Restaurants in Sarasota
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
Marina Jack’s Restaurant
There are great panoramic views of the marina, downtown and Sarasota Bay at nearly every table here, thanks to theater-style seating and a location at the tip of Island Park. The restaurant is divided in half – one side is an alfresco raw bar with covered patio seating, the other is an indoor dining room. The menu features lots of seafood, including Caribbean lobster tail (the house specialty), and chicken and steak staples. It has long been one of the top restaurants in the city.
reviewed
-
Ophelia’s on the Bay
Sarasota’s winner for most romantic restaurant in town, Ophelia is perfectly situated on the southern tip of Siesta Key, overlooking a sweep of sparkling water and mangrove trees. Dine outside on a dockside patio, and savor the scent of the perfumed gardens around you. The food is as delicious as the surroundings. Ophelia’s serves world-flavor-influenced haute couture North American cuisine, and has a lengthy wine and bubbly list.
reviewed
-
Morton’s Gourmet Market
Purveyors of upscale picnic food (although they also have outdoor tables), this place has excellent sandwiches, pastries, salads and hot-food items. About 15 blocks south of downtown in the Southside Village area, Morton’s is one of a few upscale places here and is frequented by neighborhood gourmands. Osprey Ave runs parallel to the Tamiami Trail, so this place is really on the way to Siesta Key from downtown.
reviewed
-
Hemingway's
In addition to a couple of tiny balcony tables overlooking the action on St Armand's Key, Hemingway's also has lots of indoor seating. Good for families as well as couples, these well-served and well-prepared dishes range from salads and grilled chicken sandwiches to surf-and-turf specials. Nothing's going to knock your sandals off, but it's a pretty good place.
reviewed
-
Patrick’s
For all-American diner grub, you can’t beat Patrick’s. There are sports on the TV, super-sized burgers, sizzling steaks and potatoes cooked in all manner of styles. The atmosphere is just the right mix of low-key and downtown swank, the kind of spot where Sarasota’s suit set comes after work for dirty martinis and networking. Patrick’s stays open late.
reviewed
-
Michael’s on East
Within the Midtown Plaza, Michael’s serves exceptionally creative cuisine in elegant digs. The menu changes seasonally but patrons are loyal to Michael’s throughout the year. To experience Michael’s deservedly award-winning cuisine while still hanging on to your wallet, come for a fancy lunchtime sandwich or partake of the lighter bar menu.
reviewed
-
Blasé Café & Martini Bar
This little Siesta Key place tucked into the Village Corner plaza (with outdoor tables basically in a parking lot) draws loyal locals because of great breakfasts, big casual lunches and much more gourmet dinners. (Think along the lines of pitch-perfect tuna.) Afterwards, hang out at the martini bar, which has live music on the weekends.
reviewed
-
A
Zoria
Arguably the most exciting culinary hot spot in Sarasota, Zoria appeals to sophisticated palates with eclectic dishes highlighting antelope, duck and (of course) seafood. No time for an involved meal? Hang at the bar and enjoy a lively menu of dressed-up favorites.
reviewed
-
Fred’s
A neighborhood bistro (in Southside Village) with swanky outdoor seating, Fred’s draws an upscale young crowd to its happening setting. The Continental cuisine doesn’t win any awards but it will satisfy your appetite. Friday nights are particularly fun here.
reviewed
-
B
Citrus Cafe
This true find has hands-on owners and it shows. Dine in the courtyard on casual, light and creative sandwiches served on foccacia; the spinach and artichoke dip is always a fine choice. Good espresso, beer and wine polish things off nicely.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Turtles
This fun and casual Siesta Key spot (at the southern end of the key) has prime water views, an outside deck from which to drink them in and very good fish and seafood dishes. Try the snapper or grouper - prepared almost every way imaginable.
reviewed
-
Blue Dolphin
On St Armand’s Circle, this friendly and casual diner is famed for breakfast (available throughout the day, thankfully). Try the lobster benedict or the savory and sweet peach and pecan pancakes. It also does a healthy lunch trade.
reviewed
-
Columbia
The sister of the famed Ybor City landmark also serves consistently well-prepared Cuban and Spanish dishes like paella. It also has prime outdoor seating and a lively evening lounge with music Thursday through Sunday.
reviewed
-
Moore’s Stone Crab
This longtime bayfront eatery at the northern end of Longboat Key serves stone crabs in season from October through to March. Informal seafood dishes and sandwiches are served the rest of the year.
reviewed
-
C
Main Bar Sandwich Shop
This Sarasota institution has been serving hot and cold sandwiches – from Italian to Cuban to kid-sized – to its guests since a couple of retiring circus performers opened it in 1958.
reviewed
-
Kilwin’s
This St Armand’s Circle institution pumps out that overwhelmingly sweet smell that always pulls us in for homemade ice cream stuffed into authentic waffle cones.
reviewed
-
Lobster Pot
This Siesta Key institution is resort casual and worth stopping for a sandwich. It boasts enormous lobster rolls made with sweet Maine crustaceans.
reviewed
-
D
Cafe Epicure
A bakery and specialty market, this café also serves creative Continental bistro cuisine and pasta dishes in bright and airy surroundings.
reviewed
-
Broken Egg
This breakfast institution on Siesta Key, known for its pancakes and hash browns, has a new location and scored a great patio in the move.
reviewed
-
E
Patellini's Pizza
Still going strong with New York-style pizza slices and overstuffed calzones, Patellini's has some of the best pizza in southwest Florida.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Yoders
Not just home-cooking, but Amish home-cooking, and what could be homier than that? Finish off with a slice of their famous pie.
reviewed
