Sarasota is known for its pristine beaches, arts and culture, delicious dining, and luxury accommodations. Vacationers looking for a perfect beach getaway, including award-winning restaurants and bar-hopping nightlife would do well to choose Sarasota. Boasting plenty of sunshine, beautiful weather, and plenty of attractions, Sarasota is sure to deliver an absolutely unforgettable vacation experience. Downtown Sarasota’s restaurants and bars are some of the best places to meet, eat, and mingle on the Gulf Coast.
Fine Dining
Sarasota County is home to award-winning chefs and 21 Zagat-rated restaurants, so foodies need look no further than Sarasota’s fantastic fine dining establishments. Fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico is always available in Sarasota’s downtown restaurants, with many bistros opening for Sunday brunch and serving unique cuisine through the dinner hour and beyond. Sarasota’s downtown restaurants are very accessible, with locally-sourced menu options that will please even the most discriminating palate.
Sarasota’s award-winning restaurants overlook skylines, beaches, and the downtown area. Casual sports bars, pubs, and upscale bistros with gorgeous waterside views feature unique dining and cuisine from around the world.
Sarasota is also home to numerous food-based festivals throughout the year. Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week is held during the first two weeks of June and offers a multi-course dining experience at more than 60 local restaurants. Let’s Eat Englewood in the fall features multiple restaurants offering special menus and culinary delights. Forks & Corks Food and Wine Festival is a multi-day event that includes food and wine seminars at various restaurants. The Whiskey Obsession Festival is a showcase for more than 200 spirits, offering many opportunities for tasting and sampling.
Brunch and Lunch Options
No matter where one lives, works, or visits—downtown Sarasota, Anna Maria Island, Bradenton, or Lakewood Ranch—Sunday brunch in the Sarasota area includes plenty of mimosas, omelettes, and delicious vegetarian options. Sarasota’s Main Street downtown restaurants specialize in Sunday brunch, catering to the many vacationers who want to get a head start on a relaxing weekend afternoon.
Weekday lunches at restaurants on Main Street in Sarasota provide many options for both visitors and the business crowd; from salads to seafood, delicious and satisfying lunchtime options abound in Sarasota’s downtown restaurants and bistros.
Nightlife
Nightlife in Sarasota begins at happy hour, and its downtown restaurants and bars make it easy to indulge in an extravaganza featuring delicious appetizers, scrumptious small plates, and unique cocktails. After happy hour, Sarasota features film festivals, live performances, and comedy shows that complement craft beer bars and cocktails with exotic new flavors.
Sarasota nights include plenty of live music framed by the backdrop of a breathtaking sunset, followed by margaritas at a tiki bar. For bar-hopping enthusiasts, Siesta Key Village is the place to be; wonderfully unique watering holes and nightspots mean visitors can dance and drink before moving on to a seemingly endless array of bars and clubs. Contrasting lively atmospheres and charming hospitality make Sarasota after dark an experience to remember.
Visitors and locals alike love to explore and enjoy Sarasota restaurants and bars, leaving with unforgettable memories of culinary delights, cocktails, and companionship.