With 35 miles of coastline and over 725 miles of land, Sarasota County is home to several restaurants serving delicious food. From elegant waterfront eateries to buzzing steakhouses, there are fantastic dining spots for everyone. And hey – all Sarasota restaurants have one thing in common - consistently good quality dishes that satisfy your cravings.

From Downtown Sarasota to Siesta Key, St Armands Circle, and Venice, these 10 best restaurants will make your taste buds humming. Let’s explore!

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Clasico Sarasota
5.0  5 Rating (1)
1341 Main St, Sarasota FL, 34236
For a great spot to enjoy drinks and modern Italian food, Clasico is a perfect choice.
Located on Main Street in Downtown Sarasota, it's an all-day eatery with a pleasant atmosphere. Guests can sit outside in the cozy seating area and savor dishes like lobster Benedict or Chef Guillaume's famous beef Bourguignon, a recipe passed down through generations.
Caragiulos Italian-American Restaurant
4.3  5 Rating (3)
69 S Palm Ave, Sarasota FL, 34236
Caragiulos is the perfect spot for pizza-pasta lovers; it has a vintage Italian movie poster theme and encourages kids to make their pizzas. Adults can savor the freshly baked focaccia and a variety of Italian-American dishes, including the classic meatballs and spaghetti, as well as linguine with clam sauce, lasagna, and Sicilian eggplant.
1592 Wood Fired Kitchen & Cocktails
Restaurant $$
1592 Main Street, Sarasota FL, 34236
1592, formerly known as Avlí Mess Hall, still serves delicious Greek food in the same El Greco space. However, diners can also expect to find dishes from Turkey, Syria, Portugal, and Italy. The spot is perfect for a lunchtime get-together; it's one of the best deals in town and a must-visit Sarasota eatery for 2023.
Le Colonne
Restaurant
22 S Blvd of Presidents, Sarasota FL, 34236
Le Colonne Restaurant, a family-run establishment, specializes in genuine Italian cuisine and is situated at the lovely St Armands Circle shopping and dining precinct. Their pizzas are prepared with healthy dough and cooked in a wood-fired oven.
Foodies claim that their fresh, handmade pasta is particularly delicious. Make sure to leave space for their daily-made traditional tiramisu.
Restaurant $
6631 Midnight Pass Rd, Sarasota FL, 34242
Miguel Garcia, a native of the south of Spain in Andalusia, is the proprietor of Miguel's French Continental Cuisine, located on the south side of Siesta Key. The restaurant has been a part of the landscape since 1983 and is now managed by Miguel's sons. Diners there may partake of delectable appetizers, seafood dishes, roasted duck, lamb rack, and more.
4.4  5 Rating (1)
1576 Main Street, Sarasota FL, 34236
For those looking for a vegetarian or slow food movement-friendly restaurant, Lila on Sarasota’s Main Street is your go-to in 2023.
Veggies are the star of the show here, with meats playing a more supporting role. All ingredients are local, and the in-store bakery is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Ophelia's On the Bay
4.6  5 Rating (6)
9105 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota FL, 32424
Ophelia's on the Bay has been a place of gathering, celebration, and delicious food since it opened in 1988. Its menu and waterfront location have earned it a place among the top romantic restaurants in the country in 2023.
Further, guests can enjoy carefully chosen wines and view the preserved mangrove islands as tropical birds fly by, with dolphins and other wildlife passing by on the gently swaying waters.
Fins at Sharky's
Restaurant $
1600 Harbor Dr. S., Sarasota FL, 34285
Fins at Sharky's is a highly regarded steakhouse renowned for its seafood dishes, offering guests a unique coastal dining experience with direct views of the Venice Fishing Pier. Its stylish decor includes a giant fin on the roof, and its menu is full of fresh fish and seasonal ingredients from South Florida, including delicious salads, sushi, and oysters.
Jack Dusty
4.9  5 Rating (5)
1111 Ritz Carlton Dr, Sarasota FL, 34236
Jack Dusty, the newly opened restaurant of the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, is renowned for its elegant decor and top-notch service. Boasting a laid-back ambiance, captivating views of the bay, and a spacious outdoor patio, this downtown Sarasota favorite is a go-to spot for its delicious coastal cuisine, loved by both locals and tourists alike. It is expected to remain a popular Sarasota dining destination in 2023.
Tide Tables Restaurant and Marina
Restaurant $$
12507 Cortez Rd W, Cortez FL, 34215
Tide Tables sits directly on the Intracoastal Waterway and offers some of the most delicious seafood around. The cheerful atmosphere and tiki bar in the back make it a fun place to be. If you're looking for fresh seafood, their jumbo shrimp, smoked grouper, huge scallops, and fish tacos won't disappoint.