Cielo Restaurant

Dining at Cielo was an exquisite culinary journey marked by exceptional craftsmanship and unparalleled service. From the moment we stepped through the doors, we were greeted warmly. The ambiance was inviting, with soft lighting and tasteful decor setting the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. The pianist Scott McDonald’s skill was truly remarkable, effortlessly weaving together classical masterpieces and contemporary tunes with finesse and passion. Each note seemed to dance through the room, captivating our senses and igniting our emotions.

The menu, a testament to the chef's dedication to innovation and quality, offered a tantalizing array of options to suit every palate. From the delicate flavors of the calamari fritti appetizer to the indulgent richness of the main course which included the Pan Roasted Ora King Salmon and the Porcini and White Truffle Ravioli with added scallops, every bite was a symphony of taste!

But what truly set Cielo apart was the impeccable service. Attentive without being intrusive, our server Mathew, anticipated our every need, offering knowledgeable recommendations and ensuring that our glasses were always full. The staff worked seamlessly together, creating a dining atmosphere that was both refined and relaxed.

In every aspect, from the cuisine to the service, Cielo exceeded our expectations for my birthday dining choice. It's clear that this establishment is committed to excellence in every detail, and we left feeling not just satisfied, but truly pampered. We can't wait to return and experience the culinary delights and impeccable hospitality once again.

Best restaurant on the island! We had a fantastic meal and an overall wonderful experience. The service staff was very professional and accommodating. The meal was timely and the menu had many great options. Wonderful specials too. Live piano music was the perfect touch. You can really tell that they use high quality ingredients in every dish. No detail is too small. The green and purple color combination in the décor is a questionable choice though.

Visited from Miami with my Fiancé. We had a wonderful evening; the atmosphere and food was great. We got the Filet and Pappardelle Margarita with the Crème Brûlée and Chocolate Mousse.
Our waiter Carlos really contributed to our memorable experience. Highly recommend you request him when you visit. Thank you!!
(Nice to see a Vegan option available)

I live on the east coast of Florida, but every time I visit the west coast I immediately book a reservation here. It is my favorite dinner restaurant on planet Earth! No exaggeration. The food is beyond words incredible and the atmosphere is exceptional due to the most fun, amazing and beyond talented piano player I’ve ever heard. He is so friendly and even walks around to thank you for being there and asks what song can he play for you. I always get the Caprese Salad, North Atlantic Halibut and the famous (most delicious) Cielo Sundae! My mouth is watering and stomach is growling just thinking about these dishes. If you order any of the above, you will be blown away and understand why it’s my favorite restaurant ever! You must visit here!

We had an incredible dinner at Cielo and were even able to watch the sunset from the table inside. Our server was extremely friendly and attentive and the vibe inside is also very unique and classy. They have live music with a piano and it definitely sets the mood. We started with the calamari which is the best I’ve ever had. Then got both the Caesar and caprese salads which I would definitely recommend the Caesar especially if you love anchovies. I got the fish special which was lightly breaded and served with amazing whipped potatoes and asparagus. Everything was so good we had to try the dessert as well. The raspberry white chocolate cheesecake was the best dessert I’ve had in a very long time. Overall it was a great experience and dinner.

We ate at Cielo for a birthday and had a memorable experience! The pianist came right over to wish my boyfriend a happy birthday and offered to play any song he would like. We both enjoyed the filet minion. The drinks were also tasty and well crafted. Cielo is definitely the best fine dining on Sanibel.

It was a slow Wednesday lunchtime in June when we visited Cielo. The drinks were beautiful (see pics) and deliciously made. I had the fried fish tacos (you may tell them baked,grilled,fried). These had a cabbage slaw with an avacado cream sauce. D E L I C I O U S !

During our serene visit to Cielo on a quiet Wednesday afternoon in June, we were mesmerized by the artistry and extraordinary flavors of their expertly crafted drinks (check out the pictures!). For my lunch, I savored the delectable fried fish tacos, complemented by a refreshing cabbage slaw and a creamy avocado sauce. Every bite was a delightful explosion of flavors—a harmonious blend of crispy textures and tangy sensations. The culinary experience at Cielo was truly exceptional, surpassing all expectations. It was impossible not to revel in the sheer deliciousness of the dish, leaving me with a deep sense of satisfaction and a desire to return for more extraordinary delights. Cielo has undoubtedly earned its reputation as a dining destination that excels in creating unforgettable experiences.

I rarely give a full five stars but you can't get better than Cielo!

Sanibel Island is certainly bruised post hurricane Ian but gradually making its come back happily Cielo has not skipped a beat since reopening.

Snazzy dining room, live piano and great wine list welcomes you.

Imaginative cocktails, excellent food, great service and delicious finishes.....dessert and 20 year tawny port!

Can't say enough about how good this island mainstay is, so happy it is still as consistently top notch as ever and still ranks as one of my all time favorites.

Escargot, Halibut and pistachio, apricot chicken, so delicious, cannot recommend more! It will always be in our list for that fine dining experience and it should be on your too.

Great place for a more upscale dinner! The calamari appetizer and scallops entree were highlights of our table. The pianist made the ambiance 5 stars! Our wine and bread before dinner was delicious

Loved the piano player! He was awesome and it added so much fun to dinner. Also, they have a great vegan dish. Not something that can be made vegan by holding everything but a fully vegan, yummy dish. Thank you for that. The rest of my party enjoyed their pork, steak, ribs, and more. The Caesar salad was the only thing that got so so reviews.

Cielo Restaurant was absolutely amazing. I came here for my grandfathers 85th birthday, and the food, environment, and waiter were great. I had the filet which was expensive, but cooked to perfection and delicious. I would highly recommend coming here for a nice dinner.

This place is fantastic. They have specialty cocktails like Smoking Jacket Manhattan. Greg, bartender, is awesome. Very personable and makes mean cocktails. Went there on a Monday to celebrate our 15th anniversary and went back Friday to enjoy again. Service is top notch and food is excellent. Try the mussels, scallops and risotto (best ever), seafood pot pie. Servers all wear masks and social distancing is followed.

The decor is welcoming right down to the baby grand piano and
Live entertainment!
The attention to details and artistry with the dishes are excellent!
The drinks are one of a kind and service is friendly and helpful!
Finish your dining experience with an incredible dessert and cappuccino!

A hidden gem. None of the "top 10" lists we found included this restaurant, but they definitely should have. The best meal we ate on the island and we travel quite a bit. Our server, Jason, was very knowledgeable. The piano player sang a song for our birthday girls. Calamari was some of the best we've had. Scallops had an amazing presentation and the pancetta jam was on point. Chocolate mousse cake and creme brulee were lovely. Will absolutely go back. Great wine list.

Thank you for making my wife’s birthday dinner so memorable!!! You went above and beyond accommodating us after being late due to the exiting traffic off Sanibel. Your food has always been spot on and service impeccable. The pianist asking for our wedding song was the icing on the cake!!! We hope to continue to visit every time on Sanibel!! Thank you!

Happened upon this restaurant and what a lovely surprise!! Happy hour was fantastic. The drink menu was so creative. Sanibel Fairy had an array of flavor, very unique. The Octopus carpaccio was incredible!! We then moved into the restaurant and the pork shank melted in my mouth and the English pea risotto was perfectly matched. Boxed half up to enjoy again the next day because of course I needed to save room for dessert. Decadent chocolate caramel mousse and server Cristie made a cappuccino with fantastic skim milk(per my request)foam which she learned how to do in France. She was so enjoyable. Service was great. Atmosphere lovely. Live piano music. 10 out of 10.

I drove an hour from my hotel to take out my team and the views were beautiful and the food and experience were worth every min of that drive!

Our server Christina was a professional, very attentive, engaging, and kind.

The live piano music was lovely and the pianist came around a one point and asked if there was anything we wanted to hear, got to take in some Frank Sinatra.

The food!

To start. We had the heirloom tart (part of the specials) the crispy ribs, and the charcuterie plate. All of it was delicious. (Apologies on the pics, we had eaten most of them by the time we remembered pictures. There were good portions when they arrived!)

Then we had a good variety. Two had steak, requested at med rare and med well, both were cooked to perfection. Another had the pasta with chicken, it was a very generous amount. I had the crab ravioli. This was good. The flavors were not quite as robust as I was expecting but still fab!

For dessert we shared four different dishes, and everyone had a favorite. But the tiramisu and the chocolate mouse were mine, great texture, amazing flavor.

The value for money was definitely there, it’s on the more expensive side. But they bring the experience and make it worth every penny.

Well done Cielo!

It was really good. The appetizers were amazing (we got calamari and fried ribs) and the Dinner was really good as well. There was live piano music and candles in every table which made the experience much better.

Absolutely fantastic gem on Sanibel Island. So nice to find a place to have dinner where flip flops and shorts aren’t the norm, and there’s no sand on the ground. Ambiance is beautiful, with live piano during dinner. Our server, Matthew, was one of the best servers we have ever encountered—so attentive, so sweet. Food was delicious. Pacing of the meal was perfect. Perfect date night on vacation. We will definitely return next time we visit Sanibel! Make reservations!

Absolutely wonderful dinner. A new favorite. Love the aesthetic and ambience of this restaurant. Our server Carlos was fantastic. The pianist/vocalist Scott was terrific. The food absolutely delicious.