This Historic Florida Restaurant Is Where the Legendary Al Capone Once Sipped Rum and Dined
Step onto a tiny island off Lighthouse Point and time travel to Florida’s rum running past. Cap’s Place feels like a secret whispered across the Intracoastal, where a short boat ride delivers you to creaky floors, low ceilings, and stories that linger. Al Capone once sipped rum here, and you can still sense that speakeasy edge.
If you love seafood, history, and a little adventure, this is your kind of night.
1. Getting There By Boat
The adventure starts before dinner. You park on the mainland, step onto Cap’s little shuttle boat, and skim across the water with salty air on your face. The captain usually shares local lore, and the skyline fades while mangroves and dock lights grow near.
It is quick, breezy, and sets the tone for a night that feels half museum, half Florida fairytale.
Arrivals can bunch up, so patience helps, and weather sometimes slows runs. Still, that glide over the Intracoastal beats any valet line. By the time your shoes hit the old planks, you are primed for rum, chowder, and history that creaks like the floorboards underfoot.
2. A Speakeasy Past With Capone Whispers
Cap’s Place wears its history like a salt-stained jacket. During Prohibition, rum runners slipped barrels ashore, and whispers say Al Capone himself paused here for a quiet drink. You feel that legacy in the tight doorways, crooked beams, and a bar that seems to hum with old secrets.
It is not staged perfection. It is lived-in authenticity, the kind that survives storms and fads alike.
Expect conversation fodder everywhere: sepia photos, stories in the menu, and staff with anecdotes to spare. Some guests love the patina, others find it rough around the edges. Either way, you sense why this landmark endures.
It offers more than dinner. It offers a chapter you can touch.
3. Seafood Classics And Florida Staples
The menu reads like coastal Florida comfort food. Think blackened fish with citrusy aioli, fried shrimp that crunch, and a platter stacked with mahi, scallops, and shrimp. There is hearts of palm salad, a local pride item, plus sides like green beans and mashed potatoes.
Portions lean generous, old school rather than fussy. You can keep it simple or mix and match.
Freshness is the headline when the kitchen is in stride. Reviews swing, though, with occasional notes on temperature or timing. Go in knowing you are here for flavor plus folklore.
Order a classic, pair it with a rum drink or a crisp white, and let the setting do part of the seasoning.
4. What To Expect From Service And Timing
Service at Cap’s Place can feel like stepping into another era. On good nights it is attentive, personal, and perfectly paced with stories in between. Other times, waits stack up, phones ring unanswered, and courses arrive out of sync.
Reservations help, especially on weekends, and arriving early can smooth the night. Rustic charm comes with quirks, so bring flexible expectations.
If something misses the mark, speak up kindly and staff often makes it right. This is not a buzzy, polished factory. It is a small, historic room doing things its way.
Lean into the vibe, sip something cold, and let the evening meander. You are here for memory as much as efficiency.
5. Best Seats, Atmosphere, And What To Wear
Tables near the windows catch glimmers of water and boat lights, while corners feel intimate enough for whispered toasts. The room is dim, amber, and nautical without kitsch. Expect creaks, close quarters, and the kind of patina that tells stories.
Dress smart casual and comfortable. Think breathable fabrics for humidity and layers for breezy nights after the boat ride.
It is perfect for anniversaries, milestone birthdays, or the kind of date that deserves a legend attached. Noise stays conversational, with clinks and laughter under the hum of history. Ask your server for a slower-paced meal if you want to linger.
Dessert tastes better when the room has exhaled and the dock lights glow.
