Restaurants in Sarasota

Whereas Sarasota has become a very buttoned up, wealthy enclave of conservative seniors, the Rosemary Arts District is the absolute antithesis. What was once Sarasota’s first black community has now become the place for anything [insert hipster word for fabulous] in town. It’s still a bit gritty, but this entirely walkable area is now a shopping, eating, and drinking destination.

Among the most exciting drinking and dining outposts in the district: Nancy’s Bar-B-Q, 1525 4th St. (tel. 941/999-2390), where ‘cue queen Nancy Krohngold’s pulled pork, collard greens, smoked whole wings, and mac ‘n’ cheese are consumed often with a pint of Motorworks V Twin local lager. Boo’s Ice House & Dog Bar, 1314 10th St., (tel. 941/960-2669), features wood-fired pizza,  a full bar, and and indoor/outdoor dog park; Food+Beer, 1525 4th St. (tel. 941/444-1101), serves the best hatch chili burger this side of New Mexico; The Original Wolfie’s & Rascal House and Wolfie’s Box Office, 1420 and 1454 Boulevard of the Arts (tel. 941/312-4072), are Miami Beach-style, Jewish soul food throwbacks.    

The Rosemary Arts District is bounded by Fruitville Road, Tamiami Trail, US-41), 10th Street and Orange Avenue,

Downtown’s best breakfast spot is the local branch of First Watch, 1395 Main St., at Central and Pineapple avenues (tel. 941/954-1395). Like its siblings in Naples and elsewhere, First Watch offers a wide variety of breakfast and lunch fare. It’s open daily from 7:30am to 2:30pm. If the wait’s too long, walk south along Central Avenue; this block has several coffeehouses and cafes with sidewalk seating.

Restaurants In Southside Village

Sarasota’s hottest dining area is Southside Village, centered on South Osprey Avenue between Hyde Park and Hillview streets, about 15 blocks south of downtown. Here you’ll find several hip restaurants, including Fred’s and Pacific Rim. The village landmark is Morton’s Gourmet Market, 1924 S. Osprey Ave. (tel. 941/955-9856; Mon–Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 10am–5pm), which offers a multitude of deli items, sandwiches, salads, fresh pastries and desserts, and cooked meals dispensed from a cafeteria-style steam table. You can dine picnic-fashion at sidewalk tables. Most ready-to-go items cost less than $10.

Dining on St. Armands Key

The St. Armands Circle scene is like a fair come nighttime, with everyone strolling around the circle, poking heads into the few stores that stay open after dark, and window-shopping the others. It’s fun and safe, so come early and plan to stay late.

The circle has a branch of Tampa’s famous Columbia Restaurant, 411 St. Armands Circle, between John Ringling Boulevard and John Ringling Parkway. As at the original, the food is excellent. There’s outdoor seating, and the Patio Lounge is one of the liveliest spots for evening entertainment Thursday through Sunday.

For dessert wander over to the Big Olaf Creamery, 561 N. Washington Dr. (tel. 941/388-4108), for  the area’s best ice cream, made by the local Amish community including the people at Yoder’s. Popular flavors include Nutella, the candy-loaded Trash Can (!), Kahlua Crunch, and Superman.

Dining On Siesta Key

Ocean Boulevard, which runs through Siesta Village, the area’s funky, laid-back beach hangout, is lined with restaurants and pubs. Most have bars and outdoor seating, which attracts the beach crowd during the day. At night, rock-n’-roll bands draw students and young singles to this lively scene.