Florida is a beautiful state with so many things to do and enjoy. Florida’s landscape and amazing weather make it feel like a vacation all of the time. Another amazing feature of the sunshine state is their dining options.
If you live in or are visiting Sarasota FL area, you should consider catching some rays and eating at the variety of dining establishments available. Sarasota’s restaurant scene is bustling with culture, flavor, and any cuisine you desire.
What kind of restaurants can you expect in Sarasota?
There are so many restaurants to choose from. This guide is meant to help you make a more informed choice at the time of the restaurant you’d like to enjoy.
Downtown Sarasota Restaurants
The downtown Sarasota area is a cultural epicenter for arts, good food, and more. According to the writers at Sarasota Magazine, shopping, eating, and outdoor activities are among the most popular and worthy things to do in this area. Downtown restaurants are famous for their mixes of culture, nature, fun things to do, and excellent restaurants of course.
There are many different types of cuisines available in the downtown area. There are places for all taste buds and dietary choices. When looking for dining in the downtown, you can enjoy all different types of cuisines, such as sushi, vegan food, and many Italian food choices.
Restaurants on University Parkway
The restaurants on the University parkway are vast. There are many different types of cuisines to choose from, just as there are in many other areas.
This wonderful area is full of culture and tasty food. Restaurants near here consist of Asian cuisines such as sushi and other Japanese dishes. There are plenty of restaurants that offer seafood, and some Italian. No matter what your taste is, you will find something that stops your hunger.
Whether you want to eat sushi from Sushi Hana or traditional American food from Stone Wood Grill & Tavern, you can count on the restaurants near University Parkway to be satisfying.
UTC Mall Restaurants in the Area
If you are not from the area, you may be wondering, what UTC Mall stands for. UTC stands for University Town Center Mall.
This area offers a large variety of food that just happens to be some of America’s favorite franchises. You can expect to find restaurants such as Capital Grille, Kona Grill, and The Cheesecake Factory. This is a great place to eat if you are or are traveling with some picky eaters.
UTC mall restaurants are extremely helpful for those who are not interested in other types of cuisines and would like to stick to what they know.
Restaurants on Main Street with All Cuisine Types
If you are near Main Street, you can enjoy a variety of restaurants. Sarasota is not short on Italian restaurants, which Main Street supplies.
There are also other cuisines available for dining, such as Italian, Mediterranean, Seafood, and more. If you are near the beach and want to enjoy some good, quick food, you may want to head to the main street.
Flight to Catch? Restaurants Near Sarasota Airport
If you are leaving or visiting Sarasota FL, chances are, you will be near the airport. If you get hungry, you can rest assured knowing that there are plenty of food options for you and your companions close by.
Once you land on the ground, you can experience the culture and flavor of Florida by eating at Mirna’s Cuban Cuisine establishment for delish Cuban food. If you are more interested in a quick bite to eat or American food you may want to attend many of the pizza and burger restaurants near the airport.
The city offers a very large variety of delicious different cuisines. No matter your taste buds, or culture, you can find something new and exciting to eat while visiting this lovely city.
Steak Restaurants: Every Cut
Many restaurants sell steak dinners, along with their other cuisines. However, if you are looking for a restaurant that is known for its steak cuisine, then you may enjoy Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine.
This restaurant is expensive and has many high reviews regarding their food and service. If this doesn’t sound like the place for you, you’d be happy to know that there are many other steak restaurants in Sarasota. Conners Steak and Seafood, as well as many other steak house restaurants, are available throughout the city.
Italian Restaurants
If you're looking for Italian food, this city is swimming in them. With so many to choose from it can be hard to make a good choice.
The best Italian restaurants have lasted a long time because customers can’t get enough and also make most of their dishes fresh.
If you are looking for a fancy Italian dish then you should consider eating at restaurants such as Marcello Ristorante Italiano. This restaurant is in a location near the water and offers amazing, fresh, Italian food.
If you are looking for Italian restaurants, that may not be as fancy you may want to head over to Caragiulos which is an Italian American restaurant, which isn’t as fancy, but just as good. This restaurant is also located near the water, just a little distance from Marcello Ristorante Italiano.
Amish Restaurants: Homegrown Ingredients
There are quite a few Amish restaurants available. Most of them are highly reviewed for having delicious food and a friendly atmosphere.
One of those restaurants was mentioned previously. The Yoders restaurant is a good place to eat and enjoy time with family. Other Amish restaurants are available. Some of the Amish restaurants that seem to be popular among the locals is Der Dutchman, and the Sommer’s Dutch Family Restaurant located near Bee Ridge Rd.
Seafood Restaurants for a Taste of the Ocean
Being in a state almost surrounded by water means the seafood restaurants there will have the freshest fish available. Restaurants mentioned earlier, such as Marcello Ristorante Italiano is one of the fancy restaurants that pride themselves on having different types of freshly caught fresh regularly.
There is absolutely no shortage of seafood restaurants in the sunshine state. There are plenty of beaches, waves, and fish within the sea. If you are looking for fresh, authentic, and delicious seafood, you have found the best state to enjoy it in.
Seafood restaurants such as Veronica's Fish and Oyster or Saucy Crawfish will provide you with fresh and familiar seafood dishes. If you are looking for a fancy dining experience and atmosphere, then you will not be disappointed with Duval’s Fresh Local Seafood. This amazing restaurant is having high reviews and a beautiful ambiance that is bound to get your taste buds ready for high quality, fresh seafood.
Vegan Restaurants
If you are a traveling vegan or are just looking to try something on the healthy side, you may take delight in knowing that Sarasota, has enough vegan restaurants to keep you full, happy, and healthy.
If you are vegan or vegetarian, you may enjoy eating at Beaty and Sprouts or Leaf and Lentil for a delicious and friendly dining experience. If you are looking for raw vegan food, you will be happy to know that a restaurant called Ionie Retreat & Organic Raw Food Café, will provide a relaxing ambiance and delicious, raw, vegan food for those who are looking for a more health-conscious experience.
Indian Restaurants
If you are a fan of Indian food, you should visit the Tamiami trail. This popular area offers cuisine from all over the world. Here you will find Indian restaurants like Flavors of India and Rasoi Indian Kitchen.
Cuban Restaurants & Peruvian Restaurants
Cuban food and Peruvian food are very similar. There is a huge Spanish culture in Florida and it is also present in the area.
There are plenty of Cuban and Peruvian restaurants to choose from. Cuban food and Peruvian food are very similar; however, they have slight differences as well. Cuba is an island and Peru is in South America. These places are actually close to one another and traditional Cuban and Peruvian produce, thrive in these locations.
If you are looking for authentic and delicious, you may want to try Mi Tierra Restaurant or Mirna’s Cuban Cuisine, which is actually, near the airport. Another Cuban restaurant that is worth mentioning is Ricon Cubano, which offers affordable Cuban food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
There are many Peruvian restaurants to choose from. There may be more Peruvian restaurants than Cuban in this area. Peruvian food is well known for its flavorful flame-broiled chicken.
Most of the restaurants that serve Peruvian food can be expected to have this item on their menu, however, since Florida is surrounded by water, for the most part, you can expect some of these Peruvian dishes to incorporate seafood as part of their cuisine.
Restaurants such as El Ceviche is a great example of combining seafood and Spanish food into one. El Ceviche further proves the connection between Peruvian and Cuban dishes because it is both a Cuban and Peruvian restaurant.
Mexican Restaurants: Spice of Life
There is a large Hispanic community in Florida, and it can be seen in the food offered. Along with other Spanish cuisines, Mexican restaurants are popular in the local area, as well. Many of these restaurants can be found along the Tamiami Trail and Clarks road.
Japanese Restaurants
Japanese restaurants are everywhere in Sarasota.
You can get authentic sushi, poke, and ramen from restaurants such as Kasha Sushi Japanese Restaurant, or Fushi Poke, which serves Japanese foods and a special kind of Japanese soup. The Japanese food, is most authentic, fresh, and tasty. If you are visiting or are just looking for Japanese style food, head over to the S Tamiami Trail.
Along this highway, you will find many Japanese restaurants close by, which are also sort of close to the water. This way you can enjoy some delicious Japanese food and then a day at the beach.
Korean Restaurants
If you are interested in more Asian cuisines, such as Korean restaurants, you may want to head over to the Tamiami Trail, this area, which has many Asian-inspired restaurants that thrive here. Restaurants such as Pho 101 Noodle House is a great example of the high-quality Korean and Asian restaurants, you can find in this area.
Thai Restaurants with a Curry Flair
If you love Asian food, chances are you are familiar with Thai cuisine. Thai food is just as popular as Korean cuisines in the area.
If you are interested in Thai restaurants, you may want to head over to the Tamiami trail, as suggested earlier. Restaurants such as Isan Thai Restaurant and other Asian inspired restaurants can be located in this area.
Chinese Restaurants
Chinese food is popular all over the United States. This fact is no different here. Many Chinese restaurants can be found on the Tamiami Trail, as well. Chinese restaurants can be found all over Sarasota, as well.
French Restaurants
If you would like a French breakfast or dinner, you could head over to Main street to enjoy Pastries at C’est La Vie or Midnight Pass Rd for dinner at the highly-rated Miguel’s Restaurant. There are more French restaurants scattered, that you may enjoy.
Area’s such as University Parkway and South Poinsettia have French cuisines everyone will enjoy.
Sarasota's Greek Restaurants
Many people live Greek food due to its flavors and healthy dishes. Sarasota, is nothing short of Greek cuisines. Greek restaurants can be found in many different areas of the area. However, you are sure to run into one along the Tamiami Trail and N Washington Boulevard.
German Restaurants
New York is known as the melting pot because of all the cultures it brings together. Well, Florida is just as diverse in their cultures, as well.
No matter the cuisine you are interested in, there is bound to be a restaurant that will satisfy your taste buds. If you are interested in eating or trying authentic German food, you’ll be happy to know that there are many authentic German restaurants to choose from in the local area.
Some very good local German restaurants include Schnitzel Kitchen, which is very popular among the locals, or Heinrich’s German Grill which another local favorite. At Heinrich’s German Grill, you can enjoy several German classics such as the Bavarian-style potato pancakes or a classic Schnitzel chicken salad with pan-fried pork and strips of chicken.
At German restaurants such as Schnitzels Kitchen, you can enjoy vegetarian and gluten-free German cuisines for those who are looking for a healthier option of German cuisine in the Sarasota area.
Nice Restaurants in the Sarasota Area
If you are looking for a nice diner restaurant to go to, it is good to know that Sarasota is nothing short of nice restaurants. As mentioned earlier. Restaurants such as Marcello Ristorante Italiano, offer a fancy dining experience ad good quality, fresh food.
Michelin Restaurants: Quality Over Quantity
If you are more interested in a Michelin restaurant will good food you should head over to Main street. There are tons of Michelin restaurants with high ratings and delicious cuisines. You may enjoy visiting a restaurant like MeLange which offers New American food and beautiful surrounding.
Family Restaurants for the Kiddos
Fortunately, Sarasota is a great place to bring the family for beach fun and an excellent dining experience. Most of the restaurants mentioned before can be family-friendly and help introduce the entire group to new kinds of cuisines.
However, if you are looking for something specifically geared toward family fun and satisfaction, then you may want to try a restaurant such as the Orange Octopus which is well known for its sweet treats. This is the perfect place to take the kids after a hot day at the beach or just for a little desert run.
If you are interested in eating a substantial breakfast, lunch, or dinner, then you may want to go to the Athens family restaurant, which is just a couple of blocks away from the water.
This place serves American diner food that everyone can enjoy. If you're looking for a reason to bring your family to Sarasota, the family restaurants could be one.
Dog Friendly Restaurants
Your furry friends are part of the family as well, and it may feel unfair to have to leave them at home when the family is having an outing that involves dining out at a restaurant. Fortunately, there are many dog-friendly restaurants in the Sarasota area.
If you are looking for a place to bring your dog, you may want to visit the following look, to get a decent overview of where you can bring your dog, Bring Fido. Some restaurants that I mentioned earlier are actually dog friendly, have good food, and can be a memory you and your family never forget.
If you are visiting or live in the Sarasota area, you can enjoy cuisines from around the world and in your own backyard, from many different high-quality dining establishments. The restaurants enjoy what they do, which translates to tasty food, and excellent service.