Sarasota Restaurants

It might be the world-class beaches that first bring you to sSarasota, but the city's superb food and drink scene will make you want to stay.

There's something for all tastes here, whether your idea of culinary perfection is a homely mom-and-pop kitchen or a garlanded gourmet restaurant.

In a coastal city like Sarasota, seafood is always going to be a good option - and this is a fantastic place to savor the freshest bounty from the Gulf of Mexico. Grouper, mahi-mahi, oysters and snapper are among the local specialties, and the catch is so fresh that some restaurants double as markets.

It's not all about the seafood in Sarasota, though. Don't miss the rare chance to try hearty Amish cuisine in the restaurants of Pinecraft, or to dive into the local craft brewing scene, with local producers specializing in delicious beer and rum.

Seafood Restaurants

  • As a coastal city, it's no surprise that Sarasota boasts some fantastic seafood, with stone crab and oysters both high on the menu.
  • Check out Barnacle Bill's for the finest crab cakes in town, as well as catfish, grouper, and much more besides.
  • Captain Brian's is another local favorite, with an ocean-fresh menu of seafood plates, salads and sandwiches to choose from as well as a fish market on site.

Gourmet Restaurants

  • If you're looking to splurge on dining out then you're in luck, with a wealth of world-class gourmet restaurants befitting Sarasota's sophisticated image.
  • At Michael's On East, perhaps the finest restaurant in town, there's delicious seafood, juicy steaks and hearty pastas, paired with both locally produced and internationally famous wines.
  • In a rarefied setting next to the opera house you'll find the Bijou Café, whose fantastic French cuisine makes for an elegant start to the evening.

Try Local Specialties

  • To try some of Sarasota's traditional delicacies head to Yoder's Amish Village, where classic Amish pies, meatloaf and fried chicken are on the menu.
  • Visit Drum Circle Distilling to take a tour and try the coconut-infused Siesta Key Rum, which fuels many a Sarasota beach party.
  • If rum's not your thing, try Big Top Brewing or Calusa Brewing for an introduction to Sarasota's thriving craft beer scene.

Created in partnership with Visit Sarasota