The Story of
The Bubble Room
It started with a cottage, a collection of curiosities, and a cake recipe that would change everything.
The history of The Bubble Room began in May 1979 with the Farqhuarson family…
In 1979, a chef named Jamie Farquharson and his wife Katie, an artist and baker with a gift for cakes, opened a tiny restaurant on Captiva Island with one big idea: dinner should feel like walking into a dream. Jamie filled the walls with vintage toys, Christmas decorations, and Golden Age Hollywood memorabilia he’d been collecting for years. Katie filled the kitchen with handmade breads, original recipes, and layer cakes so towering they barely fit on the plate. Together they built something that didn’t look, sound, taste, or feel like anything else on Earth. Guests told friends. Friends told strangers. Hollywood stars who vacationed on Captiva started showing up and spreading the word back in Los Angeles. One floor became two. Two became three. The Christmas lights never came down. The toy collection spilled onto every surface, into every corner, across every ceiling. And the cakes — especially a certain Orange Crunch Cake — became the thing people drove across the Sanibel Causeway specifically to taste. Today, over 45 years later, three floors of 1930s and 1940s memorabilia, moving model trains, and thousands of glowing bubble lights welcome visitors from around the world. TripAdvisor ranks it the #1 restaurant on Captiva Island. Food Network featured it on “Craziest Restaurants in America.” And over 7,000 guests have left glowing reviews. But the Farquharson family’s original vision hasn’t changed: walk through the door, leave the ordinary world behind, and let The Bubble Room do the rest.
A look back at the Bubble Room over the years…
A look at some Bubble Room memories provided by our friends Thomas at Retire Early Lifestyle & The Captiva Island Historical Society.
What makes it so special
Established in 1979 on Captiva Island, Florida, The Bubble Room is a one-of-a-kind restaurant known for its whimsical atmosphere, vintage holiday décor, and world-famous layered cakes.
Originally a family home, it transformed into a landmark dining destination featuring 1930s–1940s antiques, moving model trains, and iconic Bubble Lights.
With a rich history, unique decor, and an unforgettable dining experience, The Bubble Room remains a must-visit restaurant in Southwest Florida for locals and visitors alike.
In September 2022, Hurricane Ian tore through Southwest Florida and hit Captiva Island hard, and The Bubble Room took serious damage…
After temporarily closing due to damage from recent Florida hurricanes, The Bubble Room on Captiva Island has officially reopened its doors in July of 2025.
The Emporium and Gift Shop was founded in the 1990s and began selling Bubble Room merchandise, along with some jewelry and gifts…
ABOUT the gift shop
In August 2019, we moved the Emporium across the street into our newly remodeled space. Inside you will find Bubble Room T-Shirts and merchandise, toys and games, jewelry, purses and home decor, not to mention our one of a kind collection of some of the rarest operational antiques still in existence! View Shirley Temple’s “Dreyerette” race car that she owned and drove as a child. Also on display are a rare and quite large shooting gallery from the early 20th century, and one of only 4 original Fortune Tellers from Coney Island, 1920. Many fine antique items are for sale in the Emporium showroom: Wurlitzer jukebox models 750, 950, and 1015 and many other coin operated machines from the early to mid 1900s. Visit The Bubble Room Emporium for a shopping experience unlike any other!
What makes the Bubble Room Unique?
Established in 1979 on Captiva Island, Florida, The Bubble Room is a one-of-a-kind restaurant known for its whimsical atmosphere, vintage holiday décor, and world-famous layered cakes. Originally a family home, it transformed into a landmark dining destination featuring 1930s–1940s antiques, moving model trains, and iconic Bubble Lights. With a rich history, unique decor, and unforgettable dining experience, The Bubble Room remains a must-visit restaurant in Southwest Florida for locals and visitors alike.
After temporarily closing due to damage from recent Florida hurricanes, The Bubble Room on Captiva Island has officially reopened its doors in July of 2025.
This iconic Florida restaurant, known for its whimsical decor, vintage charm, and world-famous desserts, has been lovingly restored and is ready to welcome guests once again. A beloved dining destination since 1979, The Bubble Room has survived storms, time, and tides, emerging stronger, brighter, and more magical than ever. If you’re searching for unique restaurants reopening in Southwest Florida, The Bubble Room is back and bubbling with excitement.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bubble Room is known for:
- Whimsical holiday decorations year-round
- Signature bubble lights and vintage toy trains
- Memorabilia from the 1930s–50s
- Our world-famous desserts like Orange Crunch Cake and Red Velvet Cake
The Bubble Room was founded in 1979 by the Farqhuarson family. It remains locally owned and operated on Captiva Island.
The Bubble Room is first-come, first-served. We do not take reservations.
Yes! Many guests freeze slices of cake and pack them in carry-on containers. Just check with your airline for any specific restrictions.
Yes! We are now shipping select cakes nationwide on Goldbelly!
Unfortunately, furry friends are not permitted inside. However, service animals are welcome — please notify our team in advance for accommodations.
This is a pop culture reference from a 1970s movie and is unrelated to The Bubble Room. Just a fun coincidence!
Yes, The Bubble Room is open and welcoming guests every day on Captiva Island, Florida. We reopened in July 2025 after extensive renovations.
The Bubble Room officially reopened in July 2025 after completing full repairs and restoration due to damage from Hurricane Ian.
Yes — the Bubble Room survived Hurricane Ian. Although damaged, it was successfully restored and reopened in 2025 with its quirky charm intact.
The restaurant was damaged during Hurricane Ian in 2022. After months of repair and restoration, The Bubble Room reopened in July 2025.
The Bubble Room has officially reopened after 3 years of renovations after Hurricane Ian.
The Bubble Room is known for:
- Our cakes — including Orange Crunch and Red Velvet — are baked fresh every day.
- The Bubble Room is decorated for Christmas all year long.
- Each dining room has a unique theme, from vintage trains to old Hollywood.
- Our toy trains are authentic 1940s–50s collector pieces running daily overhead.
Reviews & Raves
Step right up and see what the buzz is all about! From fizzy nostalgia to towering slices of cake, guests are bubbling over with delight. Don’t take our word for it, read their fantastical tales of dining magic!
