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    Home » Florida » Sanibel Island & Captiva Island

    Lighthouse Cafe Sanibel Island

    Modified: Apr 6, 2026 · Published: Aug 4, 2025 by Tammilee · This post may contain affiliate links

    The original Lighthouse Cafe Sanibel Island is a local and visitor favorite breakfast and lunch restaurant.

    Lighthouse cafe worlds best breakfast sign

    TL;DR Don't have time to read the full article? Here are my top finds:
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    Lighthouse Cafe Sanibel

    Contents show
    Lighthouse Cafe Sanibel
    Indoor Seating
    Indoor Bar
    Outdoor Seating
    Lighthouse Cafe Sanibel Menu
    Why you will love Lighthouse Cafe Sanibel
    Things to know when planning a visit to Lighthouse Cafe Sanibel
    Sanibel Restaurants and Attractions nearby
    Sanibel & Captiva Island Tours
    Sanibel & Captiva Island Lodging

    The Lighthouse Cafe serves one of the best breakfasts on Sanibel Island, Florida! Their menu is filled with scratch-made menu options that taste amazing.

    The walls are covered in vintage lighthouse pictures that are really cool to look at. I always find myself wandering around the restaurant checking out the photos and artwork.

    The restaurant was established in 1987 by Michael Billheimer and is known for its great food and fantastic customer service. Today, Michael's nephew Dan Billheimer owns and runs the restaurant.

    After Hurricane Ian, the restaurant was moved to its new location just down Periwinkle Way. It took 575 days of work for the new location to open.

    Today, visitors and locals can enjoy the new restaurant that continues to serve delicious food.

    Lighthouse Cafe sign on the inside of the restaurant with tables and chairs, lighthouse photos and pictures covering the wall

    Indoor Seating

    There is great indoor seating with tables and booth options. There is room between tables so you can have a great conversation and enjoy looking around at the historic lighthouse art and images.

    indoor bar with tall chairs, drink dispensers behind the bar, license plates on the wall

    Indoor Bar

     The indoor bar has tall chairs and counter seating perfect for a relaxed meal.

    Looking through trees to people sitting at an outdoor table next to a rack of bikes

    Outdoor Seating

    There are picnic tables with umbrellas outside great for enjoying the Florida Gulf Coast weather.

    Lighthouse Cafe menu with breakfast items

    Lighthouse Cafe Sanibel Menu

    Whatever you decide to order, I NEED you to get a side of toast so you can enjoy the homemade strawberry preserves! They are so good!

    Make sure to check the board for current Lighthouse Cafe Creations! These special menu items change daily/frequently.

    cheese omelet with toast and potatoes on a white plate next to a cup and ketchup container

    Breakfast Menu Highlights

    Pan handled egg dishes (served with choice of lighthouse potatoes, grits, or sliced tomatoes, along with white, wheat, or rye toast and the best homemade strawberry preserves)

    • Two exta large farm fresh eggs with choice of Bacon, ham, sausage, corned beef has, 8 oz flat iron steak, fresh fish
    • Breakfast sandwich
    • Eggs Benedict
    • Seafood benedict
    • Turkey benedict
    • Lighthouse Special Omelet (turkey, broccoli, mushrooms, cream cheese, topped with hollandaise sauce)
    • Hungry fisherman omelet (shrimp, Krabmeat, scallops, smothered in creamy alfredo sauce)
    • Denver Omelet
    • Red sauce frittata (smoked sausage, bell peppers, mushrooms, onion, topped with homemade marinara sauce and melted provolone cheese)
    • Ocean fritattata (seasoned shrimp, scallops, Krabmeat sauteed with broccoli and mushrooms, topped with artichoke heart and creamy alfredo sauce)

    Homestyle hot Cakes - 3 whole wheat hot cakes, blueberry whole wheat hot cakes, granola nut whole wheat hot cakes, malted hot cakes

    They also have French toast and Beligan waffles.

    Lunch Menu Highlights

    All sandwiches are served with Lighthouse fries and cole slaw

    • Turkey Griddle
    • Seafood Griddle (shrimp, scallops, Krabmeat sauted with fresh broccoli and mushrooms, melted swiss cheese on a grilled croissant)
    • Lighthouse burger
    • Herb grilled chicken sandwich
    • Philly cheese steak
    • Smothered fish sandwich
    • Lighthouse grouper sandwich

    They also have salads, burgers, homemade soup, and their famous key lime pie

    Kids Menu -

    Gluten-Free - omelets, salads, egg dishes

    Stack of three pancakes on a white plate with a pitcher of syrup and butter container

    Vegan - Granola cereal, Fresh sliced banana, grapefruit, seasonal fruit, salad

    Vegetarian - There are great vegetarian options on both the lunch and breakfast menu at Lighthouse Cafe. I have tried an omelet, pancakes, and sides and they all tasted great.

    Signature Cocktails - Lighthouse mimosa, Lighthouse Bloody Mary, Seasonal Sangria

    Wall covered with lighthouse photos, Lighthouse Cafe T-shirts in a cabinet

    Why you will love Lighthouse Cafe Sanibel

    • World's best breakast on Sanibel Island
    • Fantastic customer service
    • Iconic Sanibel Island restaurant
    white and blue restaurant exterior with palm trees and other trees

    Things to know when planning a visit to Lighthouse Cafe Sanibel

    Address -1020 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, Florida 33957

    This is their new location right on Periwinkle Way. They are no longer right by the historic Sanibel Lighthouse Beach Park. They are just down the street a little ways. Still near the Sanibel Causeway.

    Phone - 239-420-0303

    Hours - Monday - Sunday 7 am to 2 pm

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

    Accessibility - The parking is behind the restaurant with a path to the front door. The restaurant is on one level with space between tables.

    Plus Size Seating - The chairs do not have arms and were comfortable

    Dress Code/Suggestions - Casual

    Pets - Pets are not allowed inside the restaurant

    Parking  - There is parking behind the restaurant

    Lighthouse mural with palm trees on the side of a building with blue awning

    Sanibel Restaurants and Attractions nearby

    Wickies Lighthouse Cafe - This cafe is closer to the Lighthouse Beach Park and open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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

    Lazy Flamingo - You can't miss the bright pink building just past the Lighthouse Cafe!

    The Shack of Sanibel - Check out their great frozen custard sweet treats.

    Check out the amazing Florida Gulf Coast Lighthouses you can visit, including Sanibel Lighthouse.

    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

     Sanibel & Captiva Island Lodging

    If you are visiting and need to book accommodations, here are our recommendations.

    Residence Inn Ft Myers Sanibel - Located right off the island is a great hotel with outdoor pool. Book here

    Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort - Right off the Sanibel Causeway this Marriott has great rooms, an epic pool and easy access to the island. Book here

    We also have articles on the Emerald Coast of Florida, including Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, Panama City Beach, Perdido Key, Pensacola, Sanibel and Captiva Island, and more.

    Don't miss our other Gulf Coast destinations, including Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Dauphin Island, Fairhope, Fort Morgan, Foley, Mobile, Bayou La Batre, Alabama, and so many more!

    Keep an eye out for articles on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida!

    Check out our Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok pages for more great ideas for the Gulf Coast.

     

     

    More Sanibel Island & Captiva Island

    • Wickies LIghthouse Restaurant Sanibel Isand sign above a stack of chairs
      Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant - Sanibel
    • sanibel sprout sticker on an iced chai next to a mango morning smoothie in a plastic cup
      Sanibel Sprout - Sanibel
    • Blue Giraffe mural behind a table and chairs
      Blue Giraffe Island Bar & Grill - Sanibel
    • Hot dog statue covering its head in ketchup also holding a mustard bottle next to a drink fridge
      Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory

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