Why mess around? If you want a great meal, try one of these five eateries—the best restaurants in Sarasota.
One of Florida’s premiere German restaurants, Sarasota’s Schnitzel Kitchen offers a jovial, authentic experience, complete with lederhosen, beer-themed decor, and apfelstrudel. The menu, crafted by a chef from Berlin, features potato pancakes, bratwurst, chicken paprika, and, of course, schnitzel.
The menu makes your mouth water. Making up your mind what to order is difficult when you want almost everything. . . . The service was friendly and efficient. The owner/chef visited our table to see how we liked our food. All in all a delightful experience. – Edmund R.
Phenomenal German food. The staff are always great and attentive. Have tried a variety of side dishes and version of schnitzel, always consistently good. Highly recommend this place! – Christian M.
From the moment you walk in you will feel welcomed and at home! The food is phenomenal—totally authentic German food! One of my favorite places . . . You'll definitely feel like you've been transported to Germany with the authentic decor! – Sheryl M.
In the mood for pad thai? Or maybe some colorful maki rolls? Below, we pick our favorites for Asian cuisine in Sarasota:
Japanese: Kumo’s Japanese Steakhouse offers both freshly crafted sushi and freshly grilled dishes by chefs at teppanyaki stations. See our deal here.
Chinese: Yummy House Sarasota is the place to try dim sum, a kind of Chinese small plates where the staff comes to your table with food carts.
Thai: Isan Thai specializes in the cuisine of northeast Thailand, which means you can’t miss the sai grog, a spicy Thai sausage.
Perhaps Sarasota’s greatest asset is its Gulf Coast setting, and few eateries take advantage of it like Ophelia’s on the Bay. Located along Little Sarasota Bay, the restaurant’s waterside patio makes for the perfect spot for a special occasion and a romantic seafood dinner. No wonder Zagat rated it “Extraordinary” 10 years in a row.
Absolutely wonderful! Everything we ordered was fabulous: the crab cakes, lobster bisque, tuna entree, and monkfish. . . . We will definitely be back! – Leslie H.
I had an amazing 60th birthday celebration at Ophelia’s. Each person in our party of six ordered a different seafood entree, and each one of us raved about our dinner. What a special surprise when our server brought us each a glass of champagne to toast my birthday! We will definitely be back! – Penny K.
Ophelia’s is a cut above the rest. The service is always extraordinary and the food is beyond compare. This last visit I enjoyed the surf and turf, which was made even more special by the use of veal tenderloin for the “turf.” . . . Prepared to perfection, it practically melted in my mouth.” – Maureen B.
If you’re in downtown Sarasota to catch a concert, a play, or to meet friends, you’ll probably want an excellent dinner. Start your search with these downtown Sarasota restaurants, which should provide a tasty meal at a reasonable price.
Big Top Brewing is more than just one of Sarasota’s top breweries; it’s a reflection of Sarasota’s history. Inspired by the region, Big Top’s beers reference Sarasota’s circus-friendly past in its name and decor, not to mention beer names such as “Trapeze Monk Belgian Wit” and “Circus City IPA.” The flavors here are also inspired by Florida’s tropical climate—see what we mean by ordering a pint of the Conch Republic Key Lime Wheat or the Big Life Tropical Lager.
As always, excellent. Beer is great and the staff fun and helpful. Great brewery. Ask for a tour sometime. I did and learned more about beer making than I had from all the other breweries I've visited. – Anthony B.
Great selection of tap beers. Very imaginative brewers, they have flavors that will make your mouth water. My favorite was the Hawaiian Lion porter. Bartender was also great. Worth the trip. – Henry H.
I always love going to Big Top. Service is always fast and friendly. The atmosphere is low-key and relaxed. The beer selection is unique and delicious. – Michele R.