Best new dishes to try at 9 new restaurants in Naples
What are the parameters of making JLB’s best new dishes list?
Taste foremost, with service and a solid bang for my buckaroos tying for second.
Often, the most expensive thing on a menu isn't necessarily the best thing to order, so here, you'll find rock-star good dishes priced from $6 to $33.
Who’s not included? Restaurants that opened before Jan. 1, with one exception* that's explained as you read on.
Also not included are great dishes I repeatedly ate this year, including the magnificent spring pea pasta at Old Vines Mercato (alas, summer means it's gone from the menu); Bicyclette Cookshop’s whitefish melt, a Filet-o-Fish riff; Rebecca’s new-ish pizzas; and Le Colonial’s “Shaken Beef.”
But all of those opened in 2023.
Le list is in alphabetical order by restaurant name and includes starters, mains and desserts. Hours are subject to change especially during summer, so best to call ahead.
Bontà Bakery
824 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-234-6631; bontabakery.com
Can a cannoli make you swoon? Yes. This bakery-café with delectable savory and sweet offerings opened on Feb. 12, replacing the much beloved decades-old Regina’s Ice Cream Pavilion that closed in August. While there are so many tempting treats, you’ll have some time to consider your order because there’s usually a line out the door. At $6 per cannoli, it’s not inexpensive for what it is, but you’ll forget that with every luscious bite. In-store deal: Right now, from 6 p.m. to close, score 50% off focaccia, pizzas, and sandwiches from the display case. But under any circumstances, do not forget dessert.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Imperio Taqueria
2355 Vanderbilt Beach Road; North Naples; 239-319-7543; find them on Facebook via ImperioTaqueriaSWFL
I missed this Galleria Shoppes spot that opened on Jan. 5, only to discover it in May when reporting on Poached’s closing and visiting the new Tableside (where I've yet to dine). Seeing the TLC going into scrambling eggs with chorizo for another patron’s bowl, I ordered one loaded with stewed chicken, avocado, and other greens to take home. It was fabulous, about $14, and I had leftovers for lunch. I loved it so much that I headed there a few days later to get exactly the same thing. Pro tips: Ask to see what's under the myriad tray lids before customizing your bowl because choices vary and it would be sad to miss out on something because it's not necessarily posted. Also, weekdays seem to be better stocked with options.
Hours: Open daily from 7:30 a.m.
J. Alexander’s
8860 Tamiami Trail N., Naples; 239-778-9095; jalexanders.com
It's best to go hungry when heading to this new spot that opened on Jan. 10. Perhaps ravenous is a better word. Why? Portions are substantial — and then some. The best dish among the six tried was the “Avocado Bomb” over sweet-ish wonton crisps. Ample dices of Hawaiian tuna could share star billing on the name. My suggestion: Go with a pal, pony up to the bar, order cocktails from the fun martini menu, and share this dish. Another item I can’t get out of my head? The fluffy and flavorful wild rice and orzo side.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday until 9 p.m.
More: Executive chef at popular new North Naples restaurant dead at 25
More on J. Alexander's: New restaurant on U.S. 41 in North Naples opens for lunch and dinner: What to know
Keewaydin’s
711 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-262-5787; keewaydins.com
Finales are taken seriously at Keewaydin’s. Quite fitting, given the next-door location to The Naples Players at Sugden Community Theatre. This restaurant opened Jan. 5 and replaced Yabba after Phelan Family Brands purchased Skip Quillen's restaurant portfolio in June 2023. My pick: Key Lime pie. This citrusy slab that's so much bigger than a slice raises the bar in taste and presentation. It’s gorgeous, ginormous, and so good that I returned a few days later for a carryout slice.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m.
LoLa 41
560 Ninth St. S., Naples; 239-399-3300; lola41.com
When interviewing top toque Pablo Torre days before the restaurant's March 29 opening, I asked what his favorite dish is on the global cuisine menu. He offered up two, both with beef: the bulgogi and tartare. I had to choose just one, it would be the bulgogi. When you're asked on a scale of 1 to 10 how spicy you want to go, proceed with caution and be honest with your server about how much heat you want. Splitting the dish with a pal, we said six; my scalp was sweaty after the first bite, but I loved every minute of it.
Hours: Sunday through Wednesday, 4 to 9 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday until 10 p.m.
More on LoLa 41: Q&A: What goes on behind the bar? Bartenders from two popular Naples bars tell all
Nolita at The Ritz-Carlton
280 Vanderbilt Beach Road (the beach resort), North Naples; 239-598-3300; ritzcarlton.com
Now that Pizzata has closed, one new favorite pizza is found at Nolita, which opened in March at the beach resort. Grab a friend and share dedicated pizza chef Gabriele Candela’s beautifully presented eggplant Parm pizza with drizzled balsamic. Candela, who grew up in Italy, honed his skills in his grandfather’s pizzeria in Palermo, Sicily, and at the world-renowned L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele in that other Naples. To start, split an order of the very summery and colorful panzanella.
Hours: Lunch from noon to 2:30 p.m., and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. daily through August.
Syren
909 10th St. S., Naples; 239-610-1559; syrenoysterbar.com
I have a thing for soft-shell crabs. This waterfront spot, which opened on Jan. 18, serves them over fried green tomatoes and lime-infused slaw with siracha mayo. While the dish sounds and looks expensive, for $22, it’s a delicious steal. On a budget with billionaire's taste? Order before 5 p.m. when it's $15.
Hours: 2 to 9 p.m. daily
Unidos
1 Ninth St. S., Naples; 239-331-3668; unidosrestaurant.com
As a lifelong pasta Bolognese fan, this shredded beef meets pillowy pasta fusing Argentine flair with Cuban fare is fantastic. A bit of trivia: JLB's March review mentioned that gnocchi is eaten on the 29th of each month in Argentine homes to bring good luck. I could eat this dish any day of the month.
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 3:30 to 9 p.m.; Friday until 10 p.m.; Saturday, 4 to 10 p.m.
More: New downtown Naples restaurant: Unidos, a much-awaited modern Nuevo Latino concept
Warren Naples*
111 Tenth St. S., Naples; 239-330-2611; warrennaples.com
Here's our one exception to the 2024 rule. Though Warren Naples technically opened in December 2023, and the menu remains the same, we recently revisited upon learning of a chef change after the new year. The food was good then, and it’s good now. Service is solid too. What does Warren have down to a science? Luxury comfort food, from a terrific lobster-studded mac and cheese to what’s currently my favorite fancy restaurant burger. If picking one thing to order again, it's the Carrara Wagyu beef tenderloin tips. Sure, it’s on the shareables section of the menu, but you have my blessing to savor it solo.
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 3 to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to midnight; Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
This article came from staff writer Diana Biederman. Connect via [email protected]. Our restaurant critics have written under the Jean Le Boeuf brand for more than 40 years. JLB dines anonymously (she tries to) and always pays for her meals.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: I'll have what she's having: 9 best dishes at new Naples restaurants
