Favorite Restaurants

A Taste of Marco Island: The Carvelli Restaurant Group

One of the things I love about Marco Island is the incredible local businesses that make the island feel like a true community. One of my favorite local restaurant groups is the Carvelli Restaurant Group, a family-owned collection of restaurants and dining experiences that has become a big part of Marco Island.

The Carvelli and Serravalle families have roots in Mesoraca, Italy, where family gatherings centered around food, friends and spending time together. They brought that same philosophy to Marco Island, opening DaVinci’s Ristorante Italiano in 1996. Since then, the family has expanded to create several unique dining experiences across the island.

DaVinci’s Ristorante Italiano

DaVinci’s is where the Carvelli story began on Marco Island, and it remains one of my favorites. The restaurant specializes in Italian cuisine and homemade pasta.

My favorite? The gnocchi! There is something about a plate of homemade Italian gnocchi that makes for the perfect Marco Island dinner.

Fun fact: Gnocchi are Italian dumplings, traditionally made with potatoes and flour, and they can be prepared in many different ways depending on the region and recipe.

The Oyster Society

For a completely different experience, The Oyster Society combines seafood, craft cocktails and a beautiful Art Deco-inspired atmosphere.

And if you ask me what to order from the bar, there is no hesitation: the Espresso Martini!

The Oyster Society even has a signature TOS Espresso Martini made from a family secret recipe. They also offer several creative variations of the classic cocktail.

Marco Prime Steaks & Seafood

Marco Prime brings an upscale steakhouse experience to the group, featuring USDA Prime steaks, seafood, handcrafted cocktails and an impressive wine selection.

It’s a great choice for a special dinner or a night when you’re looking for something a little more elegant.

Snook Inn

If you’re looking for the quintessential Marco Island experience, it’s hard to beat Snook Inn. Located directly on the water, Snook Inn is known for fresh seafood, tropical drinks, live music and beautiful waterfront views.

It’s also accessible by boat — making it the perfect place to embrace the laid-back island lifestyle.

Sweet Annie’s

And it’s not all about dinner! Sweet Annie’s is the group’s nostalgic ice cream and candy shop, featuring hand-scooped ice cream, retro candy and plenty of fun treats for kids and adults alike.

Why I Love the Carvelli Story

What I love most about the Carvelli Restaurant Group is that its story is rooted in family, food and community. What began with Italian family traditions has grown into five very different Marco Island experiences.

For me, the perfect Carvelli combination is pretty simple: gnocchi at DaVinci’s followed by an Espresso Martini at The Oyster Society.

It’s just another reason I love Marco Island — the restaurants aren’t simply places to eat; they become part of the memories you make here.