Most people come to Sarasota for the beaches. I came for the food—and stayed for the stories each meal told. Between sun-warmed sidewalks and soft gulf breezes, I discovered a food scene that blends local soul with international flair. From crispy grouper on a paper plate to duck à l’orange under crystal chandeliers, Sarasota doesn’t just feed you—it surprises you.
Every restaurant I visited had a different heartbeat. Some were buzzing and bold, others slow and sentimental. But all of them had one thing in common: they made me want to stay just a little longer.
Best Restaurants in Sarasota, Florida
Fresh and unfussy at Big Water Fish Market
Big Water Fish Market wasn’t fancy—and that’s exactly why I loved it. Just off the main drag near Siesta Key, it smelled like saltwater and fried shrimp, and I thought, "This is where locals go when they’re hungry and don’t want a scene."
What I Loved Most: The chalkboard menu, the cooler of fresh catch, and the casual counter-style service that made you feel instantly welcome.
My highlights? I ordered the blackened grouper sandwich with a side of coleslaw. The fish was thick, flaky, and perfectly seasoned, with a toasted bun that held everything together without getting soggy. I sat outside with a lemonade and thought, “It’s simple, but done so right.”
Big Water Fish Market At a Glance
- Location: 6641 Midnight Pass Rd, Sarasota, FL
- Vibe: Laid-back, beachy, no-frills
- Best Time to Go: Lunch or early dinner after the beach
- Must-Try: Grouper sandwich, fried shrimp basket, fish tacos
- Cost: $ – budget-friendly and fresh
- Hours: Tues–Sat: 11AM–8PM, Sun–Mon: closed
Elegant Belgian bites at Antoine's Restaurant
Antoine’s was one of those places where the menu reads like poetry and every dish feels like it came from someone’s grandmother’s kitchen—with a Parisian twist. I walked in and thought, "This is where you slow down and lean into the evening."
What I Loved Most: The quiet elegance. The staff knew the menu like a favorite book and offered pairings with a kind of soft confidence I appreciated.
My highlights? I had the sea bass filet with white wine cream sauce and a starter of escargot in garlic butter. Every bite was tender and rich without being heavy. For dessert, I couldn’t resist the homemade Belgian chocolate mousse. “This is romance in entrée form,” I thought, sipping a dry Chardonnay between forkfuls.
Antoine’s At a Glance
- Location: 1100 N Tuttle Ave, Sarasota, FL
- Vibe: Upscale, cozy, European-style
- Best Time to Go: Dinner for two or slow, thoughtful dining
- Must-Try: Sea bass, escargot, Belgian chocolate mousse
- Cost: $$$ – refined without being stuffy
- Hours: Tues–Sat: 5PM–9PM, Sun–Mon: closed
Homestyle comfort at Yoder’s Restaurant
Yoder’s was all comfort and zero pretense. A Sarasota staple run by the Amish community, it smelled like cinnamon and pie crust the second I stepped in. I thought, "This is the kind of place where you leave full in every sense of the word."
What I Loved Most: The warmth. Families gathered over chicken dinners, waitresses smiled like they meant it, and everything on the plate tasted like it was made with care.
My highlights? I had the fried chicken—crispy outside, juicy inside—served with mashed potatoes and gravy. But it was the mile-high slice of peanut butter cream pie that sealed it. “There’s something healing about food like this,” I thought, scraping up the last bit of whipped topping.
Yoder’s At a Glance
- Location: 3434 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota, FL
- Vibe: Country-style, family-friendly, nostalgic
- Best Time to Go: Breakfast or early lunch (before the line)
- Must-Try: Fried chicken, meatloaf, cream pies
- Cost: $ – hearty meals at humble prices
- Hours: Mon–Sat: 7AM–8PM, Sun: closed
Latin flair at Selva Grill
Selva Grill was electric—colorful walls, moody lighting, and a menu that read like a passport. I slid into a high-backed booth and thought, "This place knows how to turn dinner into a celebration."
What I Loved Most: The boldness. From presentation to flavor, every plate was designed to impress without overwhelming.
My highlights? I started with the tuna ceviche in mango aji amarillo sauce—bright, spicy, and balanced—then had the coffee-crusted tenderloin with chimichurri. Each bite was tender, rich, and complex. “This isn’t just dinner—it’s drama,” I thought, watching flaming cocktails pass by.
Selva Grill At a Glance
- Location: 1345 Main St, Sarasota, FL
- Vibe: Stylish, energetic, Latin-fusion
- Best Time to Go: Date night or a celebratory evening
- Must-Try: Tuna ceviche, coffee-crusted steak, pisco cocktails
- Cost: $$$ – chic and flavorful
- Hours: Daily: 5PM–10PM
Seafood with a city feel at Duval's
Duval’s felt polished but still local—white tablecloths and a friendly welcome, like someone upgraded the neighborhood favorite. I remember thinking, "This is Sarasota’s version of downtown cool."
What I Loved Most: The balance between refinement and friendliness. The staff knew their seafood and treated you like a regular, even if it was your first visit.
My highlights? I had the blackened mahi-mahi with citrus beurre blanc and jasmine rice—light, zesty, and cooked just right. The lobster bisque was velvety with a touch of sherry. “I’d come back just for the bisque,” I thought, dipping my bread into the last of it.
Duval’s At a Glance
- Location: 1435 Main St, Sarasota, FL
- Vibe: Polished, modern, seafood-centric
- Best Time to Go: Weeknight dinner or light weekend lunch
- Must-Try: Mahi-mahi, lobster bisque, seafood linguine
- Cost: $$$ – seafood-focused, upscale casual
- Hours: Daily: 11AM–9PM
Old-world charm at Cafe L'Europe
From the moment I stepped inside, Café L’Europe whispered refinement. With chandeliers overhead and a pianist playing near the bar, I thought, "This feels like Sarasota’s version of Paris in the 1920s."
What I Loved Most: The timeless feel. Tuxedoed servers, hushed elegance, and food that leaned traditional without feeling dated.
My highlights? I ordered the duck à l’orange—crispy skin, tender meat, and a sauce that struck the perfect sweet-savory note. I paired it with a French 75 and a side of candlelight. “This is where you dress up just because,” I thought, lingering over crème brûlée with caramelized perfection.
Café L’Europe At a Glance
- Location: 431 St Armands Cir, Sarasota, FL
- Vibe: Romantic, classic, European
- Best Time to Go: Sunset dinner after a day on St. Armands
- Must-Try: Duck à l’orange, escargot, crème brûlée
- Cost: $$$ – elegant and worth it
- Hours: Daily: 11:30AM–9PM
Tradition on the bay at Columbia Restaurant Sarasota
Columbia felt like a legacy. Ornate tilework, dark wood, and Spanish guitar in the background created a mood of warmth and heritage. I sat by the window overlooking Sarasota Bay and thought, "This is where the past and present meet over sangria."
What I Loved Most: The sense of history. You don’t just eat at Columbia—you experience it, from the handwritten menu covers to the family recipes.
My highlights? I had the 1905 Salad—prepared tableside and tossed with ham, Swiss, olives, and a garlic dressing I wanted to bottle. Then I tried the paella a la Valenciana, rich with seafood and saffron. I sipped sangria and thought, “Some places stay around for a reason.”
Columbia Restaurant At a Glance
- Location: 411 St Armands Cir, Sarasota, FL
- Vibe: Historic, celebratory, Spanish-inspired
- Best Time to Go: Dinner at golden hour with a view
- Must-Try: 1905 Salad, paella, sangria
- Cost: $$ – rich flavors with cultural roots
- Hours: Daily: 11AM–9PM
Sarasota on a Fork
What I found in Sarasota wasn’t just a series of good meals—it was a reminder that food is memory, setting, and emotion all at once. I left full, yes, but also filled—with warmth, comfort, surprise, and just enough sand between my toes to know I’d return.
Whether you're in the mood for seafood by the bay, pie that tastes like childhood, or something refined with a European accent, Sarasota delivers it with charm. And if you're lucky, your favorite bite might come with a view of the sunset.