Sarasota has it all!!
Food scene
For the Food Scene, please scroll through the whole list and reach out to me to help with the best fit depending on were you are and what you are doing. The Guidebook does not let you separate by area or by Breakfast lunch and dinner so you have to work through the list.
Use to be our favorite resturant...now has fallen a bit based on portion size and value. Always fresh tasty food and we like sitting at the bar becuase it usually is full of nice people and great casual atmosphere.
80 locals recommend
Boca Sarasota
19 S Lemon AveUse to be our favorite resturant...now has fallen a bit based on portion size and value. Always fresh tasty food and we like sitting at the bar becuase it usually is full of nice people and great casual atmosphere.
Located in the heart of Siesta Key Village in Sarasota, Florida, the original and world-famous Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar is a favorite among locals and a genuine treat for visitors! There are three other local locastions, one on south side of Siesta Key and one in downtown Venice and one in Saint Armands Circle.
90 locals recommend
Daiquiri Deck Siesta Key Village
5250 Ocean BlvdLocated in the heart of Siesta Key Village in Sarasota, Florida, the original and world-famous Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar is a favorite among locals and a genuine treat for visitors! There are three other local locastions, one on south side of Siesta Key and one in downtown Venice and one in Saint Armands Circle.
The Cottage is a local favorite and a cool place to have dinner. Out back feels like you are dining on a tropical island. The food is great, they offer valet parking and a great location to eat and shop at local shops nearby!
68 locals recommend
The Cottage
153 Avenida MessinaThe Cottage is a local favorite and a cool place to have dinner. Out back feels like you are dining on a tropical island. The food is great, they offer valet parking and a great location to eat and shop at local shops nearby!
Local favorite now becoming widely well known! Don't forget to sign your dollar bill and leave a memory! Great atmosphere ... music, reasonable drink prices and good bar food eats! Located in the party / nightlife area of Siesta Key!
167 locals recommend
Siesta Key Oyster Bar
5238 Ocean BlvdLocal favorite now becoming widely well known! Don't forget to sign your dollar bill and leave a memory! Great atmosphere ... music, reasonable drink prices and good bar food eats! Located in the party / nightlife area of Siesta Key!
Fish tacos?!?! this is the place to go for great casual bar food specializing in fresh seafood! Great bar and atmosphere especially after a day at the beach.
63 locals recommend
The Hub Baja Grill
5148 Ocean BlvdFish tacos?!?! this is the place to go for great casual bar food specializing in fresh seafood! Great bar and atmosphere especially after a day at the beach.
Closest to our house, this is a fun bar and resturant, usually live music with local musicians. This place is very casual, has a nice outside patio and attracts the local Sarasota folks more that than the visitor centric downtown area. Food always good and resonably priced.
6 locals recommend
Tamiami Tap
711 S Osprey AveClosest to our house, this is a fun bar and resturant, usually live music with local musicians. This place is very casual, has a nice outside patio and attracts the local Sarasota folks more that than the visitor centric downtown area. Food always good and resonably priced.
Great place for fresh south american style food. Best if you make a reservation becuase even though its a massive resturant located in the heart of Saint Armands Circle it is always crowded. Make sure you order the signature salad ... its fantastic and made at the side of your table.
118 locals recommend
Columbia Restaurant
411 St Armands CirGreat place for fresh south american style food. Best if you make a reservation becuase even though its a massive resturant located in the heart of Saint Armands Circle it is always crowded. Make sure you order the signature salad ... its fantastic and made at the side of your table.
Upon arriving this place usually is confusing for the first timer. There is a more expensive sit down resturant upstairs that has fantastic views of Sarasota Bay and Marina; however, the best value is just to sit outside downstairs on the large patio...food is great and reasonably price and the fruity mixer drinks are good. Recommend the gulf grouper or mahi tacos. Bar seats are super uncomfortable so just fair warning on those (bar too heigh for seats...and you sit facing a wall instead of the marina) So pick a table and they will come and serve you for a great place to chat and relax. Sometimes background musicians playing on the patio usually around happy hour time. If traveling with dogs, you can bring your furry friend to this outdoor space...just walk around the outside of the building not through the main entrance.
257 locals recommend
marina jacks
2 Marina PlazaUpon arriving this place usually is confusing for the first timer. There is a more expensive sit down resturant upstairs that has fantastic views of Sarasota Bay and Marina; however, the best value is just to sit outside downstairs on the large patio...food is great and reasonably price and the fruity mixer drinks are good. Recommend the gulf grouper or mahi tacos. Bar seats are super uncomfortable so just fair warning on those (bar too heigh for seats...and you sit facing a wall instead of the marina) So pick a table and they will come and serve you for a great place to chat and relax. Sometimes background musicians playing on the patio usually around happy hour time. If traveling with dogs, you can bring your furry friend to this outdoor space...just walk around the outside of the building not through the main entrance.
Our favorite place for a sit down breakfast. Old train station that was relocated to this property. Nothing fancy but food is consistently good! This place is also dog friendly if you sit outside on the patio or porch side tables.
54 locals recommend
Station 400
400 N Lemon AveOur favorite place for a sit down breakfast. Old train station that was relocated to this property. Nothing fancy but food is consistently good! This place is also dog friendly if you sit outside on the patio or porch side tables.
5 star Latin Fusion Cuisine...food is unbelievably flavorful. Dont want to dish out the cash for an expensive dinner? There is a best kept secret...Selva has a happy hour in the bar only from 4-6 every day...Mojeto's are $12 and they have like 5 different flavors but the appetizers are the same as on the menu and run between $10 to $15 per plate. This is a great way to experience the unbelievable flavors of thier dishes. Wife an usually have one or two drinks and 3-4 appetizers and we are full and buzzed for just over $100. (pre covid was much cheaper but still worth every penny)
107 locals recommend
Selva
1345 Main Street5 star Latin Fusion Cuisine...food is unbelievably flavorful. Dont want to dish out the cash for an expensive dinner? There is a best kept secret...Selva has a happy hour in the bar only from 4-6 every day...Mojeto's are $12 and they have like 5 different flavors but the appetizers are the same as on the menu and run between $10 to $15 per plate. This is a great way to experience the unbelievable flavors of thier dishes. Wife an usually have one or two drinks and 3-4 appetizers and we are full and buzzed for just over $100. (pre covid was much cheaper but still worth every penny)
Great place to eat if for a quick bite, lunch or light early dinner. Very casual (you can were your beach cloths and flipflops). Fish tacos are great. We usually go here after Kayaking the Mangroves.
80 locals recommend
The Old Salty Dog City island
1601 Ken Thompson PkwyGreat place to eat if for a quick bite, lunch or light early dinner. Very casual (you can were your beach cloths and flipflops). Fish tacos are great. We usually go here after Kayaking the Mangroves.
Nice casual resturant with outdoor patio and live music every night of the week. Moderate priced and food is nothing earth shattering but we like this place for pizza or apps and a beer.
72 locals recommend
Mattison's City Grille Downtown Sarasota
1 N Lemon AveNice casual resturant with outdoor patio and live music every night of the week. Moderate priced and food is nothing earth shattering but we like this place for pizza or apps and a beer.
This place has solid food and sounds like it should be fancier than it really is. Use to be named Clasico Italian Chophouse but may have changed name to Clasico Cafe Bar which is probably a more accurate name although both dont really fit. Has a large bar that is very comfortable to hang out and meet new people. Sometime has piano bar type entertainment. You can also site outside on the sidewalk for a lively street atmosphere. Food is consistently above average and has some nice pasta dishes. Good selection of Bourbons, Whiskeys and Tequillas. This is a good selection for a first night to give you a flavor of Main Street. If you go in the evening I recommend parking in the Marina public parking area and walking across Bayfron Drive along main Street, its only one block up at the corner of N.Palm and Main. (next to Selva)
68 locals recommend
Clasico Cafe Bar
1341 Main StThis place has solid food and sounds like it should be fancier than it really is. Use to be named Clasico Italian Chophouse but may have changed name to Clasico Cafe Bar which is probably a more accurate name although both dont really fit. Has a large bar that is very comfortable to hang out and meet new people. Sometime has piano bar type entertainment. You can also site outside on the sidewalk for a lively street atmosphere. Food is consistently above average and has some nice pasta dishes. Good selection of Bourbons, Whiskeys and Tequillas. This is a good selection for a first night to give you a flavor of Main Street. If you go in the evening I recommend parking in the Marina public parking area and walking across Bayfron Drive along main Street, its only one block up at the corner of N.Palm and Main. (next to Selva)
Hard to describe so here is thier descriptioin "It wouldn't be called a fish camp if it weren't bringing in the Bay's local fish everyday. Not only do we have fresh seafood, but accompanying Southern Classics with a great Craft Beer and Wine selection. Our friendly staff strives to match the delicious food with exceptional service to assure your visit to Owen's Fish Camp is second to none." Guarenteed fresh fish and cool atmosphere...must experience. Little pricey for a fish camp but you be the judge, most people rave about it.
260 locals recommend
Owens Fish Camp
516 Burns CtHard to describe so here is thier descriptioin "It wouldn't be called a fish camp if it weren't bringing in the Bay's local fish everyday. Not only do we have fresh seafood, but accompanying Southern Classics with a great Craft Beer and Wine selection. Our friendly staff strives to match the delicious food with exceptional service to assure your visit to Owen's Fish Camp is second to none." Guarenteed fresh fish and cool atmosphere...must experience. Little pricey for a fish camp but you be the judge, most people rave about it.
Fun Activities
Payne Park Tennis Center, Skate Park, Circus Park, Cafe, Auditorium, and Amphitheater. The playground is circus inspired! Featuring a small splash area, rock climbing, slides, music makers, swings, and so much more. Perfect for picnics and spending the day with your little ones. Twelve Har-Tru Hydrogrid tennis courts, Frisbee golf and great running surface
2010 Adams Ln
2010 Adams LanePayne Park Tennis Center, Skate Park, Circus Park, Cafe, Auditorium, and Amphitheater. The playground is circus inspired! Featuring a small splash area, rock climbing, slides, music makers, swings, and so much more. Perfect for picnics and spending the day with your little ones. Twelve Har-Tru Hydrogrid tennis courts, Frisbee golf and great running surface
Beach, Shop, Dine all a quick 10 minute ride from your home at 2651 Wood Street. Visit St. Armands Circle for some great food and shopping or enjoy the white sands of Lido Beach. Want a exciting adventure, try kayaking the mangroves groves...see links within this guidebook!
442 locals recommend
Lido Key Beach
400 Benjamin Franklin DrBeach, Shop, Dine all a quick 10 minute ride from your home at 2651 Wood Street. Visit St. Armands Circle for some great food and shopping or enjoy the white sands of Lido Beach. Want a exciting adventure, try kayaking the mangroves groves...see links within this guidebook!
Kids of all ages will love Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Small adventure ideal for young children but also quiet and enjoyable for anyone that would like to relax and walk around the small gardens and visit with local wildlife. One of the few places that I know of where you can walk with and feed flamingos! Exhausted by Disney and Seaworld!...my 5 yo's (now 22) still recall visiting Sarasota Jungle Gardens and have memories beyond Disneys enormity!
296 locals recommend
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
3701 Bay Shore RdKids of all ages will love Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Small adventure ideal for young children but also quiet and enjoyable for anyone that would like to relax and walk around the small gardens and visit with local wildlife. One of the few places that I know of where you can walk with and feed flamingos! Exhausted by Disney and Seaworld!...my 5 yo's (now 22) still recall visiting Sarasota Jungle Gardens and have memories beyond Disneys enormity!
Shop. Dine. Relax. The St. Armands Circle Association represents the over 130 merchants of St Armands Circle in Sarasota Florida. Nestled between the sparkling waters of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, St. Armands is truly unique in concept, history and ambience. It’s easy to relax, unwind, and let your cares fade away.
33 locals recommend
Saint Armands Key
Shop. Dine. Relax. The St. Armands Circle Association represents the over 130 merchants of St Armands Circle in Sarasota Florida. Nestled between the sparkling waters of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, St. Armands is truly unique in concept, history and ambience. It’s easy to relax, unwind, and let your cares fade away.
Just a 15 minute drive from your home at 2651 Wood Street, Alta Vista...discover our wonderous oceans and meet the scientists working to save them at Mote Aquarium. Tickets must be purchased in advance on line...good news...the Aquarium is open 365 day a year! https://mote.org/aquarium
532 locals recommend
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson PkwyJust a 15 minute drive from your home at 2651 Wood Street, Alta Vista...discover our wonderous oceans and meet the scientists working to save them at Mote Aquarium. Tickets must be purchased in advance on line...good news...the Aquarium is open 365 day a year! https://mote.org/aquarium
Sightseeing
The Ringling is located in Sarasota, Florida and preserves the legacy of John and Mable Ringling. It is home to the State Art Museum of Florida, the historic Ca' d'Zan Mansion, Bayfront Gardens, the Art Library, two Circus Museums, and the Historic Asolo Theater. The grounds and gardens are free to visit, and the Museum of Art offers free admission on Mondays.
540 locals recommend
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore RdThe Ringling is located in Sarasota, Florida and preserves the legacy of John and Mable Ringling. It is home to the State Art Museum of Florida, the historic Ca' d'Zan Mansion, Bayfront Gardens, the Art Library, two Circus Museums, and the Historic Asolo Theater. The grounds and gardens are free to visit, and the Museum of Art offers free admission on Mondays.
Located less than 2 miles from your home at 2651 Wood Street, Alta Vista, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is a 15-acre botanical garden located at 900 South Palm Avenue in Sarasota. The Gardens are located on the grounds of the former home of Marie and William Selby. The Gardens feature preserved collections of epiphytes, feature more than 20,000 living plants including 5,500 orchids, 3,500 bromeliads and 1,600 other plants. The living collection is accompanied by an herbarium, with dried and preserved specimens of tropical flora; the world's second-largest spirit collection consisting of vials of mostly orchid flowers in preservative fluids; and a library. More than 150 expeditions to the tropics and subtropics have contributed to these collections. Selby Gardens' botanists have discovered or described more than 2,000 plant species previously unknown to science.
433 locals recommend
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
1534 Mound StLocated less than 2 miles from your home at 2651 Wood Street, Alta Vista, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is a 15-acre botanical garden located at 900 South Palm Avenue in Sarasota. The Gardens are located on the grounds of the former home of Marie and William Selby. The Gardens feature preserved collections of epiphytes, feature more than 20,000 living plants including 5,500 orchids, 3,500 bromeliads and 1,600 other plants. The living collection is accompanied by an herbarium, with dried and preserved specimens of tropical flora; the world's second-largest spirit collection consisting of vials of mostly orchid flowers in preservative fluids; and a library. More than 150 expeditions to the tropics and subtropics have contributed to these collections. Selby Gardens' botanists have discovered or described more than 2,000 plant species previously unknown to science.
Beaches
Just a 10 minute drive from your home on 2651 Wood Street, Alta Vista, Sarasota...take our commentary beach chairs, umbrella and beach towels (get there early for parking)
442 locals recommend
Lido Key Beach
400 Benjamin Franklin DrJust a 10 minute drive from your home on 2651 Wood Street, Alta Vista, Sarasota...take our commentary beach chairs, umbrella and beach towels (get there early for parking)
One of the loveliest beaches of quartz-crystal sand as white and soft as powdered sugar. Snorkelers love the sea life at the Point of Rocks at the south end of Crescent Beach and Turtle Beach even further south offers low key alternative for a place to unwind.
400 locals recommend
Siesta Key
One of the loveliest beaches of quartz-crystal sand as white and soft as powdered sugar. Snorkelers love the sea life at the Point of Rocks at the south end of Crescent Beach and Turtle Beach even further south offers low key alternative for a place to unwind.
Nightlife
Live entertainment pretty much 7 days a week. Great place to listen to music and dance for all ages.
96 locals recommend
The Gator Club
1490 Main StLive entertainment pretty much 7 days a week. Great place to listen to music and dance for all ages.
Fun nightspot featuring live bands 7 days a week, happy hour and dancing.
45 locals recommend
The Beach Club
5151 Ocean BlvdFun nightspot featuring live bands 7 days a week, happy hour and dancing.
Big time comedy venue...250 seat venue has featured Chris Rock, Ron White and many other headline premier comedians!...don't miss a show!
63 locals recommend
McCurdy's Comedy Theatre
1923 Ringling BlvdBig time comedy venue...250 seat venue has featured Chris Rock, Ron White and many other headline premier comedians!...don't miss a show!