Our story begins with our patriarch, Andrea Mucciga. His passion for food, the restaurant industry, and hospitality was ignited in his native Sardinia, Italy. There, he learned the traditional "old-fashioned" way of creating dishes from scratch with all-natural ingredients, a cornerstone that has remained at the heart of all of his restaurants.

Andrea honed his craft in Europe, gaining extensive experience and success while owning and operating restaurants in Italy, Belgium, and England.

In 1972, he was offered the prestigious role of becoming the first Food and Beverage Director and Operations Manager for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's inaugural ships in Miami, Florida. After many years at sea, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to new opportunities. In 1979, he set his sights on the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, opening a string of successful restaurants. It was a busy and exciting time for Andrea, his British wife Sheila, and their son, Carlo.

In 1988, the family couldn’t resist the opportunity to move to Southwest Florida, which proved to be an irresistible call. The Mucciga family arrived on Captiva Island, bringing their love for Italian and Mediterranean cuisine with them. There, they opened their first Bellini’s Restaurant on Andy Rosse Lane, quickly capturing the hearts of locals and tourists alike.

Over the next 36 years, the Barrier Islands became home to the Muccigas. Following the success of Bellini’s, they opened three more renowned and beloved restaurants on Sanibel Island: the iconic Dolce Vita and the beloved Riviera (1996-2009). In 2010, Carlo joined Andrea, and the two worked together for the next 12 years at Traditions on the Beach, the oldest restaurant located at the historic Island Inn. This restaurant became a top destination for weddings. Unfortunately, in September 2022, it was destroyed by Hurricane Ian.

All of these establishments were well known for the Muccigas' continued support of live music, and patrons have always enjoyed the entertainment in each restaurant.

Now, onto a new beginning—Andrea and Carlo have teamed up again to bring a new restaurant to Fort Myers, combining the heritage and memories of the past with fresh, new ideas and a modern twist.

On May 8, 2024, a new chapter began off-island at a new location in McGregor Square, Fort Myers. As the phoenix rises from the ashes, it was a unanimous decision to bring back “Bellini’s” with the same name, ambiance, and the ability to recreate the original restaurant from Captiva. This full-circle moment provides a homecoming for us, our family, our extended family of employees, and our musicians who bring live music to life every night. Most importantly, it’s a homecoming for all our loyal customers and friends who have been with us throughout this incredible journey.