HM Restaurant Group announces details for Bonita Fish Company on Fort Myers Beach

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. (June 19, 2025) – A large center bar, daily music and a fresh seafood-forward menu are among the plans for the new Bonita Fish Company on Fort Myers Beach, announced by HM Restaurant Group, which purchased the iconic Bonita Bill’s Waterfront Restaurant & Bar in January. The restaurant group also owns and operates Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille and Dixie Fish Company.

Bonita Fish Company will feature approximately 300 indoor and outdoor seats. The restaurant is currently closed during the transformation and is projected to open in late 2025. It will offer the same legendary guest experiences and exceptional food Doc Ford’s and Dixie Fish Company are known for.

“We’re making several upgrades customers will really appreciate while paying homage to the
building’s rich history and waterfront charm,” said Joe Harrity, a partner with HM Restaurant Group.
“The menu will feature items unique to Bonita Fish Company, including smoked dishes. We’re toying
around with bringing back smoked mullet, which was a household staple on San Carlos Island years ago.”


The coastal-inspired menu will complement the neighboring Dixie Fish Company by offering fresh local seafood, creative dishes and drinks. Customers will also enjoy entertainment seven days a week, a scenic waterfront setting and the relocation of the main bar to the center of the dining room.

Bonita Fish Company’s ambience will be enhanced with dedicated waterfront event space offering both
indoor and outdoor seating.


Work is also underway on a new floating dock marina, expected to open in 2026. Operated independently from the restaurant, the marina will serve boat-in patrons, offer long-term rentals and accommodate boats upward of 90 feet with shore power and water.

Originally built in 1926 as Bonita Fish House, the nearly century-old restaurant has a storied past as a gathering place for the Fort Myers Beach community. Its name and history echo the neighboring Dixie Fish Company, an original fish house built in 1937 as a seafood market.

“Both establishments represent the legacy and coastal heritage of Fort Myers Beach, its traditions
and history which we are proud to continue,” said Harrity. “Our thoughtful renovations will preserve the rustic charm, character and casual atmosphere of Bonita Bill’s and the cherished memories that locals and tourists have experienced for decades while introducing new generations to the exceptional culture, food and spectacular views.”

Bonita Fish Company is located at 702 Fishermans Wharf, Fort Myers Beach

HM Restaurant Group is a family-oriented hospitality leader with Florida roots and a people-first culture. Established in 2003 with the opening of Doc Ford’s on Sanibel, HM Restaurant owns and operates four Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille locations in Southwest Florida and St. Petersburg and Dixie Fish Company on Fort Myers Beach. With deep roots in Southwest Florida, HM Restaurant Group is dedicated to connecting people with great food, exceptional hospitality and legendary guest experiences. Its restaurants are known for their fresh seafood, innovative menus and relaxed, welcoming atmospheres. HM Restaurant Group enjoys a tradition of award-winning restaurants with a loyal following of locals and visitors. A perennial winner of TripAdvisor’s top Travelers’ Choice accolades, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille’s St. Petersburg Pier location was named the county’s No. 1 Best of the Best Restaurants for Everyday Eats in 2023. Dixie Fish Company is a 2023 Yelp Top 100 Florida Restaurant and TripAdvisor’s No. 3 ranked of 73 Fort Myers Beach restaurants.

Contact:
Jennifer Hamilton, Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold Marketing and Public Relations, 239-275-5758,
[email protected]

Bonita Fish Company is projected to open in late 2025-Plans include a floating dock marina, 300 seats and seafood-centric cuisine.