Where To Eat
The following are some of our favorite local spots, representing only the tip of the iceberg for dining in Sarasota. For places that offer them, reservations are a must since March is high season.
The following are in no particular order. All those with an asterisk offer outdoor seating.
Breakfast, Lunch, & Casual Dining
The Serving Spoon ($). Best breakfast in town.
First Watch ($). Solid breakfasts, multiple locations.
*The Hob Nob ($). Great 1950s-era burger shack.
Mama G's ($). Real German bakery just north of the College; sweet and savory pastries, everything homemade. Breakfast & lunch.
*The Overton ($$). Hipster eatery with extensive outdoor seating.
*Artisan Cheese Co. ($$). Limited but very tasty lunch options (usually some form of taco and grilled cheese).
Fushi-Poké ($). Hawaiian-style ramen and poké bowls; also great steamed buns. No outside seating, but easy online ordering for pickup.
*Station 400 ($$). Good breakfast, brunch, and lunch in and around a converted old train station transplanted from Indiana. Nice outdoor garden seating.
*Ringling Grillroom ($$). Classy modern American inside Ringling Visitor Pavilion. Easy walk from College. Also does early dinners (to 7pm).
*Tijuana Flats Burrito Co. ($) Local Tex-Mex chain with an extensive salsa bar.
Dinner
*Blu Kouzina ($$$). Excellent Greek food on St Armands Circle, emphasizing seafood.
*Dry Dock Waterfront Grill ($$$). Good seafood. Limited but lovely outdoor seating; outdoor tables cannot be reserved.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar ($$). Cheap and cheerful.
Rico's Pizza ($). Slightly seedy venue but good pizza, with pics of the pope and Padre Pio. Walkable from College.
*Drunken Poet Café ($$). Thai food and sushi.
*Spice Station ($$). More Thai food and sushi.
*Tandoor ($$). Best Indian around.
Captain Brian's ($$). Lunch and dinner; good seafood simply prepared.
*Café Epicure ($$). Good pizza, wine list, and a decent cappuccino.
*The Old Salty Dog ($$). Pseudo-British pub with good fish & chips and nice water views.
*Owen's Fish Camp ($$$). Jolly Southern bayou atmosphere with emphasis on seafood. Nice beer garden. No reservations except for large parties.
*Mandeville Beer Garden ($$). Lots of featured local beers and food. Good outdoor seating.
*Siegfried's Restaurant & Biergarten ($$). Classic German. Nice beer garden.
*Boca ($$). Hipster restaurant: mason jars with basil plants. Limited outdoor seating.
*Columbia ($$). Solid Cuban/Spanish food since 1905. Lively.
*Tommy Bahama's ($$$). Floribbean food on St Armands. Balcony bar good for sunsets and people-watching.
*Shore Diner ($$$). California-inspired, vegetarian friendly, very trendy. Also on St Armands. Good cocktails.
Lila SRQ ($$$). Vegetarian-focused, elegant food.
*Lucile Pizza & Wine Bar ($$). Lila's sister establishment, well-reviewed and vegan-friendly.
Maison Blanche ($$$). Michelin-starred chef serving the best French food in Florida. Excellent wine list.
*Selva Grill ($$$). Peruvian fusion, with a lounge feel. Pricey but good.
*Indigenous ($$$). Fresh food for locavores in a charming converted bungalow.
*Kojo ($$$). Trendy Asian fusion. Lots of small plates.
*Wicked Cantina ($$). Solid Tex-Mex with tasty vegetarian options and a good happy hour.
Drinks & Ice Cream
The Bahi Hut ($). Fabulously seedy tiki bar claiming to be the oldest in Florida; there's a reason for the two-drink limit on their mai tais.
*O'Leary's Tiki Bar ($). Great place to have a beer and watch the sunset over the bay.
Pangea Alchemy Lab ($$). Craft cocktails downtown.
*Rise & Nye's. Excellent ice cream, coffee, and beignets.
Main Street Creamery. Good locally-made ice cream.
*Big Olaf Creamery, St Armands. An unpretentious hidden gem. Better ice cream than Kilwin's at half the price. Cash only.