Babcock Ranch in Punta Gorda has everything you’d want in a community: beautiful homes, modern amenities, outdoor activities, and great dining options.

While the number of restaurants in Babcock Ranch will continue to grow as the community expands, they currently offer 6 great places to grab a bite to eat and a drink all within the confines of your southwest Florida neighborhood. Not to mention the endless options you have right outside the community in nearby Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and the smaller towns sprinkled around.

Let’s dive right in the best places to eat in and around Babcock Ranch.

Restaurants in the Babcock Ranch Community The Lakehouse Kitchen & BarPHOTO CREDIT: IMTY_INSURANCEGUY VIA INSTAGRAM

42860 Crescent Loop Punta Gorda, FL

The most popular restaurant within the Babcock Ranch community is certainly The Lakehouse Kitchen & Bar. Until recently, this restaurant was the Table & Tap but is now under new management and operating under a new name and menu.

With great food served all day, you can enjoy a meal at The Lakehouse for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner 7 days a week. Serving modern American food, The Lakehouse is situated right on Lake Babcock, as the name suggests. Not only is the food fantastic but the entire dining experience is, too.

They offer a few specials throughout the week, making this an even more community staple in Babcock Ranch. On Fridays, they even stay open late until 1 A.M. with live music and great drink specials. Ladies, enjoy a Wednesday out with your girlfriends and get free drinks from 7-9 P.M.

M’xuma TacosPHOTO CREDIT: MXUMATACOS VIA INSTAGRAM

42091 Cypress Pkwy Babcock Ranch, FL

Who doesn’t crave Mexican food? M’xuma Tacos is one of the new restaurants in Babcock Ranch, located right next to Publix in the Crescent B Commons shopping center. Offering all of the classic Mexican foods, plus a few unique ones, the residents at Babcock Ranch can’t get enough of M’xuma.

Enjoy 2x1 drinks all day everyday or other weekly specials, like Taco Tuesday. Offering dine in and take out, this is the place you’ll want to go for great tacos and top tier tequilas.

Pi LocalPHOTO CREDIT: TRIVIANATION_SWFLANDPILOCAL VIA INSTAGRAM

42091 Cypress Pkwy Unit 1 Punta Gorda, FL

Also located in Crescent B Commons, Pi Local is another of the newer restaurants in Babcock Ranch. This spot serves up a mean slice of pizza and other Italian favorites. The owner of Pi Local is one of Babcock Ranch’s original residents. As a passionate advocate of the community and the lifestyle it promotes, Pi Local also works to do its part in providing residents with fresh ingredients at an affordable price.

Slater’s Goods & ProvisionsPHOTO CREDIT: BABCOCKRANCHTELEGRAPH VIA INSTAGRAM

42881 Lake Babcock Drive Punta Gorda, FL

Slater’s Goods & Provisions might not be a stereotypical restaurant but they do serve a great breakfast and lunch. Their farm-fresh ingredients and serve-yourself salad bar are a huge hit with the Babcock Ranch residents.

Located right in the heart of our solar-powered town in Founder’s Square, Slater’s doubles as the community market. Here you can pick up fresh produce, pantry staples, and wine and liquor.

Square Scoops Coffee & CreameryPHOTO CREDIT: WHIMSUU VIA INSTAGRAM

42881 Lake Babcock Drive Punta Gorda, FL

Although haters will say ice cream isn’t a balanced meal, if you’d like to test that theory, Square Scoops is where you’ll want to go. Located right next to Slater’s on Founder’s Square, this should be your after dinner or sunny day haunt in Babcock Ranch.

Alongside traditional ice cream cones, Square Scoops also serves coffee-based drinks and boozy milkshakes. On top of offering the best ice cream in the community, it’s also the place to go for the perfect cup of coffee.

Restaurants Around the Babcock Ranch Community Gator Shack RestaurantPHOTO CREDIT: BABCOCKRANCHECOTOUR VIA INSTAGRAM

8502 FL-31 Punta Gorda, FL

Gator Shack Restaurant is about as close as you can get to the community without actually being inside of it. The restaurant is at Babcock Ranch Eco Tours in the Babcock Preserve. Not only is this a great place to eat, you guessed it- gator, it’s also where you’ll want to go if you’re interested in taking a nature tour of the surrounding area.

Focused on southern classics, their exact menu changes daily so you can easily come back time and time again for something new and delicious to appease your appetite.

Alva Country DinerPHOTO CREDIT: LYNNSHAFTO VIA INSTAGRAM

21220 Palm Beach Blvd #3841, Alva, FL

For more southern favorites, Babcock Ranch residents love visiting Alva Country Diner. About 20 minutes away from the community, it’s a quick and easy drive to this diner. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this is a great place to go if you’re ready to eat, but not so great if you’re on a strict diet.

Buckingham FarmsPHOTO CREDIT: TOWNVILLAGEWALKAPTS VIA INSTAGRAM

12931 Orange River Blvd, Fort Myers, FL

For something special, you’ll love dining at Buckingham Farms. This is much more than a restaurant but their farm-to-table menu is certainly at the forefront. The 80-acre farm offers a restaurant, fresh produce stand, and a country store. Enjoy outdoor seating in a quintessential Florida setting, only about 20 minutes away from Babcock Ranch.

The Boathouse Tiki Bar & GrillPHOTO CREDIT: TRAVEL_KELLY_305 VIA INSTAGRAM

17101 State Rd 31, Fort Myers, FL5819 Driftwood Pkwy, Cape Coral, FL

The Boathouse has two locations, one only a 10-minute drive from Babcock Ranch in North Fort Myers and the other a little less than an hour drive away in Cape Coral. Both locations are waterfront, so whichever one you choose to grab a meal at will offer a scenic environment. The two menus are a bit different, so if you’re a fan of the entrees at one of the locations, I suggest dining at the other, too, to try all that The Boathouse has to offer.

Great Restaurants Await at Babcock Ranch

Whether you decide to dine at one of the restaurants at Babcock Ranch or head out of the community for one of the nearby favorites, you’re certain of one thing: a great meal, friendly servers, and an ideal southwest Florida backdrop.