Sarasota's food scene is outstanding for a city its size — James Beard nominees, exceptional waterfront dining, world-class wine lists, and a vibrant culinary culture. Neighborhood by neighborhood guide.
Sarasota's restaurant scene consistently punches above its weight class — a city of 55,000 with an arts-focused culture and wealthy visitor/resident base has developed an extraordinary dining concentration. Here's the neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide.
Downtown Sarasota (Main Street & Palm Avenue)
- Indigenous — James Beard-nominated, innovative American cuisine with Florida sourcing
- Bijou Café — Romantic fine dining in a converted garage, a Sarasota institution
- Mattison's City Grille — Downtown mainstay, outdoor patio, live music
- The Table Creekside — Casual bistro on Sarasota Bay
Southside Village (South Osprey Ave)
Sarasota's best dining neighborhood — a concentrated block of excellent independent restaurants:
- Libby's Neighborhood Brasserie — Outstanding wine list, excellent brasserie cuisine
- Selva Grill — New American, innovative, consistent James Beard recognition
- Tarpon Blu — Casual neighborhood dining, dependable quality
St. Armands Circle (Lido Key)
- Café L'Europe — European-influenced fine dining since 1973, Sarasota institution
- Tommy Bahama Restaurant — Island-inspired, reliable quality, outdoor seating
- Columbia Restaurant (Sarasota) — The Tampa Cuban institution's Sarasota outpost
Siesta Key
- The Cottage — Wine bar with excellent small plates
- Ophelia's on the Bay — Upscale waterfront dining on Siesta's backbay
- The Old Siam Restaurant — Thai institution, beloved by locals for decades
- The Daiquiri Deck — Beach bar institution, 100+ frozen drink varieties
Longboat Key
- Euphemia Haye — Outstanding American fine dining, inland but worth the trip
- Harry's Continental Kitchens — Continental classic, excellent wine list
- Pattigeorge's — Casual Intracoastal waterfront dining
Best for Special Occasions
- Euphemia Haye — Longboat Key, romantic and exceptional
- Café L'Europe — Classic European fine dining
- Bijou Café — Downtown intimate
- Sale e Pepe (Marco Island) — If making the drive south