2 new restaurants in Naples: What to know about bistro and Cuban bakery

Is Trinity Plaza downtown’s international restaurant row?

The argument is easy to make with two new additions that join longtimers Opa, Grouper & Chips, Mercato Italiano, CĀK’d, plus bagels at Brooklyn Dough with a Hole.

Lavender Cafe & Bistro

This super cute and intimate cafe replaces Afsona, an Uzbek restaurant that closed in 2023.

Owner Hakun Karsavuran is an alum of Vourla at Coastland Center. Here, he’s offering daily breakfast, brunch and dinner with a mostly Mediterranean-inspired menu and a focus on organic ingredients.

Brunch entrees are mostly under $25; dinner from $25 to $37, including the beef and lamb entrees.

The restaurant is open daily. Hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., then 4:30 to 9 p.m., and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., then 4:30 to 9 p.m.

Patio seating with sun-protection umbrellas is an option. Wine and bubbles are available; beer should be available soon.

(300 Ninth St. N., Naples; 239-306-2198; on Facebook)

Floridita Cuban Cafe

This Havana-inspired spot, a third location with others on Collier Boulevard and Pine Ridge Road, opened a few doors down from Lavender.

Like its sister cafes, this one serves Cuban classics, from Cubano sandwiches and croquetas to ropa vieja and filetto de pollo (chicken with onion and peppers).

A weekday $10 lunch special of two sides and a protein is a find. Entrees include two sides and are priced $13 to $28, with most at $14. There’s a kids menu under $10, plus a selection of pastries and personal pizzas from $12 and under.

Hours: Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sunday.

(318 Ninth St. N., Naples; 239-300-4272; visit FloriditaCubanBakery on Instagram for more)