Coming Soon to Fort Myers: Nellie’s Boatyard Brings a New Waterfront Dining Experience

Southwest Florida’s waterfront dining scene is getting a new addition.

The owners behind the popular Nervous Nellie’s on Fort Myers Beach are expanding with a new concept called Nellie’s Boatyard, planned for the waterfront near downtown Fort Myers.

The restaurant is expected to take over the former Joe’s Crab Shack location at 2024 W. First Street, overlooking the Caloosahatchee River and the new Legacy Harbour Marina. The space has a long restaurant history: it was previously home to Chart House before Joe’s Crab Shack operated there from 2003 until 2025.

A New Waterfront Destination for Fort Myers

Nellie’s Boatyard is being developed by restaurateur Leonard Lemmer, whose Southwest Florida businesses include Nervous Nellie’s on Fort Myers Beach, Cantina Laredo in Fort Myers, and Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux in Cape Coral.

The new restaurant will build on the success of Nervous Nellie’s while offering a somewhat more elevated dining experience.

Plans call for a focus on aged steaks and local seafood, with some favorites from Nervous Nellie’s making their way onto the menu. The owners describe the concept as relaxed rather than fine dining, with a menu that combines familiar favorites with new dishes.

The restaurant is expected to accommodate approximately 250 guests and include a 40-seat circular bar. More than 100 hospitality employees are expected to work at the new location.

And Then There Are the Views...

One of the most exciting aspects of Nellie’s Boatyard may be its location.

Plans feature 82 floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Caloosahatchee River and a new 131-slip marina. That means waterfront views will be a major part of the experience from the moment guests walk through the door.

The restaurant will undergo extensive interior renovations and landscaping before opening.

For anyone who loves the Southwest Florida combination of great food, boating and waterfront living, this could quickly become another destination worth adding to the list.

Part of Something Bigger in Downtown Fort Myers

Nellie’s Boatyard is also noteworthy because it will be part of the larger Legacy Harbour redevelopment.

Plans for the mixed-use waterfront project include the new marina, two proposed 25-story riverfront towers and a parking garage. Nellie’s Boatyard is expected to serve as one of the activity centers within the redevelopment.

Projects like this are another example of the continued investment happening throughout Southwest Florida—from Fort Myers and Cape Coral to Bonita Springs and Naples.

New restaurants, waterfront destinations, residential development and community improvements don't just give residents more things to do. They continue to shape the lifestyle that makes this part of Florida so appealing.

When Will Nellie’s Boatyard Open?

The current target is late 2026, although the exact opening date isn't guaranteed.

Lemmer told the News-Press that the team would ideally like to open by Christmas, while acknowledging that construction timing could affect that goal.

Whenever the doors officially open, Nellie’s Boatyard looks set to combine many of the things Southwest Florida does best:

Waterfront views. Fresh seafood. Boating. Relaxed dining. And the Florida lifestyle.

And that's exactly the kind of local development I love seeing throughout the communities I serve.

Thinking About Making Southwest Florida Home?

From Naples and Bonita Springs to Fort Myers and surrounding communities, Southwest Florida offers much more than beautiful homes. It's a lifestyle built around sunshine, beaches, boating, dining and communities that continue to grow and evolve.

If you're thinking about buying, selling, or relocating to Southwest Florida, I'd love to help you explore the communities—and the lifestyle—that fit you best.

Kayla Hunter, REALTOR®
Palms & Properties Florida
📞 239-850-7719
📧 KaylaHunterRealty@gmail.com
🌴 PalmsAndPropertiesFlorida.com