Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille - Sanibel

Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille on Sanibel Island, Florida, is an icon of the area. One of the best restaurants on Sanibel!

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Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille

Doc Ford's Sanibel is a local and visitor favorite for a reason! The food is fantastic, the drinks delicious, and the staff is great.

We visited Doc Ford's on our 1st trip to Sanibel over eleven years ago and we have been going back ever since.

There is just something special about this Sanibel Restaurant that keeps you returning everytime you are on the island.

 Did you know that Doc Ford is a fictional main character in a series of books written by local author Randy Wayne White? Sanibel Flats was the first novel in the series, published in 1990.

In the book series, Doc Ford is a former NSA operative turned marine biologist who moves to Sanibel for a quieter life. As you can imagine, trouble and adventure follow Doc Ford to the island.

You can see many of the book covers on the walls of the restaurant.

Indoor Seating

The dining rooms are large and have a variety of seating options available. You can choose from tables and chairs or booth seating.

Indoor Bar

The indoor bar has tall bar chairs with great views of flat screen tv's and the restaurant.

Outdoor Seating

The outdoor patio is covered and has fans overhead to help keep you comfortable while enjoying a relaxing lunch or dinner.

Doc Ford's Menu

Doc Ford's Sanibel menu is filled with choices for everyone in the family! They have a fantastic gluten-free menu, vegan and vegetarian options, and a really good kid's menu.

Get ready for amazing flavor! During our last visit my husband loved the Taquitos so much we went back the next day so he could have them for lunch.

Menu Highlights

Appetizers - Fig & prosciutto flatbread (so good), Tomlinson's Taquitos (order these), margarita flatbread, spinach artichoke flatbread (pictured above), fried calamari, Captiva crab cakes, Bayamo Black bean dip, Seared tuna appetizers, Heat island chicken wings, Doc Ford's famous fish fingers, Mussel's, Chicken tenders, Buffalo shrimp, Caribbean jerk tostados, Doc's Beach Bread (The best)

Tomlinson's Taquitos - THESE ARE AMAZING!
Slow cooked chicken shredded with a sweet and spicy barbacoa sauce hand rolled in corn tortillas and fried golden brown. Topped with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream and queso fresco. Served with cilantro lime aioli dipping sauce.

Doc's Beach Bread - We order this every time we are at the restaurant!
Baked french bread topped with cheddar, Monterey Jack, bleu cheese crumbles, and diced tomatoes. 

Soups and Salads - Shrimp salad, Caesar salad, Southwestern Cobb salad, Quinoa salad with shrimp, Steak salad, Old school iceberg salad, Sanibel Spinach salad, Chicken taco salad, Mozzarella de Marinello salad, Tropical salad, Soup of the day, Conch chowder, Ford's famous clam chowder.

Sandwiches - Shrimp wrap, Yucatan chicken sandwich, Chimichurri Grouper tacos, Panamaniac's Pulled pork, Campeche fish tacos, Chicken sandwiches, Sanibel Philly cheese steak, hamburger, Grouper sandwich, Yucatán shrimp tacos, Doc Ford's Original lime panko crusted fish sandwich, The Cuban sandwich, and Maine lobster roll

Entree - Orange ginger shrimp, Achiote redfish bowl, Macadamia nut crusted grouper, Dry rubbed ribeye, Bone-in pork chop, Danish baby back ribs, Seafood paella, Panko fried shrimp, Roasted half chicken with Cuban Chimicchurri sauce, Island style shrimp & grits, Cedar plank salmon, Penne with shrimp, and Deep water mahi mahi

Kids Menu - Quesadilla (cheese or chicken), Hot dog, grilled cheese, chicken fingers, fish fingers, Pizza with pepperoni and cheese, Mac & Cheese, Pasta with butter & parmesan cheese, fried shrimp

Gluten-Free - They have a Gluten-free menu available with tons of options including Sandwiches on gluten free bun or bread, seafood tacos, Flatbreads with gluten free flatbread, seafood, bone-in pork chop, dry rubbed rib eye, roasted half chicken with Cuban chimichurri sauce, salads, and more!

Vegan - Salads with a couple of adaptations. They have a great variety of salads you may need to remove the protein and dressing.

Vegetarian - There are quite a few vegetarian menu items. I have a hard time deciding what to get there were so many options. The flatbreads are delicious!

Signature Cocktails - Mojitos! The cocktail menu is huge! You will be amazed by the amount of rum available for tasting.

Why you will love Doc Ford's

• Home of the island mojito
• Flagship location
• Generous portions
• Favorite restaurant on Sanibel Island
• Comfortable ambiance with friendly servers

 Don't miss their retail sales area for really cute t-shirts and sweatshirts to bring home to remember your visit. I love my Doc Ford's Sanibel sweatshirt. It is so comfy.

Things to know when planning a visit to Doc Ford's

Address - 2500 Island Inn Rd, Sanibel, Fl 33957

There are also Doc Ford's locations in Ft. Myers Beach, St. Pete Pier, and Jungle Terrace (St. Pete, Florida)

Phone - 239-472-8311

Hours - 11 am - 10 pm daily

Please confirm with the restaurant to ensure that the hours have not changed.

Accessibility - There is accessible parking at the front of the building close to the ramp to reach the main entrance.

Plus Size Seating - The chairs do not have arms on them and are comfortable.

Dress Code/Suggestions - Casual

Pets - Pets are allowed on the outside patio but not inside the restaurant.

Parking  - There is a really nice sized parking lot in front of the restaurant.

Doc Ford's is owned and operated by HM Restaurant Group

Sanibel and Captiva Island Restaurants and Attractions nearby

Captiva and Sanibel Island Beaches Guide - Full guide to every beach park on both islands.

Best Ice Cream on Sanibel and Captiva Island - Full guide to every sweet treat shop on both islands.

Lighthouse Cafe - Great breakfast and lunch restaurant on Sanibel Island.

Sanibel Sprout - This coffee shop was housed in a food truck but they have now opened a brand new location.

Over Easy Cafe - Fantastic breakfast and lunch restaurant with iconic orange cinnamon roll.

Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen - Wood-fired pizza and Italian food just off Periwinkle Way. Great dinner option.

Sanibel & Captiva Island Tours

Sunset Dolphin Cruise with Sanibel Lighthouse Views Rated 4.9 with over 370 reviews. A 1.5-hour cruise that passes the Sanibel Lighthouse at sunset with dolphin sightings along the way. One of the most consistently well-reviewed tours in the area.

Daytime Dolphin Cruise Near Sanibel Rated 4.9. Passes the Sanibel Lighthouse and Twin Sister Key, a secluded island only reachable by boat.

Private Boat Tour - Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel A private option for groups or families who want a more personal experience on the water.

Sanibel Captiva Island Moke Adventure Day Trip Rental Rated 4.9 with 16 reviews. A self-guided day trip around Sanibel and Captiva in a vintage electric Moke vehicle. A genuinely fun and different way to see the islands.

Check out all of the nearby tours here