1. Davinci’s

The first restaurant on our list is Davinci’s, which is a stunning Italian style restaurant that is the perfect location for a special celebration or just a nice evening out. Founded by the Carvelli family, it has a charming ambiance that will remind you of a beautiful trip to Italy without having to worry about the travel time.

Every person that steps foot into the restaurant will feel like family and enjoy a great selection of signature dishes that stem from northern, central, and southern Italian cuisine. They also offer an incredible selection of wines, which makes it a great choice for stopping in with loved ones.

Their menu includes an array of delicious Italian dishes including:

• Campagnola and Prosciutto pizzas
• Spaghetti Con Polpette
• Pollo Romano
• Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina
• Ravioli Di Formaggio

2. Marco Prime Steaks and Seafood

Marco Prime Steaks and Seafood is a great place to enjoy a delicious meal in the heart of Marco Island. Their modern atmosphere has a unique taste on a classic steakhouse with hints of French, Italian, and Asian cuisines.

Not only do they serve incredible steaks, but they also have an excellent selection of seafood along with hand-crafted cocktails and an abundant wine selection. Their steaks are American Black Angus Hi Choice & Prime Steaks which feature Australian Wagyu Beef to provide the best flavor possible. When it comes to their seafood they have fish that is received daily in the restaurant from around the world and prepared by highly skilled chefs.

3. Doreen’s Cup of Joe

For a more relaxed atmosphere, but still some of the best food in Marco Island, you should plan to make a stop at Doreen’s Cup of Joe. They are only open for breakfast and lunch, but boast a menu that is sure to make your stomach happy!

They are proud to offer local and specially sourced ingredients including cage free brown eggs, sausage patties from a local country store in Tallahassee, milk products from a farm in Myakka City, and premium coffee from a local roaster.

Their menu includes items such as omelets, skillets, breakfast sandwiches, waffles, french toast, and homemade donut holes for breakfast as well as sandwiches, salads, and burgers for lunch.

4. The Oyster Society

Named as a must-stop when in Marco Island, you must try The Oyster Society. Owned by the same family as Davinci’s, this restaurant is known to have some of the best seafood around. The restaurant is located in one of the best locations in Marco Island and within walking distance to some of the top resorts.

Their menu includes almost any type of seafood you could want including oysters, sea scallops, shrimp, salmon, sushi, sea bass, and lobster along with an incredible drink and dessert menu. It is worth your time to stop in!

Best Restaurants in Marco Island

No matter what kind of food you are looking for, Marco Island has incredible restaurants that are worth stopping into! Be sure to let us know if you enjoy any of the restaurants mentioned above.

Gulfstream Homes is ready to help you build a home on Marco Island! Call (239) 254-1664 or visit www.gulfstreamhomes.com to get started.

The post The Local’s Guide to Marco Island Restaurants first appeared on Gulfstream Homes.

Stunning Homes

One of the most important steps of your moving process will be to find a suitable home for yourself and your family. With so many options to choose from, you’ll be sure to find the perfect space, whether it’s in one of Marco Island’s prestigious gated communities or along the gorgeous white sand beaches. No matter if you’re looking for a home that’s already built or you’ve always wanted to design a home from the ground up, you have options. This is why it’s recommended to team up with a home builder with ties to the area, who has experience with building on the Island, so that your home meets all requirements and is designed in a way that maximizes your experience on the Island.

Top-Level Schools

Many families are concerned with relocating their children, especially when it comes to finding the best schools, and if you caught our last Marco Island blog post, you’ll find that Marco Island is home to a number of top-performing schools in the state. Not only do these schools have better student/teacher ratios compared to other schools in the area, students also perform well above the state averages in math and reading proficiency.

Awe-Inspiring Beaches

Moving to Marco Island means enjoying the exquisite sights and balmy weather everyday, as well as taking advantage of the legendary beaches. From the best shelling spots to the ultimate diving locations, Marco Island is home to tranquil breezes and serene waters all moments away from your doorstep. If you need a break unpacking, head to one of Marco’s amazing beaches for some sun therapy and relaxation.

Unbeatable Entertainment

Whether you’re newly retired or you’re looking to take the family out for a fun night, Marco Island has something to appeal to any age group. Enjoy a romantic date night at one of the fine dining establishments on the Island, or stroll around and browse through the many shops that line the streets. Other fun activities include:

• Marco Island Historical Museum

• Ten Thousand Islands Shelling Tour

• Fishing charters & dolphin watching

• Spa day at the J.W. Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort

Southwest Florida’s Best Kept Secret

The secret is out…Marco Island is the top place to be for families and vacationers alike, and with so many things to love about the Island, we don’t blame you for wanting to call it home. From the sophisticated homes to the brilliant beaches, grade A schools to all of the fun you can have in a day, Marco Island is truly special. When you’re relocating to the Island, get ready for a better way to embrace your Southwest Florida lifestyle.

Gulfstream Homes is excited to help you find or build the ideal home on Marco Island! Call (239) 259-8070 or visit www.gulfstreamhomes.com to get started.

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The post Moving to Marco: Our Ultimate Relocation Guide first appeared on Gulfstream Homes.

1. Top-Level Schools

Marco Island is home to a number of top-level schools, some of the highest ranking schools in all of Florida. With an average math proficiency score of 80%, as opposed to the statewide average of 58% and a reading proficiency score of 76%, as opposed to the statewide average of 55%, Marco Island’s school system is in the top 5% of schools in Florida. These top ranked schools include:

• Tommie Barfield Elementary School

• Marco Island Charter Middle School

• Marco Island Academy

With an average overall ranking of 10/10, Marco Island schools prove that they’re among the best of the best across the state of Florida. So, if you’re wondering whether or not your children will be able to take advantage of a stellar education, the proof is in the numbers.

2. Beautiful Beaches

Boredom won’t be an issue when your family lives on the Island! With some of the country’s most beautiful beaches, spending time in the sand and sun is as easy as ever, and with sensational diving and other aquatic experiences, your kids will stay entertained each and every time you venture to Marco Island’s pristine white sand beaches. Take a trip to Keewaydin Island for a fun family outing or Tigertail Beach for unbeatable shelling.

3. The Best Eats

Don’t feel like cooking dinner? No worries when you live on the Island! Gather the family and enjoy a number of fine dining establishments on Marco, designed with families in mind. Our favorites include:

• Mango’s Dockside Bistro

• Snook Inn

• CJ’s on the Bay

The list goes on and on, depending on what everyone is in the mood for at any given moment. When you’re living on island time, there’s always somewhere delightful to eat with the family.

4. Culture & Education

From the Marco Island Center for the Arts to various nature centers and historical landmarks, Marco Island is alight with things to do…and learn! Take the kids for an educational day trip to one of the many parks or visit Briggs Nature Center for an up close and personal look at some of the wildlife that calls Marco Island home.

5. Homes Built for Families

Whether you’re interested in a single-family home or a condo, Marco Island has what you’re looking for to appeal to your new lifestyle. And when it comes to your family’s needs, it’s best to partner with a builder who knows the area well. That way, you’ll be able to get the home you’ve always wanted with the features you desire to maximize your time on the Island. If you didn’t think Marco Island was for families, one trip to the Island will change your mind.

Gulfstream Homes is excited to help you build or buy the perfect home on Marco Island! Call (239) 259-8070 or visit www.gulfstreamhomes.com to get started.

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The post 5 Reasons Marco Island is Perfect for Families first appeared on Gulfstream Homes.

Catch the Sunrise

Start your day with a sunrise and some dolphin-spotting at Caxambas Pass Park, a beautiful spot to take in the natural landscape around you. A four-acre park, Caxambas Pass includes a marina, concessions and more, and acts as a launching point to the famous Ten Thousand Islands, where you can take advantage of incredible views of the water and mangroves, plus local wildlife and not to mention, pure serenity. After this moment of tranquility, you may have worked up an appetite, and you’re in luck. Marco Island is home to some of the best breakfast spots in the area, including Doreen’s Cup of Joe, Red Rooster, Nene’s Kitchen and more.

Shop ‘Til You Drop

After a hearty breakfast, make your way down the relaxed streets of Marco for some one-of-a-kind retail therapy. From Island Trends, which offers island-inspired women’s and men’s clothing and accessories, to the Blue Mangrove Gallery, which features exquisite artwork, photography, jewelry and more, you’re sure to find it on the Island. And if you’re looking for more specialty shops, be sure to check out the following:

• The Pressed Olive

• Beach Daisy

• La Scarpa Boutique

Whether you’re shopping for trinkets and other fun gifts, clothing or diving gear, Marco Island offers something for everyone.

Relax & Unwind

If relaxation is on your mind, pay a visit to the Spa by JW for the ultimate in pampering. From massages, facials and body treatments to a steam room, therapy bath and soaking pools, Spa by JW creates the ideal ambiance to allow you to treat yourself to the fullest. In the mood for a little beach therapy instead? Head over to Tigertail Beach for the best shelling experience on the Island. Rent a kayak or a paddle board to stay active and take advantage of our Southwest Florida paradise.

Dinner Date

From family options to romantic evenings, Marco Island has everything you need to create an unmatched dinner experience. May we recommend the following:

• Snook Inn

• Ciao Bella Ristorante Italiano

• Ario

• Osteria Capri

Whether you’re in the mood for seafood and other island fare, authentic Italian flavors or something else, you’ll find it on the Island.

Your Day on Marco Island

From fun in the sun to a relaxing spa day, a lunch date with friends or a romantic sunset dinner, Marco Island shows that you really can have it all in paradise. Laid back and relaxed, yet sophisticated and refined, Marco Island appeals to virtually everyone, making it the ideal location to live any time of the year. So, now that you know what a day in the life of a local looks like, what’s on your schedule today?

The Gulfstream Homes team is ready to help you design and build a home on Marco Island! Call (239) 259-8070 or visit www.gulfstreamhomes.com to get started.

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The post Experience Marco Island Like a Local first appeared on Gulfstream Homes.

The Oyster Society

Located at 599 S. Collier Blvd., The Oyster Society offers up the best of the sea! With a menu full of delicious ocean fare and handcrafted cocktails, The Oyster Society provides a unique experience. Go back in time with its Roaring 20s-inspired decor as you enjoy the perfect island ambiance around you. We recommend the jumbo scallops, New York strip and of course the can’t-miss oyster and raw bar. The Oyster Society proves that it has something for everyone in a one-of-a-kind environment, designed to leave you in awe as you enjoy some of the best cuisine on the Island.

Kane Tiki Bar & Grill

Nestled in the JW Marriott, located at 400 S. Collier Blvd., Kane Tiki Bar & Grill delivers an authentic island experience under its thatched tiki bar roof. With an Indonesian flair, Kane Tiki Bar & Grill offers up street foods and rum cocktails (mocktails for the younger crowd) in a fun beachside location. With live entertainment and street performers, there’s always something to see here, so grab the family and get ready for a night of fun at the tiki bar.

DaVinci’s

In the mood for some wood-fired pizza? How about all of your Italian favorites, like Ravioli Bolognese, Lasagne and Chicken Parmigiana? DaVinci’s, located at 599 S. Collier Blvd., is sure to delight! Family-owned and operated by the Carvelli family, DaVinci’s has been a staple on the Island since 1996. Serving up some of the best Italian cuisine on the Island, DaVinci’s is a must whether you’re just visiting or if you’ve made this area your home. With a taste of Italy right down the street, how could you go wrong with DaVinci’s?

Doreen’s Cup of Joe

Although this guide is mainly geared toward dining, we couldn’t pass up a mention of this next restaurant. If you need a wake-up call, head on over to Doreen’s Cup of Joe, located at 267 N. Collier Blvd., for some of the best breakfast and coffee around! With a healthy approach to breakfast, Doreen’s only uses cage-free eggs and natural syrup in their wildly popular dishes, and if you’re looking for out of this world coffee, Doreen’s delivers with locally blended offerings. How does it feel to have one of the top 10 breakfast restaurants in Florida right in your backyard?

More Favorites

Whether you’re in the mood for a casual dinner with the family or an upscale dinner for two, Marco Island offers everything you need without venturing off the island. Our other favorites include:

• The Boulevard (1000 N. Collier Blvd.)

• Fin Bistro (657 S. Collier Blvd.)

• Little Bar Restaurant (205 Harbor Pl., Goodland)

• Mango’s Dockside Bistro (760 N. Collier Blvd.)

So, the next time you’re looking for a place to wine and dine on the Island, try out one of our favorites. We assure you that you’ll not only have a wonderful experience, but you’ll look forward to visiting again soon. When you choose to make Marco Island your home, you get the opportunity to have the best of the Island within moments from your doorstep, making Marco Island a premier destination for anyone.

Gulfstream Homes is excited to build on Marco Island! Call (239) 259-8070 or visit www.gulfstreamhomes.com to learn more.

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The post Wine & Dine on Marco Island first appeared on Gulfstream Homes.