Guidebook for Sarasota
Food Scene
The ambience and food are fantastic. This is my favorite restaurant in Sarasota. It is located in an artsy neighborhood downtown and is a converted house. It has a lovely wrap around porch that creates a real Florida ambience. The food is fresh, original and creative. They locally source fish and vegetables. During season it is very busy, so book before you come.
80 locals recommend
Indigenous Restaurant
239 S Links AveThe ambience and food are fantastic. This is my favorite restaurant in Sarasota. It is located in an artsy neighborhood downtown and is a converted house. It has a lovely wrap around porch that creates a real Florida ambience. The food is fresh, original and creative. They locally source fish and vegetables. During season it is very busy, so book before you come.
This is my go-to fish market. They have a great variety of local fish, all fresh within 24 hours. You can pick up some stone crabs, gulf shrimp, scallops, oysters or some delicious hogfish or triple tail grouper and cook here or they offer a nice menu. I love the staff and the food here. It's a little place that packs up with locals and tourists alike. They now have two locations on Siesta Key, one is just south of the bridge when you cross (the original) and one that is in Siesta Key Village.
32 locals recommend
Big Water Fish Market
6639 Midnight Pass RdThis is my go-to fish market. They have a great variety of local fish, all fresh within 24 hours. You can pick up some stone crabs, gulf shrimp, scallops, oysters or some delicious hogfish or triple tail grouper and cook here or they offer a nice menu. I love the staff and the food here. It's a little place that packs up with locals and tourists alike. They now have two locations on Siesta Key, one is just south of the bridge when you cross (the original) and one that is in Siesta Key Village.
Yume Sushi is in downtown Sarasota on Main Street. It's my favorite sushi place. Excellent selection of not only sushi, but other Japanese dishes. The ambience is very relaxing and quiet.
12 locals recommend
Yume Sushi
1532 Main StYume Sushi is in downtown Sarasota on Main Street. It's my favorite sushi place. Excellent selection of not only sushi, but other Japanese dishes. The ambience is very relaxing and quiet.
For me, it's the best pizza around if you’re in the mood for thin crust NJ style. (For Chicago-style thin, I recommend Sarasota Brewing Company.). They are open until 3 am! Late night food is difficult in Sarasota, so this is the place to go for late night pizza. They also deliver for a nominal fee.
8 locals recommend
Solorzanos Late Night Pizzeria Gulf Gate
6574 Superior AveFor me, it's the best pizza around if you’re in the mood for thin crust NJ style. (For Chicago-style thin, I recommend Sarasota Brewing Company.). They are open until 3 am! Late night food is difficult in Sarasota, so this is the place to go for late night pizza. They also deliver for a nominal fee.
Munchies 420 is a Sarasota icon. They serve food until 4:20 am, but the bar closes at 2 am. It's a real Florida spot. They have an inside and outside bar. The wings are great as well as any other fried delight you wish to order.
32 locals recommend
Munchies 420 Cafe
6639 Superior AveMunchies 420 is a Sarasota icon. They serve food until 4:20 am, but the bar closes at 2 am. It's a real Florida spot. They have an inside and outside bar. The wings are great as well as any other fried delight you wish to order.
It's a great casual down-home Florida spot to eat. Just picnic table and paper napkins. Expect to share a spot with some locals or other tourists. There is live music some nights. Great place to grab some fresh fish!
261 locals recommend
Owens Fish Camp
516 Burns CtIt's a great casual down-home Florida spot to eat. Just picnic table and paper napkins. Expect to share a spot with some locals or other tourists. There is live music some nights. Great place to grab some fresh fish!
It's a great local joint within a 10 minute walk from the house. They have a raw bar with delicious, plump Louisiana oysters. You can also get steamed oysters and shrimp and other good grub food. They have a hopping bar and outdoor area.
27 locals recommend
Monk's Steamer Bar Inc
6690 Superior AveIt's a great local joint within a 10 minute walk from the house. They have a raw bar with delicious, plump Louisiana oysters. You can also get steamed oysters and shrimp and other good grub food. They have a hopping bar and outdoor area.
Toasted Mango Cafe
430 N Tamiami TrailGood prices and good food. Great for breakfast and brunch.
Big Olaf Creamery
5208 Ocean BlvdKnown for its great ice cream!
I love La Bodega because it's a small, little known place except for the small hispanic community. They have a little shop where you can buy Mexican and some Peruvian goods. In the back is a little restaurant that looks just like a place in Mexico. The food is good and reasonably priced. Sit around with the locals and watch your favorite soccer game while sipping some Mexican beer and eating some home made tacos!
La Bodega
2828 Clark RdI love La Bodega because it's a small, little known place except for the small hispanic community. They have a little shop where you can buy Mexican and some Peruvian goods. In the back is a little restaurant that looks just like a place in Mexico. The food is good and reasonably priced. Sit around with the locals and watch your favorite soccer game while sipping some Mexican beer and eating some home made tacos!
This is by far the best authentic Peruvian food I've had while in the States, and I've tried quite a few as Peruvian is my favorite cuisine. They have two more restaurants, one in Barcelona, Spain and the other in Miami. The decor is just like you'd find in a local spot in Peru. The food is outstanding!! Try the papas a la huacaina, the ceviche, parihuela (a seafood soup) or the chupe de camarones (shrimp soup made with cream and egg.) It is amazing! They also have a ton of typical beef and pork dishes. If you're lucky, they might have the quintessential Peruvian cocktail called "Pisco Sour". It's a win-win.
El Patio Latino Peruvian Restaurant
1100 N Tuttle AveThis is by far the best authentic Peruvian food I've had while in the States, and I've tried quite a few as Peruvian is my favorite cuisine. They have two more restaurants, one in Barcelona, Spain and the other in Miami. The decor is just like you'd find in a local spot in Peru. The food is outstanding!! Try the papas a la huacaina, the ceviche, parihuela (a seafood soup) or the chupe de camarones (shrimp soup made with cream and egg.) It is amazing! They also have a ton of typical beef and pork dishes. If you're lucky, they might have the quintessential Peruvian cocktail called "Pisco Sour". It's a win-win.
Keke's Breakfast Cafe
3456 Clark RdThe breakfast is amazing!
This is a fun hangout with a mix of locals and tourists. It’s an open air bar next to the restaurant and they have a good selection of local and national beers, as well as mixed drinks. Live music on weekends. You can order food from the restaurant, which is a few feet away. If you’re looking for a quieter ambience, but still open-air, head to the back of the parking lot where you’ll find the beer garden. They only serve only beer (usually a Calusa brew, a Sarasota brewery—see my recommendation for that spot! ) and the Tampa-based brewery Cigar City-Jai Alai IPA, and a couple nationally-based brews). It’s a great place if you want to have a good beer and a nice conversation. Suitable for families, unlike the Sneaky Tiki, which is more an adult place.
39 locals recommend
Captain Curt's Sniki Tiki
1204 Old Stickney Point RdThis is a fun hangout with a mix of locals and tourists. It’s an open air bar next to the restaurant and they have a good selection of local and national beers, as well as mixed drinks. Live music on weekends. You can order food from the restaurant, which is a few feet away. If you’re looking for a quieter ambience, but still open-air, head to the back of the parking lot where you’ll find the beer garden. They only serve only beer (usually a Calusa brew, a Sarasota brewery—see my recommendation for that spot! ) and the Tampa-based brewery Cigar City-Jai Alai IPA, and a couple nationally-based brews). It’s a great place if you want to have a good beer and a nice conversation. Suitable for families, unlike the Sneaky Tiki, which is more an adult place.
This is a Sarasota icon. It’s both a fresh fish market and restaurant (which is always packed with people). When it’s high season and I haven’t been out diving to spear my own fish, I come here to buy rather than Big Water fish market due to traffic to get over to Siesta Key. They have an extensive selection of fish, both local and imported. I tend to buy locally sourced for a variety of reasons, but if you’re in need of a nice tuna steak or another variety, they’ve got it. They also have very good Key Lime pie. You can buy a whole one to take with you!
150 locals recommend
Walt's Fish Market Restaurant
4144 S Tamiami TrailThis is a Sarasota icon. It’s both a fresh fish market and restaurant (which is always packed with people). When it’s high season and I haven’t been out diving to spear my own fish, I come here to buy rather than Big Water fish market due to traffic to get over to Siesta Key. They have an extensive selection of fish, both local and imported. I tend to buy locally sourced for a variety of reasons, but if you’re in need of a nice tuna steak or another variety, they’ve got it. They also have very good Key Lime pie. You can buy a whole one to take with you!
This is a fantastic Italian restaurant. I don’t generally favor Italian restaurants, but I can’t say enough wonderful things about this place. The food and ambience are spectacular. It’s located a 5 minute walk from my house, in the shopping plaza across Clark Road. You would never know it’s a restaurant. You can’t see inside due to the blackened windows, and there’s no big sign hanging out front. When you enter, you feel as though you’ve been transported to a small northern Italian restaurant. There is limited seating: the back room has tables by the open kitchen, and there are about 6 tables in the front part of restaurant. The menu changes with delicious fresh specials, including a fish dish. The food is truly wonderful. Things to note: you must make a reservation, it’s BYOB, and cash or check only. Do not miss!
6 locals recommend
Puccini's
2881 Clark RdThis is a fantastic Italian restaurant. I don’t generally favor Italian restaurants, but I can’t say enough wonderful things about this place. The food and ambience are spectacular. It’s located a 5 minute walk from my house, in the shopping plaza across Clark Road. You would never know it’s a restaurant. You can’t see inside due to the blackened windows, and there’s no big sign hanging out front. When you enter, you feel as though you’ve been transported to a small northern Italian restaurant. There is limited seating: the back room has tables by the open kitchen, and there are about 6 tables in the front part of restaurant. The menu changes with delicious fresh specials, including a fish dish. The food is truly wonderful. Things to note: you must make a reservation, it’s BYOB, and cash or check only. Do not miss!
SPEARFISH GRILLE
1265 Old Stickney Point RdI love Brine because they have an amazing selection of East and West Coast oysters that change continually. I’m from Baltimore, so you can’t trick me with a sub par crab cake! The owners are from Maryland and the crab cakes are to die for. The rest of the menu is equally delicious. It’s definitely a menu for seafood lovers.
6 locals recommend
Brine Seafood and Raw Bar
2250 Gulf Gate DriveI love Brine because they have an amazing selection of East and West Coast oysters that change continually. I’m from Baltimore, so you can’t trick me with a sub par crab cake! The owners are from Maryland and the crab cakes are to die for. The rest of the menu is equally delicious. It’s definitely a menu for seafood lovers.
I know it’s odd… who would get Mexican food at a gas station? The food is amazing! They have a wide selection of Mexican dishes as well as Venezuelan. You can eat there (no alcoholic beverages allowed) or carry out. A must for the authentic Mexican/Venezuelan food lover!
6 locals recommend
TACO JALISCO Inside TEXACO GAS STATION
6895 S Tamiami TrailI know it’s odd… who would get Mexican food at a gas station? The food is amazing! They have a wide selection of Mexican dishes as well as Venezuelan. You can eat there (no alcoholic beverages allowed) or carry out. A must for the authentic Mexican/Venezuelan food lover!
They have great tacos including vegetarian and GF options. It’s a place with funky and fun decor and a good beer selection.
23 locals recommend
Screaming Goat Taqueria
6566 Superior AveThey have great tacos including vegetarian and GF options. It’s a place with funky and fun decor and a good beer selection.
Drinks & Nightlife
A great place to relax outside while enjoying local fresh fish and a great selection of local and import beers. They have live music on the weekends. It has an old Florida atmosphere, and the conch fritters are the best I’ve had around here. All fish is local and caught within the past 24 hours, so what’s available depends on what was caught. It’s the only place I’ve found that serves my favorite florida fish: hogfish.
This is a Siesta Key icon. It's a great place for drinks, fresh oysters and live music. They usually have a great variety of oysters from the northeast as well as Florida. They have a full menu as well. It's a great spot for day or nighttime drinks and fun.
167 locals recommend
Siesta Key Oyster Bar
5238 Ocean BlvdThis is a Siesta Key icon. It's a great place for drinks, fresh oysters and live music. They usually have a great variety of oysters from the northeast as well as Florida. They have a full menu as well. It's a great spot for day or nighttime drinks and fun.
I love Calusa! It is my favorite brewery, and not just in Sarasota. If you're into great beer, Calusa is a must. They converted a warehouse into a brewery/tap room. The bar is bright, open and very welcoming. If you’re lucky, Ed will be your bartender, and he will throughly amaze you with a description of the beers on tap like one you’ve never heard. They are only open Tuesday-Sunday and have great food trucks to satisfy your hunger. Don't miss it!
21 locals recommend
Calusa Brewing
5377 Derek AveI love Calusa! It is my favorite brewery, and not just in Sarasota. If you're into great beer, Calusa is a must. They converted a warehouse into a brewery/tap room. The bar is bright, open and very welcoming. If you’re lucky, Ed will be your bartender, and he will throughly amaze you with a description of the beers on tap like one you’ve never heard. They are only open Tuesday-Sunday and have great food trucks to satisfy your hunger. Don't miss it!
This is a nice local spot close to Casa Tranquila. They have their own brews, a full bar, and a small menu of great appetizers, sandwiches, ribs and salads. If you’re from Chicago, you’ll love their Chicago beef sandwich, and I love their Chicago style thin crust pizza. (the Chicago-style deep dish is pretty good for Florida standards). Happy hour is from 4-7 weekdays: some 5 dollar appetizers like wings and their yummy homemade quesadilla rolls, and beer and drink discounts. There are lots of famous sports icons who have stopped in and have their own mugs at the bar. They serve food until about 11 pm.
6 locals recommend
Sarasota Brewing Co
6607 Gateway AveThis is a nice local spot close to Casa Tranquila. They have their own brews, a full bar, and a small menu of great appetizers, sandwiches, ribs and salads. If you’re from Chicago, you’ll love their Chicago beef sandwich, and I love their Chicago style thin crust pizza. (the Chicago-style deep dish is pretty good for Florida standards). Happy hour is from 4-7 weekdays: some 5 dollar appetizers like wings and their yummy homemade quesadilla rolls, and beer and drink discounts. There are lots of famous sports icons who have stopped in and have their own mugs at the bar. They serve food until about 11 pm.
It has great views of Sarasota Bay. It is popular with locals and tourists alike. They have a huge deck where you can while away the afternoon or evening sipping beer, wine or cocktails. They have a food menu...not the best, but fine for accompanying those cocktails and beer.
257 locals recommend
marina jacks
2 Marina PlazaIt has great views of Sarasota Bay. It is popular with locals and tourists alike. They have a huge deck where you can while away the afternoon or evening sipping beer, wine or cocktails. They have a food menu...not the best, but fine for accompanying those cocktails and beer.
They have an amazing selection of hand-crafted beers from around the world to suit anyone's taste. They also serve good food. It's a cozy pub, but also has tables.
16 locals recommend
Shakespeare's Craft Beer and Gastro Pub
3550 S Osprey AveThey have an amazing selection of hand-crafted beers from around the world to suit anyone's taste. They also serve good food. It's a cozy pub, but also has tables.
The have a rooftop pool and bar overlooking Sarasota Bay!
32 locals recommend
Art Ovation Hotel, Autograph Collection
1255 N Palm AveThe have a rooftop pool and bar overlooking Sarasota Bay!
The view from the 19th floor rooftop bar is amazing! There is a pool and a full view of Sarasota Bay and downtown. They offer a full bar and a small food menu. I highly recommend to stop in to watch an amazing sunset over the bay and downtown.
73 locals recommend
The Westin Sarasota
100 Marina View DrThe view from the 19th floor rooftop bar is amazing! There is a pool and a full view of Sarasota Bay and downtown. They offer a full bar and a small food menu. I highly recommend to stop in to watch an amazing sunset over the bay and downtown.
O’Leary’s is downtown (near Marina Jack’s) and is a great place to dig your toes in the sand, look out onto Sarasota Bay, and enjoy some live music on the weekends. They usually have reggae or island type music. They also serve food, but I recommend more for a quick bite than your main meal.
171 locals recommend
Oleary's Tiki Bar & Grill
5 Bayfront DrO’Leary’s is downtown (near Marina Jack’s) and is a great place to dig your toes in the sand, look out onto Sarasota Bay, and enjoy some live music on the weekends. They usually have reggae or island type music. They also serve food, but I recommend more for a quick bite than your main meal.
Parks & Nature
A beautiful setting for botanical gardens. It's just a great way to spend an hour or two wandering around the beautiful grounds and experiencing all the flora of Florida. Highly recommend.
433 locals recommend
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
1534 Mound StA beautiful setting for botanical gardens. It's just a great way to spend an hour or two wandering around the beautiful grounds and experiencing all the flora of Florida. Highly recommend.
This is another great place to kayak or paddle board in the mangroves and in the bay. There are no rentals located here. You must rent elsewhere and transport. Ask me for more details if you're interested.
Vamo Drive Park
1690 Vamo DrThis is another great place to kayak or paddle board in the mangroves and in the bay. There are no rentals located here. You must rent elsewhere and transport. Ask me for more details if you're interested.
Myakka River State Park
13208 State Rd 72Ted Sperling Nature Park and mangrove tunnels
190 Taft DrArts & Culture
A beautiful collection of art in a small museum.
540 locals recommend
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore RdA beautiful collection of art in a small museum.
Essentials
I love to grocery shop here! It’s a small grocery with all you need, especially great for organic vegetables and fruits, and any other organic item you may want. They carry non-organic too.
19 locals recommend
Sprouts Farmers Market
8330 S Tamiami TrailI love to grocery shop here! It’s a small grocery with all you need, especially great for organic vegetables and fruits, and any other organic item you may want. They carry non-organic too.
Since the Publix at Beneva is closed for renovations, this is the closest supermarket (a 5 minute drive).
74 locals recommend
Publix Super Market at Sarasota Pavilion
6543 S Tamiami TrailSince the Publix at Beneva is closed for renovations, this is the closest supermarket (a 5 minute drive).
Fantastic selection of produce from all over. You can find fruits and veggies you will find nowhere else. They have great seafood and meat departments as well as a wide variety of organic products. The sushi is amazing! It’s prepared on site.
51 locals recommend
Detwiler’S Farm Market
2881 Clark RdFantastic selection of produce from all over. You can find fruits and veggies you will find nowhere else. They have great seafood and meat departments as well as a wide variety of organic products. The sushi is amazing! It’s prepared on site.
Shopping
Extremely popular place for women's shopping in Sarasota. They have a great selection of gently-used, high-quality women's clothing.
15 locals recommend
The Exchange
539 S Orange AveExtremely popular place for women's shopping in Sarasota. They have a great selection of gently-used, high-quality women's clothing.
They have great upscale and moderate stores. You'll find Macy's, Nordstrom's, Victoria's Secret, Brookstone, Bose, the Apple Store, Sur La Table, etc. and many smaller, local retail stores. There are also a plethora of places to eat.
326 locals recommend
The Mall at University Town Center
140 University Town Center DrThey have great upscale and moderate stores. You'll find Macy's, Nordstrom's, Victoria's Secret, Brookstone, Bose, the Apple Store, Sur La Table, etc. and many smaller, local retail stores. There are also a plethora of places to eat.
This is the heart of downtown Sarasota. There are many little boutiques and restaurants to suit your fancy. There are also bars with live music.
18 locals recommend
Main Street
Main StreetThis is the heart of downtown Sarasota. There are many little boutiques and restaurants to suit your fancy. There are also bars with live music.
The much anticipated opening of Detweiler’s finally happened in November 2019. It’s a 5 minute walk from my house, although you have to cross a busy street. They have a wide variety of local fresh produce and fish. To note: they don’t sell alcohol.
51 locals recommend
Detwiler’S Farm Market
2881 Clark RdThe much anticipated opening of Detweiler’s finally happened in November 2019. It’s a 5 minute walk from my house, although you have to cross a busy street. They have a wide variety of local fresh produce and fish. To note: they don’t sell alcohol.
Sightseeing
It's the upscale place in Sarasota. Browse among the expensive shops and restaurants. They often have art fairs and other little markets on the weekends.
297 locals recommend
Saint Armands Circle
Saint Armands CircleIt's the upscale place in Sarasota. Browse among the expensive shops and restaurants. They often have art fairs and other little markets on the weekends.
Anna Maria Island Chamber
5313 Gulf DrTed Sperling Nature Park and mangrove tunnels
190 Taft Dr