5 star service and priceless attention. I had contacted the owner by email several months prior to my visit from The Woodlands, Texas(1100 mile drive), and requested an early morning table for Mother's Day breakfast (5-13-2007). I didn't know what to expect from the email, however he replied promptly and assured me that a table would be waiting. My mother also traveled from W. Palm Beach to meet us and upon our arrival, the hostess had a copy of my email and without delay, led us to our table. Later the owner greeted us and our breakfast served with such personal attention. Our visit will never be forgotten as it could've turned out to be very disappointing. Our review is a bit late, however very sincere and we can't wait to do it again.

Thanks to all of you,
J. A. Hernandez & Family

Tried the sanibel cafe out for breakfast.

Orange juice was freshly squeezed and tasty.

Fruit pancakes looked good and my husband said they were tasty although not a lot of fruit with them.

Fruit sampler - consisted of 5 grapes, 5 tiny pieces of chopped apple, 5 slices from a very small banana and 5 pieces of melon, sitting atop 3 huge lettuce leaves. For almost $7 it was totally unacceptable. The contents would easily have fitted in a small cup and that's how i should have been served.

not sure if we would return.

My wife and I had breakfast at the Sanibel Cafe this morning. I had asked several different people, including some where we are staying, for a good place for breakfast, and repeatedly got the name of this restaurant.

We ordered the Cafe Sampler, which is described as:
1 piece each ... 5.95 - 2 pieces of each ... 6.95
served with egg, pancake and bacon

Note that these were the prices as of Dec 2007. We both ordered the 2 of each for only $1.00 more. The eggs were cooked as we ordered, the pancakes were great. We asked for the bacon to be crisp and not bendable (is that a word?). We had to have the bacon cooked a little longer, but after they did, it too was excellent. If it hadn't been for that weakness I would have ranked the restaurant 4 out of 4.

The tables are like shadow boxes, and have white or almost white fossil shells arranged very attractively, and they add to the enjoyment of the cafe.

We will definitely go back for breakfast, and are planning on trying lunch also.

I've been going to the Sanibel Cafe for many years and even tried it again in March and was satisfied. I had lunch there in October and boy, was service awful. Not rude, just non-existent. It took forever to give my order, the food arrived and then I couldn't get a refill, had trouble getting my check and then simply could not get anyone to take my money. This happened at other tables and they got up to leave before anyone came to give change. It was slow and two women were on and just too busy chatting with each other to pay any attention to customers.

The food was decent, but I couldn't get a refill on my lemonade and finally gave up trying to pay and was able to dig out enough small bills to cover the check. The normally very generous tip I leave was reduced substantially and I was seriously considering leaving none at all - which would have been a first for me.

Despite my long stay, I did not go back here on my subsequent trips to Tahitian Gardens shops.