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Sweet Melissa's Cafe: Restaurant Reviews


TripAdvisor Traveler Rating:
  • A summary score based on quality, quantity and age of traveler ratings.
 4 of 5 stars 99 ratings
99 ratings
5.0 of 5 stars
65
4.0 of 5 stars
11
3.0 of 5 stars
5
2.0 of 5 stars
9
1.0 of 5 stars
9
TripAdvisor Popularity Index:
  • Measures overall traveler satisfaction based on ratings, reviews and other sources.
#2 of 43 restaurants in Sanibel Island
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  • Cuisines: Eclectic
  • Average price*: $ 25

Traveler Reviews

[ Date ] [ Rating ]
“Hands-down best restaurant on Sanibel island”

Sweet Melissa's Cafe

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5 of 5 stars
HilarionMiami 2 contributions
Miami
Jan 1, 2009
2/4 found this review helpful

Sweet Melissa's cafe is a surprise of delectable dimensions in a sea of mediocre cuisine on the island. Melissa, the chef, is creative, meticulous, and knows the value of putting tastes together in complementary fashion. From the scallops served with black-eyes peas and corn, to the cobia with carrot-ginger puree, to the grilled caesar salad, each dish is a delight. By far the best restaurant on the island.

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Management Response
(Management representative)
Jan 4, 2009
YEA Guys you get two thumbs up! One for taking the time to leave some feedback and one for leaving great comments!! So happy you loved it, it's what Melissa and I strive to do everyday! I think she is such a great chef! I love to let her know when others feel the same way! Thanks again, can't wait to see you on your next visit!
~Marlana
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
“food ok wine list way too expensive for this restaurant”

Sweet Melissa's Cafe

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3 of 5 stars
jerseyjoan 8 contributions
jersey
Dec 19, 2008
3/4 found this review helpful

went last year when it was red fish blue fish - same chef - some of the menue the same - but not as good. The new name says it - a sweet place - for the price of the meal and especially the wine you want more than just a sweet place. The food was just ok - the grilled salad the best thing. After you have several of the mini plates and have run up a bill that would get you a great meal somewhere else you end up dissappointed. The wine list was very very limited below $50. The meal didn't measure up to this wine list. Chef find some good wines under $50

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Management Response
(Management representative)
Dec 31, 2008
Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy your experience with us...that's a new response for us but I understand our restaurant isn't for everyone. The food has changed from Red Fish Blu Fish the portions are larger and everything is made in house. I feel our prices are extremely reasonable for the amount and the quality. About the wine I try to buy things that are new an exciting, wine that you don't see everywhere else. I have compared prices to other places around and we are very under priced in that area too. I don't know what wine you ended up with but there are always alternatives to a bottle we offer pairings of full or half glasses with each plate. Also most of the time I make deals with customers if I see they are interested in something out of their price range. That way everyone gets to enjoy the wine even if you normally wont order it because of the price. Also from our wine list of 37 the 15 bottles that are under $50 are available by the glass so we will let you try it before if you are unsure about ordering it. So again I'm sorry to hear you didn't enjoy your dinner this time around I can only hope to better ourselves for your next time around. Thanks for your comments we appreciate everyone taking the time to leave us feed back.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
“Best food on the Island!!”

Sweet Melissa's Cafe

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5 of 5 stars
jewels13 1 contribution
sanibel
Dec 19, 2008
1/4 found this review helpful

We ate there the night before Thanksgiving - it was a fantastic experience! We hadn't been there since Gaye had passed, but now it will be a regular stop. From the food, the service, the wine selections and most of all the presentation - it was amazing. Truly the best food on the island ( and that's coming from two that own a restaurant on the island!)! Keep up the great work Melissa and best of luck at your new location - we'll be there!!!

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Management Response
(Management representative)
Dec 19, 2008
It has to be the greatest accomplishment when another restaurant owner compliments your place!! Thanks guys we are so happy to have you as our friends and new customers! Look forward to seeing you!
Marlana
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
“OUr new favorite eatery on Sanibel Island, Florida”

Sweet Melissa's Cafe

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5 of 5 stars
pierreandcheri 3 contributions
danbury, ct.
Dec 16, 2008
2/5 found this review helpful

This restaurant has become our new favorite restaurant on the island of Sanibel, a place we come to often as we have house on Captiva island.
The food elicited many wows from us. It's creative, interesting food for the discerning palate. They also have a fresh and innovative concept of how the food is ordered: is small portions so you feel like you are getting a bunch of appetizers, which is usually our favorite part of the menu anyway.
The caesar salad was amazing, as was everything we ate there.
We will make it a must stop on our next visit to sanibel and you should too.

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Management Response
(Management representative)
Dec 19, 2008
So happy to hear you enjoyed your experience with us! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us some great feedback! As always we look forward to your many returns.
Marlana
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
“Don't leave Sanibel Island without going there”

Sweet Melissa's Cafe

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5 of 5 stars
DC5559 1 contribution
Montreal
Dec 6, 2008
2/5 found this review helpful

Sweet Melissa's is THE place to go! If a gourmet meal is what you wish to have, don't hesitate to give this restaurant a try. One thing that could be improved would be to slow down the service to a "European pace". We could have been in and out of there within one hour and that is with a bottle of wine... So yeah, great food, service is great but maybe a bit too fast paced for the kind of food they offer. We would eat there again and again!

Jack & Daniele
Montreal, Canada

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Management Response
(Management representative)
Dec 16, 2008
Thank you for your comments..sorry to hear it was a little fast paced sometimes we get so excited to feed you we don't realize the pace. We try to space it out so as to enjoy the experience and we will definitely keep you in mind when we feel to fast. Thanks again so happy to have you..see the next trip around!
~Marlana
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Sweet Melissa's Cafe Address

1625 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island, FL 33957
Tel: 239-472-1956 Fax: 239-472-8401
* Restaurant price information is based on meal cost per person, excluding drinks, tax and tip.