Favorite Sarasota Restaurants – Locals’ Picks with Photos & Personal Tips

• Veronica's Fish & Oyster

• 1830 South Osprey Avenue
• Sarasota, FL 34239
•   (941) 366-1342

Veronica's Fish & Oyster is easily one of our top picks for seafood dining, offering a perfect blend of fresh, coastal flavors and a stylish, relaxed ambiance. The restaurant prides itself on using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, and their ever-evolving menu ensures there’s always something new and exciting to try.

The menu is divided into "Small Plates," "Plates," "Provisions," "Sides," and "Desserts", allowing guests to curate their dining experience based on their preferences. Some of our personal favorites include their smoked fish dip, which is rich and flavorful, and their steamed black mussels, paired beautifully with sweet potatoes or their crispy, golden Veronica Fries. Every dish is thoughtfully prepared with a creative twist on classic seafood favorites.

To complement the meal, Veronica’s boasts an excellent wine list, featuring a full page of reds, whites, rosés, and sparkling wines. For beer lovers, there’s a solid selection of craft beers, and those looking for a cocktail will find a carefully curated list of signature drinks that pair perfectly with the seafood-forward menu.

Whether you're visiting for a special occasion or simply want to indulge in exceptional seafood, Veronica's Fish & Oyster delivers a memorable dining experience that keeps us coming back for more.

• Mad Moe's Pub & Grill

• 106 North Tamiami Trail
• Osprey, FL 34229
•   (941) 966-9700

Mad Moe's Pub & Grill is a welcoming neighborhood spot that combines great food, cold drinks, and a laid-back atmosphere. Whether you're craving a juicy burger, a taco salad, or just a cold beer, Mad Moe's hits the mark with consistent quality and friendly service. With both indoor and outdoor seating options, it’s a versatile place to enjoy a casual meal, catch up with friends, or unwind after a long day.

The menu may not be massive, but every dish we've tried has been fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. Their burgers are cooked to perfection, their sandwiches and wraps are always well-prepared, and even their salads offer a great balance of fresh ingredients. The beer selection includes a good variety of craft and domestic options, making it easy to find the perfect pairing for your meal.

Mad Moe's is a popular spot during tourist season and on game days, with multiple TVs both inside and outside so you can catch your favorite teams in action. It’s not uncommon for the place to fill up quickly, so if you're visiting during peak hours, be prepared for a lively crowd and a bit of a wait. The friendly staff and casual vibe make it worth it, though—it's a go-to spot for locals and visitors alike.

If you’re looking for a relaxed pub experience with great food and drinks, Mad Moe's Pub & Grill is well worth a visit.

• Antoine's Restaurant

• 1100 North Tuttle Avenue
• Sarasota, FL 34237
•   (941) 331-1400

We have a thing for mussels and french fries. Moules et frites as the French would say. So we recently visited Antoine’s in Sarasota. Once again in a strip mall. Maybe we should rename our post to say the best strip mall food in town. The outside doesn’t look like much but the inside is beautifully decorated and offers a bit of a european vibe. The owner came out and spoke to us bringing fresh bread from the kitchen and introducing himself and the restaurant. They are from Belgium and bake everything fresh. The owner is outgoing and speaking with him added a very nice personal touch to our evening.

The mussels are offered in a number of sauces: Creamy garlic, tomato, dijon, curry, blue cheese, provencal...you get the idea. The sauces are fantastic and the mussels plentiful. On Monday nights, they have all you can eat mussels so if you like mussels that is the night to try.

In addition, they have other choices from the sea like seared salmon, halibut and daily specials. They also have various meat dishes such as steak tartare, duck, pork, and filet mignon. For desserts they have a wonderful creme brulee, chocolate mousse, sea salt caramel ice cream with Belgian chocolate drizzle. We tried the creme brulee and it was up there with the best we’ve ever had.

This is a smaller restaurant, so reservations are highly recommended & they are closed on Tuesdays.

• Marcello's Ristorante

• 4157 South Tamiami Trail
• Sarasota, FL 34231
•   (941) 921-6794

In 2010 some good friends invited us to join them at Marcello’s for dinner and are we glad they did! We have continued to dine there from time to time, and have brought friends there to expose them to this good restaurant.

Marcello’s is owned, well...by Marcello. He offers old family recipes perfected over time with his skill as an educated chef. Marcello’s offers an intimate dining experience with many items made table side. When we have visited the owner/chef came out of the kitchen to walk around and welcome the guests.

The menu changes daily but always contains fresh local fish, hand-cut veal and homemade pasta. Dishes like osso bucco, lamb ragout, Branzino, veal parmesan, veal chop, scallops and more. This is not your everyday Italian serving canned sauces and pasta. Marcello, a master chef, serves uniquely presented and inventive dishes that are cooked to perfection and worth every penny..

Service is always prompt and the wait staff very attentive. A classy experience for those looking for higher end Italian food away from the noisy seasonal crowds. There are only a handful of tables and reservations are highly recommended.

• Pho99 Restaurant

• 5191 Clark Road
• Sarasota, FL 34233
•   (941) 922-1888

In the last few years, Pho restaurants have started popping up here in Sarasota. Being a huge fan of Pho since our son introduced us to it more than 15 years ago, we were happy when Pho 99 showed up within a few miles of our home. We rushed over there after it opened when it took over the location from the old Starbucks on Clark and were excited. It has a great vibe. It’s extremely clean and the owners are frequently on site.

For those that don’t know, Pho is a type of Vietnamese soup, typically made from beef stock and spices. You get your choice of protein; shrimp, beef (many types), chicken, pork, etc. Based on your choice you are given bean sprouts, basil, lime, peppers to add to it as you desire. For me it’s like your favorite chicken soup on steroids. I love it when it’s cold outside or if I have a cold coming on.

They also carry numerous other dishes such as vermicelli rice dishes, broken ride dished, vegetarian dishes, and appetizers. Our favorite appetizer is the shrimp spring rolls made of rice paper wrapped with shrimp, fresh salad, fresh herbs (mint), rice vermicelli and served with peanut sauce.

They have wine and beer and a great Vietnamese iced coffee - if you like coffee you must go by and try it.

• Reyna's Taqueria

• Commons Plaza, 935 North Beneva Rd Suite 701
• Sarasota, FL 34232
•   (941) 260-8343

I am no doubt going to make some people mad by stating that good authentic Mexican food is difficult to find in Sarasota. I have eaten in Mexico and all over the southwest including; California, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Texas and many other locations - and - I lived in California for 14 years and went to High School in Tucson, AZ, so I'd like to suggest that my Mexican food taste buds are experienced. Sure you can find restaurants that make respectably average Mexican food, but I am talking about the real thing. Reyna's Guacamole is all by itself, worth the trip to their restaurant! Do yourself a favor and if you are in the mood for good authentic Mexican food, drive to Reyna's.

As you can see by this image, the restaurant sign displays "Taqueria" in large letters so you can't miss their location. You are also going to find Menu items that are not found in other Mexican restaurants, ie; Campechana, Lengua, Sopes with a variety of toppings, Chicarron, Chicken Tinga, a variety of Tortas, Molotes, etc. And they also have all of the Mexican dishes that I am sure you have heard of like; Quesadillas, Burritos, Tacos, etc. They offer six different salsas including their incredible Guacamole. Their Menu (link below) explains each of those dishes.

And oh yeah, did I mention that Reyna's has Negra Modelo on tap ?

• Fin & Tonic Restaurant

• 6747 South Tamiami Trail
• Sarasota, FL 34231
•   (941) 676-9116

This is a new restaurant (opened in October 2023), they took over the old Red Lobster building last year. They have a good selection of seafood items, good wine & beer list and the service staff is friendly, quick & efficient. We have enjoyed everything we've had (so far) and would easily recommend the blackened shrimp, smoked fish dip and chardonnay.

Fin & Tonic is a seafood-focused, family-owned restaurant located on Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, Florida. The chic, coastal-inspired décor and lively bar create a welcoming atmosphere for both casual and special occasions. The menu features fresh, sustainably sourced seafood dishes, premium meats, and popular items like the Fin & Tonic Burger and tacos. They offer a variety of craft beers, wines, and signature cocktails. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, with both dine-in and takeout options. Reservations are recommended during busy times to ensure a seamless experience.

• Tumeric Indian Bar & Grill

• 1001 Cocoanut Avenue
• Sarasota, FL 34236
•   (941) 212-2622

Turmeric Indian Bar & Grill in Sarasota, Florida, offers an upscale Indian dining experience with a modern twist. Located at 1001 Cocoanut Avenue, the restaurant features a diverse menu of traditional Indian dishes such as curries, biryani, tandoori specialties, and samosas. They also offer a popular daily lunch buffet from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

The ambiance includes a serene main dining room with a Shiva reflecting pool, outdoor terrace seating, a private dining area, and a stylish bar with a wide selection of wines and spirits. Guests have praised the restaurant for its flavorful dishes and excellent service, making it a standout option for Indian cuisine in Sarasota.

The menu at Turmeric features a diverse selection of traditional Indian dishes, including:

The restaurant also offers a lunch buffet daily from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, providing guests with a variety of dishes to sample.