The Bubble Room Restaurant

The Bubble Room is a Florida classic — quirky, nostalgic, and full of personality from the moment you walk in. Every room tells a story, with vintage memorabilia, twinkling lights, and over-the-top charm that makes the dining experience feel like stepping into another world. The food is hearty and fun, but the real showstopper is the dessert. Their cakes are legendary for a reason — oversized, indulgent, and absolutely worth the hype. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or coming back for a dose of whimsy, The Bubble Room is pure old-Florida magic.

This is a very fun and charming place. Get there early as the seating can fill up quickly. Constance our bubble scout (server), did amazing considering she was new. Food was exceptional. Be sure to save room for dessert at the end. It is definitely the cherry on top of this experience.

This was a last minute adventure. After lounging on the beach all day, we needed sustenance. Boy did we find it! The Bubble Room was a feast for the eyes as well as the belly! Even with a hungry swarm of guests baking in the sun before the doors opened, the staff was pleasant and efficient. This was clearly not their first day feeding people. The decor was fun and quirky. The menu gave me a lot of options and I had a hard time choosing. It’s a wonderful problem to have and just gives me an excuse to come back and try them all. Oh, and the Bubble Bread is no joke.

Made my family's trip to Florida all the more special! Right when we walked in we were greeted and sat at a table with bright smiles. The quirky menu names gave us a laugh. I ordered the she crab soup with the tiny bubble which was absolutely fantastic. The soup was very creamy and pairing it with the complimentary bubble bread was fantastic and unlike anything I've had before. The deserts were also fantastic, we got the cheesecake, orange cake, and I believe it was a chocolate cake soaked in rum. I actually think the cheesecake was my favorite it wasn't as dense as other cheesecakes and had a lovely almond crust, but the chocolate was a close second. They stayed open for us to finish and walk around to see 3 floors worth of antiques. It was beautiful, people were fantastic, and we will definitely be coming there again next time.

The The Bubble Room Restaurant never disappoints ❤️❤️ Went on opening day to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary ❤️ From start to finish it was a smooth experience. Not 1 problem. We ordered Blacken Shrimp Boats with fresh avocado , Thinly sliced slow roasted Prime Rib sandwich with provolone, mushrooms, and Au jus. The waiters gathered around and sang “Happy Anniversary “ as they served this decadent moist chocolate cake ❤️ Such a great moment and end to our amazing trip . And a special shout out to our amazing server Francisco❤️❤️❤️

Omg my mom told me about this place years ago and now I was able to come experience it for myself. Unfortunately my mom passed away last month so this trip was in memory of her. Great food, drinks and our waiter was awesome and the whole place was so cool!!

What a unique place. I was so happy to get in and experience it for the first time. I'm sure the before hurricane was more special but I enjoyed it none the less. I was disappointed the sandwiches didn't come with a side of chips but the sandwich was delicious. I had the Turk Douglas. I also couldn't leave without some cake. The 🍊 is my favorite.

So happy they are back open! We went a few days after it was reopened and they said it was a 90 min wait at 445p but we enjoyed exploring, shopping, and drinks at the bar and it ended up only being a 45 min wait. Since they just reopened they are still struggling a bit but giving grace given the circumstances. The food was just as tasty as we remember and despite the challenges the manager and staff were all amazing and cheerful. They also were so apologetic for minor inconveniences experienced. We are local so simply wanted to show them support as we all went through these hurricanes. A good attitude goes a long way with me and it still has the eclectic charm! Can’t wait to keep coming back!!!

The Bubble Room is back! I've been eating at the Bubble Room since I was in elementary school. I was so sad when Hurricane Ian took it out of commission, so I had to show up for opening night. Our wait at 6:15pm for 5 people was about 40 minutes. The interior looks very similar to how I remember it, just a little brighter and cleaner. Less of that charmingly dusty vibe. The menu seems almost identical although with a few subtle updates here and there. We started off with drinks served in pineapples, If You Like Piña Coladas and And Getting Caught in the Rain. If you didn't sing it in your head, you're lying. The bubble bread was a little bit of a let down but still yummy. The cinnamon rolls were delish and not too sweet. For dinner, our group had Pastablanca with lots of fresh, crunchy vegetables, Smoke in Your Eyes grouper version, Captain Courageous with salmon and coconut shrimp, Tiny Bubble with Crab It While You Can as the Appeteeser, An American in Paris, a lighter take on French onion soup, and a kids pizza. The crab dish had a generous portion of lump crabmeat with a coleslaw. The French onion soup had fried onions on top that added a nice texture. The grouper was fresh and flavorful especially with the grilled pineapple underneath. Veggies were bright and well cooked, though the twice baked potato didn't have quite as much flavor as I remembered. The salmon and the coconut shrimp (captain courageous) won our vote for most flavorful. For dessert we went with Orange Crunch Cake, still the GOAT and had what tasted like less sugary frosting than I remember, which is a good thing. The Key Lime Pie, with its thick slightly brown sugar tasting crust and fresh fruit is still one of my favorites in a community full of key lime pie options. Our Bubble Scout was helpful, friendly and made the night feel special for both the adults and the kids at the table. Bubble Room is still weird, whimsical and wonderful, as it should be. Merry Christmas!

So good to be back! We have been patiently waiting to visit one of our favorite restaurants on Captiva Island. This place is busy. Parking is at a premium but we found a space across the street. The employees were exceptionally busy but so pleasant and welcoming even though they were so busy. The sticky buns and bread were delicious. My Pina colada was served in a fresh pineapple-yum! I had the grouper and it was fantastic. Of course we had a piece of the orange crunch cake and wedding cake to go!

Party of 5 , Estimated about $400+ (5 entrees, 1 alcohol drink, 4 sodas, 1 appetizer and a slice of every single dessert to go) Vibes: Super fun and whimsical--like waiting in line for a Disney ride! Inside is colorful, packed with nostalgic 60s-70s Christmas décor. It's tight on space, but the atmosphere is full of energy. Service: Staff was fast, friendly, and helpful. They even boxed up our sticky buns and cheese bread mid-meal to clear the table. Nice touch! Food & Drinks: Sticky buns & cheese bread: Delicious--glad we had leftovers. Flamingo drink: Pass. It's a strawberry-rum shake that didn't taste like strawberry or sweetness at all. Chicken strips & tots: My teen said, "No thanks." Crab cakes: Meh. Ribeyes: Disappointing. Desserts (Take-Home Cake Slices): Orange cake: Looked orange, didn't taste orange. Christmas slice: Yum! Loved the coconut. Rum cake: Great texture and flavor. Other cakes: Pretty, but basic--mostly just frosted plain cake. Overall: Go for the fun, not the food. Definitely a "do-it-once" kind of place with tourist pricing. Whimsical and photo-worthy, but we probably won't return for the menu.

Spectacular service! The bubble room has always been a family favorite. With its retro eclectic Christmas decor, it absolutely is mine and my families favorite spot. The food is excellent, personally I love the lunch menu, but dinner is really good as well. Dessert is the main reason why I go! I have tried all the cakes and dessert they offer, and I will definitely recommend them all. My favorite is the cheese cake. Full of fresh fruits and beyond creamy. It's not too sweet. Absolutely perfect! Love this place.

Dream place. The big plates. Gluten-free food options. Good service. The atmosphere is very fun with a unique decoration. I would come back.

Today was supposed to be a great family one last time at the Bubble Room. We had waited just like so many for the reopening. My daughter & granddaughter had flown in from Illinois to do things with us that was on our bucket list since we were moving back to Illinois. We had been to the Bubble Room many times & loved it. We have lived in Naples for 10 years & decided to move back to Illinois to be close to family. Today we were standing in line when it opened. We were so excited to be there one last time. We were looking forward to some of our favorite food & fun time. When our waitress came she informed us that the fryer wasn't working so we couldn't order anything fried. I was looking forward to a fried Grouper sandwich but it was ok, I understood & picked out something else. We had a great time & great meal. When we were getting up to leave my husband who is 72 was trying to get up & his foot got caught on a chair leg. First, the tables are very close together & we couldn't push the chair in very far because of the table leg. My husband lost his balance and fell backwards into the table & chairs behind us. Thankfully no one was seated at that table but it made a lot of noise when the table & chairs tipped over. My daughter, my granddaughter & I were terrified he had been hurt in the fall. Not one person stepped in to help him get up or ask if he was ok. There were waitress & waiters around but never came to help or ask if he was ok. My daughter & I helped him up & my husband picked up the table & chairs without the help of worker. It turned out wonderful day at the Bubble Room lost all of it's charm for us. No one at the Bubble Room was of any help & absolutely no concern about if my husband was hurt. It really was a sad day. You think of the Bubble Room as such a fun happy place but it sure wasn't like that for us today. All of of wonderful memories will be tarnished forever. Why couldn't they have asked if he was ok & help put the table & chairs back in place??? It will never be a special magical place for us again! Pam Anderson & family

Touristy to the max, but well worth a visit to see the unbelievable array of memorabilia! Three floors with over 3500 items on display! Even the tables have antiques secured inside a glass top! Good food - better desserts. The Butterfinger Pie is fantastic, but it is so huge - it must be shared. Same for the Very Moist Chocolate Cake; enough for 2 or 3 people to share! Interesting house drinks from a fairly good bar. The flavored Mojitos are excellent!

Boops by the Bubble Room is located across the parking lot of the Bubble Room. You do not have to eat the restaurant to visit Boops. This is the cutest little old timey ice cream parlor. The employees dress as they did in the 50s, with all white and the ice cream shop hat. They have ice cream, coffees, milk shakes and the most wonderful desserts on the island, the Bubble Room cakes! This location is new, probably the last year or so it opened. You used to have to buy your desserts at the Bubble Room so to keep the crowds down, they built Boops. We always stop here to grab our desserts and then eat at the restaurant another day. The cakes are still available at the Bubble Room but only if you are eating in the restaurant. If you are not eating there, you need to come over to Boops. We also like to swing by and grab and afternoon espresso for a quick pick me up. This year we tried one of their milk shakes as well and it was so tasty. They have a few seats inside and some tables outside. It is a small location and will fill up quickly. It is really popular with the kids since their ice cream varieties are so large. I don't believe that their ice cream is made in house, but I can tell you their desserts are. This year was the first time we noticed that they also had donuts and muffins which makes it a great quick breakfast stop. I would 100% recommend stopping at Boops and checking them out. Grab a coffee or a milkshake or even some cake and ice cream! You wont be disappointed!

The Bubble Room is one of my favorite places to eat in Captiva. My family and I come every July/August. This restaurant is famous for its decor, Orange Crunch Cake and the Carolina Moons. The decor started by collecting toys from the 1930's and 40's and continued growing from there. It's always Christmas here with year round lights, many Santa's and the elf room. It was the first venue to use bright pastel colors now used all over the island. The Bubble Room has been on the island since 1979. My wife and I ordered the Carolina Moons, which is the most popular. freshly sliced potatoes that are fried. You can have cheese and bacon added or get it plain. We also ordered the S Marvelous. It's a blend of whole cream and snow crab meat, simmered with a hint of sherry. These are our favorites with out a question. Just deliciousness. They offer an entrées for vegetarians. The first one is Impossible Bubble Burger. 1/2 lb of impossible burger served on a homemade bun, with the famous bubble bread spread. Which is a garlic cheese spread. The second vegetarian entree is the Pita Fonda. The actual versions of this dish is: grilled chicken or blackened shrimp, Avocado, marinated mushrooms, cucumber slices, pepper jack cheese and bacon. Served with a creamy cucumber sauce. To make it vegetarian, request this without the bacon, shrimp and chicken. For our entrees my wife ordered the Gone Fishin. Which is a grouper fillet. Served grilled, blackened or fried. With a choice of a red pepper remoulade or tarter sauce. She ordered it grilled. That was perfectly cooked. She had both sauces on the side... I loved the remoulade better than the tarter sauce. I had the Pita Fonda with grilled chicken. It's my go to dish... It's simply the best. Getting it again in August. Truly it's that good. Desserts... my family and I have had everything. ALL taste delicious! They have Red Velvet Cake, Very Moist Chocolate Cake, French Chocolate Torte, Key-lime Pie, Butter-crunch Ice Cream Cake, Jamaican Rum Cake, New York Cheesecake, Tropical Breeze, White Christmas Cake, and the Orange Crunch Cake... which is THE most popular. This time I ordered the Jamaican Rum Cake and my wife had the New York Cheesecake. The Bubble Room is always on our list of places to eat every July/August. We look forward to this very much. The Moons, Pita Fonda and the rum cake .... Can't wait.

This is one of my favorite places to eat on Captiva. It's such an oddly decorated and extremely tacky interior and I love it! It's got a lot of character. This place has a lot of specialness to me. Over the years we went to dinner to celebrate and I always took my friends who visited. I love their bubble bread. I don't quite know what they do to it, but it's cheesy and delicious and you cannot just eat one piece. Dessert is a MUST, even if you get it to go. You do NOT want to miss out on their famous cakes! I've always been obsessed with their orange crunch cake and their red velvet cake.

Boops By The Bubble Room is the café and bakery next to The Bubble Room restaurant which offers delicious and oversized desserts. My wife and I shared two of their massive, moist cakes--Orange Crunch and Tropical Breeze. One slice is more than enough cake for two people. We couldn't finish our two slices so we saved some for later. I would gladly come back the next time I'm in Sanibel or Captiva. They have some of the best cake I've ever had.

When in Captiva, this is the place everyone will recommend you go for dessert. Don't be confused, the Bubble Room is the restaurant next door. This is the dessert shop. We tried: - Tropical Breeze Cake - Orange Crunch Cake I'm not a big fan of cake and this is definitely some of the best I've had. The orange tang flavor was pretty intense, but I loved the brown sugar crunch in the middle. The tropical breeze was light and refreshing. I loved all the fruit. Between the two, it was my preference even though I enjoyed both. One slice of cake is huge and way too much for one person. Even if you're hungry, I got tired of it after a while and opted to save it for the next day. I'd recommend sharing. If you're in Captiva and/or Sanibel, make sure to check them out!

Absolutely adorable place filled with memorabilia from the days of old. There will be a wait and the parking lot can get cramped but it is worth it. The bar and food were delightful. Everything we had food wise was delicious. Definitely worth driving over from Sanibel to Captiva, which I learned does not cost extra toll. The gift shop is cute as well. The ice cream shop, we didn't stop in because it was so crowded, but looked good.

This really is amazing. We walked across the street and checked out the bubble room Emporium before coming inside. Thousands of toys photographs memorabilia a train going by. The wait staff is wearing scout closing and masks. There are three floors, lots of nooks and crannies to peek into. Everyone was so friendly & interesting, noticing our New York accents. I ordered the million dollar mermaid salad for lunch; a Cobb salad with grilled shrimp, scallops, tuna, avocado, and vinaigrette. My husband ordered a Mae West a chicken on a bun with lettuce and tomato & blue cheese spread. We walked past the desserts on the way in and they looked incredible the tropical breeze Calle was calling my name. Portions were generous. Tables were socially distant. Our waitress came over with a tray of huge desserts that look too good to resist. Ig we shared one entree, we might have had the room

I have absolutely no idea how on Gods green earth this restaurant has gotten the rating that it has?!!!!! It. Was. Horrific. The dirtiest. Honestly, I cannot truly do it justice in words alone. One must go in and see, experience, the mystery for yourselves. The table are a shadowBox type, filled with.... things. Ours had a plastic Merry Christmas ornament, a toy car, some Monopoly money, grossness, checkers pieces, a one armed scratched up doll, some round plastic things that appeared to be glued at one point. The paper underneath the items had.... more stuff, hopefully not the flakey skin that it appeared to be but there was also staining on the paper from some sorts of liquid- here and there. The table was, likely, sealed between the glass and wood but when we attempted to clear a load or two of the debris trapped between... the fork continued through. And that was Just the table folks! | URGE you to TAKE A LOOK INSIDE BEFORE FINDING A PARKING SPOT! I wish I would have taken photos but I was embarrassed and shocked by the place I brought my family to. I am really sorry it's so negative but I stand by the review

I was here on Valentine's Day evening to get some cake to go. This was my 2nd time here, the first time we had dessert and ate inside. The decor is fun, you really want to walk around and check out the walls. We arrived at 9:10pm, they close at 9pm, however they said we could get some cake to go. All of their cakes are triple decker in height and more then enough for 2-3 people to share a piece. They have orange cake, red velvet, rum cake, chocolate with whipped cream and strawberries, and 6 other choices. We had the red velvet which was super yummy. Its chocolate cake with cream cheese filling and icing.

If you are all about unique experiences and want to be transported back in time, this is a great place to check out! Incredible cocktails - I got the "put a lime in the coconut" and I was obsessed! Very vintage decor from the 1920-1940s including bubble lights, figurines, photos, and other old knick knacks and memorabilia. After awhile here It kinda feels like you are at that elderly relative's house, you know the one that collects EVERYTHING. It is cool to see so many items in great shape after being around for so long. They have a huge menu with tons of drinks, appetizers, entrees, and large slices of cake for dessert. The servers here are called Bubble Scouts which is pretty cute. We did not eat here but everything they brought out looked pretty good. There is free parking outside the restaurant and across the street which is super nice as Captiva doesn't have much public parking so that in itself is a reason to come check it out. Definitely something you must see (at least once) if you find yourself on the island.

Fun place with goofy decor (every day is Christmas). Service was good at lunch. Food was just ok for the price tag at lunch. All entrees DO NOT come with a side. It's a la carte. I got the Bubble Room Burger and it was $19 for a decent burger with no sides. We also got an app of house made chips served with with ketchup, two kids meals, another app, and two watered down mixed drinks. The bill with tip was just a shade over $100 at lunch time.

Hands down the most unique, eccentric, unconventional restaurant/ place I have ever been to. But I say this in the most complimenting way possible! The Bubble Room was in my radar for a while because I had seen in research so many places that say if you ever come to the Sanibel and Captiva Islands this is a must stop. Now I totally get why!! Parking can be a bit of a pain so if you have a chance to walk, bike, or grab a ride definitely do that. But really, you need to come here if you can and the kids will absolutely be blown away. I can't even describe what this place is like but it's literally a giant play house in a 4-year-olds dreams- rainbows of color everywhere, all kinds of old knick-knacks, posters, dolls and the like, mini train tracks running through every room, and the famous "bubble lights", of which the Bubble Room is named after. The food I thought was okay, it was good and enjoyable but something seemed a little bit off about it, so I don't know I can't say I loved it necessarily. Their dessert menu is super impressive, and their most popular cake is the Orange Crunch. We tried it, but I wasn't real in love with it- it was cold (refrigerated) and tasted like it had sat out in a display case for awhile, so it could have been better. I liked the White Christmas cake way more. So I don't give 5 stars for the food, but just the overall experience is crazy and so unlike anything you will literally ever see and just for that fact it is a must-stop.

There are very few places that are as whimsical, unique, and just flat out fun as the Bubble Room. It's one of those memorable experiences that you'll never forget. So campy and overwhelming with lots to look at and overly friendly wait staff. The cocktails are great (got an awesome piña colada that came in a pineapple). The cakes are really something (both delicious and HUGE). Everyone enjoyed their food both times we went there (once for lunch with 10 and for dinner with 20). Great for groups! This is somewhere I wish I could return to more easily (since we don't live close this isn't possible) but definitely a place everyone should visit. I know the owners put a lot of love and thought into it and it shows!

Went here first the dessert, and it was all delicious! Loved the White Christmas cake (coconut and almonds).

I grew up going on vacation to Captiva and dinner at the Bubble Room was a tradition. As a child, it was one of my favorite restaurants because of the Christmas theme. I recently went back as an adult and it definitely was a different kind of experience. The restaurant is clean for the most part but there was a kind of stale smell in the area I sat in. Also, the decor could use some TLC and touching up in general. The waiters aka "Bubble Scouts" were nice in general. My meal was enjoyable but I don't think it was worth the steep price tag that came with it. I will say though the portion sizes were pretty good, especially the size of the cake slice I ordered to go. Overall, I think it's a cute spot if you are on vacation and want something unique to Captiva. If you are looking for something more budget friendly, I would go somewhere else.

This place is amazing. Super cute decorations. 100 year old building. Waitress was great. Not sure how they made a Turkey sandwich taste so good!!! The bread was awesome also. BLT was incredible as was the fried buffalo chicken sandwich. Famous for their bread (which is amazing) and their cake which nobody had room for!!! Lol this is a must see on the island. Worth the visit. Prices reasonable as well.

My kids love the Bubble Room! They have memorabilia, toys and lots of pictures. If you go upstairs you can see elves!

Wow cake is so good!!! The pieces are pricey but so good for the size!! I had the coconut but have also tried the orange and chocolate. The chocolate is much more intense than the other two.

The Bubble Room has just added Boop's by the Bubble Room in the building that used to be their antique shop. At Boop's (as in Betty Boop) you can buy the Bubble Room's famous cakes, other great baked goods and homemade ice cream. The ice cream is amazing. My favorite flavor is Dirty Turtle which is chocolate, pecan and caramel. You can eat inside or outside or bring home. Boop's has become a destination all its own.

It was very difficult to decipher all of the mixed reviews about the Bubble Room and make a decision ... to actually go. For us, this experience was definitely about getting to go to the Bubble Room rather than the food. It's been very difficult to explore everything Captiva has to offer with COVID19 going on. The Bubble Room is following social distancing guidelines, and the staff is wearing masks. I didn't see anything that "required" guests to wear masks. They are going the extra mile by offering ToGo as well as inside dining. Fair warning to new visitors, the parking is horrible! There were a dozen spots in front of the restaurant, and maybe ten more across the street. People were crowded in the front door at 4:30pm sharp, ready to put their name on a list for inside seating. We had no idea this was going on, so many people were seated ahead of us. Remember, social distancing means limited seating inside. As soon as 20 were seated, they were on a wait. We learned later there was so much more to see inside. We were stuck at a tiny two top, in a corner, near the front door, next to a waiter station. We really didn't experience the "Bubble Room." We ordered the Tarzan prime rib dinner ($42.00) with twice baked potatoes and sauteed vegetables. The prime rib wasn't the best we have ever had, and we didn't eat the sides (they were ok). We heard so much about their cake!! So, we moved on to the cake. First we ordered the red velvet cake. Yes it was showy, but It tasted like play dough, no lie. They offered to let us try something else. Second try was a cream cheese pineapple cake. It was ok. The waitress was really kind and sent us home with a small slice of their famous orange cake and encouraged us to try it. Fabulous picture taking experience, lol. The food simply did not match our expectations. Two stars is for our fantastic waitress who was truly a scout. She was attentive, helpful, and very kind about our dissatisfaction and really tried to make us happy. We sincerely appreciated that.

Nothing quite like this place. Food is good. Only downside is sammiches don't come with their fantastic home made chips. Dessert is fantastic! Servers (Bubble Scouts) are full of personality and truly appear to love their job!! Always manage to make it there when we come over from the east coast. Location is full of personality- so much to look at and make anyone over 30 remember things they played with at their grandparents house

Wacky and a little overwhelming. It's beautiful on the outside. The inside is covered with memorabilia. We only ordered take away cake. That was delicious and easy for takeout.

Really fun eclectic place. Lots of old movie memorabilia, vintage toys, and Christmas bubble lights. Great location on Captiva Island. We had lunch at 3. We had the prime rib sandwich and the Pita Fonda which is Blackened shrimp, fresh avocado, marinated mushrooms, cucumber slices, pepper jack cheese and bacon wrapped in a pita with creamy cucumber sauce. Heavenly! Doesn't come with sides but we had plenty of food. We got key lime pie to go. Excellent servers. They seem to love the place and enjoy serving. It was a lovely experience.

Overrated... Could it be Disney's tune town combined with Hollywood nostalgia? It's a challenge to figure out. 1. What is the theme of this restaurant? 2. What is the rationale behind it? 3. Why is it located in a Beach resort town? When you walk in the front door or see the outside of this restaurant, does anything make sense? I just don't get it. We went to this restaurant because The bubble room was recommended as The place to eat with children. The food is mediocre and clearly not a lot of value. For example the burgers don't come with french fries. I had the French dip sandwich... Mediocre! In my opinion dessert should probably be the main course or main reason you go to this restaurant. The baked goods looked intriguing, but we did not have a giant piece of cake for lunch before heading out to the beach. That just doesn't seem right. We didn't go into the gift shop, and can't even imagine what they're selling in there. Based on the ambience and style and food, there are better lunch options on Captiva. Now, who wants to go to the beach? Salute!

Sad to have to drop a star from this fantastic one of a kind restaurant but the last few times I've been, the staff has pretty much been treating this place like a clubhouse with no regard for customers ... and the world famous Bubble Bread has been below average each time. It used to be made fresh and come to the table with the top sizzling. Now, it's premade and seems to be placed under a heat lamp. It tastes as though it was made in big batches at the start of service and kept warm. The butter saturates the bread, the topping is like a cold cheese jelly and we've had upset stomachs after eating it each time. Please go back to making it fresh because when done right, it's the best garlic bread in the world. The food is not why you come here ... it's always been average to slightly above average (except for the desserts). It's about the atmosphere ... thousands of old fashioned Christmas lights. Tons of old timey memorabilia everywhere. Old 1930's music. A train going around the room with a little horn. Waiters dressed like boy scouts. There's really no other place like it. Sure there are a fair share of jerkoffs on here saying its old fashioned, dusty, musty or cluttered.These idiots need to pull the stick out of their ass and go back to their favorite restaurant, which is probably The Olive Garden. This ain't some modern, Ikea-inspired blue-lit New Jersey sushi restaurant with Kobe Beef sliders and cosmo Martinis made with Tito's Vodka. This is an old fashioned eclectic island restaurant. If you want traditional tourist bullshit, go to Doc Ford's Rum Shack at the resort next door and fuck off. The food here is okay. One can't go wrong with the gigantic Flintstone's style chop of prime rib called the Tarzan Cut. There's no reason to get the smaller Jane cut, unless you actually want to live to reach 80 or have never heard of an instagram like. Dem Bones is a Porterhouse steak in a 1970's garlic butter sauce. Not bad but always a little overcooked as it comes sizzling to the table. The fried grouper fingers sound like a children's item but I can assure you they are not. They are thick, flaky pieces of white fish fried in a tempura batter. They are a very underrated menu item and I recommend them highly. The grilled fish is also nice but we miss the famous fish in a bag. The last few times we've been here, the food was clearly being 'called in' ... aka made with no love. The chefs are going through the motions and acting like cooks and it shows. The exception being their famous cakes. You'll notice that each Bubble Scout waiter has one arm that is slightly bigger than the other. This phenomenon is no doubt thanks to the end of the meal routine where they lift a silver tray of cake slices for the table to see. All the Bubble Room's famous cakes are on there. The slices must weigh over a pound each, they are so large. Orange Crunch Cake is their famous dessert. Many folks actually order it and have it shipped as a wedding cake. The cheesecake is also fantastic loaded with fruit on top and creamy ... not crumbly as the menu states as NY Cheesecake. The white coconut cake and red velvet cake are also amazing. Sadly, I haven't tried the others. Our waiter (from Michigan, I think?) was fantastic. While the front of house staff treated us like annoying mosquitos flying past them, our waiter was friendly, funny and it was clear that he loved working at The Bubble Room. He shared history with us, gave us great menu recommendations and was always there when we needed refills, etc. Overall, if not for the yucky reheated bubble bread, it would be hard not to give a 5 star review. Hopefully this place continues to be an oasis of quirky, fun dining for many years without changing. Maybe just motivate the kitchen staff to up their game a bit.

The Bubble Room was a childhood staple, luring us back Summer after Summer to eat in the whimsical cottage whilst scanning for new decor added since our last visits. The ever service minded "Bubble Scouts" were always engaged with the table and made it their mission for the table to have a good time, and for us to leave with full bellies and happy hearts. It's been a good number of years since I've eaten at the Bubble Room, and after our visit today, it's clear that it's just not what it used to be. We drove quite out of the way to eat lunch on our way to South FL. Imagine our distress to find that the "world favorite" Bubble Bread was not offered at lunch. Now truth be told, I was able to duplicate the recipe to near perfection a few years ago, all from memories over 20 years old. But I was genuinely sad that it wasn't available after such a long re-route of our itinerary. Our broken hearts evident, Matthew really did his very best to save the day by offering to have them attempt a "Bubble bread" out of a burger bun adorned with their signature Bubble topping. Matthew gets a 100% A++ Gold Star Scout Badge for trying to accommodate our desire for a slice of that famous, crusty, gooey delight. While his efforts went above and beyond even good business standards, the bread just wasn't the same and it wasn't fully melty and warm. It left me a bit sad. We were rushed to get to South FL, so we ordered easy menu items. They were a bit lackluster and maybe it was an off day, but it has slipped since my last visit. We skipped dessert, and that may have saved the rating Had we stayed, but we were just full. Bottom line, the nostalgic atmosphere remains. It was a lovely walk down memory lane, the service was above average. I mean Matthew was the hero in this story!! Overall, I currently rate it 3 where I recalled it as a solid 5 year after year. Go for dinner. Far more options available and definitely leave room for dessert. The Bubble Room has been around since 1979 but it can use a refresher in the kitchen and a return to the higher standards I remember. If you are on vacation, I'd still suggest it, but don't go out of the way. Matthew, thank you so very much for making it the best lunch under the circumstances. You served your scout duties with honor and integrity.

The Bubble Room is legendary on Captiva. Whenever you talk with someone about visiting they will most likely mention it. It is a very interesting place with lots to look at. On busy nights you could have a very long wait to get in. Tonight was not one of those nights and we were sat pretty quickly. So many things to see in this place it is really too much to try and note here. It is one of those places you just have to see for yourself. Now as far as the food, just ok. It is not much to write home about. We had a Tbone that was meh. Thin cut and a little over cooked. Some bubble bread that was ok. The crab soup was pretty delicious though! I also had puttin on the ritz which was a caprese chicken type dish with mozzarella and balsamic glaze. This was pretty good and cooked fine. We finished with a huge slice of orange cake. This was pretty good and took us a few days to finish. The drinks were a little sweet and the wine ok. Overall do not go expecting fine cuisine but do go to enjoy the atmosphere, nibble on some food and enjoy a few drinks.

Had to take a look at this place given the odd exterior and I have to say the owner(s) are definitely eccentric! We opted to try some of their cocktails which were amazingly good and then walked around the maze of a restaurant (which is encouraged) to take in the vast amount of famous photos and years gone by decor that plasters the walls. Besides taking in an appetizer, the dippety dooda which was eehh, we did not eat here. The food did not look good and those we talked to confirmed that it was not recommended. Stay with the cocktails.

I have no idea if you can even go there now due to Hurricane Ian. This review was originally posted in July of this year, but Yelp HQ took my last review down even though I violated NONE of their inappropriate content guidelines. I cleaned it up a skosh - let's see if this one sticks. If I had to describe this restaurant to someone, I would call it "a hot, sweaty, chaotic event in a fire-trap building with good food, nice servers ('Bubble Scouts') and a not-so-nice hostess." The previous time I was in the area was 2002 for my sister's wedding. The night of the bachelor party, the ladies went to the Bubble Room. I've never been one for strip clubs, so I dipped early, went to the Bubble Room, and loved it. A generation later, it's still there, just more crowded. If you have a reservation, make sure you leave out the members of your party that show up late, because they will threaten to give your table away no matter the situation. My wife had been planning my 50th birthday party there. Over a 3-month period, she had 6 separate conversations to plan for a 5pm dinner on July 6. When we got there, the hostess said they don't seat partial parties, and if everyone wasn't there by 5:10pm, they were giving away our tables. Let me get this straight - this birthday party my wife had been planning for months, you were going to muck it all up if one person came in after 5:10? I had heard restaurants say things like that before, but never have I seen a restaurant nearly ruin a milestone birthday that was planned for 3+ months over some bulls__t 10-minute rule that was compounded by their own nightmarish parking situation. The last thing I needed on my vacation for my 50th birthday was this kind of anxiety. It was pretty intolerable that we had to promise to order for everyone who wasn't there in order to keep our table. Better than having our table given away, but it was still quite infuriating. Anyway, 5 people in our party cancelled the day before due to COVID, so we no longer had our own room. We were herded into that room at the top of the first flight of stairs just to the right and forced to sit in 2 separate tables (yay!) which I can't really blame them for. We went from 20 guests to 15, so I see why we couldn't have our own room. That said, can you say FIRE HAZARD? It was hot, sweaty, and wall-to-wall people and all I could think of was, "If there's a fire up in this bitch, we're screwed!" I couldn't even go to the bathroom without being in intimate physical proximity to a minimum of 20 strangers. I do. not. like. crowded. places. In terms of the food, we enjoyed everything we ate. Bubble bread and sticky buns are delicious and unique. For preprandial libations, I had both the Captiva Cooler and the "If You Like Piña Coladas." While the former was okay, the scene stealer was that piña colada, serviced in a cored pineapple and delicious. For dinner, I had Charlie Chaplin's Chops, each with a different one of their signature sauces. I love fruity things, so I expected to like the bourbon mango sauce better, but no, the winner was the mushroom merlot sauce and it wasn't even close. My son raved about his "Marilyn's Mignon" cooked perfectly medium. The birthday cake was their coconut cake - it was just okay. I know the Orange Crunch is the cake to get, but I detest cream cheese icing. However, my wife picked some up to go the next day and if you eat the icing in a thinly layered small quantity it's actually quite delightful and you barely notice it's cream cheese icing (take a heaping mouthful of the stuff, however, and it will be painfully or delightfully obvious, depending upon your tastes.) Overall the food was good, it was the rest of the experience that wasn't up to snuff. If I had to do it over again, I would NOT have a 50th birthday party there, I would save that for Doc Fords down the road. If you want to have a 5-star experience there, I offer the following advice: 1) Leave your car at the resort. There is a snail cart that goes up and down Captiva Drive and will take you from your resort anywhere on Captiva you wanna go. Not sure if it goes to Sanibel, but find somewhere on Captiva to put your car and then take the snail cart. Parking is an absolute clusterf#$k at the Bubble Room even with two separate lots, both of which they own. 2) If you have a reservation, get there early. 3) Plan to eat early. The later you go, the longer the wait, the worse the parking, the more acrid the air, the sweatier the clientele, the more people hanging around the bar, the more crowded the premises, and therefore, the bigger the fire hazard. 4) Be nice to the Bubble Scouts and tip them well. We only had to experience the chaos in one evening - they have to work in it. 5) Take in the decor, and take lots of pictures. It is a unique experience which I would have rated more highly if not for the issues with the milestone birthday that they nearly ruined.

This is the small building in the parking lot of the Bubble Room. They serve all the famous cakes that the Bubble Room serves, as well as muffins, pastries Nd ice cream. I got a double scoop cup of mint chocolate chip which was delicious. You can sit inside or out. They are open at 8:30 am every day.

Utterly over hyped. The red velvet cake was dry and sub par as far as cake goes. Chaotic line. They over-filled my friends soft serve cone and others way too high that it toppled over onto her shirt as they handed it to her. The prices are jacked up to compensate for all the ice cream that lands on the floor or people for over filled cones. Nothing to see or taste here folks, move along.

My cousin and I went here because it was recommended and had no idea what to expect other than they had great cake. And I actually didn't check them out on yelp first!!!! In my opinion, the perfect word for this place is "kitschy ". Very colorful from the start, with a Merry Christmas sign outside. The walls are covered with various items, including bubble lights which we were told gave the place its name. The tables are (?) lucite shadow boxes filled with fun stuff. I should have taken photos of the building's interior and exterior, but there was lots to see!! The servers are called Bubble Scouts and wear Boy Scout like uniforms with assorted embroidered patches to what I assume is their choosing. Ours had various characters from the early 2000's ( Power Puff Girls, Blues Clues, Rugrats). She gave us a brief history of the restaurant and then we proceeded to order. Drinks and food were all quite good! My Put the Lime in the Coconut drink was smooth, tasty and I enjoyed the graham cracker rim although there could have been a bit more graham to it. My salad was delicious!: the chicken was moist and perfectly grilled. There were walnuts, blue cheese, fresh apples and mango pieces, although the latter was scant. Raspberry vinaigrette was a bit heavy on the balsamic side (which I thought it was at first; I was told to stir it ). I did not taste my cousin's grouper sandwich but he said he was surprised at how perfectly cooked and delicious it was: " very light and flaky". The servers go around with a cake tray as pictured, and the Jamaican rum cake sounded great, but not for this patron: mostly chocolate ( not a fan). The cheesecake looked incredible with lots of fresh fruit on it, but my heart always belongs to coconut cake! A huge slice was brought out with a candle and the wait staff came over to sing for my cousin ( the birthday boy). It was very good, but could have had a touch more moisture and coconut cream filling. We wandered around a little bit , admiring the old Hollywood signed head shots and movie photos and various vintage items throughout. I would definitely come back again.

We had to try this landmark restaurant. It's like going to your grandma's house that hoards trinkets. We only wanted the cake and they told us to go next door to the dessert shop....We wanted the bubble room experience. So we ordered a burger, two pieces of cake, and a Pina colada. All of the Yelp reviews are correct because the desserts are delicious, but the food is sub par. The rum cake was my favorite and the drink was fun. This is a great place to bring kids because my daughter loved all of the trinkets. As far as food goes, Grandma dots key lime pie was better in my opinion. Happy to try this landmark restaurant, but no desire to go back.

So Much Kitsch! Before going to Ft. Meyers, I asked friends on FB where I should visit. Overwhelmingly, they mentioned The Bubble Room. Ok, I figured it was a place to see, so I told my niece, she looked the place up and thought it was cute, so we decided it was a GO. We made it our destination for our 2nd night in town. On line, we didn't see that they were open for lunch, but that they opened at 4:30 for dinner, so we made plans to leave and get there right at opening, given that they're at the end of Captiva Island, and we were at the peak of Spring Break, we left an hour for travel time. Much of it was just traffic on the island. We arrived, and the lunch crowd was still there, but the clock turned 4:30. We grabbed one of the last parking spots in the actual lot. Be aware that this ISN'T a paved lot, but rather one that is made of sandstone and full of ruts and holes. When it rains, it's filled with puddles. It's not the best kind of lot for this popular of an attraction. Having secured parking, we made our way inside and were seated immediately. We were seated in the - what I can only assume is the -Captain Nemo dining room. I loved the decor, the stained glass, the replica submarine and the fish tanks really set the tone. Our Bubble Scout, Brit was really wonderful, he gave us a brief history and just had a great personality. We both got soft drinks and placed an order for their option that got you an Appetizer and all the extras you get with the meal, including bubble bread, a cinnamon roll, salad and dessert. Good lord is it a lot of food. To me, the bubble bread tasted a lot like Elotè, Mexican street corn. Their house salad was dressed very tastily and the cinnamon roll was yummy (I ate it later at home). I opted for their French Onion Soup as my main, and My niece opted for their version of Saganaki or flaming cheese, which was quite yummy. Their desserts though, those are the real winners. I got the Chocolate Torte and she got the cheese cake. The pieces are huge, and the chocolate torte was AMAZING. I've never had a better piece of chcoclate. Not too sweet, the whipped cream icing and strawberries were perfection. I would most deffinately go back

Where is it Christmas 365 days a year? The Bubble Room of course! Part antique toy museum, part Golden Age of Hollywood photograph collection, part restaurant, and 100 percent unique. You have never dined anywhere like the Bubble Room before. There is a reason the Bubble Room makes so many lists of the most famous restaurants in Florida. The Bubble room is located on one of Florida's greatest gems, the gorgeous Captiva island. It's all the way down on the north end of the island but the drive is a beautiful one. The Bubble Room was created in 1979 by artist Katie Farqhuarsons also known as Katie Gardenia in the family home. Katie ran the restaurant along with her husband. The Bubble Room started out as a few tables in a front room. Soon antique toys from the 1930's and 1940's began making an appearance in the décor of the room. Many of the original items can still be found in the restaurant today along with the addition of a train that runs on all three floors. Movie stars began to visit the restaurant and their photographs were added to the walls. Now the photos cover all of the walls and ceilings. The front room of the home was decorated for Christmas and the theme of the restaurant became "its always Christmas at the Bubble Room." Be sure to visit the Elf Room as you take in the year round Christmas lights including the bubble lights adorning the walls and chandeliers which gave the restaurant its name. The glass topped tables have even more Christmas decorations in them. In 1989 the restaurant was sold to Stephen Peach who has continued to add even more toys and Christmas decorations. The Farqhuarson tried to franchise the Bubble Room to Maitland and Orlando in the 80's but both restaurants eventually failed. Thankfully the original Bubble Room survived and you can still take in all of the fantastic whimsy as a soundtrack of music from the 1920's,1930's and 1940's plays in the background. The Bubble Room is credited as the first building on the island to use the pastel color palate now favored by many buildings today. Some of the Farqhuarson original recipes still remain on the menu like the flaming Socra cheese, Bubble Bread, and many of the desserts. The most famous of which is the Orange Crunch Cake. Back in the day Katie used to bake the desserts at home and bring them to the restaurant by boat. All of the menu items are named after classic movies and Hollywood stars. I came to the Bubble Room at 5 and didn't have any problem parking or getting a table. I was thrilled to be seated on the second floor next to the diver who looks right out of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. For my meal I decided on the Tiny Bubble ($25.95). It included the famous bubble bread and cinnamon roll, a salad, your choice of appetizer, and a dessert. Instead of waiters and waitresses you have Bubble Scouts who wear scout uniforms. My Bubble Scout was Carrie. First out was the Bubble Bread and cinnamon roll. Now I know what everyone has been raving about because it is delicious. I think I detected blue cheese and Parmesan. I found a copycat recipe on line that I want to try. The cinnamon roll was really good to. For the salad you can have Greek or House sand I picked the House Salad. It was fine, mixed greens with tomatoes and peppers topped with Parmesan cheese and a side of a vinaigrette dressing. For my appetizer I chose the Crab it While You Can, two crab cakes on a lobster sauce served with a mint mango coleslaw. The crab cakes were lump crab and the lobster sauce was kind of tasteless. When you are ready for dessert they bring out a board of all the different kinds of cake slices. I was going to order the Orange Crunch Cake but when I saw the coconut Christmas Cake I changed my mind. The slice they give you is enough for four people. After reading some of the reviews about the cake I was bracing myself for the worst but it was really good. Actually I enjoyed everything I ate. I am still curious about the Orange Crunch cake. If I don't make it back to Captiva Im going to try and make one of the recipes that claims to be Katie's that I found online. At one point Katie had published a Bubble Room cookboo After dinner I had so much fun exploring the five dining rooms over three floors. I don't know if the Bubble Room is everyone's cup of tea but I loved it. I am so glad I finally went and experienced it. After dinner you can check out even more unique items at the Bubble Room Emporium across the street. If you make it all the way to Captiva I think you need to visit the Bubble Room at least once during your trip.

Everyone said we had to come here when in Captiva. We came ... I don't know if the decor grossed me out or what, but I found the food to be overly sweet, expensive, and way too gratuitous. A lot of people like that tho! To each their own. My husband got a mahi dish that he seemed to like, again portions were way too big. I ordered an Asian salmon dish that came with 3 coconut shrimp, a large filet of salmon and a very large portion of fried rice that may have well been infused with cotton candy it was so sweet. The meal starts with cheesy bubble bread and sticky buns that the restaurant is known for. They were ok. After the meal we were presented with about a dozen cake and pie options for dessert. I heard the cake was truly the standout of the bubble room so we ordered a slice of the orange crunch. I will say, the cake was tasty! The cake itself was moist and the brown sugar crunch was delightful - but after eating everything else it's hard to enjoy it fully! The charm of the restaurant - 3 floors filled floor to ceiling with antiques, Hollywood memorabilia and it's Christmas everyday. The carpet could use some sprucing and the tables some updating. The restaurant was full though - so what do I know My opinion ... skip dinner, go for dessert and a cocktail!

Restaurant is more like a museum of old time pictures and toys scattered around. Not much space between tables and a bit pricey. Hubby and I shared the prime beef sandwich which was very good but not very big. We also ordered French onion soup which was tasty. The best part of the meal was the orange cake. It was gigantic ( and so was the price) but very delicious! If we ever go back, it would be for dessert!

If you like nostalgia you must come here to see all the oldie but goody stuff they have all over the place. If you love fantastic desserts it's 5 star! If you are coming in for the food I can't be certain but I would think it's hit or miss. However, it's definitely worth checking out. You can wander the 3 floors ( with your mask) and check out all the Bubble lights and other memorabilia from a Christmas room to trains to old Mickey Mouse stuff. I started wth the tiki cooler drink which was very refreshing. My friend ordered the Shrimp ceasar salad and my boyfriend and I split the cheeseburger. The burger is mediocre and the stuff on the bun makes it difficult to eat. We didn't realize it but it did not come with fries or any side. Oh well that gave us more room for dessert. A friend of mine told me I had to get the Orange Crunch Cake which is so out of my wheelhouse but it was so divine. My boyfriend got the butterscotch pie which is ice cream based on a scrumptious oreo crust. The key lime pie also looked incredible. Come in and grab some desserts. Your funny week thank you. Be sure to visit the Store across the street.

This spot was highly recommended by friends and we stopped by for dessert and we were not disappointed. While the menu has many options, we grabbed dessert and sat outside and enjoyed our two selections. You can pay at the counter, super easy. They close between lunch and dinner. We got there about 30 minutes from closing and it all worked out. I recommend you give them a try. Enjoy!

Outside the place place looks great. Inside is a lot of fun. Friendly wait staff and had a great bartender while we waited for our table. Our reservations were at 5pm as we didn't want to come for the Dinner rush. Cocktails were also very good! They sat the 8 of us at a nice table. The table ordered a variety of fish entrees. Fresh Grouper, Mahi Mahi, Snapper and so on. A couple of people at our table had been there once before. We hadn't seen them in a while and it was nice they were there. My Husband and I pretty much picked the Bubble Room for everyone thinking we couldn't lose. Well we did lose. Not just one of our entrees we're not very good. All of us had the same experience. All the fish was way over cooked and dry. All the entrees we're just above room temp. I have worked in restaurants for many years. One reason for something like this is that the food is plated before it's actually ordered. Some high turn over restaurants do this. I don't know if that is what happened here. But our fish definitely had all the signs that it sat for a long time before getting to our table. Maybe under a heat lamp. I grew up in South Florida. Fishing and ocean life in general was/is my life. I love Sanibel and Captiva and have stayed on Captiva more times than I can count. I honestly have never had a meal this bad on the Island. The servers? Great! The Cocktails? Great! The Desserts? Fantastic! But the entrees were not good. We made the best of it because that is what my family does. And putting the quality of the food on the servers, in my opinion, is not fair. We enjoyed the atmosphere and the energy of the wait staff and bartender. When we got outside those that had been to the Bubble Room before told us they had the same experience their first time at the Bubble Room. They hoped that the second chance would change their minds and did not want to put a negative spin on our pick of The Bubble Room. Go there and have some Drinks! And take home an awesome dessert:)

A friend of ours recommended this place when she heard we were traveling to Sanibel-Captiva Island for the weekend.This is a very unique restaurant.In fact, everyday is Christmas here! I had heard wonderful things about the desserts so I ordered on the lighter side and got a Caribbean Chicken Salad.It was pretty large and had plenty of chicken. My little one had the fried chicken tenders from the kids menu.I had a bite or two and the breading had a nice light taste to it. My husband had the blackened Mahi which came with beans and rice.He said it was very good. Now for the dessert: Oh my goodness! I did not know what to do with myself when they came with the dessert platter that had 8 different desserts on it.They even had more that weren't on the tray.We ordered the orange crunch cake that had orange frosting on yellow cake, brown sugar and sliced almonds.We also got a piece of the buttercrunch ice cream pie which was vanilla ice cream with butterfinger "bits," inch thick Oreo crust, chocolate butter brickle sauce, whipped cream and a strawberry on top.Holy moly! Both desserts were absolutely delicious! The dessert alone is worth coming to this place every time you are in the area. The staff was super spunky and even gave a bit of a history lesson on the place. There are bubble lights galore, trains, memorabilia from throughout the ages...you name it! This is such a fun place and I can't wait to go back.I might have to buy a whole orange crunch cake to take home next time.

I wanted to love this place, but it is definitely too touristy. I like to go where the locals go, this is not that kind of place. On a positive, the drinks were delicious. They were pricey but what can you expect from a place like this. I wish they had happy hour. The bartender was swamped, being the only bartender for the whole restaurant. He made delicious drinks but was so backed up so service was slower than we had hoped. Also, I really wanted to try their signature pink flamingo and they couldn't make it the night we went. We didn't eat dinner there, only went for drinks, it seemed a bit pricey for what looked like mediocre quality.