10 of the best Naples, Florida area restaurants to try
Whether you’re a local or just visiting, there are certain restaurants in Collier County that you need to experience at least once in your lifetime. If you haven’t tried these places yet, you’re missing out!
Two Meatballs in the Kitchen, a popular Italian restaurant with locations in Fort Myers and Cape Coral, has opened a new location in Naples.The restaurant features coastal Italian decor and offers a wide-ranging menu with all dishes priced under $30.Two Meatballs is currently open for dinner, with plans to add lunch service in the future.The restaurant recommends reservations, especially during peak hours.
Even though the restaurant has two other Southwest Florida locations, “new” is the best way to describe Two Meatballs in the Kitchen. New location, new decor, new crowd, but same delicious meatballs.
The popular Fort Myers and Cape Coral Italian restaurant made its way into Naples this August, bringing even more authentic Italian to the area.
Two Meatballs in the Kitchen has been open for nearly a week, and owner Franco Russo says the restaurant has consistently had a line out the door starting at 4 p.m. for happy hour. It’s best to make a reservation online to ensure you get a table. If you’re going to walk in, Russo suggests coming after 8 p.m.
Opening in the late summer season was a conscious choice, giving locals a window to dine at Two Meatballs before the annual snowbirds flock to Naples this fall.
“We knew we’d have a honeymoon phase before season,” Russo said. “So, what better month than August?”
Plenty of Italian restaurants fall into the trap of limiting themselves to only decorating with the colors of the Italian flag. Two Meatballs dares to be different and pulls decor inspiration from the Italian coast, drenching the restaurant in bright yellow and blue. It always feels like summer inside Two Meatballs, minus the blistering heat.
“It brings me back to my family in Italy,” Russo said, sharing that the Mediterranean decor is heavily influenced by his own heritage.
During a time where every restaurant claims to be authentic, Two Meatballs stays true to its roots, all while keeping prices fair. Every dish on the menu is under $30 ― and it’s a pretty extensive menu.
Garlic knots are complimentary and made in-house. They’re different than most others I’ve tried because they’re nowhere near greasy, and are loaded with Parmesan cheese.
When you visit a place called Two Meatballs, you must try meatballs. So, I ordered “Mama’s Meatballs” ($11.99) ― Duh. The verdict: Perfect size for sharing and incredibly satisfying, just like every other dish I tried.
The bruschetta ($9.99) is a fresh take on the classic Italian starter with fresh bread, diced tomatoes, olive oil, eggplant caponata, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. I added prosciutto for an extra $3.99, but it wasn’t necessarily needed.
Don’t stuff yourself with appetizers though, the main dishes are huge. Talk about a bang for your buck. They’re big enough to split between two people, which is likely what I’ll do the next time I visit.
The stand-out entree at the table included a plate of ruffled-edge pasta, grilled chicken, shrimp, and prosciutto coated in a cream sauce. It’s called “Alaina’s Baked Pasta” ($21.99) and is definitely worth a taste. Think buttered noodles with cream sauce on steroids.
If your ideal Italian dish is more classic, try the chicken parm ($24.99). Red sauce can make or break a dish depending on how overpowering it is, and thankfully the sauce at Two Meatballs is light enough to enjoy and flavorful enough to savor.
Because of how packed the menu is, there’s something for everyone. If you come from a picky family like I do, Two Meatballs is the ideal Italian restaurant based on the menu options alone.
Russo says veal dishes and pizza are some of the most popular so, of course, I ordered both. If you like a textured pizza, the 12 inch “Two Meatballs Pie” ($19.99) is perfect for you. Every bite has a taste of meatballs, mushrooms, eggplant, mozzarella, and ricotta.
My favorite part of any meal is dessert, so imagine my delight when our lovely waiter Juan was buzzing with excitement over the salted caramel cheesecake ($8.99). Juan was not exaggerating when he said it was “the best thing ever.” The slice of cheesecake was laced with caramel, ensuring every bite kept the delicious flavor profile.
As a dessert gal, I must try something with chocolate everywhere I go. Thankfully, Two Meatballs had a decadent chocolate mousse ($7.99) to enjoy. It’s extremely rich, so I’d recommend sharing with one or two other people. If you like to share, order the cannolis ($7.99). They’re the perfect finale to a night of Italian dining.
Prices: Every item on the menu is under $30, which is a refreshing change of pace compared to other Naples restaurants. Expect to pay around $35-40 per person if you’re dining with a loved one and splitting an appetizer and dessert.
Hours: Soon, Two Meatballs will offer lunch hours, but for now the restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
(9010 Bellaire Bay Drive, Naples; 239-304-9002; 2meatballs.com)
Kendall Little is food & dining reporter for the Naples Daily News.
Dining and Cooking