The reviews will leave you swooning.
Angelina’s Ristorante in Bonita Springs has been named one of 2026’s Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in the country by OpenTable.
With a 4.8 out of 5-star rating, it’s the third consecutive year this modern and fine-dining Italian gem has earned the honor.
Only this time around, something has changed.
Instead of being the only Southwest Florida restaurant represented, two others made the cut as well.
Here’s a quick look at the three local honorees …
Angelina’s Ristorante
Angelina’s has been building a loyal fanbase ever since Angela and Don Smith opened it April 16, 2008.
“My wife is an excellent cook, and I’m a great eater, an unbeatable combination,” Don wrote in a 2023 email to the Naples Daily News. “More seriously, we are incredibly proud of the many awards we received over the years. We are even more proud of the devoted staff and management dedicated to delivering the high-end dining experience our guests expect.”
The fine-dining destination along South Tamiami Trail is known for high-quality ingredients, excellent service and attention to detail. It offers Wagyu steaks, handmade pasta dishes and much more, plus an extensive wine list that has been awarded Wine Spectator Magazine’s 2-glass and Best of Award of Excellence.
Reservations are strongly suggested. Angelina’s Ristorante, 24041 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs; (239) 390-3187; make reservations on OpenTable; angelinasofbonitasprings.com
Sails Restaurant
Sails is a Naples staple. The elegant Fifth Avenue spot is known for its fresh European flavors and Champagne brunch events. The popular dining spot opened in 2018 at the site of a former bank branch in downtown Naples.
This isn’t the first time OpenTable recognized Sails as one of the best in the biz. Last year, Sails made the first Top 100 Brunch Restaurants list and in 2024, it landed a spot on the Top 100 Restaurants in America list.
The restaurant has earned a 4.8-star rating on OpenTable with nearly 4,400 reviews as of Feb. 2, 2026. Sails has exploded in popularity in the last year, with 3,600 reviews since April 2025.
The restaurant is on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples, but you’ll find parking behind it on Third Street. Spots marked with “305 5th Ave” are for Sails guests during the day. Sails, 301 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-360-2000; make reservations on OpenTable; sailsrestaurants.com
Sale e Pepe — Marco Beach Ocean Resort
Fine Italian dining spot Sale e Pepe overlooks the Gulf at Marco Island Beach Resort and serves dinner nightly from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The restaurant earned an OpenTable Diners’ Choice award in 2024 and maintains a 4.8 rating, with almost 4,000 reviews on the platform.
Inside the restaurant, diners are transported to the romance of Italy, surrounded by aged stone, marble floors, and hand-painted wall art. The menu highlights heirloom recipes, made with fresh Florida produce and seafood. To maintain the elevated romantic feel, a business casual dress code is enforced in the formal dining room. A stunning view of the beach is the only thing that reminds patrons they’re in Southwest Florida.
Sale e Pepe provides a special dining experience with Italian style, romantic ambience, amazing food, and the best Gulf view. Sale e Pepe, 480 South Collier Blvd., Marco Island; 239-393-1600; make reservations on OpenTable; sale-e-pepe.com)
About OpenTable lists
OpenTable compiled its list from more than 9 million reviews made by verified diners and dining metrics from Dec. 1, 2024, to Nov. 30, 2025.
According to its website, “diner ratings, the percentage of five-star reviews, the number of alerts set, the percentage of reservations made in advance, percentage of capacity and direct searches” are used to evaluate restaurants. All of those metrics “were weighted to comprise an overall score.”
For the complete list, go to opentable.com. Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order by state and by restaurant name.
Dining and Cooking