34 Best American Restaurants in Sarasota

“Andrei! Was an absolutely fantastic waiter. So attentive too! The food was delicious from the French fries and salad to the pizza and pasta. A great experience! A special birthday donut with candles was delivered to our table as well. Highly recommend! Andrei made it more enjoyable too.“

“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.“

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

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

“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.“

“We had dinner last night and can’t stop talking about how much we enjoyed the food and service! We were celebrating my husband’s birthday and the host treated us to prosecco while we waited for our table. The filet, the halibut, the lobster tails, the desserts (especially the chocolate cake!) was all absolutely delicious!! Our server was wonderful as well! Very personable and had great menu recommendations. We will be back!!“

“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.“

“Absolutely wonderful experience the food is excellent, probably the best steak around... But with Chris has been consistent for over 25 years. It's great to see that it still is. They chain can always do better with their interior decor, but the waiter (Granville ) was fabulous and the food was delicious and prepared perfectly!“

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

“The food was not at all bad, it was as usual healthy good stuff. It just wasn't what it used to be. It's not as "elevated" as it once was. The yam wedges with aïoli was as good as always, the "crab cakes" needed some pizzazz, and the Mediterranean bowl was just kind of sad with a scoop of plain quinoa, 2 small falafel balls, some zing-less pickled cabbage, not enough hummus, and some grilled zucchini. Hopefully they will kick it back up a notch!“

“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“

“Sage never disappoints and we love how the chef always loves to change it up. Not only is the inside beautiful but phenomenal rooftop bar. And the wait staff are always top notch.“

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

“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!“

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

“My husband and I recently had the pleasure if dining at Sophie’s, in Saks Fifth Avenue in Sarasota. What an amazing experience. The decor both inside and outside so chic. We had Matty as our waitress. She was spot on with top notch service and a wonderful personality. We started with a bread basket of assorted toppings, delicious. He had the Tai chicken. Well prepared and perfect with seasoning. I had on of the best burger ever. Cooked and seasoned perfectly at medium rare with tasty fries. The manager checked on us several times, a nice touch you don’t see anymore. If you happen to be in the area at the mall, I highly recommend this restaurant. You will not be disappointed. We will be back.“

“Great casual fare. We shared the delicious recommended Shrimpy fondue and followed with their dry rub ribs (The best in a long time) and a Cap'n Shannen's Pineapple Boat filled to the brim with deliciousness. A very friendly staff and 5 stars to our server Missy. Her recommendations were right on! The service she provided was top notch!“

“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“

“My boyfriend ordered the double smash burger and I ordered the Cuban. Both were excellent and came out very quickly. Shoshanna was very attentive and took great care of us. A man who I assume to be the owner checked in on us and thanked us when we left. Very friendly staff, great food, and great atmosphere. Hope to come back and check out live music!“

“The food was great and the atmosphere top notch! However, our waiter seemed new and waited 20 minutes between coming back to our table. Coffee refill, 20 minutes. Second English muffin, 20 minutes before I could order. Check after knowing we were finished, 20 minutes. Luckily we weren’t in a huge hurry, but if it would have been busy, I can’t imagine how long it’d take. Overall though, we will be back for the great food.“

“I’ve been here several times and always a great experience. Today I had to wait a little longer on my plate. The managers each came over to let me know and also offer me a free drink. I will come back regardless, but it was nice to have great customer service.“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Arts & Central isn’t just a place to eat—it’s an experience. Whether you’re looking for a casual evening out or celebrating a special occasion, this Sarasota gem checks every box and then some. From the moment you arrive, the vibrant atmosphere and thoughtful design pull you in. The decor is perfectly in sync with its name—artsy, eclectic, and just plain cool. Think murals, statues, and photo ops galore. Bonus: it's dog-friendly and has both indoor and outdoor seating options, each with its own unique vibe. But let’s get to the real reason you’re here—the food. I started with the scallops delicious and cooked percectly. Then for my main course, the wild mushroom risotto was creamy, rich, and elevated with added shrimp and black truffle. Every bite was indulgent and beautifully balanced. Then came the dessert: the banana brûlée. Truly life-changing. Creamy, caramelized, and unforgettable. The service? Impeccable. Friendly, attentive, but never intrusive—just the way it should be. Whether you’re planning a romantic date night, a night out with friends, or just swinging by for dessert and coffee, Arts & Central delivers on every front. Don't sleep on this gem. It's 5 stars all the way.“

“Station 400 is hands down my favorite breakfast spot in Sarasota. The food is always fresh and delicious with fun twists on the classics. It has that Cheers vibe—friendly, cozy, and family owned, so you always feel welcome. Megan and Austin are awesome servers and make every visit even better. If you want great food and a place that feels like home, this is it! Try the Lemon Curd & Fresh Blackberry Pancakes and Blood Orange Mimosa.“

“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!“

“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!“

“I love Solozarnos! The food tastes great and the prices are good.“

“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 🌴🇺🇸😘🌞“

“Hi this is the first time I had wrote a review on a restaurant because it's totally worthy it's the best pizza in Manatee County hands down fantastic homemade dough real quality mozzarella brick oven beautiful it's worth driving 30 miles for in my opinion University and whitfield's Sarasota 👍“

“Love the atmosphere! visit every time I'm in town.“

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

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

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

“We had a wonderful lunch here! We’ve been staying at this Ritz for over 3 years in Sarasota and decided to try here for lunch and it did not disappoint! Fried shrimp was delicious as well as the Greek salad. Finished it off with the lobster rolls and they did not disappoint. Lindsey was amazing and showed Stellar customer service! We will be back again for sure!“