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LIVE LIKE A LOCAL: Top 5 Restaurants in Sarasota, FL

Sarasota, Florida boasts a dining scene that many surrounding cities can’t match! Located an hour’s drive from Tampa or 2 hours from Orlando, you’ll find a wonderful & bustling city that rivals the likes of NYC and Houston. Our city’s wide range of Greek, Thai, Jamaican, French, Cuban, Japanese, Indian, American, and countless other diverse cuisine options are sure to have your cravings satiated. Today we’re highlighting a select 5 standout restaurants that showcases the best of Sarasota’s culinary works.

Bitia’s Taqueria – Authentic Mexican & Salvadorian, A Local Hidden Gem

3436 17th St, Sarasota, FL

Taquerias are spread across all of Manatee County with their immaculate tacos, but locals know this “hole-in-the-wall” offers up an authentic slice of Mexican & Salvadorian dining. Bitia’s Taqueria has been around since 2014 and has been providing locals with the best Latin American food in the county!

They utilize corn husks, veggies, masa harina, and tons of quality meat for their tamales, pupusas, and tacos.
We highly recommend getting the Salvadorean Tamal or the Sope Pastor for a fantastic lunch.
If you’re wanting a delicious snack, grab a maduro for a sweet finisher to your meal.

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Go experience Sarasota’s finest Latina American dishes at Bitia’s Taqueria!

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The Main Bar Sandwich Shop – Classic Italian Subs & More

1944 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236

Founded in 1958 by Antonion & Thea Borza, this classic sub shop has plenty of charm, from the old-school bar to the friendly faces that serve up your meal! The Main Bar is as intertwined with Sarasota’s circus history as The Ringling! The retiring circus performers wanted to provide some of the best subs in the area, and that’s why they’re on today’s list.

The Famous Italian Sandwich is a must-have, but the Reuben Sandwich is also delectable with its crunchy toasted rye bread, scrumptious corned beef, and it even comes with potato salad!
We highly recommend grabbing a Roasted Red Pepper Wrap. Why? The ripe red peppers & smoked turkey breast paired with a perfect balance of provolone cheese will solidify The Main Bar as your go to sandwich shop in Sarasota!

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Dine at Sarasota’s classic sub shop & check out their menu here!

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Green Zebra Cafe – Sustainable Dining, Loved By Locals

1377 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236

This small family-owned café hosts two locations in Sarasota, one right off Main St, and another on John Ringling Blvd. They’ve been in operation for a decade and have been committed to giving locals a unique take on brunch & dinner.

Our focus today is brunch since everybody needs their midday refuel, and you can’t go wrong with their signature Avocado Toast topped with orange blossom honey, chili flakes, and fresh avocado!
Their Acai Bowl’s are loved by locals just the same, especially the Brazilian Acai Bowl’s plethora of berries complemented with bananas and gluten-free vegan granola!
Alternatively, their Texmex Scramble is a hearty option with bacon, free range eggs, bell peppers, black beans, and more!

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Brunch it up at Green Zebra Café & check out their menu here!

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Tandoor Fine Indian Cuisine – 2 Decades of Tandoori Specialties

8447 Cooper Creek Blvd, Bradenton, FL 34201

Voted Best Indian Food for over 2 decades, the Maini family have run this lovely restaurant with much care & dedication to crafting delicious curries, succulent samosas, and many more Tandoori specialties.

Their house favorite Butter Chicken is paired with an aromatic tomato sauce & is best complemented with some Garlic Naan.
Feeling adventurous? Then you should try the Mix Tandoori Platter with its variety of slow-roasted skewered meats & shrimp marinated to perfection with spices.
Don’t forget to try their riveting Tikka Masala & Rogan Josh for a delightful taste of Indian delicacies!

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See their all day menu here & experience Sarasota’s Best Indian Food!

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Michael’s On East – Live Music, Wine, & Award-Winning Cuisine

1212 S East Ave, Sarasota, FL 34239

Since 1987, Michael’s on East has taken fine dining in Sarasota to its peak with their 5-star service, award winning cuisine, and one of a kind atmosphere. They offer some of the highest-quality wine, seafood, and steaks in town and offer an experience unlike any other in the city.

Their Lobster Pot is a must-have on Fridays as it comes with two 1-2 1/4 lb. live Maine lobsters, mussels, new potatoes and corn on the cob!
The Baked Oysters with Caviar & Champagne is sure to start your meal off strong, or perhaps a Peruvian Blue Crab Stack is more your style.
Treat yourself to a fine Duck Two-Ways topped with a savory honey & fennel glaze for the fanciful diner.
Finish off your meal with the classic Crème Brûlée, their award-winning Key Lime Tart, or the Spumoni Baked Alaska if you want to try something truly unique.

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Dine like a king at Michael’s On East & click here for their menu options!

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HONORABLE MENTIONS

This quick glance at some of Sarasota’s best restaurants can’t contain every great restaurant in Sarasota, but we highly recommend you look at these other diverse options once you’ve explored the main 5 that we highlighted!

Yoder’s Restaurant – Amish Cooking on Another Level

3434 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota, FL 34239

Duval’s – Sarasota’s Best Seafood for Over 10+ Years

1435 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236

Geckos – The Best Local Grill & Pub Since 1992

1900 Hillview St, Sarasota, FL 34239

Jamaican American Soul Food – Premier Caribbean Cuisine

2025 Dr Martin Luther King Way, Sarasota, FL 34234

Gyros & Seafood Express – Greek Done Great

918 N Washington Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34236

Sarasota, FL: Southwest FL’s Premier Dining Hub

Sarasota’s more than just a place to chow down & kick back; it’s home to tens of thousands of hardworking residents that pour their hearts into creating the best experiences one can find in Florida. When you dine in Sarasota, you get first-hand experience of the community and culture of this city.

We know you love eating & appreciating new food as much as we do, so we’re glad to showcase some of the best restaurants in Sarasota. Our city offers experiences that other cities can’t match!

These unique destinations within Sarasota County display just a snippet of what Sarasota offers. We hope you expand your horizons and seek out more to do in our lovely city.

Manasota Movers: Making Moves Fun Since 2009!

No matter where you move, Manasota Movers is there to help you in all kinds of ways! We take the stress away & handle all the heavy lifting so you can start planning your Sarasota dining itinerary as quickly as possible. We can pack, move, and even provide helpful tips about where you should go next in Sarasota as we showcased today!

Get started on your moving journey here »