Continue the ICW to ‘Green 61’ where you find the channel to Cabbage Key restaurant. Stop for lunch or stay overnight. If overnight plan to arrive after the busy lunch period. Take a clean dollar bill to add your name to the wall. Alan Lloyd
We’ve stayed at Cabbage Key twice in the last six months. The first time was in January at the height of this winter’s cold snap. During that visit, we were transiting up to our new home port of St. Petersburg in our newly acquired Jefferson 46. When we pulled in about 1700, we were the only boat there. The dockmaster was very helpful, and the staff was wonderful. We ended up extending our overnight stay for three days to soak in the relaxing atmosphere. Each night, we were the only ones on the island, and had the entire staff catering to us. During the day, we put our kayak in the water and trekked over to Cayo Costa Island, and had the entire 6 mile stretch of sand to ourselves. This allowed us to escape the lunch crowd we had heard about, and enjoy the solitude. Recently, we visited Cabbage Key again, this time over the 4th of July weekend. On this trip, we were on our Catalina 36 sail boat that we were taking up to All American Storage in Port Charlotte to be put on the hard for hurricane season. Once again, we had a wonderful time, although during the day, the place was a madhouse with anywhere from 20 – 30 small boats in for lunch and drinks. Because of the number of overnight guests in larger boats, we were put on the middle dock closest to the dockmaster’s office/store. I was a little concerned with depth as we draw 6 ft, but had absolutely no problem pulling all the way in. The dockmaster had me leave my stern beyond the end of the dock by about 6 ft, but I was still showing 6 ft on the depth sounder (about 7.5 ft of depth). After about 1800 each night, the small boats left, and we had the restaurant almost to ourselves. As usual the food and service were great. The only issue we had on this visit was that we were hit hard on three occasions by small boats as their (probably inebriated) captains attempted to get underway. In the future, I would not want to be on the middle dock for just this reason. Overall, this is one of my favorite places on the western FL coast. It is easy to get in and out with approach and dockside depths of 7 – 10 ft, and it is easily transited even after dark. The kayaking is fantastic, the food is great, the staff friendly, and it is an easy shot out through Boca Grande Pass, into Charlotte Harbor, or down through Pine Island Sound.
In addition to Portobello’s at Burnt Store, there is Cabbage Key, just off the G-ICW south of Boca Grand Pass, across from the anchorage at Useppa Island. Cabbage Key is a true dock ‘n dine location. It isn’t fine dining, but it’s a true American Classic experience. Adequate water for your draft. We’ve been there several times in the winter months when water levels are lower. Short finger piers. Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary
We found the dockmaster at Cabbage Key very helpful and friendly. He really helped with our lines both upon arrival and departure. He also helped a nearby boat with engine trouble. Lunch was good, not fancy, but good and the service was good. Doug Kendrick
Cabbage Key is still a great place to stop for lunch or dinner. Our grandson call it “The Cheeseburger in Paradise Place.” The new Dockmaster is a big improvement and is actually nice. It’s easy to anchor just off Useppa and dinghy into lunch. Jake Dye
Dear Cruising Writer, I wanted to pass on some information about a recent stay at Cabbage Key. I have stayed there a handful of times over the past few years and have had a delightful experience with each visit. During the day, Cabbage Key can be a busy, bustling place and cruisers, and visitors alike, should be patient on their approach as the Dockmaster jockeys the many vessels to their docks. This man single handedly docks legions of boaters daily many of who don’t speak English or have the first clue about operating their rental boats. With this understanding and patience, you’ll find him to be quite likable and extremely helpful. Once you’re docked, stroll up the hill to the restaurant and have lunch. I recommend the cheeseburger, potato salad and a Cabbage Creeper – a tasty drink that will soak the stress from your pores. While on the island, be sure to explore the nature trail with its well marked flora and fauna as well as climb the water tower for its amazing views over the ICW. From Cabbage Key you can cross the ICW to Useppa Island or scoot around the corner to Cayo Costa for one of the most amazing beaches in Southwest Florida. One of the best kept secrets about Cabbage Key is the dinners. The restaurant transforms at night as the staff puts on a bit more formal attire, the white linens come out and the food is absolutely fantastic. As far as amenities, dockside electric is conveniently located near each slip, but there is no dock water available as it’s a limited resource on the island. On our last trip our water pump failed so we needed to use the bathroom and shower facilities at the foot of the dock. The bathrooms were always clean, modern and spacious – frankly I remember thinking I might use them on our next visit as opposed to the confining, and shared, bathroom onboard. Overall Cabbage Key is a great destination whether you’re staying overnight or just for a meal. Its quaint charm harkens back to times past, a friendly old Florida that’s sometimes hard to find on the mainland. I’ll be back. Sincerely, Matt Fort Myers
Excellent reception and food, also the dock master was very friendly. The owner however was as nasty and grumpy as ever! Richard
Reviews from Cruisers (4)
Continue the ICW to ‘Green 61’ where you find the channel to Cabbage Key restaurant. Stop for lunch or stay overnight. If overnight plan to arrive after the busy lunch period. Take a clean dollar bill to add your name to the wall.
Alan Lloyd
We’ve stayed at Cabbage Key twice in the last six months. The first time was in January at the height of this winter’s cold snap. During that visit, we were transiting up to our new home port of St. Petersburg in our newly acquired Jefferson 46. When we pulled in about 1700, we were the only boat there. The dockmaster was very helpful, and the staff was wonderful. We ended up extending our overnight stay for three days to soak in the relaxing atmosphere. Each night, we were the only ones on the island, and had the entire staff catering to us. During the day, we put our kayak in the water and trekked over to Cayo Costa Island, and had the entire 6 mile stretch of sand to ourselves. This allowed us to escape the lunch crowd we had heard about, and enjoy the solitude.
Recently, we visited Cabbage Key again, this time over the 4th of July weekend. On this trip, we were on our Catalina 36 sail boat that we were taking up to All American Storage in Port Charlotte to be put on the hard for hurricane season. Once again, we had a wonderful time, although during the day, the place was a madhouse with anywhere from 20 – 30 small boats in for lunch and drinks. Because of the number of overnight guests in larger boats, we were put on the middle dock closest to the dockmaster’s office/store. I was a little concerned with depth as we draw 6 ft, but had absolutely no problem pulling all the way in. The dockmaster had me leave my stern beyond the end of the dock by about 6 ft, but I was still showing 6 ft on the depth sounder (about 7.5 ft of depth). After about 1800 each night, the small boats left, and we had the restaurant almost to ourselves. As usual the food and service were great. The only issue we had on this visit was that we were hit hard on three occasions by small boats as their (probably inebriated) captains attempted to get underway. In the future, I would not want to be on the middle dock for just this reason.
Overall, this is one of my favorite places on the western FL coast. It is easy to get in and out with approach and dockside depths of 7 – 10 ft, and it is easily transited even after dark. The kayaking is fantastic, the food is great, the staff friendly, and it is an easy shot out through Boca Grande Pass, into Charlotte Harbor, or down through Pine Island Sound.
In addition to Portobello’s at Burnt Store, there is Cabbage Key, just off the G-ICW south of Boca Grand Pass, across from the anchorage at Useppa Island. Cabbage Key is a true dock ‘n dine location. It isn’t fine dining, but it’s a true American Classic experience. Adequate water for your draft. We’ve been there several times in the winter months when water levels are lower. Short finger piers.
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary
We found the dockmaster at Cabbage Key very helpful and friendly. He really helped with our lines both upon arrival and departure. He also helped a nearby boat with engine trouble. Lunch was good, not fancy, but good and the service was good.
Doug Kendrick
Cabbage Key is still a great place to stop for lunch or dinner. Our grandson call it “The Cheeseburger in Paradise Place.” The new Dockmaster is a big improvement and is actually nice. It’s easy to anchor just off Useppa and dinghy into lunch.
Jake Dye
Dear Cruising Writer,
I wanted to pass on some information about a recent stay at Cabbage Key. I have stayed there a handful of times over the past few years and have had a delightful experience with each visit. During the day, Cabbage Key can be a busy, bustling place and cruisers, and visitors alike, should be patient on their approach as the Dockmaster jockeys the many vessels to their docks. This man single handedly docks legions of boaters daily many of who don’t speak English or have the first clue about operating their rental boats. With this understanding and patience, you’ll find him to be quite likable and extremely helpful.
Once you’re docked, stroll up the hill to the restaurant and have lunch. I recommend the cheeseburger, potato salad and a Cabbage Creeper – a tasty drink that will soak the stress from your pores. While on the island, be sure to explore the nature trail with its well marked flora and fauna as well as climb the water tower for its amazing views over the ICW. From Cabbage Key you can cross the ICW to Useppa Island or scoot around the corner to Cayo Costa for one of the most amazing beaches in Southwest Florida.
One of the best kept secrets about Cabbage Key is the dinners. The restaurant transforms at night as the staff puts on a bit more formal attire, the white linens come out and the food is absolutely fantastic.
As far as amenities, dockside electric is conveniently located near each slip, but there is no dock water available as it’s a limited resource on the island. On our last trip our water pump failed so we needed to use the bathroom and shower facilities at the foot of the dock. The bathrooms were always clean, modern and spacious – frankly I remember thinking I might use them on our next visit as opposed to the confining, and shared, bathroom onboard.
Overall Cabbage Key is a great destination whether you’re staying overnight or just for a meal. Its quaint charm harkens back to times past, a friendly old Florida that’s sometimes hard to find on the mainland. I’ll be back.
Sincerely,
Matt
Fort Myers
Excellent reception and food, also the dock master was very friendly. The owner however was as nasty and grumpy as ever!
Richard