When you first visit Fort Myers, you might be surprised by how many restaurants there are.

Being a city with a lot of tourists and proximity to the ocean, the dining culture is well-developed, featuring many Florida-style restaurants where you can casually walk in wearing shorts and sandals, rather than the flashy and expensive atmosphere found in Miami. Especially in this area, you should try the seafood.

Common menu items in Fort Myers include Gulf shrimp, grouper, snapper, oysters, and crab dishes.

Many places serve fish sandwiches made with grouper, and it's also common to see shrimp fried or grilled and served in generous portions.

Main seafood dishes typically range from $20 to $35, while more upscale places may have fish dishes priced at $30 to $50 or more.

A recommended area for first-time visitors is the downtown River District.

You can stroll around First Street and Hendry Street, choosing from various restaurants and bars, making it a great spot for dinner and a walk.

If you're in the mood for seafood, places like Izzy's Fish & Oyster are great options. It's a comfortable spot to enjoy oysters, lobster rolls, and shrimp.

If you want to dine with a view of the river, your options change. Pinchers is located near the marina, making it convenient for tourists, and the atmosphere is lovely around sunset.

If you're looking for a more refined dinner, The Silver King Coastal Kitchen inside the Luminary Hotel is also available. This place is more suited for dates or special occasions than casual seafood spots. If a river view is important to you, Oxbow Bar & Grill is worth considering.

If you want to experience the local vibe in Fort Myers, Prawnbroker Restaurant & Fish Market on McGregor Boulevard is also well-known.

This seafood restaurant has been in business since 1982 and features a fish market inside. Visiting places like this gives you a sense of how locals enjoy seafood in Fort Myers.

As a Korean, you might be curious about Korean food as well. In the past, it was quite difficult to find authentic Korean cuisine in Fort Myers, but the situation has improved.

Ember Korean Steakhouse on College Parkway offers Korean-style barbecue where you grill meat at the table, along with sushi, while JUN Korean & Sushi on Cleveland Avenue features familiar dishes like dolsot bibimbap, sundubu jjigae, kimchi fried rice, and Korean fried chicken. While it may not be on par with a major city's Koreatown, you won't have to drive two hours just to satisfy your craving for Korean food.

Dining out in Fort Myers is no longer considered very cheap. Burgers and sandwiches typically cost between $15 and $20, regular lunches range from $15 to $25, and dinner main courses are around $20 to $40.

When you add drinks, tax, and an 18-20% tip, it's not unusual for a couple to spend $70 to $100 on dinner. If you order drinks at a nice seafood or steak restaurant, it can easily exceed $120 to $150 for two people.

As a result, locals often take advantage of happy hour. Many restaurants offer discounts on drinks and appetizers during early afternoon hours, and some have Early Dining menus.

The fun of dining out in Fort Myers lies not in searching for expensive fine dining but in sitting on a terrace with a view, ordering a plate of shrimp or grouper, and enjoying it slowly. When you eat while feeling the sea breeze and watching the sunset, you start to understand why Floridians enjoy this lifestyle.