A tropical waterfront oasis, brimming with extraordinary dishes and drinks.
Located in Jungle Terrace on Long Bayou between Madeira Beach and Tyrone, you can come by car or by boat (seven docks). Celebrating its first anniversary, Doc Ford’s is a popular destination for visitors and locals, with live music, two alfresco and one indoor bars, a private party room and nautical island décor.
Doc Ford’s iconic menu is spectacular, with many dishes served at both restaurants as well as the Sanibel and Ft. Myers locations. Their first restaurant on St. Pete Pier was named by Tripadvisor as the No. 1 restaurant in the country (2023 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Restaurants for Everyday Eats), and the Jungle Terrace Doc Ford’s menu’s rave reviews also reflect that praise.
Named for beloved Florida author Randy Wayne White’s star character (Marion “Doc” Ford) in his award-winning quirky whodunnit novels, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille is known for its Floribbean fare, seafood, curated wine and craft beers, full bar and exotic rum list, flights and cocktails (mojitos, rum runners, Old Havana or Barbados punch and Pier Pressure made with Cruzan black cherry rum, raspberry liqueur, ginger beer and splash of pineapple juice).
Start with Doc’s Beach Bread with cheddar, Monterey Jack, bleu cheese crumbles and diced tomatoes topped with your choice of chorizo or bacon or the jumbo lump Captiva Crab Cakes. Other delicious starters include spicy Buffalo shrimp, steamed mussels, Caribbean jerk chicken tostados, seared tuna, and Bayama Cuban black bean dip. The conch and Doc Ford’s famous clam chowders soothe the savage beast and the hearty sandwiches come with your choice of fries, house slaw, black beans and rice or fresh fruit. Best of show are the grouper sandwich, pulled pork, Maine lobster roll and the Cuban or seafood tacos.
Dinkin’s Bay Shellfish Bar features Yucatan baked oysters, shrimp ceviche, oysters on the half shell, peel and eat shrimp and shrimp Bay Boil. Paired with a tropical, steak or Sanibel spinach salads it’s an awesome meal for two. The Yucatan Shrimp is the signature dish, the macadamia nut grouper comes with a toasted coconut rum sauce and the Anchiote Redfish Bowl, all sensationally seasoned and prepared. Seafood lovers enjoy the Asian-inspired mahi mahi, island-style shrimp and grits, banana leaf grouper, cedar plank salmon and seafood paella, and there’s a dry rubbed ribeye and Danish baby back ribs for the carnivore crowd. Save room for the extraordinary Key Lime pie.
Located at 8790 Bay Pines Road, the waterfront restaurant is open daily from 11am-10pm. There are gluten-free and children’s menus. The gift shop features Doc Ford novels, t-shirts, hats and more. Make reservations on Open Table. Carry out available. Book your next party here. Make your reservation at https://www.docfords.com/jungle-terrace/.
