Best Fine Dining Restaurants in South Bradenton

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve lunch… our table was by the window, so we had a lovely view. Our server was beyond wonderful. Our glasses remained full, she was careful concerning the gluten allergy. She was very festive and just a joy to have serving us. The decorations were lovely… Ambience great! We’re going back for New Year’s Eve dinner. 😉

This restaurant has been open 3 days but it runs smoothly. We sat outside on the upper deck and had a lovely view of a courtyard, surrounded by high rise condos, and a large canal that opened out onto the Sarasota Bay. I had the 8 oz filet mignon (extremely tender and flavorful). My husband had the blackened snapper and found it delicious as well. Everything we ordered was excellent (wedge salad, onion soup, whipped potatoes and chocolate peanut butter pie with Ethiopian French press coffee). My. Old Fashioned was very good as well. My husband ordered a non-alcoholic beer which they had run out of but someone ran to the store and got him one without delay. Brendan was our waiter and he couldn't have been more attentive. All the staff was top-notch. We will be back, especially when we have guests who are steak lovers!

A top chef serving only the finest food. Going there for 17 years and hard to believe it gets better and better each time. Massimo never disappoints with his Italian and continental master pieces. His servers have been there from day one and that says loads about this romantic gem.

Wow, never had snails before and they were delicious, I had the roasted duckling. One of the best meals ever. Cooked perfectly and flavors were outstanding. Mashed potatoes were excellent. Going back tomorrow night for dessert and a drink in The Loft! Highly recommend.

Traverna Toscana Finally, an upscale restaurant bringing a touch of class to downtown Bradenton! My wife and I decided to venture out last Friday night to try the newly opened Traverna Toscana, and it did not disappoint. The executive chef’s carefully curated menu was impressive, with the octopus standing out as our favorite dish of the evening. My wife, who rarely tries such cuisine, was pleasantly astonished by how delicious it was. The complementary lemon butter sauce? Simply unbelievable—so good! There are several other enticing items on the menu that have us eager to return. The main course was equally well-prepared and enjoyable. I opted for the 33-day-aged ribeye, which featured the perfect balance of a beautifully seared crust and a juicy, flavorful center. Cooked to perfection, it was a highlight of the night. To accompany our meal, we chose the 2021 Jayson Pahlmeyer Napa red. While the wine was delicious, it felt slightly overpriced—perhaps the Caymus would have been a better value. We ended the night with a lemon cheesecake, and all I can say is: WOW! If you’re looking for a wonderful dining experience in Bradenton, I highly recommend trying Traverna Toscana. This gem is sure to impress!