Sarasota has waterfront dining in five distinct areas: downtown's bayfront, the Gulf-side corridor of Longboat Key, Siesta Key's intracoastal and Gulf sides, City Island, and Casey Key. Longboat Key and Siesta Key's west-facing spots offer the most direct Gulf sunset views.
Restaurant | Area | Known For |
|---|---|---|
Marina Jack | Downtown Sarasota | Casual patio and upscale bay-view dining, dinner cruises |
Jack Dusty | Downtown Sarasota (Ritz-Carlton) | Coastal cuisine, marina views, craft cocktails |
O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill | Downtown Sarasota (Bayfront Park) | Casual fried seafood, frozen drinks |
Dry Dock Waterfront Grill | Longboat Key | Sarasota Bay views, lobster roll |
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant and Pub | Longboat Key | Historic 1920 building, boat-up dock |
Chart House | Longboat Key (south end) | Gulf and Sarasota Bay views, surf-and-turf |
Ophelia's on the Bay | Siesta Key | Fine dining on the Intracoastal |
The Boatyard | Siesta Key | Intracoastal views at Stickney Point Rd bridge |
Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar | South Sarasota | Fresh oysters, creekside patio |
The Old Salty Dog | City Island | Fried hot dog, dog-friendly dock |
New Pass Grill | City Island | Low-key dockside cheeseburgers |
Casey Key Fish House | Casey Key / Osprey | Local seafood, sunset views |
Pop's Sunset Grill | Nokomis | Boat-up tiki bar, live music |
By Melissa Gissinger
With the Gulf, the bays, the intracoastal, and the passes between the keys, Sarasota's geography puts water views within reach of nearly every resident. For anyone considering a move here, the waterfront dining is a detail that makes the difference between a place you visit and a place you choose to stay. Here's a guide organized by the kind of experience each spot delivers.
Key Takeaways
- Sarasota's waterfront dining spans upscale marina restaurants to Old Florida fish shacks
- Downtown Sarasota's bayfront, Longboat Key, Siesta Key, City Island, and Casey Key each offer a distinct waterfront dining environment
- Several spots are accessible by boat as well as by car
- West-facing locations on Longboat Key and Siesta Key offer some of the most direct Gulf sunset views in the area
Downtown Sarasota Bayfront
Downtown Bayfront Dining Worth Knowing
- Marina Jack: Casual bayfront patio dining downstairs, upscale bay-view dining upstairs, and dinner cruises on the Marina Jack II.
- Jack Dusty: The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota's marina restaurant at 1111 Ritz-Carlton Dr, serving coastal cuisine and craft cocktails, open to the public for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with outdoor patio seating on Sarasota Bay.
- O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill: A casual, family-friendly fixture at 5 Bayfront Dr in Bayfront Park, with fried seafood, frozen drinks, and a laid-back waterfront atmosphere.
Longboat Key: The Gulf-Side Corridor
Longboat Key Waterfront Dining
- Dry Dock Waterfront Grill: Sarasota Bay views and a lobster roll locals drive across the key for.
- Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant and Pub: Housed in a 1920 building at the north end of the key, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with fresh seafood, craft beers, covered deck views of Sarasota Bay, and a private boat-up dock.
- Chart House: At the south end of Longboat Key, with a dining room and terrace overlooking Sarasota Bay and Gulf waters, plus an extensive surf-and-turf menu.
Siesta Key: Intracoastal and Gulf Views
Siesta Key Waterfront Dining
- Ophelia's on the Bay: A fine-dining destination on Siesta Key's Intracoastal Waterway, with Gulf Coast cuisine and highly regarded waterfront views.
- The Boatyard: At the Stickney Point Road bridge, with dining rooms open to the Intracoastal.
- Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar: A south Sarasota favorite on Phillippi Creek with fresh oysters, seafood, and a waterfront patio with a loyal local following.
City Island and Casey Key: Old Florida Character
Old Florida Waterfront Dining
- The Old Salty Dog: A dog-friendly City Island fixture at 1601B Ken Thompson Pkwy, known for its deep-fried Salty Dog hot dog and a casual dock atmosphere on New Pass.
- New Pass Grill: A low-key City Island spot with cheeseburgers, cold beer, and a dockside atmosphere locals favor.
- Casey Key Fish House: An Old Florida waterfront restaurant between Casey Key and Osprey, with local seafood and Sarasota Bay sunset views.
- Pop's Sunset Grill: A Nokomis Intracoastal spot, part tiki bar, part dock, with live music and a boat-up culture.
FAQs
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