North America / USA / Florida / Tampa Bay Area / Sarasota / Best Restaurants

State Street Eating House + Cocktails

In the heart of the hip Rosemary Arts District, the building housing this restaurant was originally a bakery. Its current iteration is a looker, with distressed brickwork in some areas, reclaimed lumber, iron, and concrete in others, and fabulously chic wallpaper in still others. It all provides a cool backdrop for an even cooler crowd. On the menu, a magnificent mushroom toast (take that, avocado toast) with glazed hen of the woods mushrooms; red curry mussels with coconut, ginger, and lemongrass; an eye-opening Creole-style bouillabaisse; and a bangin’ burger. For Sunday brunch, try the sweet potato pancakes. The bar here is booming and for those who stick around (many do), a late-night menu of snacks ($7-$14) is offered. The lounge is open Tuesday and Wednesday until 11pm,  midnight on Thursdays, and 1am on weekends.