Deborah's Guidebook
Food scene
Indoor and outdoor French cuisine.
Breakfast, lunch, best pastries in Sarasota.
Fresh coffee, espresso, cappuccino.
47 locals recommend
C'est La Vie
1553 Main StIndoor and outdoor French cuisine.
Breakfast, lunch, best pastries in Sarasota.
Fresh coffee, espresso, cappuccino.
Indoor and outdoor fine dining.
Outstanding lunch specials!
Dinner menu is reliable and a Main Street downtown favorite!!
1435 Main St. 941-312-4001
26 locals recommend
Duval's Fresh. Local. Seafood.
1435 Main StIndoor and outdoor fine dining.
Outstanding lunch specials!
Dinner menu is reliable and a Main Street downtown favorite!!
1435 Main St. 941-312-4001
Exciting and exotic atmosphere and a large surf and turf menu selection for everyone! Located at 2250 Gulf Gate Drive off South Tamiami Trail.
941-952-3039
6 locals recommend
Brine Seafood and Raw Bar
2250 Gulf Gate DriveExciting and exotic atmosphere and a large surf and turf menu selection for everyone! Located at 2250 Gulf Gate Drive off South Tamiami Trail.
941-952-3039
Historic Satasota favorite! Indoor and outdoor dining for the whole family! Traditional Spanish restaurant dating back to 1905!
Located on St. Armand’s Circle.
118 locals recommend
Columbia Restaurant
411 St Armands CirHistoric Satasota favorite! Indoor and outdoor dining for the whole family! Traditional Spanish restaurant dating back to 1905!
Located on St. Armand’s Circle.
Sage
1216 1st StEnjoy more incredible rooftop views while you dine outdoors in Sarasota!
Fun Siesta Key beachfront lunch and dinner dining for the whole family!
90 locals recommend
Daiquiri Deck Siesta Key Village
5250 Ocean BlvdFun Siesta Key beachfront lunch and dinner dining for the whole family!
Casual indoor and outdoor dining for lunch or dinner with spectacular Sarasota Bay views! Take a stroll or picnic at Bayfront Park, stop for lunch or dinner at Marina Jack or O’Learys Tiki Bar, catch a sunset.
Boat rentals at the Freedom Boat Club. Le Barge Cruises and Marina Jack boat cruises all available at this downtown plaza location!
257 locals recommend
marina jacks
2 Marina PlazaCasual indoor and outdoor dining for lunch or dinner with spectacular Sarasota Bay views! Take a stroll or picnic at Bayfront Park, stop for lunch or dinner at Marina Jack or O’Learys Tiki Bar, catch a sunset.
Boat rentals at the Freedom Boat Club. Le Barge Cruises and Marina Jack boat cruises all available at this downtown plaza location!
Walk to Michael’s for dinner 1 block east of your vacation rental! Award winning cuisine since 1987. Indoor and outdoor dining. Starbucks, Panera and Elysian Fields gift shop are located here also.
1212 East Ave. 941-366-0007
31 locals recommend
Michael's On East
1212 S East AveWalk to Michael’s for dinner 1 block east of your vacation rental! Award winning cuisine since 1987. Indoor and outdoor dining. Starbucks, Panera and Elysian Fields gift shop are located here also.
1212 East Ave. 941-366-0007
Trendy, fun, good food, great decor!
You will love it for lunch or dinner!
19 S Lemon. 941-256-3565
80 locals recommend
Boca Sarasota
19 S Lemon AveTrendy, fun, good food, great decor!
You will love it for lunch or dinner!
19 S Lemon. 941-256-3565
The Westin Sarasota
100 Marina View DrFabulous views of Sarasota and first class dining!
Upstairs and upscale dining. Great food and atmosphere. Lunch and dinner.
82 locals recommend
Shore St. Armands
465 John Ringling BlvdUpstairs and upscale dining. Great food and atmosphere. Lunch and dinner.
Downtown art gallery and rooftop cocktails and dining. Palm Ave. Sarasota and Sarasota Bay views.
Parking garage is next door on Palm Avenue.
32 locals recommend
Art Ovation Hotel, Autograph Collection
1255 N Palm AveDowntown art gallery and rooftop cocktails and dining. Palm Ave. Sarasota and Sarasota Bay views.
Parking garage is next door on Palm Avenue.
1668 Main Street, downtown. Delicious pizza, authentic Italian food, fresh mozzarella. Closes at 9 pm. 941-366-7600
14 locals recommend
La Mucca Ballerina
1668 Main St1668 Main Street, downtown. Delicious pizza, authentic Italian food, fresh mozzarella. Closes at 9 pm. 941-366-7600
Some of the best calzones and pizza in Sarasota. Eat in or take out.
3606 Webber St. 941-927-4992
11 locals recommend
Solorzano Bros. - Webber St.
3604 Webber StSome of the best calzones and pizza in Sarasota. Eat in or take out.
3606 Webber St. 941-927-4992
Authentic, upscale Italian dining and wood fired oven pizzas. Awesome!
7129 So. Tamiami Trail. 941-556-9639
31 locals recommend
Napulè Restaurant
7129 S Tamiami TrailAuthentic, upscale Italian dining and wood fired oven pizzas. Awesome!
7129 So. Tamiami Trail. 941-556-9639
Small take out establishment on Palm Ave. downtown Sarasota.
Oat, almond, soy, whole and 2% milks, small selection of scones and pastries. The coffee is rich and delicious. Take your beverage and sit on the sidewalk cafe.
18 locals recommend
Buddy Brew Coffee - Sarasota
1289 N Palm AveSmall take out establishment on Palm Ave. downtown Sarasota.
Oat, almond, soy, whole and 2% milks, small selection of scones and pastries. The coffee is rich and delicious. Take your beverage and sit on the sidewalk cafe.
Delicious coffees, pastries and ice cream. This establishment supports persons with disabilities. Grab your choice and browse the Sarasota downtown!
6 locals recommend
Rise Coffee Co. & Nye's Cream Sandwiches
1534 State StDelicious coffees, pastries and ice cream. This establishment supports persons with disabilities. Grab your choice and browse the Sarasota downtown!
Best Chinese food in Sarasota. Dining in and take out. I recommend the salt and pepper eggplant appetizer to start. The house fried rice is the best and the menu is huge; something for everyone and sharing is fun. Perfect for a group of 4 or more. Guests can walk to Yummy house from your vacation rental location.
1737 S Tamiami Trail. 941-351-1688
31 locals recommend
Yummy House China Bistro Sarasota
1737 S Tamiami TrailBest Chinese food in Sarasota. Dining in and take out. I recommend the salt and pepper eggplant appetizer to start. The house fried rice is the best and the menu is huge; something for everyone and sharing is fun. Perfect for a group of 4 or more. Guests can walk to Yummy house from your vacation rental location.
1737 S Tamiami Trail. 941-351-1688
The Old Salty Dog City island
1601 Ken Thompson PkwyBritish pub, casual, live entertainment
Fresh, hot wholesome food. Build your own burrito, bowl or salad. Great chips and salsa/guacamole. Indoor and outdoor dining. Call for take out/delivery. Located across the street from Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
1707 S. Tamiami Trail
941-957-6406
10 locals recommend
Chipotle Mexican Grill
1707 S Tamiami TrailFresh, hot wholesome food. Build your own burrito, bowl or salad. Great chips and salsa/guacamole. Indoor and outdoor dining. Call for take out/delivery. Located across the street from Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
1707 S. Tamiami Trail
941-957-6406
Hearty breakfasts and lunches served inside and outside. Located 1 block west and north of Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
1825 S. Osprey Ave.
17 locals recommend
Serving Spoon
1825 S Osprey AveHearty breakfasts and lunches served inside and outside. Located 1 block west and north of Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
1825 S. Osprey Ave.
Counter serve bakery/cafe serving soups, salads, sandwiches, pastries.
Walk to Panera from your vacation rental! 1277 S Tamiami Trail.
941-953-5480.
16 locals recommend
Panera Bread
1277 S Tamiami TrailCounter serve bakery/cafe serving soups, salads, sandwiches, pastries.
Walk to Panera from your vacation rental! 1277 S Tamiami Trail.
941-953-5480.
Local tea house within walking distance from your vacation home.
1926 Hillview Street. Open 2-10 pm 7 days a week.
Elixir Tea House
1926 Hillview StLocal tea house within walking distance from your vacation home.
1926 Hillview Street. Open 2-10 pm 7 days a week.
Outdoor Activities
Picnic style outdoor paddle boarding and kayaking.
21 locals recommend
Kayak Jacks Paddlesports Kayak & SUP Rentals Anna Maria Island Longboat Key Robinson Preserve
5501 Marina DrPicnic style outdoor paddle boarding and kayaking.
Explore local mangrove tunnels in Sarasota Bay and kayak tours in Lido and Siesta Keys!
9 locals recommend
SURFIT USA-Kayaks, Paddleboards & Surf
190 Taft DrExplore local mangrove tunnels in Sarasota Bay and kayak tours in Lido and Siesta Keys!
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
3701 Bay Shore RdFun for everyone!
15 miles of walking or biking trails, birding, fishing, picnicking, Lake Osprey paddles, swimming and snorkeling. The Legacy Trail goes through the park for additional walking or biking.
91 locals recommend
Oscar Scherer State Park
Oscar Scherer State Park15 miles of walking or biking trails, birding, fishing, picnicking, Lake Osprey paddles, swimming and snorkeling. The Legacy Trail goes through the park for additional walking or biking.
Walking, picnicking, tennis, pickleball, basketball, aquatics
941-263-6732. Family oriented.
More information and registration:
Let’splaysarasota.com
23 locals recommend
Arlington Park Sarasota
2650 Waldemere StWalking, picnicking, tennis, pickleball, basketball, aquatics
941-263-6732. Family oriented.
More information and registration:
Let’splaysarasota.com
Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club
8801 Stoneybrook BlvdSerenoa Golf Club
6773 Serenoa Drive
The Highlands Golf Course
3400 LongmeadowSiesta Key
World famous white sand beach!
Sunday evening sunset drum circle.
Concession, swimming pool, chair and umbrella rentals, free parking.
442 locals recommend
Lido Key Beach
400 Benjamin Franklin DrConcession, swimming pool, chair and umbrella rentals, free parking.
Social opportunity to sample foods and goods and shop local produce.
Open every Saturday 7a-1p year-round. Live music, vendors and artisans make our market an award winning Farmers Market!
Closed for the holidays and reopens
January 8, 2022.
136 locals recommend
Sarasota Farmers Market
North Lemon AvenueSocial opportunity to sample foods and goods and shop local produce.
Open every Saturday 7a-1p year-round. Live music, vendors and artisans make our market an award winning Farmers Market!
Closed for the holidays and reopens
January 8, 2022.
The Legacy Trail meanders through Sarasota County starting in Venice and ending in north Sarasota.
The Surrey Ride Program offers visitors a way to experience the trail and a chance to enjoy a bike ride on the trail. Call 941-486-2757 for information and bike reservations.
61 locals recommend
Legacy Trail
Central Sarasota ParkwayThe Legacy Trail meanders through Sarasota County starting in Venice and ending in north Sarasota.
The Surrey Ride Program offers visitors a way to experience the trail and a chance to enjoy a bike ride on the trail. Call 941-486-2757 for information and bike reservations.
Floating island tropical cruise!
LeBarge cruises offer daytime sightseeing and dolphin and manatee watch cruises and sunset cruises with music and cocktails.
Hugely popular! Located at Marina Jack Plaza, downtown, on the bay.
37 locals recommend
LeBarge Tropical Cruises
2 Marina PlazaFloating island tropical cruise!
LeBarge cruises offer daytime sightseeing and dolphin and manatee watch cruises and sunset cruises with music and cocktails.
Hugely popular! Located at Marina Jack Plaza, downtown, on the bay.
Cafe in the Park 11-4pm. Live music on Friday at 7 pm. Bring a chair to sit outside. Urban cafe terrace spirit. 2010 Adams Lane.
37 locals recommend
Payne Park
2010 Adams LnCafe in the Park 11-4pm. Live music on Friday at 7 pm. Bring a chair to sit outside. Urban cafe terrace spirit. 2010 Adams Lane.
Great bay front park for taking a walk, sitting on a bench to view the water and boats, picnic, eat lunch or dinner at O’Leary’s or Marina Jack,
enjoy a sunset, check out park exhibits!
103 locals recommend
Bayfront Park
5 Bayfront DrGreat bay front park for taking a walk, sitting on a bench to view the water and boats, picnic, eat lunch or dinner at O’Leary’s or Marina Jack,
enjoy a sunset, check out park exhibits!
Sightseeing
15 acres of urban botanical bliss nestled in the shores of Sarasota Bay, downtown. Open daily 10-5.
Take a walk, have a picnic, eat at the restaurant. Check out the programs on their website.
433 locals recommend
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
1534 Mound St15 acres of urban botanical bliss nestled in the shores of Sarasota Bay, downtown. Open daily 10-5.
Take a walk, have a picnic, eat at the restaurant. Check out the programs on their website.
Ringling museum admission is free
on Monday. On these beautiful grounds you can also tour the Ringling home, the Ca’d’Zan, the Ringling Circus Museum, the Asolo Theater, and the the Ringling Museum has a restaurant and gift shop.
540 locals recommend
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore RdRingling museum admission is free
on Monday. On these beautiful grounds you can also tour the Ringling home, the Ca’d’Zan, the Ringling Circus Museum, the Asolo Theater, and the the Ringling Museum has a restaurant and gift shop.
View manatees, stingrays, small sharks, hiking and nature trails, walk out on the pier to view aquatic life. Tampa Electric funded nature preserve. Free! 15 minute drive to the Sunset Grill in Ruskin for sunset cocktails and dinner!
Manatee Viewing Center Boardwalk Observation Point
View manatees, stingrays, small sharks, hiking and nature trails, walk out on the pier to view aquatic life. Tampa Electric funded nature preserve. Free! 15 minute drive to the Sunset Grill in Ruskin for sunset cocktails and dinner!
Mote Aquarium features hundreds of marine species in their ecosystems and coral reefs. Open daily 9-5, tickets must be purchased in advance on line: tickets.mote.org
941-388-4441, ext 373.
Located close to St. Armand’s Circle
532 locals recommend
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson PkwyMote Aquarium features hundreds of marine species in their ecosystems and coral reefs. Open daily 9-5, tickets must be purchased in advance on line: tickets.mote.org
941-388-4441, ext 373.
Located close to St. Armand’s Circle
Apollo Beach Preserve
6760 Surfside BlvdVisit the preserve next to the Manatee Viewing Center.
Wonderful museum and traveling exhibits. 45 min drive to St. Petersburg, north of Sarasota.
Perfect outing rain or shine!
1381 locals recommend
The Dalí (Salvador Dalí Museum)
1 Dali BlvdWonderful museum and traveling exhibits. 45 min drive to St. Petersburg, north of Sarasota.
Perfect outing rain or shine!
Entertainment
Sarasota offers movie theaters, the Sarasota Film Festival, performing arts at the Van Wezel and Asolo theaters, Sarasota Opera House and Orchestra and many other local playhouses. Check listings on line for availability.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
777 N Tamiami TrailThe Players Centre for Performing Arts
3501 Boulevard of the Arts
Asolo Repertory hosts the Mertz Theatre
5555 N Tamiami TrailDine and enjoy a movie at Cinebistro located at Westgate Mall at Tamiami Trail and Siesta Drive. Perfect for a rainy day or evening!
94 locals recommend
CinéBistro
3501 S Tamiami TrailDine and enjoy a movie at Cinebistro located at Westgate Mall at Tamiami Trail and Siesta Drive. Perfect for a rainy day or evening!
Shopping
Wonderful assortment of gifts, cards, crystals, books, jewelry and readings! Walking distance from your vacation home.
Sarasota’s renowned shopping and dining experience. Check on line for arts and crafts shows. Close Lido Breach. Spend the morning
at the beach, then shop and dine at any restaurant on St Armand’s Circle. St. Armand’s offers a wide range of dining choices, coffee shops, ice cream and sweet shops,
apparel and jewelry stores; something for everyone!
358 locals recommend
St Armands Circle Shops
300 St Armands CirSarasota’s renowned shopping and dining experience. Check on line for arts and crafts shows. Close Lido Breach. Spend the morning
at the beach, then shop and dine at any restaurant on St Armand’s Circle. St. Armand’s offers a wide range of dining choices, coffee shops, ice cream and sweet shops,
apparel and jewelry stores; something for everyone!
Elysian Fields
1273 S Tamiami TrailMain Street in downtown Sarasota.
Amazing selection of name brands,
clothing and accessories, shoes, bags and jewelry. A favorite!
Lotus
1464 Main StMain Street in downtown Sarasota.
Amazing selection of name brands,
clothing and accessories, shoes, bags and jewelry. A favorite!
Grocery
Whole Foods Market
1451 1st StWide variety of foods, cooked foods and bakery.
Gourmet market, bakery and coffee bar located on 1024 S. Osprey. 1 block west of Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
63 locals recommend
Morton's Gourmet Market
1924 S Osprey AveGourmet market, bakery and coffee bar located on 1024 S. Osprey. 1 block west of Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Publix super market has all your grocery needs. Located on Bay Street just west of Tamiami Trail,
approximately 1/2 mile north on the trail from your vacation rental.
Another Publix is located at Bay Road and Bee Ridge Road, 1/2 mile south on Tamiami Trail.
48 locals recommend
Publix Super Market at Bay Street
2031 Bay StPublix super market has all your grocery needs. Located on Bay Street just west of Tamiami Trail,
approximately 1/2 mile north on the trail from your vacation rental.
Another Publix is located at Bay Road and Bee Ridge Road, 1/2 mile south on Tamiami Trail.
Hospital
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
1700 S. Tamiami Trail. 941-917-9000
Regional medical center, Level II Trauma Center.
2 blocks SW from your vacation rental.
37 locals recommend
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
1700 S Tamiami TrailSarasota Memorial Hospital
1700 S. Tamiami Trail. 941-917-9000
Regional medical center, Level II Trauma Center.
2 blocks SW from your vacation rental.