GULF COAST CUISINE Italian Down South Taste authentic Sardinian food cooked in a wood-burning oven, like the ember-roasted veal chop, plus homemade pastas and 150+ wines at Sardinia Restaurant . You can’t go wrong with a staple like spaghetti and meatballs or a dish from the specials chalkboard at Dolce Italia . Savor the rustic taste of traditional Neapolitan pizza in Bavaro’s Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria ’s beautifully renovated historic 1920s building. Serving up Tortellini Bolognese, Burrata Antipasto, Sicilian Cannoli and more, enjoy live music nights on the patio of La Norma Ristorante & Pizzeria . For a taste of Italy, tuck into a variety of dishes from pesci to pasta at Ristorante San Marco in Venice – Florida, that is! Fresh-Take Flavors Prepare for spice with the Firebird Chicken or Pan-Fried Yellowtail at Georgie’s UTC Bar & Restaurant . After touring the artwork, grab farm-to-table salads and sandwiches at Bistro-Sarasota Art Museum . Hit Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie and enjoy open-air patio seating with unique takes on the classics. Grab a bar seat and craft cocktail to wash down delicious eats such as Philly Cheesesteak Pita, Asian Pork Wings and the Flaming Burger at Cask & Ale . Find dishes inspired by the sea, but with a twist, at Tripletail Seafood & Spirits , like Lobster Mac & Cheese, Smoked Bourbon Oysters and Bacon-Wrapped Scallops. Fins at Sharky’s settle in for off-the-boat cuisine overlooking the water. For a casual, low-key eatery, head to Kacey’s Seafood & More for seafood baskets, gumbo and more. Curb your Maine lobster craving with a stop at Lazy Lobster of Longboat Key’s airy cafe and patio. Dessert Destinations Angel Cream donuts and huge apple fritters are just the tip of the icing–berg at Yummies Donuts & BBQ . Satisfy your sweet tooth at River Street Sweets with treats like pralines, chocolates, gelato and fudge. You can never have too much pie – whether from Caribbean Pie Company for Key Lime Pie that’s a heavenly balance of tangy and sweet, or the homebaked Chocolate Peanut Butter pie at Yoder’s Restaurant & Bakery . Consult the chocolatiers at Norman Love Confections on filling a gourmet gift box of handcrafted chocolates or macarons. Tide-to-Table Seafood Gone fishing? The chefs at Landy’s Restaurant will prepare and cook your catch to your liking with all the trimmings. Overlook the Gulf dining on swordfish tacos and sushi at Fins at Sharky’s . Taste tide-to-table scallops cooked to perfection at Ophelia’s on the Bay . Fine-dining seafoodies rejoice – Crow’s Nest Marina Restaurant is the spot to With a 57,000-sq-ft solar array generating enough electricity to power the restaurant and recipes made with produce from Selby Gardens’ rooftop garden above, The Green Orchid sets the pace for sustainable dining in Sarasota and is the world’s first net-positive energy restaurant. Don’t forget your four-legged friend when visiting Boo’s Ice House & Dog Bar , where you can enjoy artisan wood-fired pizza and a cocktail while watching your pooch explore a large outdoor off-leash play area with other Boo pack members and friends. The Green Orchid by Michael’s On East VisitSarasota.com 21
The Official Visitors Guide of Sarasota County® 2025: Page 21
