What are the opening hours?

Monday 11am - 10pm Tuesday 11am - 10pm Wednesday 11am - 10pm Thursday 11am - 10pm Friday 11am - 10pm Saturday 11am - 10pm Sunday 11am - 10pm

Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille

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Sanibel, FL
Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille

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“For the sun-kissed & sun-desirous alike, a vacation on a plate.” - The New York Times Just off Island Inn Road across from Bailey’s Shopping Center. Why argue?
(4155)

If you’re hoping to run into Randy Wayne White, then this is the place to do it as he can be found writing here on many nights. With 2 dining rooms and an outdoor patio, where you decide to enjoy the ambiance is up to you! A trip to Sanibel isn’t complete without lunch or dinner with us at Doc Ford’s! So welcome to Doc Ford’s Sanibel Island

This beautiful new restaurant’s namesake, the fictional Doc Ford, was conceived in desperation just down the road at Tarpon Bay Marina where the owner, Mack, employed a small quirky cast of characters, one of whom wanted to be a writer. That was 30-years and 3,000 charters ago, near the end of my career as a fishing guide. Thank karma, or fate, or blind blessed luck, but I love the symmetry suggested by Doc’s return to Tarpon Bay Road. The symmetry didn’t seem so blessed at the time. In 1988, the federal government informed our little marina family that the bay would soon close to powerboat traffic. We fishing guides were out of a job. Aside from a license to drive big boats, I wasn’t qualified to do anything useful, but I did own a typewriter. Eighteen months later, my first novel, Sanibel Flats, was published. It introduced a few (very few) readers to marine biologist Doc (Marion D.) Ford, and his unrepentant hipster pal, Tomlinson. They were hard core tropic travels; decent men with senses of humor, each devoted, in his way, to the obligations of friendship, family and their respective moral compass. Both attracted trouble. Both men lived secret lives. Sanibel Flats did nothing to threaten their anonymity — sales were minuscule. National reviews, however, were enthusiastic, so I continued to chronicle the adventures of Doc, Tomlinson, and my marina pals, all of whom orbited freely around a semi-fictional “Dinkins Bay.”

Now, twenty-four novels later, it is an honor, and just plain fun, to return as a member of the Doc Ford’s restaurant family — and we are a family, top to bottom, same as the same quirky, excellence-driven characters who populate my novels. By virtue of being here, you are a member, too. My partners, Marty and Brenda Harrity, and Mark Marinello, would agree, and here’s why: these islands have a gift for attracting people of kindred sensibilities. Some are famous, most are not, and it doesn’t matter. You are here. These islands have chosen you.

11/05/2026

One plate, 47 photos and a very patient employee. 😂

11/03/2026

Not your average flatbread! 🍕

Inspired by an ancient Roman recipe, our pinsa flatbreads are crispy on the outside and soft and airy on the inside. "Pinsa" gets its name from the Latin word “pinsere,” meaning “to stretch” or “to spread.”

A little taste of Rome, right here at Doc Ford's. 🇮🇹

Have you tried one yet? 👀

11/01/2026

Who needs a color palette when you have a cocktail menu? 🍹🎨

10/31/2026

Nothing to be scared of here! 👻🦐

Just our famous Yucatán Shrimp (or should we say Boo-catan Shrimp?) getting a ghostly round of applause! 👏🎃

Happy Halloween from all of us at Doc Ford’s! 🧡

10/29/2026

Gone without a trace. 👻🍽️

10/27/2026

Our famous Yucatán Shrimp are serving up a little hocus pocus this spooky season! 🎃✨

No tricks here, just a delicious treat! 👻

10/26/2026

⚾️ Pre-game plans? We’ve got you covered!

Fuel up at Doc Ford’s St. Pete Pier before heading over to tonight’s Rays watch party! Grab dinner, sip on our featured Ray Ups Coco Mojito, and take one to-go for the festivities! 🍹💙

Let’s go, Rays! ⚾️

10/23/2026

What’s been on our table lately. 👀🍽️

10/22/2026

It's the most claw-some time of the year! 🦀

Stone crab season is here, and we've got the claws to prove it! Come get cracking at Doc Ford's. 😋

10/20/2026

What's better than one margarita? ✨Two✨

Address

2500 Island Inn Road
Sanibel, FL
33957

Opening Hours

Monday	11am - 10pm
Tuesday	11am - 10pm
Wednesday	11am - 10pm
Thursday	11am - 10pm
Friday	11am - 10pm
Saturday	11am - 10pm
Sunday	11am - 10pm

Telephone

+12394728311

Website

https://www.docfords.com/sanibel-island/

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