Annual awards return to honor ‘Best of the Islands’
The best of the best businesses on Sanibel and Captiva were recently recognized in more than 100 categories with the return of an annual awards program for the first time since Hurricane Ian in 2022.
On Sept. 9, the Breeze Newspapers’ Sanibel-Captiva Islander and Island Reporter honored the 2025 Best of the Islands winners during an awards luncheon at the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Sanibel. The community voted for their top pick in every category via ballots in the paper and online voting.
This year, 115 total awards were handed out, with multiple businesses earning more than one.
Coming out on top was Sundial with six honors.
“These wins highlight our commitment to providing exceptional experiences for both our Sanibel-Captiva community and overnight guests,” Regional Marketing Manager Donna Brown said. “From unforgettable dining opportunities to a wide range of recreational activities, we’re proud to offer something for everyone.”
The resort itself was recognized with four awards for Best Full Service Resort, Best Gulf Front Dining, Best Pickleball Courts and Best Wedding Venue.
“This marks our 10th consecutive year being recognized as the Best Full Service Resort, which certainly is something to celebrate,” she said. “Several of our other awards are repeat wins, which demonstrates our dedication to visitor satisfaction.”
Brown noted that the resort’s restaurants offer beautiful views of the Gulf.
“Our 12 resurfaced pickleball courts were joined by four brand new courts for a total of 16 courts, complete with programming,” she added. “We have multiple indoor and outdoor locations for weddings and events that showcase the beauty of Sanibel.”
In addition, its Shima Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar took home Best Sushi.
“Best sushi was an ‘anniversaried’ win for us, made even more special by the fact that we recently expanded Shima to include a Gulf-view sushi bar,” Brown said.
Also, its Turtle’s Tiki Bar won Best Tiki Bar.
“We’ve got a great team at the bar and patio — many of whom have been with us for years,” she said. “Besides resort guests, we entertain many islanders and boaters as we’re just steps from the beach, and people love our signature cocktails and menu.”
Brown added that hosting the luncheon signaled a return to “normal” after some challenging years.
“We’re inspired by the tenacity, resilience and strength of our Sundial team and our fellow local businesses,” she said. “We’re excited to partner with our community as we continue to welcome guests to our special islands, with a commitment to making every visit memorable.”
Other big winners recognized in five categories included: Cielo for Best Fine Dining, Best Martini, Best Steak and Best Wine Selection, with Cielo Chef Taylor Trinkle earning Best Chef; Kingfisher for Kingfisher Vacation Rentals with Best Cottage Rentals, Best Property Vacation Management and Best Vacation Rental Agency, Kingfisher Real Estate with Best Real Estate Agency and Kingfisher’s Phaidra McDermott with Best Real Estate Agent; and Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream for Best Dessert Cafe, Best Dessert Item, Best Frozen Yogurt, Best Gelato and Best Ice Cream.
Additionally, the following won in four: MudBugs Cajun Kitchen for Best Bar, Best Beer Selection and Best Happy Hour, with MudBugs’ Kerri St. John taking Best Bartender; and the Sanibel Day Spa for Best Hair Salon/Barber, Best Massage Therapy, Best Nail Salon and Best Spa.
One of the first-time winners this year was Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant, operated by co-owners Max and Bridget Kolshak and Brian and Elke Podlasek. Opening in 2024, it scored two awards.
“It was a mix of excitement, gratitude, pride,” Max Kolshak said. “It’s an incredible honor.”
“We’re really proud of what we’ve done in a short amount of time,” Brian Podlasek said.
Wickies itself earned Best New Restaurant.
Podlasek pointed to the return of the awards program after nearly three years. He spoke of the islands community being so focused on rebuilding, but it being good to pause and recognize all the efforts.
“We’re proud to be a part of that and give locals and vacationers something new and something fun,” he said.
“We have an amazing team that made it happen,” Kolshak said. “The feeling is surreal, and it’s a bit of responsibility to keep evolving, to keep growing and to keep delivering the best experience possible.”
Both thanked their team and customers and the community.
“Thank you for trusting us and supporting us and spreading the word,” Kolshak said. “Everyone has made this dream a reality.”
“This award is for them — those who believed,” Podlasek said. “It takes a leap of faith.”
For the second award, Wickies staffer Robin Roberts took home Best Server.
Podlasek reported that Roberts is a longtime employee on the islands, who has persevered in her career over the years with personality and excellent service. She told him that it was her first Best of award.
“It really meant a lot to her,” he said. “She’s such an asset to us. We’re proud to have her.”
“She deserves it, no doubt,” Kolshak said. “She’s got a lot of heart, and she’s great to work with.”
Along with businesses, a few individuals were honored as part of the Best of the Islands.
Sanibel Fire and Rescue District Assistant Fire Chief Chris Jackson won the award for Best Firefighter, while Sanibel Police Department Officer Steven Royka earned the recognition of Best Police Officer.
The Humanitarian award went to resident Roger Grogman.
“I’m humbled and honored to be the recipient. I greatly appreciate the support of all the folks on Sanibel who I’ve come into contact with,” he said, explaining that he did not expect any recognition for his service because as a community the islands need to support each other and provide assistance.
“All I wanted to do is provide help and support,” Grogman added.
Engaged in many efforts over the years, he is currently board president for Community Housing & Resources (CHR), board secretary for the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) and a Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club board member. Grogman is a past president for the Sanibel Community Association and past board trustee for the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium.
“It almost becomes a responsibility when you get engaged with such great folks,” he said of doing what one can to help their community achieve what it needs. “It almost seems natural that you do that.”
Grogman thanked the community for its support of him.
“These sort of things are really designed to provide an acknowledgment and thank you, but frankly the thank you goes the other way,” he said of the award. “I don’t require the appreciation, but I sure am humbled to receive it.”
The full list of winners for the 2025 Best of the Islands is as follows:
– Air Conditioning Company: Sanibel Air & Electric
– Art Gallery: Tower Gallery
– Association Management: Island Management
– Attorney: Jason Maughan
– Auto Service: Island Garage
– Bakery: Jerry’s Foods
– Bank: Bank of the Islands
– Bar: MudBugs Cajun Kitchen
– Bartender: Kerri St. John at MudBugs Cajun Kitchen
– Beer Selection: MudBugs Cajun Kitchen
– Bicycle Rental: Billy’s Rentals
– Book Store: MacIntosh Books + Paper
– Breakfast: Over Easy Cafe
– Builder: Dan Hahn Custom Builders
– Burger: The Original Cheeburger Cheeburger
– Chef: Chef Taylor Trinkle at Cielo
– Chiropractor: Dr. Greg Walsh at Sanibel Chiropractic
– Coffee Bar: Jerry’s Foods
– Convenience Store: Huxter’s Market & Deli
– Cottage Rentals: Kingfisher Vacation Rentals
– Craft Shop: She Sells Sea Shells
– Custard: The Shack of Sanibel
– Deli: Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory
– Design Center: Sanibel Design Center
– Dessert Cafe: Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream
– Dessert Item: Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream
– Diner: The Sanibel Cafe
– Electrical Company: Sanibel Air & Electric
– Event Facility: The Community House/Sanibel Community Association
– Family Dining: Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille
– Financial Services: Bank of the Islands
– Fine Dining: Cielo
– Fire Fighter: Assistant Fire Chief Chris Jackson at Sanibel Fire and Rescue District
– Florist: Floral Artistry Studios
– Frozen Yogurt: Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream
– Full Service Resort: Sundial Beach Resort & Spa
– Furniture: Home by Rachel Pierce
– Garden Center: Forever Green Ace Hardware
– Gelato: Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream
– Gift Shop: Suncatchers’ Dream
– Glass and Mirror Company: Sanibel Glass & Mirror
– Golf Course: The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club
– Grocery Store: Jerry’s Foods
– Gulf Front Dining: Sundial Beach Resort & Spa
– Hair Salon/Barber: Sanibel Day Spa
– Happy Hour: MudBugs Cajun Kitchen
– Hardware Store: Forever Green Ace Hardware
– Health Club: Sanibel Recreation Department
– Hidden Gem: Sanibel Island Farmers Market
– Home Interior Design: Decorating Den Interiors
– Home Watch Services: Palm Paradise Handyman Services
– Hotel/Inn: Sanibel Inn
– Humanitarian: Roger Grogman
– Ice Cream: Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream
– Insurance Agency: Heidrick & Co. Insurance and Risk Management
– Insurance Agent: Holli Martin at Heidrick & Co. Insurance and Risk Management
– Island Gear Rental: Billy’s Rentals
– Italian Dining: Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen
– Jeweler: Congress Jewelers
– Landscape Contractor: R.S. Walsh Landscaping
– Local Entertainer/Band: Danny Morgan
– Locksmith: Island Locksmith
– Lunch: Over Easy Cafe
– Marina: Sanibel Island Marina
– Martini: Cielo
– Massage Therapy: Sanibel Day Spa
– Mortgage Broker: Bank of the Islands
– Museum: Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium
– Nail Salon: Sanibel Day Spa
– New Business: The Bel Bagels & Deli
– New Restaurant: Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant
– Non-Profit: FISH of Sanibel-Captiva
– Optometrist: Dr. Michael Pham at Sanibel Eyecare
– Painting Company: Barefoot Charley’s Painting
– Personal Trainer: Mahnaz Bassiri at Island Therapy Center
– Pet Store: Pierce’s Paw Paradise
– Pharmacy: CVS Pharmacy
– Pickleball Courts: Sundial Beach Resort & Spa
– Pizza: The Great White Grill
– Place For Entertainment: BIG ARTS
– Place For Family Fun: J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
– Place To Watch The Game: The Sanibel Grill
– Plumber: Walker Plumbing
– Police Officer: Officer Steven Royka at Sanibel Police Department
– Pool Service: Banner Pool Service
– Pool Store: Banner Pool Service
– Primary Care Physician: Dr. Danielle Olson-Basora at Lee Physician Group
– Printer: SanCap Pak-N-Ship
– Private Jet Charter: Air Trek
– Property Vacation Management: Kingfisher Vacation Rentals
– Real Estate Agency: Kingfisher Real Estate
– Real Estate Agent: Phaidra McDermott at Kingfisher Real Estate
– Real Estate Team: Pfeifer Realty Group
– Remodeling Contractor: Total Access Builders
– Roofing Company: Roman Roofing
– Seafood: Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille
– Server: Robin Roberts at Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant
– Service Organization/Club: Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club
– Shell Shop: She Sells Sea Shells
– Shopping Experience: Periwinkle Place Shops
– Sightseeing Cruise: Captiva Cruises
– Spa: Sanibel Day Spa
– Steak: Cielo
– Sushi: Shima Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
– Swimwear: Everything But Water
– Taxi/Limo Service: Island Taxi
– Tennis Courts: The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club
– Tiki Bar: Turtle’s Tiki Bar at Sundial Beach Resort & Spa
– Title Company: Superior Title
– Trust Company: Florida Trust Wealth Management
– Vacation Rental Agency: Kingfisher Vacation Rentals
– Veterinarian: VCA Sanibel Animal Hospital
– Wedding Venue: Sundial Beach Resort & Spa
– Wine Selection: Cielo
– Women’s Clothing: On Island Sanibel
For the awards luncheon, Jerry’s Foods donated the desserts. The Sanibel Day Spa donated a spa package and Floral Artistry Studios created the centerpieces, all of which were given away.