Mudbugs Cajun Kitchen
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We had a nice lunch at this new to us New Orleans style restaurant. There's patio seating, downstairs seating, and upstairs seating. You can see the NOLA theme throughout with iron railings and decorations and the menu. We had good service. She told us that they are known for their oysters. We ordered a dozen chargrilled oysters. They had Parmesan and garlic butter on them. They were wonderful. We also had an appetizer of fried green tomatoes. They came with a horse radish sauce. They were okay. I prefer a flour coating vs cracker meal. After those two items, we had a half order of dessert beignets. Served hot with a lot of powdered sugar, these were delicious. We look forward to trying more of their menu.
19 March 2026 My friend and I went to Mudbugs Cajun Kitchen for dinner. Naturally the place is crowded, and LOUD ! ( snowbirds) Interesting decor. NOLA themed food , Cajun style , spicy. I had the crab cakes ( spicy ) My friend had the Grouper. This place is packed. A line outside waiting to get into the joint. Good thing we arrived early. No waiting and plenty of room in the free parking lot. As we left we noticed the parking lot was full. The restaurant has a wrap around balcony with outside seating on the second floor with outside patio dinning , also wrap around. This place is all filled up. Yup , come early if you don't want to wait for a table. The food is good. The place is nice. The customers are mostly seasoned citizens. Our server , Isabella , was attentive , polite and friendly. She explained everything on the menu including the special of the day. We might just make a return trip here. But ... we will come early !!
Definitely one of the best piña colada's I've ever had it was creamy and sweet without overdoing it. This is a large, open two floored space was an indoor outdoor bar upstairs and with outdoor seating. The service was attentive and spectacular. Had my first boudin balls experience. They were perfectly fried and moist in the center. Shared the blackened shrimp platter plate. The shrimp were well seasoned and tender. Got sides of the dirty rice, jambalaya and Maque Choux while good were not my absolute favorite. When return here again to try more menu items and get the pina colada again.
I phoned first and asked if they allowed dogs and was pleasantly told we'd be welcome in the outdoor "dog park" area. Great little spot! We started with Crab & Corn Bisque, delicious! Then on to Peel and Eat shrimp boil which was amazing. Plenty of shrimp, some as large as six inches long. We really didn't have room for dessert, but a lady at a table next to us suggested the beignets. Hot and tasty with raspberry sauce, caramel, and chocolate. This is a restaurant I would love to keep coming back to until I tried everything on the menu. It all sounded so good.
The Shrimp Boil was loaded with Shrimp and was served up with potatoes, corn on the cob, and potatoes....and I devoured all two pounds (Take that Man vs Food!)...I definitely need to get lessons on the correct method to use on peel & eat shrimps though! Terri ordered the Blackened Chicken Salad and said it was just spiced to her liking! The Sanibel Breeze and The MudBugs Mojito were nice finishing touches. Bryan, our server was fantastic and gave me some tips on dealing with the Peel&EatShrimp method...but as I said it needs a little work yet. The New Orleans decor was perfect and the live music from upstairs wasn't too loud and so added to the lively atmosphere.
Very busy Not an overloaded menu, but good choices Lots of specials (including happy hour deals) Live music Pricing is a little steep but the food is quite decent I loved the Fried Green Tomatoes BLT
Went here for dinner, and the parking lot was packed but there was plenty of seating inside and outside. We were seated upstairs, right between the musician (was good but so loud we couldn't hear each other or the server) and the restroom (one person unisex so anyone waiting was staring at us) They have a happy hour menu with drink specials and appetizer desks 3-6. Our server was Daniel who took a bit to come to the table initially, snd forgot to bring our drinks and we had to ask him for them as the appetizer was already half gone , but he did a good job otherwise. We got the fried pickle fries that were great. I had the grilled shrimp platter with mashed red garlic potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Everything was delicious but the vegetables were cold. Portions were good sized and prices were Island reasonable. Will add this to our rotation list for when we're here.
Tried for our Easter dinner spot. We started with some fried pickles as an appetizer, very good. I went with the fried catfish po boy sandwich. Also ordered a side of fries. Both the sandwich and the fries were huge. My wife went with a shrimp boil. Comes with corn on the Cobb, potatoes, and large shrimp. My wife said it was delicious and so was mine. Orders came out real fast and hot. We sat on the second story balcony. Great ambiance. Guy was playing guitar and singing classic songs. Will be back again.
4.5/5. Food 5/5. Service 5/5. Ambiance. Authentic New Orleans decor. Super fun with Mardi Gras beads included. We stopped to sample a few small bites and were not disappointed. We ordered the charbroiled oysters and were so good, we ate up before I could snap a photo. Perfectly cooked. The shrimp 'oh-my,fries a margarita and an orange cream cider in the can. I definitely recommend and wish there was more space in my tummy to try more.
Beyond thrilled to see Mudbugs survived through the series of hurricanes from 2022. Ron and his team are a huge part of the community and a staple of Sanibel Island. We always enjoy the live music when we come here. From the overstuffed Po Boy sandwiches to char grilled oysters...everything is top notch! The gumbo and jambalaya are also generously portioned. With just the right amount of spice, it pairs well with a mudbug mojito. When you stop in here, make sure you tell Ron that the Harbuck family sent ya!
Unless you are really into Cajun food, the food options are limited. Went with small group that really like Cajun food so they enjoyed it. I will admit the ambiance is really cool. I had the chicken something and it was bland and rubbery. I did try the blackened gator and had to spit it into a napkin. It was like chewing on a small rubber ball. But the others enjoyed it to cheers to them. The service was nice and we were well attended to during our time there.
The service is a strong 5 STARS! In fact, it's the best thing about this place--good service and good, strong drinks. The food was OK. Here's the good: fried gator, blackened mahi mahi, grouper fish. Here's the not so good: steak bites were so salty, it was inedible. The jambalaya was dry, powdery and mealy...like rice that's been overcooked and reheated too many times. I was really disappointed with this dish. Jambalaya is a staple for any cajun restaurant, and this one really missed the mark. We also had blackened grouper, it was OK- rather plain and meh. Would we come back? Sure, for drinks and snacks. The vibe was good. I just really wished the food was better.
Round 2! Stopped by for brunch on a beautiful Sunday morning and grabbed a seat on the patio. Though you can make reservations for security, walk ins are also acceptable. We've only sat inside, but because it was such a beautiful day, we sat on the patio. The outdoor space is spacious and seating is on a wooden deck. Unfortunately, since the outdoor dining space is in the back of the building, it's located near a dumpster, so it can ruin the mood when people toss out their trash. My partner and I ordered the Caesar Salad, the Crab Cakes, their signature dish, the Taterfish, and finished with a Crème Brûlée. The standout by far were the Caesar Salad and the Creme Brûlée. What made the Caesar Salad unique was how perfectly tossed the salad and dressing ratio were and the micro-shaved parmesan elevated every bite. The Crab Cakes were a bit too fishy for me and left an odd aftertaste.
14 days ago
2 months ago
What a cool place. We spent the morning on captiva beach and spotted this place coming. We had an amazing lunch for $60. The bartender was great. Service was fast read more
My wife found this place on Sanibel Island which features Grilled Oysters...our destination lunch stop for today. They have rebuilt and come come back from a devastating hurricane. Our server showed us how high up on the wall the water had risen during the storm. The place has a welcoming New Orleans decor and vibe. Lots of specialty cocktails, including the infamous Sazerac. (We visited the Sazerac Museum when we were last in New Orleans) I chose a draft Stella to go with our meal. We looked over the menu, and yes the Cajun Grilled Oysters were our choice. We shared a dozen along with an order of fried Green Tomatoes. The oysters were delicious. The tomatoes had a heavy breading. We finished off our lunch with a half order of Beignets which were spot on delicious! Deserves repeated visits for sure! read more
We had a nice lunch at this new to us New Orleans style restaurant. There's patio seating, downstairs seating, and upstairs seating. You can see the NOLA theme throughout with iron railings and decorations and the menu. We had good service. She told us that they are known for their oysters. We ordered a dozen chargrilled oysters. They had Parmesan and garlic butter on them. They were wonderful. We also had an appetizer of fried green tomatoes. They came with a horse radish sauce. They were okay. I prefer a flour coating vs cracker meal. After those two items, we had a half order of dessert beignets. Served hot with a lot of powdered sugar, these were delicious. We look forward to trying more of their menu. read more
6 months ago
19 March 2026 My friend and I went to Mudbugs Cajun Kitchen for dinner. Naturally the place is crowded, and LOUD ! ( snowbirds) Interesting decor. NOLA themed food , Cajun style , spicy. I had the crab cakes ( spicy ) My friend had the Grouper. This place is packed. A line outside waiting to get into the joint. Good thing we arrived early. No waiting and plenty of room in the free parking lot. As we left we noticed the parking lot was full. The restaurant has a wrap around balcony with outside seating on the second floor with outside patio dinning , also wrap around. This place is all filled up. Yup , come early if you don't want to wait for a table. The food is good. The place is nice. The customers are mostly seasoned citizens. Our server , Isabella , was attentive , polite and friendly. She explained everything on the menu including the special of the day. We might just make a return trip here. But ... we will come early !! read more
3 months ago
Definitely one of the best piña colada's I've ever had it was creamy and sweet without overdoing it. This is a large, open two floored space was an indoor outdoor bar upstairs and with outdoor seating. The service was attentive and spectacular. Had my first boudin balls experience. They were perfectly fried and moist in the center. Shared the blackened shrimp platter plate. The shrimp were well seasoned and tender. Got sides of the dirty rice, jambalaya and Maque Choux while good were not my absolute favorite. When return here again to try more menu items and get the pina colada again. read more
I phoned first and asked if they allowed dogs and was pleasantly told we'd be welcome in the outdoor "dog park" area. Great little spot! We started with Crab & Corn Bisque, delicious! Then on to Peel and Eat shrimp boil which was amazing. Plenty of shrimp, some as large as six inches long. We really didn't have room for dessert, but a lady at a table next to us suggested the beignets. Hot and tasty with raspberry sauce, caramel, and chocolate. This is a restaurant I would love to keep coming back to until I tried everything on the menu. It all sounded so good. read more
The Shrimp Boil was loaded with Shrimp and was served up with potatoes, corn on the cob, and potatoes....and I devoured all two pounds (Take that Man vs Food!)...I definitely need to get lessons on the correct method to use on peel & eat shrimps though! Terri ordered the Blackened Chicken Salad and said it was just spiced to her liking! The Sanibel Breeze and The MudBugs Mojito were nice finishing touches. Bryan, our server was fantastic and gave me some tips on dealing with the Peel&EatShrimp method...but as I said it needs a little work yet. The New Orleans decor was perfect and the live music from upstairs wasn't too loud and so added to the lively atmosphere. read more
Went here for dinner, and the parking lot was packed but there was plenty of seating inside and outside. We were seated upstairs, right between the musician (was good but so loud we couldn't hear each other or the server) and the restroom (one person unisex so anyone waiting was staring at us) They have a happy hour menu with drink specials and appetizer desks 3-6. Our server was Daniel who took a bit to come to the table initially, snd forgot to bring our drinks and we had to ask him for them as the appetizer was already half gone , but he did a good job otherwise. We got the fried pickle fries that were great. I had the grilled shrimp platter with mashed red garlic potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Everything was delicious but the vegetables were cold. Portions were good sized and prices were Island reasonable. Will add this to our rotation list for when we're here. read more
Tried for our Easter dinner spot. We started with some fried pickles as an appetizer, very good. I went with the fried catfish po boy sandwich. Also ordered a side of fries. Both the sandwich and the fries were huge. My wife went with a shrimp boil. Comes with corn on the Cobb, potatoes, and large shrimp. My wife said it was delicious and so was mine. Orders came out real fast and hot. We sat on the second story balcony. Great ambiance. Guy was playing guitar and singing classic songs. Will be back again. read more
4.5/5. Food 5/5. Service 5/5. Ambiance. Authentic New Orleans decor. Super fun with Mardi Gras beads included. We stopped to sample a few small bites and were not disappointed. We ordered the charbroiled oysters and were so good, we ate up before I could snap a photo. Perfectly cooked. The shrimp 'oh-my,fries a margarita and an orange cream cider in the can. I definitely recommend and wish there was more space in my tummy to try more. read more
21 days ago
1 year ago
Beyond thrilled to see Mudbugs survived through the series of hurricanes from 2022. Ron and his team are a huge part of the community and a staple of Sanibel Island. We always enjoy the live music when we come here. From the overstuffed Po Boy sandwiches to char grilled oysters...everything is top notch! The gumbo and jambalaya are also generously portioned. With just the right amount of spice, it pairs well with a mudbug mojito. When you stop in here, make sure you tell Ron that the Harbuck family sent ya! read more
Unless you are really into Cajun food, the food options are limited. Went with small group that really like Cajun food so they enjoyed it. I will admit the ambiance is really cool. I had the chicken something and it was bland and rubbery. I did try the blackened gator and had to spit it into a napkin. It was like chewing on a small rubber ball. But the others enjoyed it to cheers to them. The service was nice and we were well attended to during our time there. read more
The service is a strong 5 STARS! In fact, it's the best thing about this place--good service and good, strong drinks. The food was OK. Here's the good: fried gator, blackened mahi mahi, grouper fish. Here's the not so good: steak bites were so salty, it was inedible. The jambalaya was dry, powdery and mealy...like rice that's been overcooked and reheated too many times. I was really disappointed with this dish. Jambalaya is a staple for any cajun restaurant, and this one really missed the mark. We also had blackened grouper, it was OK- rather plain and meh. Would we come back? Sure, for drinks and snacks. The vibe was good. I just really wished the food was better. read more
1 year ago
Round 2! Stopped by for brunch on a beautiful Sunday morning and grabbed a seat on the patio. Though you can make reservations for security, walk ins are also acceptable. We've only sat inside, but because it was such a beautiful day, we sat on the patio. The outdoor space is spacious and seating is on a wooden deck. Unfortunately, since the outdoor dining space is in the back of the building, it's located near a dumpster, so it can ruin the mood when people toss out their trash. My partner and I ordered the Caesar Salad, the Crab Cakes, their signature dish, the Taterfish, and finished with a Crème Brûlée. The standout by far were the Caesar Salad and the Creme Brûlée. What made the Caesar Salad unique was how perfectly tossed the salad and dressing ratio were and the micro-shaved parmesan elevated every bite. The Crab Cakes were a bit too fishy for me and left an odd aftertaste. read more
9 months ago
Great experience! We visited Sanibel for a quick weekend, stayed down street at Sanibel Hotel. Easy to find on main road, plenty of parking! Nice menu. Lots of choices. It's not Nawlins but close! Everything was fresh, cooked well. Stuffed signature was great! Good cocktsil menu too! Bloody Mary was excellent! Got it topped with everything! Get the Beniets to go! The sauces on side. Partner devoured those fluffy pillow dessert in our room! read more
If you're looking for a "NOLA" experience in Sanibel, FL MUDBUGS Cajun Kitchen is the place to go! My wife, myself and friends dined here one evening at the recommendation of our friend's daughter, while we were attending a work conference for my wife. From the moment we walked in, we were transported straight to the heart of the New Orleans French Quarter! The theme and atmosphere were spot-on, making it a truly immersive dining experience. From Mardi Gras bed hanging from balcony rails, to memorabilia, street signs and Fleur-de-Lis throughout! The energy in the restaurant was incredible, and the live music was the perfect backdrop for our meal. It added such an authentic, lively touch that really elevated the whole night. If you're looking for dinner and a show, this is the place to be! The food was just as impressive as the ambiance. Everything our party ordered looked and smelled amazing. I opted for the Fried Shrimp Po-Boy, and it was perfectly crispy, flavorful, and loaded with shrimp--exactly what a great Po-Boy should be! To wash it down, I had a Hurricane cocktail, and it was dangerously good; potent and tropical. Oh... and I can't forget their Beignets. Closets I've had to Cafe Du Monde Beignets outside of New Orleans! And I have to thank our server for convincing me that it wouldn't disappoint - he was RIGHT! So, if you're ever in Sanibel, FL (Ft. Myers area) craving genuine Cajun flavor, a fun atmosphere, and a taste of the Big Easy, you MUST try MUDBUGS. Our whole group had a wonderful time, and we'll definitely be back for more good food and great music! read more
4 months ago
Always wanted to come here and it didn't disappoint I was very happy with my meal and the service read more
5 months ago
This place is wonderful. Right out of New Orleans! Savanah, our server, was top notch. Food, drinks and ambiance was fabulous. A must go when in Sanibel. read more
My husband has been dying to go to Mudbugs. We went for lunch yesterday. The place is very cool inside. Definitely gives a Cajun vibe with colored lights strung everywhere. They have a pretty varied menu, with many Cajun favorites. My husband ordered his favorite dish, Jambalaya. He said it was pretty tasty, but looked and tasted dry. No sauce whatsoever. We ordered 6 Oysters Florentine. That was a mistake. The oysters had so much spinach and cheese, that you lost the oyster completely. It was good, just couldn't taste the oyster. I chose the Clam Strip Platter. It was a very sizable portion. Clams were delicious. The fries were huge, thick half circles. I wasn't a fan. Cole slaw was good. Our server was very nice and attentive. The bill was pricey for lunch. The food was not bad at all. Just not good enough, at that price, for a return trip. read more
1 month ago
3 is a-okay. We really enjoyed some parts of the meal. We came Monday early afternoon for a spot of birthday brunch. We chose a table upstairs on the balcony which was a lovely spot, but maybe too out of sight from servers. Our service was dreadfully slow, just took a looooong time for everything to come out. Oysters were delightfully though could have used some extra lemon, mango carts refreshing as always, he thought the Cajun burger cheese was fun to try & pretty good - spicy. I loved the fries they had a great texture. Free bday beignets were a true treat. I was afraid they didn't offer regular beignets since I didn't find them on the menu but they do! They came with your choice of dipping sauce and we picked chocolate but raspberry also sounded good. Would love to come back during hh and hear some live music! read more
3 months ago
1 year ago
If you like anything Cajun or are missing authentic food in NOLA, then this is the place to go on the island. The service was quick, and we were seated quickly. The restaurant had a fun vibe. We had a dozen chargrilled oysters, blackened fish bites, and they were delicious! BF had the jambalaya and loved it, and I had the veggie pasta with Cajun Alfredo and shrimp skewer, and it didn't disappoint. The portions were perfect, and we had leftovers. read more
When on the island - must check it out. Highly recommend Muffuletta Sandwich to the beignets. You will think you are back in New Orleans. In the evening, they have live music, which is always good. This is also another place we take people that come in to visit us from out of town. The decor is festive. Plenty of parking. The server who drives about an hour away to her job here. I can't remember her name she is. The BEST read more
We loves the atmosphere, live music, food, and kind, attentive service so much! We had a good size group and everything from the crawfish étouffée, blacked salmon, jambalaya, to the chicken and catfish sandwiches were great. Love the waffle fries. The beignets were better than we had at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans. You will be asked if you want 6 or 12 and we regret not getting 12. Get the 12! Better than anything the service was incredible. Our waiter was a local and was very helpful to the HORRIBLE no see um bugs. We tried sitting on the outdoor patio upstairs and were absolutely attacked by these annoying tiny flying bugs. He helped prioritize us getting a table inside and was incredibly understanding. If in Sanibel, this is a must try. I'm sure all the locals already know that. read more
1 year ago
10 months ago
Imagine finding a place that is actual worth every penny. Delicious, I'm gluten free and still enjoyed the amazing authentic food! Can't wait for the crawfish boil! read more
2 months ago
5 months ago
My party and I were quickly greeted and seated upstairs. The atmosphere really makes you feel like you're in New Orleans. Our waitress was very personable and quickly to return when needed. We started out with the boudin balls and the Cajun beignets. Everyone in my party thought both of these were delicious! For my meal, I had the crawfish etoufee. Great flavor. Only complaint on the food is we could have used more bread, some of the other individuals in my party got even smaller pieces. The food also comes out extremely quick, like we didn't have time to finish each course. But overall, the food and service were great! read more
1 year ago
2 months ago
I am glad that most of the restaurants back to the island including this Cajun restaurant. When we visited was the big raining day. The restaurant is kind of empty due to the bad weather. The restaurant has two floor and allows for outdoor of inside seating. We pick the up stair because of the New Orleans style decorations. It is look like big easy. We start with the 1/2 dozen chargrilled oyster. It top with Parmesan cheese and garlic. It was delicious. I got the blackened grouper. The grouper is big portion compared to many place. However the blackened is kind of disappointing. Not blackened enough and not both sides blackened. However the fish is fresh. My friend got the jambalaya. He likes it. The only thing I like add is they don't have shrimp in it. Most jambalaya do has small shrimp. Overall we have good experience. Food is good. We love the food. read more
Solid little place on the island serving up some Cajun food. We were sat quickly on a Thursday night, and the place wasn't super busy (but not many places on the island were while we were here). The place feels clean and updated. We were greeted quickly by our server, and she was attentive all throughout the night. The table split Cajun beignets and boudin balls. The beignets were drenched in garlic butter, and didn't have much other flavor beside this. The boudin balls were well fried, and the sauce accompanying them was a nice touch. I had the jambalaya for dinner and added some cream sauce. The jambalaya itself was mid- lacking anything super flavorful. I was glad I added the Cajun cream sauce as it brought it to life a little bit. I would suggest improving on the beignets, as they were about to send all of us who ate them into a heart attack, and to add something to the jambalaya. Definitely was our least favorite of our meals while on the island. read more
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More info about Mudbugs Cajun Kitchen
1473 Periwinkle Way
Sanibel, FL 33957
Directions
(239) 472-2221
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https://www.mudbugssanibel.com
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Ask the Community - Mudbugs Cajun Kitchen
Is there a kids menu?
I can not say for sure? But I would think so, everyone does these days!
Hi, Is there live music every night? What time does it begin? Thanks, kathy
I think every evening. Entertainment is on second floor of building. Some tables downstairs can view. I would call and confirm
What is the dress code there?
Dress is casual. Masks are required indoors when not seated at a table.
Are there any non seafood items?
Yes. Salads, fried green tomatoes, jambalaya, red beans & andouille sausage, ribeye, chicken, burger, blt, pork belly, veggie pasta, roast beef....side dishes.
What's the happy hour situation?
A few drinks and a few apps specially priced. We were there yesterday for Happy Hour. I'd suggest calling them: (239) 472-2221. Here are the food Happy Hour Specials, they also have drink special but I can't remember what they were. Sorry.…
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