Rosalita's Cantina - Sanibel Island

Rosalita's Cantina on Sanibel Island, Florida, is a Tex-Mex restaurant with roots in St. Louis, Missouri, serving classic and specialty Mexican dishes, tableside guacamole, sizzling fajitas, and an expansive margarita program.

Rosalita's Cantina

Rosalita's Cantina is a fantastic Mexican restaurant on Sanibel that you will want to plan a visit to. I would drive back just for the chips and salsa. The salsa was so good we bought an extra serving and bag of chips so we could enjoy them on our drive home.

Indoor Seating

 The indoor seating at Rosalita's is comfortable and fun. You feel like you have walked into an oasis with the great air conditioning, banana plants, and chill vibe of the restaurant.

There is a combination of high top table with tall chairs along with regular tables and booths. The booths were comfortable and easy to relax in.

Rosalita's Cantina Sanibel Menu

Rosalita's Sanibel Menu is filled with signature dishes, classic Mexican dishes, and so many great options that you will have a hard time choosing what to get.

Signature Dishes

• The Cadillac Fajitas - shrimp, scallops, steak, bacon, and chile con queso with onions and peppers
• The Matador - 8 oz New York Strip topped with Mexican butter, two enchiladas (one cheese, one ground beef), a fried egg, chili gravy, tex-mex rice, refried beans, a scoop of corn masita, and a fried jalapeño garnish

Signature Starters

• Chile Con Queso (gf, v) - a blend of chiles and cheese with house-made chips. Add carne asada.
• Rosie's Favorite (gf) - chile con queso with carne asada, sour cream, and guacamole with house-made tortilla chips
• Jalapeño Ranchero - creamy jalapeño spiced dipping sauce with house-made tortilla chips
• Guacamole (gf) - house-made with fresh avocado, tomato, and onion. Available as Traditional, Mango, or Bacon and Sun-Dried Tomato.

Rosalita's Specialties

• Shrimp Diablo (gf) - six butterflied Tiger Shrimp seasoned and grilled with diablo spices, garlic butter, a fried jalapeño, corn masita, and guajillo mashed potatoes
• Pepita Crusted Salmon - 8 oz salmon fillet in a pumpkin seed crust with butternut squash hash, citrus guacamole, and crispy pickled red onions
• Diablo Steak - 8 oz New York Strip with diablo butter sauce, corn masita, guajillo mashed potatoes, and butternut squash hash. Add tiger shrimp.
• Pollo Cancun (gf) - grilled chicken breast with jumbo shrimp and chile con queso on Spanish rice with guacamole salad
• Chile Rellenos - two fire roasted poblano peppers stuffed with cheese, battered and fried, smothered in enchilada sauce, with rice and beans
• Coconut Shrimp - coconut breaded jumbo shrimp with mango habanero salsa, squash, and zucchini
• Oaxacan Grouper (gf) - pan-seared grouper with mango habanero salsa, squash and zucchini, and coconut and cilantro rice
• Birria Tacos - four shredded beef tacos dipped in consomme on grilled corn tortillas, topped with onions and cilantro, served with consomme

Kids Menu - check with the restaurant for current options

Gluten-Free - There are quite a few gluten-friendly options on the menu including chili con questo, Rosie's favortie, guacamole, fajita nachos, fried tostadas, grilled tostadas, nachos, shrimp diablo, pollo cancun, Oaxacan grouper, enchiladas, chicken tortilla soup, taco salad

Vegan - salads, Grilled Tostadas with Roasted Vegetables, and the Cauliflower Rice Bowl

Vegetarian - Veggie Burritos, Spinach and Mushroom Enchiladas and Quesadillas, Veggie Fajitas, Butternut Squash Tamale, Fried Tostadas, Grilled Tostadas with Roasted Vegetables, and the Cauliflower Rice Bowl. Several salads and sides are also vegan-friendly.

Why you will love Rosalita's Cantina

• The Cadillac Fajitas with shrimp, scallops, steak, and bacon smothered in chile con queso is the signature dish
• The tableside guacamole in three versions (Traditional, Mango, and Bacon and Sun-Dried Tomato) is a genuine crowd-pleaser
• Over 60 varieties of tequila
• Daily specials Monday through Friday with dishes that rotate throughout the week
• Strong vegetarian and gluten-friendly options throughout the menu clearly labeled for easy ordering

 

Things to know when planning a visit

Address - 975 Rabbit Road, Sanibel, Florida

Phone - 239-955-7673

Hours

• Mon-Sat 11am-9:30pm
• Sun 10am-9:30pm
• Brunch - Sundays 10am-3pm

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

Accessibility - There is accessible parking near the ramp leading to the front entrance of the restaurant

Plus Size Seating - the chairs do not have arms on them. The booths were comfortable with great space

Dress Code/Suggestions - casual, date night

Pets - Pets are not allowed in the restaurant

Parking  - There is a nice size parking area for the restaurant.

Sanibel Restaurants and Attractions nearby

Best Breakfast Restaurants on Sanibel and Captiva Island - The top breakfast spots on both islands including Over Easy Cafe, Sanibel Cafe, Wickies, and more.

Cheeburger Cheeburger Sanibel - A Sanibel Island tradition for over 40 years on Periwinkle Way with custom build-your-own burgers, over 100 milkshake flavors, and boozy shakes for adults.

Sanibel Sprout - Fresh acai bowls, toasts, smoothies, cold-pressed juice, and a full coffee bar at Islander Center on Sanibel. One of the best plant-based options on the island.

Sanibel Cafe - A Sanibel breakfast institution since 1984 on Periwinkle Way with legendary fossilized shell tables, hearty omelets, and a breakfast quesadilla worth going back for.

Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant Sanibel - Voted Best New Restaurant on Sanibel, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner with a full bar and a coastal nautical atmosphere near Lighthouse Beach.

Captiva and Sanibel Island Beaches - A complete guide to every beach park on Sanibel and Captiva with parking, shelling tips, amenities, and what to know before your beach day.

Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum Sanibel - The only shell museum in the United States with nearly 600,000 specimens, live aquariums including a Giant Pacific Octopus, touch tanks, and free daily Keeper Chats.

The Bubble Room Captiva Island - One of the most iconic restaurants on the Florida Gulf Coast, just over the bridge on Captiva, with three floors of vintage holiday wonder, world-famous cakes, and dining since 1979.

Causeway Islands Park Sanibel - A free beach park along the Sanibel Causeway with two small beach islands, stunning sunrise and sunset views, fishing, and easy access with free parking.

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