Sarasota's best brunch spots split across three areas: waterfront restaurants near St. Armands Circle and Lido Key, downtown and Rosemary District spots within walking distance of each other, and island staples on Siesta Key and Longboat Key. Reservations matter most downtown and at St. Armands Circle on weekends.
Spot | Area | Known For |
|---|---|---|
Shore St. Armands | St. Armands Circle | Retractable-roof patio, Sunday brunch 10am-2pm |
Toasted Mango Café | Rosemary District | Tropical breakfast fare, dog-friendly patio |
Ridley's Porch | Ritz-Carlton Beach Club, Lido Key | Gulf views, coastal-focused menu |
Boca Sarasota | Downtown, Lemon Ave | Farm-to-table, indoor living wall, weekend brunch |
Station 400 | Rosemary District | Housed in a relocated 1852 Indiana railway depot |
Sage | Downtown, 1st Street | Historic building, rooftop lounge (confirm current brunch availability) |
The Cottage | Siesta Key | Eclectic menu, tropical outdoor seating |
Dry Dock Waterfront Grill | Longboat Key | Waterfront, boat or car access |
Sun Garden Café | Siesta Key Village | Garden patio, dog-friendly, fresh-squeezed juices |
By Melissa Gissinger
Whether you're browsing waterfront estates on Bird Key or a condo near Main Street, knowing where to find a good Sunday morning meal matters. Here's a curated guide to the brunch spots I recommend most, organized by area.
Waterfront Dining Near St. Armands and Lido Key
- Shore St. Armands: On the top floor above a St. Armands Circle retail space, Shore has a retractable-roof patio and serves Sunday brunch from 10am to 2pm. The crab cake Benedict is a standout, and the open-air seating looks out over the circle below.
- The Toasted Mango Café: A more casual spot in the Rosemary District with a bright, tropical feel and a dog-friendly patio. Fresh fruit platters and mango-forward dishes are the draw.
- Ridley's Porch: At the Ritz-Carlton Beach Club on Lido Key, not the Westin, this spot serves lunch and dinner with Gulf views and a coastal-leaning menu. It's a good weekend option if you want water views with your meal.
Downtown and Rosemary District
- Boca Sarasota: This farm-to-table spot on Lemon Avenue grows its own greens on an indoor living wall and serves weekend brunch with dishes like fried green tomatoes and avocado toast.
- Station 400: Housed in a railway depot originally built in Kentland, Indiana in 1852 and later relocated to the Rosemary District, this spot is known for its pancake selection, including lemon curd, and a shaded outdoor patio.
- Sage: Set in a nearly century-old building that once housed the Sarasota Times newspaper, Sage has a rooftop lounge with 360-degree downtown views. Brunch service has varied by season in the past, so confirm current weekend hours before planning a visit.
Siesta Key and Longboat Key
- The Cottage: A Siesta Key spot with an eclectic, globally influenced menu and tropical outdoor seating.
- Dry Dock Waterfront Grill: On the southern end of Longboat Key, reachable by boat or car, this spot is better known for lunch and dinner but draws a solid weekend crowd.
- Sun Garden Café: In Siesta Key Village, this dog-friendly garden-patio café is known for fresh-squeezed juices and biscuit-and-gravy dishes with an elevated touch.
