Breaking Wave Coffee
Coffee and breakfast near the bayfront before a downtown walk.
Best for: Breakfast, Cafe, Downtown Sarasota and the Bayfront
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Cafe$$
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Restaurants in Sarasota, Florida
Good meals are easier to enjoy when they belong to the day you already have planned. These Sarasota, Florida restaurants are grouped by area, so lunch and dinner do not send you across town for no reason.
Where to eat in Sarasota, Florida
Use the area notes to keep meals close to the parts of Sarasota, Florida you will already be exploring. The destination guide can help you shape the rest of the day around them.
Downtown Sarasota and the Bayfront
The choice for museum days, restaurant evenings, and a short bayfront walk without driving after dinner.
The Overton
A downtown breakfast table with enough substance before a museum or garden morning.
Best for: Breakfast, Breakfast, Downtown Sarasota and the Bayfront
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Breakfast$$
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Station 400
A popular downtown breakfast that works when you can get an early table.
Best for: Breakfast, Breakfast, Downtown Sarasota and the Bayfront
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Breakfast$$
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C’est La Vie
French-style breakfast in downtown Sarasota before galleries.
Best for: Breakfast, French cafe, Downtown Sarasota and the Bayfront
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
French cafe$$
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Owen’s Fish Camp
Seafood in a cottage-like Burns Court setting, good for a downtown-side lunch when the wait is reasonable.
Best for: Lunch, Seafood, Downtown Sarasota and the Bayfront
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Seafood$$
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Boca Sarasota
A downtown lunch for groups wanting a break from beach food.
Best for: Lunch, American, Downtown Sarasota and the Bayfront
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
American$$
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Duval’s Fresh. Local. Seafood.
A downtown seafood dinner for travelers who want to stay close to the bayfront rather than drive back from the keys.
Best for: Dinner, Seafood, Downtown Sarasota and the Bayfront
Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.
Seafood$$$Reserve ahead
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Veronica Fish & Oyster
A downtown oyster-and-cocktail dinner for couples or a dress-up night.
Best for: Dinner, Seafood, Downtown Sarasota and the Bayfront
Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.
Seafood$$$Reserve ahead
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Bijou Cafe
A refined downtown dinner for a quieter night near theatre.
Best for: Dinner, Contemporary, Downtown Sarasota and the Bayfront
Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.
Contemporary$$$Reserve ahead
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The beach-first choice for travelers who want the sand routine to be simple and accept less access to downtown evenings.
Toasted Mango Cafe
A casual Siesta Key breakfast before sand time.
Best for: Breakfast, Breakfast, Siesta Key
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Breakfast$$
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Walt’s Fish Market
Casual seafood with a market feel near Siesta Key, suited to a low-key lunch or early dinner after beach time.
Best for: Lunch, Seafood, Siesta Key
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Seafood$$
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Sun Garden Cafe
A relaxed Siesta Key lunch suited to a beach break.
Best for: Lunch, Cafe, Siesta Key
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Cafe$$
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The Cottage
A Siesta Key Village dinner for groups that want to stay near the beach after dark.
Best for: Dinner, American, Siesta Key
Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.
American$$$Reserve ahead
Visit official site Lido Key and St. Armands
A beach-and-circle base where Lido mornings and waterfront dinners are easy, though downtown culture needs a drive.
Green Zebra Cafe
Smoothies and light breakfast in St. Armands for a Lido day.
Best for: Breakfast, Cafe, Lido Key and St. Armands
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Cafe$$
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Columbia Restaurant St. Armands Circle
A Spanish lunch in the right spot for a Lido and St. Armands afternoon.
Best for: Lunch, Spanish, Lido Key and St. Armands
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
Spanish$$
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Shore St. Armands
A broad-menu lunch close to the circle and beach.
Best for: Lunch, American, Lido Key and St. Armands
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
American$$
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Dry Dock Waterfront Grill
A Lido waterfront table with marina views, best reserved around sunset.
Best for: Dinner, Seafood, Lido Key and St. Armands
Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.
Seafood$$$Reserve ahead
Visit official site South Sarasota and The Ringling
Michael’s On East
A special-occasion Sarasota dinner where the reservation is the evening plan, not an add-on after a full beach day.
Best for: Dinner, Fine dining, South Sarasota and The Ringling
Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.
Fine dining$$$Reserve ahead
Visit official site Plan the rest of your Sarasota, Florida trip
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Menus, opening days, and reservation policies change. Check the restaurant directly before making plans. Last destination review: 2026-08-30.