Sarasota Restaurants and Dining

(Sarasota, Florida - FL, USA)

As would be expected of a fine Florida seaside town, Sarasota has its fair share of seafood restaurants and alfresco dining options. Fresh oysters, clams and mussels are always in plentiful supply in Sarasota.

However, the buck doesn't stop there - Sarasota also features a significant ethnic population, offering some commendable international eateries and restaurants. This ensures that visitors to Sarasota have a great choice when it comes to restaurants and dining.

Opening Hours

There are a high number of early-bird restaurants in Sarasota that serve-up delicious dishes before 18:00, even in the off-season months of May through to October. At the other end of the scale, many sidewalk cafés in Sarasota's tourist hotspots open at around 07:00 or 08:00 and stay open throughout the day. Lunchtime dining venues typically open their doors at 11:00 or 12:00.

Wine and Beer

To go with its delicious fresh seafood, Sarasota has a number of quality drinking venues to choose from, situated in several areas of the city. Siesta Key along Ocean Boulevard is aimed at the younger generation, with its seafood joints and rock and roll scene, while Sarasota's top restaurants can be found in Southside Village.

Breakfast

The best areas to look for breakfast venues in Sarasota are downtown around Main Street and Central Avenue, where you will find a profusion of street terrace cafés and coffee houses. One of the most popular places for breakfast dining in Sarasota is at First Watch on Main Street, near Central and Pineapple avenues. First Watch is part of a chain of cafés, with other outlets situated in Naples and other international cities.

Lunch

There is a fine choice of places to dine for lunch in Sarasota, both in the town and at the beach. You will find a selection of national fast-food chain restaurants in downtown Sarasota and along US 1, including the excellent Shells seafood restaurant at Sarasota Square Mall. If you are out near the ocean, Sarasota's Siesta Key has a plethora of restaurants with outdoor seating along Ocean Boulevard.

Dinner

There are plenty of spots in Sarasota for evening dining including Siesta Village, with its many bars and restaurants that also open for the lunchtime clientele. This area of Sarasota is also the place to head for live rock and roll music. However, the hottest dining area in Sarasota is Southside Village. Located south of downtown between Hyde Park and Hillview streets on South Osprey Avenue, it is here that you will find plenty of excellent restaurants.