2 and seated right away, but in a weird table that felt like an afterthought. Our first thought was that we were going to be forgotten about. This prophecy was correct. As we scanned the room, it was very evident that the restaurant and waitstaff catered more to large groups of at least 4 and over. For instance, we had been seated and had ordered drinks, which we waited for endlessly, as well as to order. We saw a table of 4 get seated next to us who had a 20 minute wait, get drinks, appetizers, meals for 4 and desserts and they left easily 25 minutes before us because of their attentive server. The dichotomy of the two situations was stunning I will say the drinks were good. It was nice, cool and satisfying, which was good because the little corner we were stuck in was a sweat box. Now, here's the weird part. I order the "chicken parmigiana" from the menu. When most people think of this dish it's a breaded boneless chicken breast with red sauce and mozzarella melted on top. This was not that. I can't even describe what it was. There was no sauce. It was perhaps a breaded chicken breast with parmigiana cheese in the breading? Either way, it was the strangest dish and not at all what I was thinking. Note to Trader's: either fix this dish and make it correctly, or name/describe the dish accurately. I can't be the only person who's been bamboozled by this. I would have asked about the dish, but our waiter just simply never came back. He wasn't the one who delivered our meals. He never asked if we wanted something else to drink. And re: the heat of the building, we were hot and both wanted another drink. He only returned after I was finally able to flag him down. He didn't ask if wanted anything else, if we want dessert, how our meals were...he just simply asked if we wanted the check. We were so put off by the service and beyond mediocre food. There are so many amazing restaurants on Sanibel and Captiva (and more opening and reopening everyday!) that we wouldn't want to waste our time or money coming back here when they very clearly do not value the customer or quality. Separately: If you're disabled, take into consideration that there are several spots directly in front of the walkway leading to the front of the building but it's a bit of a walk and the walkway can be slightly slippery with the humidity, if you're mobility impaired.
William Johnstone
Limited menu, but 3 good specials. Stuffed shrimp with lobster ravioli was good, but could have had 1 more shrimp and ravioli.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
I. Elaine Moore
Very nice a little loud even at 5 pm
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sherry D.
Oysters are perfect, great service and good drinks . Classy vibe too big open and airy large parking area and plenty of indoor seating
Kim K.
Nice, high end atmosphere and prices to match. Extremely inattentive waitperson. Our waters both emptied and we had to ask for more. He never came back to check on our meals or if we needed anything. Never asked how our meal was. I ordered the seafood gumbo which was really just a spicy chicken stew, with overcooked chicken and no seafood in my bowl. Should not be labeled seafood or gumbo. Disappointed overall and will not return. Many better options on the island. Skip this one.
Sue Lavine
Excellent food and service in pleasant atmosphere with unique store to enjoy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maria Eldredge
Wonderful dining experience! The service and the food were outstanding! Highly recommend .
Elaine Jason
Little pricey, but the food was good. Worst Arnold Palmer I've ever had. No lemon flavor, asked if it was an Arnie and server assured me it was, he brought another with more lemonade...still bad.Wheelchair accessibility: There is a very long ramp. I use an electric scooter so I was fine; but, if you're pushing a wheelchair its long and a little steep.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Veal Meatloaf
Leah Haunani McCann
Anytime I can make it to Traders, I am there! Staff is always so friendly, food is delicious and it's just a fun atmosphere not to mention being able to support the local businesses post Hurricane Ian!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Harold King
Wow! Another great experience at Traders. While the prices are a little high, it's all worth it. Many of our party of 8 got the grouper special and raved about it. The bisque and gumbo was also outstanding as was the spinach salad with chicken. The cocktail "pours" were super generous and worth the price.Peter Redpath was singing and having been there before to hear him, it did not disappoint. If you like Buffett, Croce, Simon and Garfunkle and James Taylor type songs you have to come to Traders for Peter. Obviously we will be back.
Would like to say we had a good experience here but there is nothing positive I can say. Multiple parties of patrons were walking out due to lack of service. We did the same.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
seth webber
Tonight we got the braised shortrib special. It came with au gratin potatoes and a creamed spinach.This was the best creamed spinach I've ever had in my life.The short rib was melting in my mouth and the barbeque was not sticky or overpowering the way most are. It complemented the beef in perfect proportion.The potatoes were wonderful.This dish was a reminder of why we once moved to Sanibel Island. The food everywhere used to be this good. Every dish was superb the way that this was, and every bite full of flavor.I miss that from a couple of years ago before Ian hit. Thank you traders, for starting to bring it back. ❤️Dietary restrictions: If you have a cilantro allergy pay attention to the specials! Many have it in there, but they usually announce it. You'll hear it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Veal Meatloaf
Barbara Gannon
Excellent food and drinks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Beate Winkler
Was a spontaneous visit. Were very positively surprised. Food tasted very good. come back ?
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ralph Chandler
Excellent place to stop and watch the traffic leave the island. Seems like a locals hangout but very welcoming. Dress to impress in the evening, it's worth the trip!
We've been coming to Sanibel and Captiva for over 20 years, but this was our first time and probably last time trying Trader's. We made a reservation, which I highly recommend doing. Even though we were in island post-Ian during a not busy time, the restaurant was packed. We were only a party of 2 and seated right away, but in a weird table that felt like an afterthought. Our first thought was that we were going to be forgotten about. This prophecy was correct. As we scanned the room, it was very evident that the restaurant and waitstaff catered more to large groups of at least 4 and over. For instance, we had been seated and had ordered drinks, which we waited for endlessly, as well as to order. We saw a table of 4 get seated next to us who had a 20 minute wait, get drinks, appetizers, meals for 4 and desserts and they left easily 25 minutes before us because of their attentive server. The dichotomy of the two situations was stunning I will say the drinks were good. It was nice, cool and satisfying, which was good because the little corner we were stuck in was a sweat box. Now, here's the weird part. I order the "chicken parmigiana" from the menu. When most people think of this dish it's a breaded boneless chicken breast with red sauce and mozzarella melted on top. This was not that. I can't even describe what it was. There was no sauce. It was perhaps a breaded chicken breast with parmigiana cheese in the breading? Either way, it was the strangest dish and not at all what I was thinking. Note to Trader's: either fix this dish and make it correctly, or name/describe the dish accurately. I can't be the only person who's been bamboozled by this. I would have asked about the dish, but our waiter just simply never came back. He wasn't the one who delivered our meals. He never asked if we wanted something else to drink. And re: the heat of the building, we were hot and both wanted another drink. He only returned after I was finally able to flag him down. He didn't ask if wanted anything else, if we want dessert, how our meals were...he just simply asked if we wanted the check. We were so put off by the service and beyond mediocre food. There are so many amazing restaurants on Sanibel and Captiva (and more opening and reopening everyday!) that we wouldn't want to waste our time or money coming back here when they very clearly do not value the customer or quality. Separately: If you're disabled, take into consideration that there are several spots directly in front of the walkway leading to the front of the building but it's a bit of a walk and the walkway can be slightly slippery with the humidity, if you're mobility impaired.
Limited menu, but 3 good specials. Stuffed shrimp with lobster ravioli was good, but could have had 1 more shrimp and ravioli.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Very nice a little loud even at 5 pm
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Oysters are perfect, great service and good drinks . Classy vibe too big open and airy large parking area and plenty of indoor seating
Nice, high end atmosphere and prices to match. Extremely inattentive waitperson. Our waters both emptied and we had to ask for more. He never came back to check on our meals or if we needed anything. Never asked how our meal was. I ordered the seafood gumbo which was really just a spicy chicken stew, with overcooked chicken and no seafood in my bowl. Should not be labeled seafood or gumbo. Disappointed overall and will not return. Many better options on the island. Skip this one.
Excellent food and service in pleasant atmosphere with unique store to enjoy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wonderful dining experience! The service and the food were outstanding! Highly recommend .
Little pricey, but the food was good. Worst Arnold Palmer I've ever had. No lemon flavor, asked if it was an Arnie and server assured me it was, he brought another with more lemonade...still bad.Wheelchair accessibility: There is a very long ramp. I use an electric scooter so I was fine; but, if you're pushing a wheelchair its long and a little steep.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Veal Meatloaf
Anytime I can make it to Traders, I am there! Staff is always so friendly, food is delicious and it's just a fun atmosphere not to mention being able to support the local businesses post Hurricane Ian!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wow! Another great experience at Traders. While the prices are a little high, it's all worth it. Many of our party of 8 got the grouper special and raved about it. The bisque and gumbo was also outstanding as was the spinach salad with chicken. The cocktail "pours" were super generous and worth the price.Peter Redpath was singing and having been there before to hear him, it did not disappoint. If you like Buffett, Croce, Simon and Garfunkle and James Taylor type songs you have to come to Traders for Peter. Obviously we will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Would like to say we had a good experience here but there is nothing positive I can say. Multiple parties of patrons were walking out due to lack of service. We did the same.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Tonight we got the braised shortrib special. It came with au gratin potatoes and a creamed spinach.This was the best creamed spinach I've ever had in my life.The short rib was melting in my mouth and the barbeque was not sticky or overpowering the way most are. It complemented the beef in perfect proportion.The potatoes were wonderful.This dish was a reminder of why we once moved to Sanibel Island. The food everywhere used to be this good. Every dish was superb the way that this was, and every bite full of flavor.I miss that from a couple of years ago before Ian hit. Thank you traders, for starting to bring it back. ❤️Dietary restrictions: If you have a cilantro allergy pay attention to the specials! Many have it in there, but they usually announce it. You'll hear it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Veal Meatloaf
Excellent food and drinks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Was a spontaneous visit. Were very positively surprised. Food tasted very good. come back ?
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent place to stop and watch the traffic leave the island. Seems like a locals hangout but very welcoming. Dress to impress in the evening, it's worth the trip!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5