December in Sarasota is supposed to be about holiday lights, boat parades, parties and squeezing in one more festive drink with friends — not stressing over grocery lists and a sink full of dishes. But for plenty of locals and visitors alike, Christmas Day also comes with the annual question: Who’s cooking?
If the answer this year is “not me,” you’re in good company. A number of Sarasota- and Manatee-area restaurants will be open on Christmas Day, ready to handle the heavy lifting while you focus on family, football or simply relaxing. Whether you’re craving a classic holiday spread with honey-glazed ham and roast turkey, or something more fitting for our waterfront Sarasota-Manatee setting — think fresh seafood and coastal comfort — there are options.
From laid-back favorites to upscale dining rooms, these restaurants stretch across Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat Key, Siesta Key and Anna Maria Island. Below is an alphabetical guide to restaurants planning to be open on Christmas Day, with hours and offerings subject to change.
If you’re planning to dine out, make reservations as soon as possible. These Christmas Day seatings tend to sell out quickly — and with the holiday now just days away, there’s a good chance some restaurants are already fully booked.
Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe
4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach; 941-778-0784; amibeachcafe.com
For a special Christmas meal on the powdery white sands of Manatee Public Beach overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, visit Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe. This concession-style restaurant and beach bar will serve a holiday dinner featuring ham, turkey, and traditional trimmings. Dinner pre-orders cost $34.99 before Dec. 19 and $36.99 after, and include the choice of dine-in or to-go, with pickup on Christmas Day between noon and 3 p.m. Pre-orders do not guarantee a seat, as all seating is first-come, first-served. The breakfast menu will also be available 8-11 a.m.
Cafe Gabbiano
5104 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key; 941-349-1423; cafegabbiano.com
The recently renovated Italian restaurant in Siesta Key Village, frequented by famed restaurateur and part-time Siesta Key resident Cameron Mitchell, will be open 4-8 p.m. Christmas Day. The Christmas menu includes entrées such as Allen Brothers filet mignon, osso buco and lobster ravioli, as well as meat and cheese plates, appetizers and salads.. The restaurant will also be open 4-8 p.m. Christmas Eve.
Columbia Restaurant
411 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota; 941-388-3987; columbiarestaurant.com
One of Sarasota’s most legendary restaurants and an integral part of the famous shopping and dining district St. Armands Circle, Columbia will be open regular hours (11 a.m.-9 p.m.) on Christmas Day. In addition to its regular menu featuring delicious Spanish and Cuban cuisine, the restaurant will offer Christmas specials including slow-roasted pork and baked glazed ham entrées, with children’s dinner portions available for both. Columbia will also offer curbside pickup and a family-style takeaway Christmas meal bundle serving eight to 10 people.
Euphemia Haye
5540 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key; 941-383-3633; euphemiahaye.com
This Longboat Key landmark, now under new ownership and celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, will be open 2-8 p.m. Christmas Day and 4-9 p.m. Christmas Eve. The restaurant will serve its traditional Bavarian-style roast goose dinner both evenings (pending availability), featuring sliced roasted goose, giblet gravy, German potato dumpling, and sweet and sour red cabbage. The à la carte menu and nightly specials will also be available. To-go orders for Euphemia Haye’s popular pies must be prepaid and placed by 4 p.m. Dec. 16. Only a limited number of orders will be accepted, so it’s recommended to place your order at least a week in advance to secure your spot.
Grove
10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch; 941-893-4321; grovelwr.com
Located at the intersection of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and Main Street, and the sister restaurant of the locally owned Pier 22 in downtown Bradenton, Grove will be open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Christmas Day. The holiday menu features a prime rib dinner alongside entrées such as filet Oscar, a full rack of lamb and multiple lobster dishes, as well as a variety of appetizers, soups, salads and desserts.
Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie
1917 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota; 941-236-5826 and 8445 Lorraine Road, Lakewood Ranch; 941-357-1570; libbysneighborhoodbrasserie.com
The brasserie-style restaurant, known for selections such as Grandma Guli’s cast-iron meatballs, its signature burger, and Dr. Pepper Ribs, will be open 3-9 p.m. Christmas Day at both its locations in Sarasota’s Southside Village neighborhood and Lakewood Ranch. Both Libby’s locations will also be open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Christmas Eve.
Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar
5353 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-925-4444; creekseafood.com
A classic Sarasota waterfront restaurant and oyster bar founded in 1978, Phillippi Creek is open every day of the year, including Christmas Day, starting at 11 a.m. The restaurant will serve a special Christmas dinner menu, which was not announced by press time, but its regular menu offers a variety of seafood options, including whole snapper, grouper, stone crab claws, and, yes, oysters.
Pier 22
1200 First Ave. W., Bradenton; 941-748-8087; pier22.com
One of the oldest restaurants in Bradenton, Pier 22 — an iconic downtown spot located right on the Manatee River — will be open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Christmas Day, serving many of the same dishes as its sister restaurant, Grove. The holiday menu features a prime rib dinner alongside entrées such as filet Oscar, twin Maine lobster tails, and roast duck, as well as a variety of appetizers, soups, salads and desserts.
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
1111 Ritz Carlton Drive, Sarasota; 941-309-2000; ritzcarlton.com
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota is known for going all out for the holidays, including an annual giant gingerbread display, and that includes Christmas Day dining options. There will be a 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Holiday Grand Ballroom Brunch with chef-attended stations, children’s activities and festive entertainment ($175 per adult, $60 per child ages 12 and under; reservations required.) Its Jack Dusty restaurant will also be open 4:30-9:30 p.m. Christmas Day with a three-course prix-fixe menu ($125 per adult, $40 per child ages 12 and under; reservations required.) Jack Dusty will also be open Christmas Eve with the same hours, prix-fixe menu option and pricing.
Rosemary & Thyme
511 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota; 941-955-7600; therosemarysarasota.com
This restaurant in Sarasota’s Rosemary District, named one of OpenTable’s 100 Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in America for 2021, will be open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Christmas Day (and 4:30-9 p.m. Christmas Eve.) The Christmas menu will include entrées such as pork osso buco, canard à l’orange, beef tenderloin filet, bone-in pork chop, beef short ribs, honey-glazed halibut, pistachio-dusted salmon and mixed seafood pasta, plus appetizers, kids’ meals, and desserts.
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort
1601 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key; 941-231-1000; marriott.com
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort will host an 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Christmas Day holiday brunch buffet in its Astor Ballroom featuring a carver’s corner with prime rib and cured smoked ham, hot and cold breakfast offerings, desserts and more ($195 adult, $80 children ages 12 and under.) Then in the evening, 5-10 p.m., the resort’s Italian restaurant Riva will offer a la carte specialties, while steak and seafood grill CW Prime will offer a curated set menu.
Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay
8875 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota; 941-346-2207; turtlesrestaurant.com
This waterfront family restaurant on Siesta Key — with nearly four decades of history and a reputation for visits from dolphins, manatees and green parrots — is open daily, including Christmas. Its Christmas menu features traditional entrées such as honey-glazed ham and roast turkey, perfectly paired with eggnog served with brandy, cinnamon and nutmeg. The menu also offers a variety of steak and seafood entrée options, along with appetizers, soups, salads, kids’ meals and desserts.
Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Popular restaurants in Sarasota open on Christmas Day
Reporting by Jimmy Geurts and Wade Tatangelo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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