Foodie's Guide to Sarasota

For years, Sarasota served as a popular, under-the-radar seasonal hot spot for vacationers. Many would arrive in the city seeking a sun and sand alternative to the glitzy neon nightlife of Miami Beach, or a less frenetic experience than the go-go-go resorts in Orlando. They ultimately found on Florida's stunning Gulf Coast a rich cultural history, a wealth of shopping and entertainment, and, yes, the memorizing sun and sand across the region's numerous beaches and island keys.

In recent years, the city and its surrounding resort communities have added yet another reason to seek out this Gulf Coast oasis—a rapidly expanding food scene.

People are taking notice, thanks largely to Sarasota landing on numerous "best places to live" lists over the past few years. Of course, one of the primary reasons for such accolades is the city's devotion to an eclectic array of dining options.

It's not just one specialty or the co-opting of flavors made famous elsewhere that's driving the city's gastronomy revolution. Instead, it's an organic, ground-up movement encompassing everything from fine dining to bar food, local farmers' markets, and chef-driven international fare.

While making your next dining choice might prove challenging, it's a great problem to have as we explore a foodie's guide to Sarasota.

What better way to start our list than in the same manner, we begin our day—with breakfast? While the morning staples of eggs, bacon and toast regularly find their way into mealtimes later in the day, they never venture too far from Sarasota's impressive roster of breakfast-centric restaurants and diners.

But it isn't just chicken and pork that reign supreme in the AM. Several breakfast spots in town have mastered making pancakes, crepes, and morning muffins. In other words, whatever your wake-up routine may be, there's a breakfast or brunch place to get your day off to a perfect and perfectly filling start.

The Breakfast House, 1817 Fruitville Road, Sarasota
Harry's Continental Kitchens, 5600 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key
Station 400, 400 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota; 8215 Lakewood Main St., Suite P103, Lakewood Ranch

One of the best perks of Sarasota's thriving cultural scene is that when the stage lights go dark or the pen, paints or pastels are stowed for the day, the creative crowd likes to kick back and relax at their favorite neighborhood bar.

Seriously, one of the most laid-back and joyous after-hours scenes anywhere in the country, Sarasota has a bar, club, or patio for practically every vibe.

99 Bottles,1445 Second St., Sarasota
The Shamrock, 2257 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
Siesta Key Oyster Bar, 5238 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key, Sarasota

 Outstanding service. Exquisite food. Utterly divine wine. Although Sarasota's fine dining scene doesn't yet have the breadth of restaurants of larger cities, the red roster of restaurants it does have thoroughly ace the test on quality, atmosphere, and providing their guests with an unparalleled dining experience.

Château 13, 535 13th St. W., Bradenton
Sage, 1216 First St., Sarasota
Shore, 465 John Ringling Blvd., #200, Sarasota; 800 Broadway St., Longboat Key

Even though it's a local foodie guide, we can still do a little globe trotting with our palettes. Sarasota may not yet be on the same level as Florida's most famous cosmopolitan city, Miami. Still, our Gulf Coast enclave has plenty of internationally-inspired restaurants to satisfy your wanderlust.

From Chinese to Italian, from French to Indian, to a few more tastes further afield, Sarasota's rapidly expanding international contingent continues to enrich the city's cultural and culinary scene. And everyone who calls the city home is all the better for it.

Chayhana Vostok, 4242 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Dim Sum King, 8194 Tourist Center Drive, Bradenton
Korê Steakhouse, 1561 Lakefront Dr., Sarasota
Maison Blanche, 2605 Gulf of Mexico Dr, Longboat Key
Marcello Ristorante Italiano, 4155 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Tikka Indian Cuisine, 525A U.S. Highway 41 Bypass N., Venice

Although Mexican cuisine in the U.S. is closely tied to Texas and the southwestern states of Arizona and New Mexico, Florida can stake its own claim to being one of the nation's top destinations for the spicy comfort that is Mexican cuisine.

Sarasota's food scene is a big-time supporter of Mexican fare, boasting over 50 Mexican restaurants. Among them are proprietors that specialize in authentic dishes, contemporary recipes, Tex-Mex, and Latin infusion.

El Toro Bravo, 3218 Clark Road, Sarasota
Reyna’s Taqueria, 935 N. Beneva Road, #701, Sarasota,
Wicked Cantina, 1603 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

In a city and region surrounded by water, we saved the best of Sarasota's celebrated food scene for last. It's hard to argue with daily fresh catches and a large contingent of local chefs and restaurant owners having grown up devouring all manner of Bay and Gulf-caught fish, shrimp, and oysters.

Between Sarasota and Manatee Counties, more than 125 establishments specialize in the art of seafood. But considering its prevalence, many more restaurants devote portions of their menu to producing their own creative concoctions.

There are a lot of great places to dine on seafood in Sarasota. It's one of those rarities that since everyone here loves it, everyone who makes it always gets it right. That said, for the best variety of seafood and places to eat, head to the parts of town that are on or surrounded by water.

Lucky Pelican Bistro, 6239 Lake Osprey Drive, Sarasota
Ophelia's on the Bay, 9105 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key, Sarasota
Owen's Fish Camp, 516 Burns Court, Sarasota

Want to learn more about Sarasota's dynamic food scene, incredible culture, creative arts movement, or the area's numerous outdoor activities?

Or are you considering a move now and want guidance on Sarasota's top luxury markets, including homes for sale in Longboat Key or luxury estates in Lakewood Ranch?

Contact The Fox Leiter Team today to start your home-selling or buying journey. Allow the team's experience and expertise to be your guide to Southwest Florida's stellar real estate market.