What’s the best restaurant in Sarasota?
Ask five locals and you’ll probably get five different answers — but a handful of longtime favorites almost always enter the conversation. These are the places that have earned loyal followings over decades, serving memorable meals that keep both residents and visitors coming back again and again.
From a historic seafood spot where the catch is about as fresh as it gets to a circus-themed sandwich shop downtown, a legendary Spanish-Cuban restaurant on St. Armands Circle, a beloved steakhouse known for its turducken and a classic fine-dining destination with supper club vibes, these five restaurants represent the enduring flavors of Sarasota’s dining scene — and why locals adore them.
Walt’s Fish Market Restaurant & Tiki Bar
Details: 4144 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-921-4605; waltsfishmarketrestaurant.com
Owned and operated by fourth-generation commercial fisherman Brett Wallin, Walt’s Fish Market & Restaurant is a Sarasota seafood institution with more than a century of salty history — and a motto to match: “The fish we sell today, slept in the Gulf last night.” Every meal starts strong with a complimentary serving of house-made smoked fish dip, blending fresh mullet and mahi-mahi into something simply irresistible.
As for entrées, I’ve had some of the best red snapper of my life here — flame-broiled and served with a side of lemon cream for dipping. The Square Grouper Sandwich, named after the bales of marijuana that once washed up on nearby shores, is another favorite. And the panko-fried Firecracker Grouper Bites live up to their name — crispy, juicy and packing just the right kick. No surprise the parking lot stays packed.
Main Bar Sandwich Shop
Details: 1944 Main St., Sarasota; 941-955-8733; themainbar.com
Established in 1958 by a pair of former circus stars, Main Bar Sandwich Shop brings a touch of the big top to downtown Sarasota, complete with plenty of photo-worthy nostalgia. The real show, though, is the menu, featuring more than 50 sandwiches I’ve spent the better part of two decades exploring.
Kick things off with Our Famous Italian, a star performer packed with salami, ham and provolone with tomatoes, peppers, onions and a lively oil-and-spice blend. And then explore. From the Black Russian to the Mayan, the New Yorker to the New Orleans classic muffuletta — piled with Italian meats, cheeses and olive salad — you simply can’t go wrong at Main Bar pairing a handheld with a cold one. Pro tip: Don’t leave without a homemade chocolate chip cookie.
Columbia Restaurant
Details: 411 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota; 941-388-3987; columbiarestaurant.com
While Columbia’s original location in Tampa’s Ybor City opened in 1905 and is recognized as Florida’s oldest restaurant, I’m partial to Columbia’s equally alluring, more casual Sarasota location, after dining at both multiple times.
Founded in 1959 and situated in the renowned shopping and dining district of St. Armands Circle, this iconic, family-owned spot serves the best Spanish-Cuban cuisine in a beautiful setting, featuring open-air indoor tables and sidewalk seating — perfect for people-watching
Columbia is nationally acclaimed for its Cuban sandwich and Original “1905” Salad, both considered essential Florida dishes. Tapas classics include the Ybor City Devil Crab Croquettes and one of my all-time favorites, the Scallops “Casimiro.” Must-try entrées include chicken and yellow rice and paella, prepared in a traditional paella pan.
Alpine Steakhouse
Details: 4520 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-921-3798; alpinesteak.com
Family-run Alpine Steakhouse — a restaurant and meat market serving Sarasota since 1975 and famously featured making its iconic turducken on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” — is where discerning locals go for excellent steaks at very reasonable prices in a charming, casual setting with outstanding service.
It’s also where you can satisfy a Thanksgiving meal craving throughout the year with a slice of turducken — a Cajun carnivore’s dream featuring an intricate comfort-food creation of turkey, duck, chicken, sausage and stuffing served alongside mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and gravy.
Not feeling the turducken? Alpine also serves some of the best filet mignon and Delmonico steaks in town at prices us locals truly adore.
Michael’s on East
Details: 1212 East Ave. S., Sarasota; 941-366-0007; bestfood.com
Recently renovated but still retaining its sophisticated 1930s supper club allure — complete with a piano player in the lounge and luxurious atrium seating — Michael’s On East has been a venerable Sarasota fine-dining destination since opening in 1987.
The menu’s standout is the newly added Filet Wellington Reimagined, featuring prime filet mignon layered with wild mushrooms, seared foie gras and flaky puff pastry, finished with a glossy Madeira demi-glace. Start with the baked oysters with caviar and Champagne reduction or crispy calamari with Parma ham.
For dessert, don’t miss the Brownie Ice Cream Stack — a towering, old-school indulgence consisting of layers of dark chocolate brownie, Heath bar crunch, espresso crunch ice cream and vanilla bean ice cream, drizzled with chocolate sauce.
Wade Tatangelo is Audience Director for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Best restaurant in Sarasota? 5 classics that locals adore
Reporting by Wade Tatangelo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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