43 Best American Restaurants in Sarasota

“Fantastic all around. Food is fresh and delightful. The staff are so kind and helpful. The cocktails are bright and refreshing. Highly recommend this to anyone, regardless of whether you’re local or visiting. Classico always comes through for us, and we’re sure they’ll come through for you.“

“Great lunch, drinks and service“

“Wow! What an impressive evening at every level. Do not hesitate and book this restaurant for your next food adventure. The moment you walk into this establishment, you know the vibe is cool and these people know their food & spirits. The food is incredible and different than the typical Sarasota restaurant that has the same boring food offerings. I was impressed with the Iberico pork dish and unusually amazingly flavored vegetables and spices that accented the smoky, tender pork. The yuca side dish was similar to a potato but more flavorful and crispier mixed with an addition of corn, pickled cabbage and other vegetables. I haven't found a dish that impressed me more in recent years. The crispy salmon was a "oh wow" moment for my friend, who hails from the Pacific Northwest as do I, where Washingtonians know a thing or two about salmon. This restaurant provides your palate something different and if you're a veteran of dining out constantly, this is a welcomed change from the ordinary. The New York steak included an amazing demi glaze exploding with flavor and had the perfect consistency which can be a challenge to make right but State Street Eatinghouse + Cocktails got it right. I highly recommend the fried Brussell sprouts appetizer as they were a flavor explosion in our mouths. The bacon amplified the sprouts with the accompaniment of the balsamic glaze. My friend's husband and mine, who usually don't like this vegetable, were pleasantly surprised and ate more than the obligatory "try one" bite. State Street Eating House + Cocktails is owned by the same people that introduced us to tapas restaurant "Beso", which I recently tried, and awarded it my "Best Restaurant in Sarasota" award. This restaurant belongs in the "Restaurant Hall of Fame" of Sarasota or even US restaurants. I love it! My waiter, Dana, was super attentive and impressive. His vast knowledge of the drink and food menu was spot-on and his candor and expertise added to the whole evening's experience. What an amazing restaurant! I can't wait to book my next reservation and I'm kicking myself for not trying it sooner. Cheers! Dietary restrictions: I appreciate they were mindful of my cow's milk allergy which makes eating out difficult since most dishes have butter and/or cheese. Thank you for helping me feel confident about eating here.“

“This is truly a very special place. The food, wine, service and ambiance is exceptional!“

“Amazing ambiance and food! Beautiful decor and the culinary presentation is top notch! Anthony Bourdain would be impressed! Julianna was wonderful!“

“Michael's on East (MOE) is one of the best fine dining establishments in Sarasota and has been in business for nearly 40 years. Ive been a customer for nearly 30 of those 40 years and despite its maturity, MOE is still hot, hopping and a crowd pleaser for those who enjoy great food, wines and service. During its nearly four decades, MOE has been wowing patrons with its fine cuisine, decor, and outstanding service. Don't be surprised if you see actors, comedians and musicians who might be performing at the Van Wezel during the winter season, sitting next to you because the concierge at their hotel recommended MOE as one of the desirable restaurants for a sensational meal, wine and service. MOE is rich in Sarasota heritage and is the perfect choice to celebrate a special occasion with that very special guest or guests. It's a delight in every way.“

“Our favorite restaurant when we come to Siesta Key. Had dinner last night, my husband had the skirt steak, I had the pork tenderloin..Both were perfection. Be sure to make a reservation.“

“I can’t say enough good about Rosemary and Thyme! The food and drinks are wonderful, and the service is next level. From management to bartenders to servers- such positive interactions, attention to detail, and thoughtfulness. We always book on open table, and typically go for special occasions, and they’ve made it so special each time!“

“My wife and I met two friends there for happy hour and had a great time eating and talking. All of the food and service was great. Food was fairly priced and cooked perfectly and the service was the best. All of the mixed cocktails were great tasting too. I would highly recommend Ruth’s Chris for happy hour or dinner.“

“Excellent food and service! We will definitely be back. Highly recommend!“

“Celebrated our wedding anniversary at Libby’s and this was the first time for my wife. We found the LWR location to be convenient, great atmosphere, with a broad menu! Portions were bordering on excessive! But we powered through some absolutely delicious food! The staff ensured we were well taken care! Carlos especially was outstanding and made sure we had a memorable and tasty anniversary dinner! She ordered the orange chicken I had the brisket burger with truffle fries You can be sure We’ll be back! Soon!! Thank you Libby’s and staff for a great evening!“

“We have been wanting something new and different and we have no regrets. My husband had the ribs with the most delicious au gratin potatoes and my chicken marsala was perfect. We will be back and will be sure to have room for the banana fosters sundae“

“Lila has a perfect number of vegan options with several non-vegan options that seem ethically sourced. All the appetizers, sushi and salads on the dinner menu are vegan, 4/8 of the warm options are vegan. I had the rice tots as an appetizer and the mushroom burger as the main. I thought the rice tots were delicious, both the accompanying sauces provided a unique flavor and options for preference. The mushroom burger was also great, though I was glad I request thousand island dressing on the side because I don’t believe that was the ideal sauce option. I would have recommended a vegan garlic aioli instead. The mushroom burger is made of oyster mushrooms, so a more elevated composition from what you might receive from the grocery store. The one downside of the restaurant was the price point, I feel it was slightly higher than what was justified for what you received. From what we’ve all experienced of the farmers market, oyster mushrooms aren’t cheap but the rice tots as well were a bit much for some fried rice. That being said, it’s also located in downtown Sarasota so what can you expect.“

“The unique setting of a train car decorated with lots of memorabilia from both stage & circus, offer a one of a kind dining experience. Kudos!“

“We went for Burger special Night on Tuesday! Jess was our bartender, she was very attentive! I ordered the Fin & Tonic burger and my husband ordered the Southwest Burger, both came out looking amazing, the French fries were hot and nice and crispy, burgers were great, I was so full I couldn’t finish mine but they were both awesome!!“

“What an enjoyable night. The risotto was outstanding. Very busy and a little noisy but our server Traci made the night so fun and and enjoyable. Her attentiveness was outstanding“

“Our server, Amber, was knowledgeable, professional and put the “S” in service. She made our time very enjoyable.“

“It’s such a fun place to go! Food is great! Our bartender Mackenzie was AWESOME!!!“

“Menu is on fire! Changes all the time and I'm always happy we dined at Sage...will be back again and again thank you Chef Chris Covelli!“

“Accommodating to our large group, great food, atmosphere and service! 10/10! 🍻“

“Great for grabbing a delicious lunch or snacks while shopping. They have outstanding service and yummy cocktails too.“

“In town for the weekend and looked through reviews and decided this place was the winner for breakfast. Honestly it's over-hyped. It's your typical breakfast like diner, food was fine but nothing to knock your socks off. Service was slow. We had the coconut custard pancakes and the station 400 omelette. Unfortunately we had a several hour drive or else I would have had mimosas because those actually looked amazing with some different flavor options.“

“Having an stellar sandwich and excellent coleslaw, a must try if you are downtown SRQ.“

“What a fun place! Great ambiance—super casual, dive-bar feel. We both ordered the burger, fries, coleslaw. The burgers were excellent. Fries were incredible too—def not on the healthier side, but they’re fries so that’s on brand. Coleslaw was yummy too—kind of sweet instead of vinegary. My husband said it was the best burger he’s had in SRQ! Competitive prices. Oh, and we loved the live music!! Happy to support artists whenever i can :) i was worried it would be too loud but the volume was just right. We couldn’t talk or hear each other, but that was fine since we were shoving food in our faces anyway ;). Will absolutely come back for the Cuban! Love all the made-fresh daily options too.

FYI: no dogs allowed in the restaurant/bar/seating (service animals only). I mention this because a lot of restaurants in this area are super lenient when it comes to people bringing their fur kids…but i believe the outdoor seating would be an option if you can’t dine without Fido :)“

“the grilled fish sandwich with regular tartar sauce, fries and mushy peas. everything was wonderful“

“I absolutely love Flower Child but their reward system is by far the worst I have ever seen. It’s very complicated.

The atmosphere is fantastic and the service is always really Strong. Today I went in and Molly was absolutely super helpful. She really knew the menu and was very patient and kind.

The salads 🥗 are phenomenal and the enchiladas were absolutely delicious. 5 stars if the reward system was better. Great job 👏“

“This place is amazing!!! The waiters treat the customers with care. I dropped a fork on the floor and they picked it up, put it in their pocket, and replaced it immediately. The food here is even better!! The food is placed with care and everything is so good. But best of all, the wait isn’t even that long!!! Only like 5 minutes and you’re being served 5-Star Salmon!! And the view… Astonishing!!! You can see the whole city bellow you and I feel like I’m looking at earth from a satellite!! 5 stars 100%.“

“We visited on March 26th and had an absolutely amazing time. Emily is by far one of the best servers we have ever had. Steak Salad was delicious. The Kids Burgers came with an aioli or mayo on them that we weren't expecting, the answer was they were remade (something we didn't ask for, we were just going to wipe it off). We were also given a free dessert as an apology. If you are looking for a restaurant that cares about its patrons and wants you to enjoy a good time, look no further.“

“Absolutely amazing experience today! Delicious food and cocktails! Thank you Danielle for exceptional service. You made my day“

“Best brunch in town. We always recommend Made to out of town friends.“

“The best dining restaurant in sarasota florida me and my family went this past Christmas we love the food the drinks and the live music and bartenders and waitress are so charming we love this place wow 🌴🇺🇸😘🌞“

“First time ever in a Culver's I have to say it is the cleanest restaurant I have ever visited. The staff was in uniform and very friendly all of them seem to work very well together. The manager very professional and friendly. McDonald's needs to take lessons from Culver's.“

“We’ve had the absolute pleasure of staying at The Beach Residences for the past two months, and it’s been nothing short of a dream (LOL, basically my most favorite week-long vacation times eight)! A major highlight of our stay has been Ridley’s Porch, the on-site restaurant. With its stunning view of the pool and Gulf, it offers some of the most breathtaking sunsets you could ever imagine.

From the moment we arrive at Ridley’s Porch, the exceptional Ritz-Carlton service shines through. The valet team—Fico, David, and Thomas - always greet us with warmth, setting a fantastic tone for each visit. We’ve enjoyed chatting with them about life and admiring the beautiful cars that line the driveway!

During our stay, we were fortunate to attend both the French and Spanish wine dinners. The food was outstanding (thank you, Chef Eddy, and Sous Chef Austin!), the wine pairings were impeccable, and we learned so much about the vineyards and varietals. The service was top-notch, and we were lucky to have such great company at our table.

Whether dining indoors or outdoors, at lunch or dinner, the service (servers and runners), food, and drinks were consistently exceptional. We especially loved how the menu evolved during our stay, giving us new and exciting options to try.

One of our favorite moments was enjoying happy hour at the bar after a relaxing day at the beach. The set menu offers delicious food, and the daily drink specials are a great touch. It’s the perfect way to unwind while catching the sunset. Cyrene and Michelle were fantastic—so friendly, they made us feel right at home, like we were at one of our favorite local bars. One evening when I wasn’t feeling the best, Yonney kindly suggested and made me a ginger and bitters…and I immediately started feeling better!

We also took advantage of the takeout, which was always delicious, particularly the fresh salads, which were packed so thoughtfully.

During our stay, I had a bit of a last-minute dilemma on Super Bowl Sunday when I needed food for a boat ride. I remembered meeting Juan Cordoba, the Director of Beach Club Operations, one evening during sunset and again at a beach party. He was working alongside his team, which showed how hands-on and dedicated he is. Juan listened to my needs and quickly arranged a menu that from kemp’s Market that allowed us to enjoy a leisurely boat ride before the Super Bowl, without interfering with my preparations for the evening. The food was ready before the restaurant even opened, and everything was perfect—huge thanks to Juan and the Sunday morning kitchen staff for going above and beyond!

As we prepare to leave later this week, it’s definitely bittersweet. We’ve truly loved our time here and are already looking forward to returning next year. If we were residents, there’s no doubt we’d be members!

I’d be remiss not to mention the fantastic team members we encountered along the way at Ridley’s Porch—special thanks to the Ladies and Gentlemen – you are an amazing team!
• Culinary Team: Chef Eddy and Sous Chef Austin
• Food Runners: Piero, Alian, Patricia, and Adriana
• Bartenders: Eric, Cyrene, Michelle, Britt, Yonney, and Joe
• Ridley’s Porch: William, Clarissa, Anna, and Angelina
• Kemp’s Market: Francesco and Carlie
• Valet Team: David, Thomas, and Fico
• Leadership: Jay and Caitlin, who are always on and behind the scenes supporting the team in every situation.

PS: Dining at Ridley's Porch is also an added benefit when staying at the Ritz Carlton, Sarasota. The hotel also provides a bus shuttle service to take you door to door!“

“Great food awesome service!!!! Pool table and game’s great atmosphere!! My kids love the food !! Definitely recommend going don’t take my word experiencing is believing!!! Mike Page“

“Stayed in and ate here on a Tuesday night. I just got a salad and came out quick. The place really got busy, and Paul could hardly keep up. They really need a second person for these busy times as there was always someone waiting at the counter or on their food.Ate here again and pizza was very fast!“

“Nice atmosphere & food was delicious“

“great food like grandma and grandpa made it, great prices and friendly staff.“

“Amanda is absolutely amazing!! Always have a great time when she’s our server“

“Thanks for keeping this awesome place rocking Dolly. I love the food and the atmosphere ❤️ Elvis ate here. It’s cash only and they have an atm. Don’t miss out on Old Sarasota charm. If you miss this stop you’ll be sorry. 100 stars ⭐️“

“Love this place. Great live music.“

“Food was superb. with the dessert being a surprize. Coming from Texas I am highly critical of place. The service was quick and effecient, and also knowledgable of the menu. Food was tremendous, from appetizer to entree. Desert was a surprise, with just the final touch of sweet. Only negstive was the condition of the restroom.“

“Absolutely love this place! Great service, great vibe and amazing food!“

“I’m going to start reviewing things more often. Culver’s is a great company. It’s rare anything ever happens other than what is expected. Fresh, great burgers. … … … Why is there a clear plastic cup with “tips” written on it with 10 stickers attaching it to the drive thru window? I woke up @4am today to work @6am. I’m not going to be home until 8pm where I will continue to work. I’m covered in mud and sweat. The AI drive thru systems have worked perfectly the few places I’ve seen them these year. I don’t care if it’s mean… fire who ever put the tip jar up. It’s wildly offensive. Makes Culver’s look bad. I worked nights at a taco bell / kfc in south Philly when I was their age. Take your tip jar somewhere else.“