Wellen Park Restaurants: Your Guide to Great Food & Quick Cheap Eats

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Last Updated March 15, 2024

Nestled along the southwest Florida Gulf Coast, Wellen Park is one of the hottest master-planned community developments in all of Florida. Located just a short drive from the charming town of Venice, Florida and the gorgeous Gulf Coast beaches, Wellen Park offers multiple neighborhood communities connected to its own downtown area for convenient shopping, dining, and community hub for events. 

The great thing about downtown Wellen Park is that it’s open for all to enjoy. No matter if you live here in one of the Wellen Park communities or if you live in the nearby area. And one of the highlights of downtown Wellen Park is all the new restaurants opening up that everyone can enjoy. 

From casual quick bites, sweets and coffee, to craft beer and pizza, and even elegant dining for special events, there are some tasty foods for all to enjoy in Downtown Wellen Park and the surrounding area.

So let’s dive in and show you what restaurants in Wellen Park are currently open and share what we love about them!

Types of Dining & Cuisine Options in Downtown Wellen Park

There are a variety of dining options and cuisine choices in the Wellen Park area. Depending on the time of day and what you are craving, here’s a quick snapshot of some of the dining options you’ll find here:

Casual Eateries: Whether you’re craving a burger, pizza, or maybe some tacos and a beer, there’s a spot for you to relax and dig in.

Upscale Dining: If you’re looking for a more sophisticated experience, there are exquisite restaurants that offer gourmet dishes and an elegant atmosphere. Remember to make a reservation, especially during the busier season months (which is winter here).

International Flavors: Travel the world with your taste buds with a variety of international cuisines. Within the downtown area you’ll find Italian cuisine, but adjacent to downtown you’ll also find Mexican and Asian options too.

Coffee Shops & Sweets: Grab a quick coffee to start your day or a sweet treat after your meal. Enjoy artisanal pastries, freshly-baked bread, and handcrafted coffee drinks. You’ll also find ice cream options and frozen yogurt too.

Food Trucks: There is a casual food truck area in downtown Wellen Park with multiple truck options to choose from. Grab a quick bite and find a seat under a tree with views of the grassy area or overlooking the lake. There might even be musicians playing making for some great dinner entertainment!

view of sunset with palm trees at the yard at wellen park is a group of food truck restaurants in wellen park

Full-Service Wellen Park Restaurants: Complete List & Reviews

Below is a list of the current full-service restaurants that are open in Wellen Park. We’ve tried them all and along with our brief overview of each, we’ll add a few notes and recommendations from our experiences there so you can discover which you’re craving to try yourself too!

Villani & Co in Wellen Park

Villani & Co in Wellen Park is the place to go if you’re in the mood for great steaks, seafood or a raw bar! The modern intimate atmosphere is perfect for a night out with friends or a nice lunch. Dinner offers an elevated experience with high-quality steak and seafood options while lunch is more casual with lighter fare.

up close lunch sandwich at villani and co restaurant in wellen park

For lunch, my pick is the Library Steak salad with a gorgonzola vinaigrette that is simply outstanding! Or if you are in the mood for something unique and comforting, Josh recommends the Fried Green Tomato melt with pimento cheese! They have some great daily and weekly specials and an amazing Sunday Brunch offering too! 

As with all the restaurants here, there is both indoor and outdoor dining options.

The Banyan House Restaurant

The Banyan House in Wellen Park is a truly memorable experience, from the food to the atmosphere! This lakeside restaurant offers a sophisticated and upscale experience that’s perfect for a night out or a special occasion. Outside dining overlooks the lake, but the inside offers a beautiful atmosphere with the towering tree and twinkling lights. 

Yes, there are beautiful giant trees inside the restaurant!

inside the banyan house restaurant in wellen park with a giant beautiful tree inside

Dinner is a culinary affair here from steaks, rack of lamb, pot roast to seafood such as salmon and lobster. While lunch offers an array of delectable gourmet sandwiches. You can also enjoy the ambiance of the bustling bar area with some great drink options including the “under the banyan tree” they also have a great happy hour and serve small plate options from from 2:30 – 4 pm. 

Oak & Stone Wellen Park

For a more laid-back environment with a fun twist, Oak & Stone in Wellen Park presents a vast selection of craft beers and artisanal pizzas. The restaurant has a great atmosphere with indoor / outdoor dining that flows seamlessly and there’s a great rooftop bar with stunning views too!

outside sign on bright sunny day of oak & stone wellen park venice florida restaurant newly opened

While they are known for their pizzas (I’m a fan of the white pizza!) they also have many other items to choose from on the menu. From burgers, salads to sandwiches. We’ve visited a few times and always had tasty meals!

The interactive beer wall is a standout feature with over 50+ beers! Simply scan your card, pour your own glass (however much you want, you simply pay by the oz.) – this way you can sample them all!

beer wall at oak and stone wellen park restaurant where you can scan a card and pour your own beer sample

Acqua Pazza Coastal Italian in Wellen Park

Dive into the bold flavors of the Italian Riviera at Acqua Pazza. Inspired by the Mediterranean and Adriatic regions of Italy, this is the newest restaurant in downtown Wellen Park and quickly became a favorite of ours! We love the modern, elegant yet light and airy design of the restaurant. With calming colors that definitely remind you of the sea – you can imagine sipping cocktails with an ocean breeze!

Enjoy indoor or alfresco dining for lunch and dinner. Our personal appetizer was the Arancini – fried risotto and mozzarella which changes daily as a chef’s specialty. As far as pasta goes, we highly recommend the lobster ravioli – it was incredible and stuffed full of lobster! 

And for dessert, don’t skip on the Canoli pie! Yes, a Canoli…in a pie! It’s out of this world delicious!

josh ordering from menu at acqua pazza italian in wellen park restaurant

Quick-Service / Casual Restaurants in Wellen Park for Cheap Food Options

If you are looking for a restaurant in Wellen Park that is more casual like a quick service meal or even a snack on the go, then below are a variety of options you can choose from. Including some sweet treats and caffeine buzz, you can’t go wrong with any of these restaurants and food trucks in Wellen Park.

Foxtail Coffee in Wellen Park

If you’re seeking a caffeine fix, Foxtail Coffee is your go-to. Here, you can enjoy a selection of artisanal coffees, teas and pastries in a cozy atmosphere. It’s ideal for your morning start or an afternoon pick-me-up. They also have some light bites for breakfast and lunch as well as a small selection of ice cream too!

This is a great spot to pop in and grab a coffee or snack to go, but they also have a warm and welcoming atmosphere inside with plenty of seating. So take a seat, meet a friend, and enjoy the large open space and relaxed vibe.

newly opened foxtail coffee in downtown wellen park venice florida outside sign with art deco modern look and palm tree

Claw and Company Food Truck in Wellen Park

At Claw and Company, savor the taste of the sea with their specialized seafood offerings. This spot is perfect for a quick lunch with a touch of coastal flavor. From lobster rolls to clam chowder, to fish and chip or shrimp baskets! For something really special, try their lobster grilled cheese sandwich!

PopDawgs Food Truck in Wellen Park

Indulge in creative takes on the classic American hot dog at PopDawgs. With gourmet toppings and combinations, these aren’t your average ballpark franks. Customize your own or grab one of their specialties! You’ll also find pretzels, unique popcorn flavors and mini-corn dog nuggets too!

Lakeside Bites Food Truck in Wellen Park

Head over to the Lakeside Bites food truck at Wellen Park if you are looking for rice bowls, paninis, and other super casual seafood options. How about some loaded tots or even a Cuban sandwich? Lakeside Bites is a great spot for a quick and tasty lunch or just something to share while you are enjoying some live musical entertainment on a nice evening.

Bright Ice – All Natural Ice Cream in Wellen Park

In the mood for something sweet? Perhaps an after-dinner treat or even an afternoon refresher that you can enjoy while walking around the lake or downtown Wellen Park? Then be sure to check out Bright Ice!

Bright Ice offers a tempting selection of Ice Cream that uses ONLY natural ingredients! No syrups, concentrates or artificial flavors! Every unique here flavor celebrates the Florida Lifestyle. Check out some of these menu options below. Of course the menu can change, and they may even run out of popular flavors since it’s all made in-house!

  • Blueberries with Cinnamon
  • Pineapple with Brown Butter & Pecans
  • Lemon with Crystallized Ginger
  • Roasted Strawberries with Brown Sugar & Balsamic
  • Caramelized Bananas w/ Peanut Butter & Honey
  • Key Lime Pie
  • And more!

More Great Restaurants & Take-Out Options Next to Downtown

Adjacent to Downtown Wellen Park is a shopping center with some convenient and quality dining options too. None of these are considered “fast food” however, they are more like fast casual dining options and a couple of full-service options too. What’s also convenient is that this shopping center is where the Publix supermarket is. So it’s super easy to get in and out, there’s lots of parking and it’s perfect if you want a more casual bite to eat or even some take out food to bring back home.

Irma’s Tacos

Irma’s Tacos is actually one of our favorite restaurants in the Wellen Park area! Choose from a huge assortment of gourmet unique taco options. Each is served on a homemade corn or flour tortilla made right here in the restaurant. They also have some great bowl options and of course, a fantastic selection of tequila and other spirits for some great cocktails.

up close shot of fried chicken nashville hot taco at irmas tacos in wellen park restaurant

Louie’s Bistro

At Louie’s Bistro, you’ll find a relaxed and casual setting with a bar area serving quick bites throughout the day. They also have a great outdoor back patio area with peaceful views of downtown Wellen Park. Since it’s next to the Wellen Park Welcome Center, it’s also a popular spot for meetings and special events too. In fact, we typically meet our clients here at the Welcome Center before going on a tour of Wellen Park. So it’s nice to have some food and drinks readily available next door!

Bocca Lupo Pizza

Wood-fired perfection is the hallmark of Bocca Lupo Pizza. Their thin-crust pizzas with gourmet toppings like truffle oil and prosciutto elevate the pizza experience to a whole new level. They also have an easy take-out window so you can pick up your pizza to go.

Peachwave Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt

If you want a little something sweet but slightly on the healthier side, then check out Peachwave Self-serve frozen yogurt just a few doors down from the Publix entrance. We always enjoy these self-serve frozen yogurt shops because we can choose exactly how much we want to eat, and even add our own custom topping options.

Fuji Sushi & Hibachi Noodles

Enjoy a theatrical meal at Fuji Sushi & Hibachi Noodles. The chefs entertain with skillful hibachi cooking right before your eyes, crafting dishes like sizzling steak and tender shrimp. They also offer more simple entrees and are perfect for take out dining at your house.

China 1

Of course every shopping center needs to have a great Chinese restaurant! And this is a good one with many classics to choose from as well as some unique specialities. Again, this is a great quick and easy option for take out food too.

Stay Tuned for More Wellen Park Restaurant Updates!

As Wellen Park continues to develop, especially with the future phases of the downtown area, there are sure to be many more restaurants in Wellen Park popping up. So stay tuned here to our website as we’ll be updating this blog post with more information about new restaurants that open up and our picks for some of our favorite dishes.

And if you are thinking of moving to Wellen Park, feel free to download our Wellen Park Relocation Guide here or reach out to us. We’ve helped families from all across the country make Wellen Park home! As one of the top relocation specialists and top real estate agents in the Wellen Park area, we’re here for you and happy to help.

 

Elizabeth

Travel blogger, entrepreneur, consultant, and "parrot-head" who always knew she was destined to live the beach life. Loves being able to share this lifestyle with others and help them live their dream too.

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