Sarasota Travel Guide

USA  #1 in Best Places to Visit in Florida
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What to Eat in Sarasota

Like other Florida destinations, Sarasota's dining scene focuses primarily on American fare with regional seafood specialties like shrimp, lobster and octopus. Local seafood restaurant favorites include Dry Dock Waterfront Grill (just east of downtown on Longboat Key), Owen's Fish Camp (a few blocks south of Sarasota's central Main Street thoroughfare) and KaCey's Seafood and More (by Interstate 75).

Italian, Latin American and Amish and Mennonite eateries are also popular here, thanks in part to many residents' ties to these communities. For Italian cuisine, travelers recommend Dolce Italia, Cafe Baci and Mozzarella Fella. Eateries like the Peruvian-inspired Selva Grill and the Puerto Rican-influenced Sofrito Mama's are considered must-visit spots for Latin American dishes. And at Yoder's Restaurant and Der Dutchman Restaurant, which reside in the city's Pinecraft neighborhood, diners can sample traditional Amish and Mennonite items, including pecan sticky buns, potato cakes and shoofly pie (a dessert with a coffee cake topping and a molasses bottom).

And for tasty libations, travelers can choose from one of the area's craft breweries. Standout establishments include Sarasota Brewing Company (a microbrewery that opened in 1989), the Big Top Brewing Company (where circus-inspired brews are served) and Calusa Brewing (which was named after the indigenous Calusa Native American tribe).

Find the Best Restaurants in Sarasota

  • #1
    Floribbean Flo's
    #1 of 1,264 Places to Eat in Sarasota
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 119 reviewsTripAdvisor (119)
    $ - $$ | American
    7644 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34231-6840
    Read More »
  • #2
    Abel's Ice Cream
    #2 of 1,264 Places to Eat in Sarasota
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 524 reviewsTripAdvisor (524)
    $ | American
    1886 Stickney Point Rd, Sarasota, FL 34231-8847
    Read More »
  • #3
    Antoine's Restaurant
    #3 of 1,264 Places to Eat in Sarasota
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 742 reviewsTripAdvisor (742)
    $$ | French, Belgian, Seafood, European
    1100 N Tuttle Ave, Sarasota, FL 34237-3011
    Read More »
  • #4
    Dolce Italia
    #4 of 1,264 Places to Eat in Sarasota
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 991 reviewsTripAdvisor (991)
    $ - $$ | Italian
    6551 Gateway Ave Sarasota FL, Sarasota, FL 34231-5803
    Read More »
  • #5
    The Garden Room Cafe at Shoogie Boogies
    #5 of 1,264 Places to Eat in Sarasota
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 211 reviewsTripAdvisor (211)
    $ - $$ | American, Cafe, International, Soups
    1919 Morrill St Towles Court, Shoogie Boogies, Sarasota, FL 34236-6934
    Read More »
  • #6
    The Orange Octopus
    #6 of 1,264 Places to Eat in Sarasota
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 414 reviewsTripAdvisor (414)
    $ |
    1220 Old Stickney Point Rd Siesta Key Beach near south bridge, Sarasota, FL 34242-3407
    Read More »
  • #7
    Meaney's Mini Donuts
    #7 of 1,264 Places to Eat in Sarasota
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 416 reviewsTripAdvisor (416)
    $ | American, Fast Food
    201 Canal Rd Siesta Key, Florida, Sarasota, FL 34242-1632
    Read More »
  • #8
    Veronica Fish & Oyster
    #8 of 1,264 Places to Eat in Sarasota
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 824 reviewsTripAdvisor (824)
    $ - $$ | American, Seafood
    1830 S Osprey Ave, Sarasota, FL 34239-3615
    Read More »
  • #9
    Gentile Bros Authentic Cheesesteak
    #9 of 1,264 Places to Eat in Sarasota
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 280 reviewsTripAdvisor (280)
    $ | American
    7523 North Tamiami Trail South trail Plaza, Sarasota, FL 34231-6901
    Read More »
  • #10
    Settimi's Gelato
    #10 of 1,264 Places to Eat in Sarasota
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 190 reviewsTripAdvisor (190)
    $ |
    367 Saint Armands Cir, Sarasota, FL 34236-1312
    Read More »
  • #11
    Element: Modern Mediterranean Grill
    #11 of 1,264 Places to Eat in Sarasota
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 353 reviewsTripAdvisor (353)
    $$ | Steakhouse, Mediterranean, Grill
    1413 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236-5714
    Read More »
  • #12
    La Violetta
    #12 of 1,264 Places to Eat in Sarasota
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 165 reviewsTripAdvisor (165)
    $ - $$ | Italian, Mediterranean, European, Tuscan, Central-Italian
    3809 S Tuttle Ave located across from TJ Maxx on South Tuttle & Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34239-6412
    Read More »
  • #13
    Cafe L'Europe
    #13 of 1,264 Places to Eat in Sarasota
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 1021 reviewsTripAdvisor (1021)
    $$ | French, American, European, International
    431 Saint Armands Cir, Sarasota, FL 34236-1494
    Read More »
  • #14
    Piccolo Italian Market & Deli
    #14 of 1,264 Places to Eat in Sarasota
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 205 reviewsTripAdvisor (205)
    $ | Italian, Pizza, Deli
    6518 Gateway Ave, Sarasota, FL 34231-5804
    Read More »
  • #15
    Clayton's Siesta Grille
    #15 of 1,264 Places to Eat in Sarasota
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 1051 reviewsTripAdvisor (1051)
    $ - $$ | Seafood
    1256 Old Stickney Point Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242-3409
    Read More »
  • #16
    Heinrich's German Grill
    #16 of 1,264 Places to Eat in Sarasota
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 719 reviewsTripAdvisor (719)
    $ - $$ | German, European, Central European
    8420 Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243-2903
    Read More »
  • #17
    Duval's Fresh. Local. Seafood.
    #17 of 1,264 Places to Eat in Sarasota
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 1903 reviewsTripAdvisor (1903)
    $ - $$ | Bar, American, Seafood, Contemporary
    1435 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236-5714
    Read More »
  • #18
    Millie's
    #18 of 1,264 Places to Eat in Sarasota
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 585 reviewsTripAdvisor (585)
    $ - $$ | American
    3900 Clark Rd Building N, Sarasota, FL 34233-2301
    Read More »
  • #19
    Shore
    #19 of 1,264 Places to Eat in Sarasota
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 1676 reviewsTripAdvisor (1676)
    $ - $$ | American
    465 John Ringling Blvd #200, Sarasota, FL 34236-1427
    Read More »
  • #20
    La Mucca Ballerina
    #20 of 1,264 Places to Eat in Sarasota
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 547 reviewsTripAdvisor (547)
    $ - $$ | Italian, Pizza, Cafe
    1668 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236-5811
    Read More »

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