Naples, Florida – a place I’ve always heard of but never thought I would go to. But boy am I glad that I did.
Just a 40 minute drive from Marco Island (where if y’all remember, I am staying for 23 days), Naples has a completely different feel. This is not your typical Florida spring break destination. Naples exudes luxury in a laid back, coastal fashion. High end shops, tasteful restaurants and breathtaking homes to match are just a few things you’ll stumble upon.
Even if you only have one day in Naples, I don’t think you should have to choose between shopping on 5th Avenue, dining at the best spots, or seeing what Vanderbilt Beach is all about. You can do it all!
10am: Brunch at Jane’s Cafe on 3rd
Jane’s Cafe is quintessential Naples in my eyes. This adorable spot allows you to dine al fresco with an all-day breakfast menu. There are two patios with equal charm where you can enjoy fresh egg dishes or order salads and sandwiches from the lunch menu. Go big and get a Big Girl Mimosa or Bellini, which actually is huge.
What to Order:
- Big Girl Bellini ($13)
- Open Faced Power Breakfast Sandwich – turkey bacon, havarti, egg whites, baby arugula, tomato slices on toasted english muffin ($14)
1209 3rd St S, Naples, FL 34102
Noon: Shopping on Third Street South & 5th Avenue South
Ask anyone in the Naples & Marco Island area where you should go shopping and they’ll send you here. While many of the shops were not personally my style (let’s just say they were targeted towards an older crowd), it is still worth the trip to peruse the storefronts just for the experience. Post up with a latte at one of the outside cafes and people watch.
3pm: Beer Tasting at Riptide Brewing Company
I’m all about trying a local brewery, winery, or distillery while in a town so after hearing great remarks about Riptide Brewing Company, I knew I had to try it out (especially after visiting multiple restaurants in Marco Island that only sold Coronas and Bud). This girl craved a good craft beer. Located in a small strip mall off of Highway 41, the exterior may seem unassuming but don’t let that deter you. You can order a pre-determined flight or create your own, all at exceptional price points. And these beers are good. If you end up here a bit later, you can catch a food truck and live music in the evenings as well.
What To Order:
- Flight B – their stronger, hoppy beers consisting mostly of IPAs in four 5oz glasses ($8)
- A 9oz or 16oz pour of their limited release
987 3rd Ave N, Naples, FL 34102
5pm: Beachside Drinks at Baleen at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort
LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort on Vanderbilt Beach is an absolute dream. From the front porch rocking chairs and detailed tile work to various beachside lounging areas, I want to move in here.
We knew we just wanted a drink and an appetizer so we chose to skip the formal restaurant experience. We sat ourselves at one of the casual tables beachside, put our toes in the sand, and ordered off of the bar menu. This is the way to go, but you may want to get there early to make sure you get a prime spot.
What To Order:
- Glass of Listel Rosé ($9)
- Tropical Nachos – wonton chips, mojo pulled pork, pineapple salsa, cotija cheese, pickled jalapenos, three cheese sauce ($14)
9891 Gulf Shore Drive, Naples, FL, 34108
Image via Cider Press Cafe Facebook Page
8pm: Dinner at Cider Press Cafe
So I never actually had the pleasure of dining here, but my one regret is that I didn’t! Since going dairy-free, I have been obsessing over vegan restaurants because you get real-feeling food (pizzas, enchiladas, etc!) that wont make you cripple over in pain. Cider Press Cafe is my dream because it is upscale vegan food and will definitely be at the top of my to-do list when I return to Naples.
What I Would Order:
- Glass of Sangria ($6)
- The Hipster Roll – maple infused carrot rice, avocado, eggplant bacon, scallion, sweet smoked tamari sauce ($12)
- Pad Thai – kelp and zucchini noodles, spicy tamarind sauce, mixed vegetables, pineapple, cabbage, tamari almonds ($15)
- Chipotle Enchiladas – spiced dehydrated corn tortillas, walnut-sweet potato picadillo, salsa verde, macadamia crema fresca, pickled jalapenos, corn maque choux ($16)
- Salted Caramel Cheesecake ($8)
1201 Piper Blvd #26, Naples, FL 34110
Safe travels y’all!
Best,
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