1. Taqueria Jalisco

📍 4075 Pine Ridge Rd, Ste 3

If you’re searching for the best al pastor street tacos in Naples, look no further. Marinated with pineapple and onions, the tender pork is bursting with flavor—and you’ll immediately wish you had ordered more. Want to take it up a notch? Try the choriqueso—a melty cheese dip mixed with Esther’s handmade chorizo. Just a warning: it’s highly addictive!

2. 7 Food Mart and Tortilleria

📍 2332 Santa Barbara Blvd

Hidden in the back of this Hispanic/Caribbean grocery store is a taco grill and deli beloved by locals. The barbacoa street tacos are a must—don’t skip the cilantro, onion, and house salsas. For something heartier, try the Cuban pork leg with black beans and rice (moro), a dish that keeps customers coming back again and again.

3. Garibaldi’s

📍 11510 Tamiami Trl E

Part bakery, part restaurant, Garibaldi’s is a delicious surprise in East Naples. While the pastries and desserts are eye-catching, the real showstopper is the molcajete—a sizzling stone bowl overflowing with meats, cheese, and even cactus, served alongside handmade tortillas and all the taco fixings. Bring a friend, because this dish is as big as it is bold.

4. El Tapatio

📍 11157 Tamiami Trl E

Don’t let the humble pink exterior fool you—this former roadside motel lobby has been transformed into one of Naples’ best-kept secrets for over 25 years. Owners Sergio and America serve up crispy-outside, soft-inside gorditas with fillings ranging from chicken to spicy pork to cactus. Pair them with a bowl of fresh guacamole and you’ll see why locals rave about this spot.

5. La Oaxaqueña Taqueria

📍 2795 Davis Blvd, Unit A

Step inside La Oaxaqueña and you’ll be transported to southern Mexico. The menu highlights include quesabirria tacos (a social media sensation) and tlayudas—giant, crispy “Mexican pizzas” topped with beans, cheese, meat, and veggies. Wash it all down with a passionfruit margarita or a refreshing agua fresca for a meal that feels like a celebration.

Whether you’re craving tacos, gorditas, or something adventurous like tlayudas, these five restaurants are perfect places to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with authentic flavor.

Liz Valdez is the founder of Paradise Food Tours and has spent years exploring the local food scene, discovering hidden gems and authentic eateries that showcase the rich flavors of our community.

The post Five Authentic Local Restaurants to Try During Hispanic Heritage Month in Naples appeared first on SWFL Family.

NAPLES

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park:

• canoe/kayak launch and great fishing, too

www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/delnor-wiggins-pass-state-park

Vanderbilt Beach:

• famous for pop-up sunset celebrations

www.collierparks.com/collier_park/vanderbilt-beach-park/

Barefoot Beach Preserve:

• it’s also a gopher tortoise sanctuary
• wonderful learning center

www.collierparks.com/collier_park/barefoot-beach-preserve

Lowdermilk Park:

• gazebos and picnic tables can be reserved for birthday parties

www.naplesgov.com/parksrec/page/lowdermilk-park

Clam Pass Beach Park:

• complimentary tram ride through the mangroves

www.collierparks.com/collier_park/clam-pass-park

Naples Pier Beach:

• bath and shower facilities open
• pier is partially open pending repairs.
• webcam on the website

www.NaplesPanorama.org

ESTERO

Lover’s Key State Park:

• fabulous Discovery Center
• guided hikes
• fishing and more

www.floridastateparks.org/Lovers-Key

MARCO ISLAND

Tigertail Beach:

• wade, paddle or SUP to a shell-rich barrier island, a habitat of protected shore birds and several osprey nests

www.collierparks.com/collier_park/tigertail-beach-park

Sanibel Island:

• the world’s best shelling beaches!
• the favorites are Lighthouse Beach, Gulfside City Park and Tarpon Bay Beach

www.sanibelisland.com

Keewaydin Island:

• stunning white-sand barrier island on the Intracoastal Waterway, accessible from Naples or Marco Island only by boat
• no facilities except visits from those super-cute food boats: Just Beachy Burgers and In the Pink Ice Cream

Coming back soon: 

Always a family favorite for its many beachy restaurants, souvenir shops, and historic pier, Lynn Hall Memorial Park/Times Square on Fort Myers Beach was hit especially hard by Hurricane Ian. Recovering like a champ, especially the wind and water sports options, it’s still a work in progress.

Our Travel Editor, Karen T. Bartlett, scours the globe for interesting and unique experiences to share with our readers. Her work has been published in scores of magazines and tourism guides in several countries. She’s the author/photographer of a dozen destination books and is the publisher of the “Mostly Kids’ Guides” family guidebook series. www.KarenTBartlett.com

The post Our Favorite Family-Friendly Beach Parks in Southwest Florida appeared first on SWFL Family.