FOOD
This south Fort Myers restaurant still one of the best in SW Florida
Robyn GeorgeFort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News
Aug. 5, 2026, 5:02 a.m. ET
- MAKS Asian Kitchen & Sushi is a south Fort Myers restaurant owned by brothers Kevin and Billy Mak.
- Brothers Kevin and Billy Mak previously gained a following as original chefs at Blu Sushi.
- The menu features traditional and modern sushi, kitchen entrees, and custom-created dishes for patrons.
It’s one of our favorite restaurants around
And seven years in, MAKS Asian Kitchen & Sushi shows no sign of slowing down
“Each year, we get better,” said Kevin Mak, who owns the south Fort Myers gem with his brother, Billy. “The customers like it. They keep returning and bringing their friends.”
That’s pretty much how things started for the Maks when they opened their intimate 82-seat restaurant in Beef ‘O’ Brady’s previous space in The Shoppes at Fiddlesticks on July 29, 2019
“Customers knew us from Blu,” said Kevin, who, along with Billy, earned a stellar reputation as one of the original chefs behind Blu Sushi. “After we opened, they already knew us, so we were pretty busy from the start.”
The Maks, who hail from Hong Kong and have 50-plus years of restaurant experience between them, took two years off after leaving Blu Sushi
“One day I went to Publix and walked by and saw Beef ‘O’ Brady’s closed down,” Kevin said. “There was a piece of paper out front saying ‘contact us,’ (Beef ‘O’ Brady’s) closed. It was bad for them but good for me.”
He called Billy and asked if he wanted to open a restaurant
“We had no plans to do anything, but he said go ahead and call the number,” Kevin said. “It took us almost a year to remodel.”
MAKS makes strong SW Florida food scene debut
Just 5 months after opening its doors, MAKS landed at No. 98 on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat list in 2020
Four years later, it was 51st on YELP’s list of the top 100 sushi spots in the U.S
“We have a very good team,” Kevin said, giving much of the credit to his staff. “Everybody is happy. Most have been here five or seven years. Customers love the service we give. Everyone who comes in here is a VIP.”
The restaurant is designed for intimate conversation with well-spaced tables in a comfortably modern setting. You won’t find TVs anywhere in MAKS
“We want customers to talk to servers and servers talking to customers,” Kevin said. “We want the staff to educate the customer about what we have to offer, make suggestions if they like.”
Jessica Mak, who is younger than her brothers, is part of their outstanding 40-member team
“She helps oversee the front of house,” Kevin said. “All the customers love her.”
And they, as do we, also love the food
MAKS has some of the best sushi in SW Florida
“We don’t mind paying more for better quality seafood,” Kevin said. “You can’t lie about fresh seafood. Bluefin, yellowtail. It comes in every other, every three days.”
The menu is full of traditional sushi and sashimi dishes, classic rolls and modern takes on sushi
“We create specialty items almost every month,” Kevin said. “Like sea urchin from Japan and the Mr. Hollywood Roll (with tuna and avocado inside, topped with yellowtail and salmon with a citrus-infused creamy aioli and crunchy garlic flakes). We do fun stuff. We’re always looking for new product, for new fish to do something interesting with.”
And if you’re not sure what to order?
“Any time a customer comes in and wants something not on the menu, we can create something for them,” Kevin said. “Just say what you like, and we will make something interesting and fun.”
It really is some of the best sushi in Southwest Florida
But the menu doesn’t stop there
Popular kitchen items (served with steamed rice) include General Tao’s, Mongolian, garlic broccoli and teriyaki (all with tofu, chicken or shrimp). There are rice and noodle dishes (the pineapple seafood fried rice is our go-to), plus appetizers and soups & salads
Lunch specials (from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) include the popular Pick 2 with salad or soup and bento boxes with a kitchen item, California rolls, soup and salad
It’s all served in an inviting setting that hasn’t aged a bit in the last seven years
“Every year we do something to keep it updated,” Kevin said, adding that a cleaning crew comes in every morning for three hours
But what you notice first is the genuinely heartfelt greeting you receive, whether it’s your first or 50th visit
“We are so happy customers come here,” Kevin said. “When they come and love our food, love our service and come back with friends, it makes me so happy. Thank you for making our dream come true.”
Here’s to many more years
MAKS Asian Kitchen & Sushi, 13650 Fiddlesticks Blvd., Unit 206, Fort Myers; open 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; (239) 985-9632; maksfl.com or follow on Facebook
Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at rhgeorge@fortmyer.gannett.com
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