Go Local, from the Farm to the Dinner Table
Endless sun and subtropical conditions lead to great bounties of produce in the Fort Myers area. Go to the source on these culinary adventures.
Head over to Buckingham Farms where delicious farm-to-table dining is the highlight of your experience. On this farm that spans more than 80 acres, local produce is grown, harvested and served in every restaurant meal — from hearty breakfasts to dinners to-go. Agricultural offerings can also be found in the country store where local goods include honey, preserves and even regional wines. Buckingham Farms also has its own elegant event space, the Rustic Barn, which is tucked away in acres of oak trees.
You’ll feel as if you’ve entered a different world altogether at Shangri-La Springs, set on more than eight acres in Bonita Springs. Within this space, Harvest & Wisdom is one of the top restaurants in the region — specializing in beautiful preparations of local ingredients. Taste produce gathered from the onsite organic garden that uses sustainable regenerative practices. Additional ingredients come from nearby farmers and ranchers who support similar philosophies, and each meal is designed to match the season.
Dive into authentic eco-dining at ECHO, a global initiative that has had a home in Fort Myers for more than three decades. Dedicated to fighting hunger through sustainable farming, the volunteers at ECHO are happy to take you on a tour of the farm to show you innovative techniques and how to engage kids in home harvesting activities. You might even learn how to grow bananas on your own!
In addition to straight-from-the-farm dining, the Fort Myers area is overflowing with restaurants where local ingredients are the star attraction. Seek out prized “pink gold” shrimp, fresh grouper and stone crab. Sip craft beer and meet culinary artisans in farmers markets all around Southwest Florida.
