Naples Through a Local’s Eye: Maddie Custer
For this edition of Naples Through a Local’s Eye, we’re turning the lens toward Maddie Custer, the voice and vision behind Instagram’s @SavorSouthwestFlorida. Through beautifully curated snapshots and thoughtful captions, Maddie shares the everyday magic of life in Naples—from coastal strolls and foodie finds to hidden gems that capture the spirit of the Gulf Coast.
Though relatively new to the area, Maddie has quickly carved out her own corner of the community—spotlighting the places, flavors, and moments that make Naples feel like home.
Today, she takes us beyond the grid to share the local favorites that bring her joy, spark creativity, and keep her rooted in Southwest Florida.
Tell us about yourself—what do you do, and what makes you passionate about it?
My full-time job is in business and innovation consulting, where I help organizations launch new businesses, explore innovation opportunities, and better understand their customers through deep ethnographic research. But in my free-time, I love exploring all that Naples and Southwest Florida have to offer. That's why I started @SavorSouthwestFlorida—to be creative and share some of my favorite things about this area with others.
How did you first come to Naples, and what made you decide to call it home?
When I went off to school, my parents moved to Naples. I quickly fell in love with Florida during my breaks back home—especially the warm weather and slower pace of life. After graduating, I had a job lined up in New York City, but when the pandemic hit, I decided to move down to Florida for a couple of months instead. Long story short, I met my now-husband, Josh, got plugged into an amazing church family, and realized my move to Naples wasn’t going to be temporary after all!
To be honest, I wasn’t thrilled about staying in Naples. I’d always looked forward to my time in the Big City, and the idea of spending my twenties in what felt like a retirement town wasn’t what I had imagined. But over time, I’ve come to genuinely appreciate the lifestyle here and all the unique, wonderful things Southwest Florida has to offer. Plus, Naples has changed so much in just a few years—when my parents first moved here in 2016, an ‘outing’ meant a trip to Whole Foods for ice cream and snacks! Now, I have my pick of great restaurants, charming home decor shops, and all kinds of unique activities. There’s honestly SO much more to Naples these days.
What’s something unique about you or your lifestyle that you feel is enhanced by living here?
While I was still adjusting to the idea of staying in Naples instead of moving to NYC, I decided to start taking horseback riding lessons. It was something that genuinely excited me about living in Florida—the access to land and barns that I never would’ve had in Manhattan. This has been one of the biggest blessings of living in Naples: the ability to ride year-round and enjoy some of the best nature South Florida has to offer, all from horseback.
What part of Naples feels most like "home" to you? Is there a place or spot you find yourself returning to time and again?
There's nothing quite like Keewaydin Island, which offers some of the best shelling in Southwest Florida, beautiful beaches, and a fun boating vibe. We often find ourselves there on any given weekend, even if it’s just for an hour or two!
If you could design the perfect day in Naples, what would it look like from start to finish? What would you do, and where would you go?
This one’s easy! I’d kick off my day at the new(ish) Kaleidoscope Floral x Wolfmoon spot, where you’ll find the best croissants, great coffee, and some fun home shopping. Next, I’d take a drive through Old Naples to admire the beautiful beachside homes, then head over to 5th Ave for a little window shopping. For lunch, I’d stop by Dolce & Salato for a delicious Italian sub and grab a boba tea from Sendo De Cafe. After that, I’d soak up some sun at the beach with a good book. To wrap up the day, I’d head north to one of my all-time favorite dinner spots—The Bay House—for their wedge salad and steak frites.
What’s one hidden gem in Naples that you think more people should know about?
We all know there’s no shortage of high-end restaurants in Naples, so I’m always on the hunt for more laid-back, casual spots around town. North Naples Country Club delivers that experience perfectly! It’s unassuming on the outside, but the food is mouthwateringly good (there’s just something about their sweet potato fries)—the experience never disappoints.
Thank you, Maddie!
