Kelly’s guidebook to Sarasota/Bradenton
Old standards in the neighborhood
These are close by, decent food and not too pricy.
Walkable. Nice pet friendly outdoor deck…live music at times.
31 moradores locais recomendam
Anna Maria Oyster Bar Landside
6906 14th St WWalkable. Nice pet friendly outdoor deck…live music at times.
Great burgers. Friendly bartender (tell Lindsey I sent you)! Nice beer selection.
7 moradores locais recomendam
S.O.B. Burgers
5866 14th St WGreat burgers. Friendly bartender (tell Lindsey I sent you)! Nice beer selection.
In a strip mall it doesn’t look like much, but they deliver!! Along with old standards, this gem has some very unique takes on tacos! No alcohol license so if tacos need beer or margaritas, I recommend take-out on the lanai at the tree-house!
Tamiami Tacos
In a strip mall it doesn’t look like much, but they deliver!! Along with old standards, this gem has some very unique takes on tacos! No alcohol license so if tacos need beer or margaritas, I recommend take-out on the lanai at the tree-house!
Fine Dining
Fresh farm and hook to table with an ever evolving menu of seasonal options. This is not a place to go if you are looking for a big juicy hungryman steak, but an experience of flavors of deliciousness! Unique and romantic atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating. Reservations recommended and ask for a table in the wine bar.
80 moradores locais recomendam
Indigenous Restaurant
239 S Links AveFresh farm and hook to table with an ever evolving menu of seasonal options. This is not a place to go if you are looking for a big juicy hungryman steak, but an experience of flavors of deliciousness! Unique and romantic atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating. Reservations recommended and ask for a table in the wine bar.
Fantastic Views and a quaint little space on Anna Maria Island. Amazing food focusing on seafood.
71 moradores locais recomendam
Beach Bistro
6600 Gulf DrFantastic Views and a quaint little space on Anna Maria Island. Amazing food focusing on seafood.
Food scene
This place started out in a strip mall near my previous home in South Sarasota. We used to walk there back in the early 2000s! The original Owner was Darwin of Darwins Brewery, he is one of the areas best chefs in my opinion! The menu still has his influence! Nice little bar scene with a bar menu to die for in an excellent wine list. And then the main dining room for date night. My favorite is the best Chilean sea bass with black bean purée and corn flan as well as bok choy. And there’s skirt steak is pretty awesome from what I hear as well. If you love ceviche, they have the best in town from what I’ve had! I have not been to the one in Lakewood Ranch, but this review is for the one in downtown Sarasota.
107 moradores locais recomendam
Selva
1345 Main StreetThis place started out in a strip mall near my previous home in South Sarasota. We used to walk there back in the early 2000s! The original Owner was Darwin of Darwins Brewery, he is one of the areas best chefs in my opinion! The menu still has his influence! Nice little bar scene with a bar menu to die for in an excellent wine list. And then the main dining room for date night. My favorite is the best Chilean sea bass with black bean purée and corn flan as well as bok choy. And there’s skirt steak is pretty awesome from what I hear as well. If you love ceviche, they have the best in town from what I’ve had! I have not been to the one in Lakewood Ranch, but this review is for the one in downtown Sarasota.
Great food, atmosphere, bartenders with creative concoctions and old time favorites. Great wine list. Sometimes live music.
Cask and Ale
Great food, atmosphere, bartenders with creative concoctions and old time favorites. Great wine list. Sometimes live music.
Music and ambiance
And these are places I just like to hang out, people watch, enjoy some live music and some even have great food!
This is a sweet little place with coffee and scones in the morning and wine and fantastic food in the evening. Nice little outdoor area that often has acoustic locals singers and songwriters. The owners are amazing and the outdoor areas pet friendly. Good people watching
17 moradores locais recomendam
The Reserve Retreat
1322 N Tamiami TrailThis is a sweet little place with coffee and scones in the morning and wine and fantastic food in the evening. Nice little outdoor area that often has acoustic locals singers and songwriters. The owners are amazing and the outdoor areas pet friendly. Good people watching
Fantastic little outdoor sidewalk area with lots of people watching! Often have live music inside and if you have a chance to see Renesito Avich while you’re In town, this is one of his stops! Traditional Italian dishes with a real live Italian owner who is very friendly and often stops at your table.
68 moradores locais recomendam
Clasico Cafe Bar
1341 Main StFantastic little outdoor sidewalk area with lots of people watching! Often have live music inside and if you have a chance to see Renesito Avich while you’re In town, this is one of his stops! Traditional Italian dishes with a real live Italian owner who is very friendly and often stops at your table.
Sightseeing
This is a must see when visiting the area.
532 moradores locais recomendam
Laboratório marinho e aquário de Mote Marine
1600 Ken Thompson PkwyThis is a must see when visiting the area.
Take one of their docent tours! Are used to work in Saint Pete night shift end had an annual membership. Every tour I took I learned something new! This is worth a drive and Beach Street in Saint Pete has some wonderful dining and people watching Afterwards!
1381 moradores locais recomendam
Museu Salvador Dalí
1 Dali BlvdTake one of their docent tours! Are used to work in Saint Pete night shift end had an annual membership. Every tour I took I learned something new! This is worth a drive and Beach Street in Saint Pete has some wonderful dining and people watching Afterwards!
Old traditional museum that always has some newer exhibits and outdoor spaces! Fun fact… My nephew in law designed the teahouse and you will see his influence in architecture all over Sarasota. Proud auntie moment and his wife is even more amazing lol
540 moradores locais recomendam
Museu de Artes John and Mable Ringling
5401 Bay Shore RdOld traditional museum that always has some newer exhibits and outdoor spaces! Fun fact… My nephew in law designed the teahouse and you will see his influence in architecture all over Sarasota. Proud auntie moment and his wife is even more amazing lol
I’ve honestly never been here, but people love it!
60 moradores locais recomendam
Sarasota Classic Car Museum
5500 N Tamiami TrailI’ve honestly never been here, but people love it!
Theater and entertainment
Just a few of the mini local favorites! Even when Sarasota was just a little sleepy town 10 years ago, we always had amazing theater and music.
Check their schedule! Multiple options during season and I’ve never seen a bad show here! Beautiful theater and very well run on beautiful grounds. Take some time to have dinner in their restaurant and walk the grounds prior to your show!
62 moradores locais recomendam
Asolo Repertory hosts the Mertz Theatre
5555 N Tamiami TrailCheck their schedule! Multiple options during season and I’ve never seen a bad show here! Beautiful theater and very well run on beautiful grounds. Take some time to have dinner in their restaurant and walk the grounds prior to your show!
sarasota opera
61 N Pineapple AveWorld famous.
Florida West Coast Symphony
Dinner and a movie. One of my favorites pre-covid. I loved taking my mom there. Great for date night also!
94 moradores locais recomendam
CinéBistro
3501 S Tamiami TrailDinner and a movie. One of my favorites pre-covid. I loved taking my mom there. Great for date night also!
Breakfast and Lunch Only
Great breakfast and lunch. (TRy their biscuits!). This chef is one of my favorites in the area...quirky take on classics. There is also one on Cortez if you are headed to the beach on Anna Maria Island.
21 moradores locais recomendam
The Sage Biscuit Café- Downtown
1401 Manatee Ave WGreat breakfast and lunch. (TRy their biscuits!). This chef is one of my favorites in the area...quirky take on classics. There is also one on Cortez if you are headed to the beach on Anna Maria Island.
Fresh Start Cafe
630 S Orange AveCute little place in downtown Sarasota.
Great little place in fun artsy district of Gillespie Park. Fun little boutiques. Stop by and say hello to the Cookie lady for me at the Cookie Cottage! Try their vegan hollandaise.
24 moradores locais recomendam
Breakfast House
1817 Fruitville RdGreat little place in fun artsy district of Gillespie Park. Fun little boutiques. Stop by and say hello to the Cookie lady for me at the Cookie Cottage! Try their vegan hollandaise.