Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Sarasota

32 restaurants available nearby

1. Indigenous

4.7

Exceptional(864)

Price: Expensive

• American • Sarasota

Booked 14 times today

Opened in 2011, Indigenous has earned a reputation for being an inspirational and educational restaurant. For years, Indigenous has been known as one of America’s top restaurants, renowned for its passion for food, the community, and the planet. Indigenous’ menu of seasonal American cuisine changes progressively throughout the year based on peak ingredient availability. With a focus on sustainable seafood, we work closely with local fisherman, artisans, and farmers to maintain the highest quality. At Indigenous, we are always working our best to create a better food system. Owner Chef Steve Phelps has been a James Beard Foundation Semi Finalist for Best Chef South in 2014 & 2015, an Ambassador for Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Blue Ribbon Task Force, and a founding member and Chef for the EDF Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture.

A photo of Mediterraneo Ristorante Italiano restaurant

2. Mediterraneo Ristorante Italiano

4.9

Exceptional(3497)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Sarasota

Booked 15 times today

With its modern but classic Italian cuisine and emphasis on artisanal and contemporary Northern Italian style, Mediterraneo is often credited with being the first restaurant to bring authentic contemporary Italian cuisine to Sarasota when it first opened in 1996. Still under the same ownership, Mediterraneo has consistently been rated one of the top restaurants in Zagat. The restaurant has received numerous accolades including the acclaimed Insegna Del Ristorante Italiano awarded by The Minister of Agriculture & Commerce in Rome. With its highest honor, inducting the restaurant into its Accademia Italiana della Cucina "Fine Dining Hall of Fame." Mediterraneo has been rated as Best of the Best in Sarasota Magazine since the first year of opening. So whether you're celebrating a special occasion or grabbing a quick bite to eat, at Mediterraneo you are always assured the best quality food accompanied by excellent service. All of it thoroughly Italian.

A photo of Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria-Sarasota restaurant

3. Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria-Sarasota

4.7

Exceptional(1071)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Sarasota

Booked 3 times today

For parties of 13 or more please call the restaurant.*Weather may interfere with your reservation, we will do our best to accommodate you.*Out of passion, tradition, hard work and integrity, Bavaro’s opened its doors in March 2009 as the first traditional Neapolitan Pizzeria in the state of Florida. Determined to share their family recipes with the world, Dan Bavaro, his wife Anna-Maria, and their five beautiful children packed their U-Haul, left their friends and family, drove from New Jersey to Tampa, and set out to provide for others the same love, energy, and authenticity that they experience around their own dinner table.

A photo of Dry Dock Waterfront Grill restaurant

4. Dry Dock Waterfront Grill

4.9

Exceptional(9233)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Longboat Key

Booked 70 times today

The Dry Dock Waterfront Grill is a “polished casual” restaurant over looking Sarasota Bay. We are located at the south end of Longboat Key behind the gas station. We are north of St. Armand’s Circle, and minutes from downtown Sarasota. Best known for Local Fresh Grouper and Red Snapper. Enjoy the second story dining area with a panaramic view of the bay, or enjoy dining outdoors on our dockside patio.

A photo of The Rosemary & Thyme restaurant

5. The Rosemary & Thyme

4.9

Exceptional(4379)

Price: Expensive

• American • Sarasota

Booked 19 times today

Welcome to Rosemary & Thyme! Downtown Sarasota American Bistro serving traditional and contemporary dishes with an emphasis on healthy options. Savor made-from-scratch selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner prepared with fresh ingredients from regional farms.

A photo of Selva Grill Downtown Sarasota restaurant

6. Selva Grill Downtown Sarasota

4.9

Exceptional(5780)

Price: Expensive

• Latin / Spanish • Sarasota

Booked 11 times today

Selva offers innovative, intricately prepared dishes, plated and presented as works of art. Selva has earned raves from allover the world, including from the New York Times, which write that Selva is “serving possibly the best food in Sarasota,”and that “everything on the menu is worth trying.”

A photo of Duval's Fresh. Local. Seafood. restaurant

7. Duval's Fresh. Local. Seafood.

4.7

Exceptional(5462)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Sarasota

Booked 19 times today

We are an eclectic eatery with a passion for stunning seafood, superb service, fine wine, and creative cocktails.We are committed to serving only the freshest dishes to our guests. We receive fresh fish daily from our local suppliers and filet everything in house to ensure the best possible quality.Together with our unique menu, our focus on excellent service allows us to deliver a one-of-a-kind dining experience in downtown Sarasota. Every menu item is prepared to order to allow for customization and personalization of each dish and to ensure you are getting the freshest possible meal.Voted Sarasota's Best by Herald Tribune Readers:Best All-Around Restaurant (2019-2023)Best Seafood Restaurant (2016-2023)Best Sandwich for our renowned Po' Boy (2016-2022)Best Lunch (2020-2022)Thank you, Sarasota!For parties of 8 or more, a gratuity of 18% will be added to the check.

A photo of Cafe L'Europe - St Armand's restaurant

8. Cafe L'Europe - St Armand's

4.8

Exceptional(2434)

Price: Expensive

• Modern European • Sarasota

Booked 2 times today

This season marks Café L'Europe's 51st year in its iconic St. Armands Circle location. Whether celebrating life's most meaningful moments, or the end of a long week, we welcome lovers of food and drink for a five-star experience inspired by Europe's finest bistros.Spring 2024 brings a reimagined restaurant interior and new dining menus. European culinary tradition inspires scratch-made dishes using local, sustainable ingredients. An exquisite Old World-meets-New World wine list, craft cocktails, and music greet you from our newly renovated "Wet Bar".We aim to graciously walk the tightrope between past and future: To honor the beloved traditions of Sarasota families, to welcome new visitors to our beautiful destination, and to celebrate the legacy of a place once housing the sales office of Sarasota’s most famous resident - John Ringling!

9. Boca - Sarasota

4.2

Awesome(1570)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Sarasota

Booked 10 times today

With a cozy vibe, food you crave, and heartfelt hospitality, Boca is your kind of place - an everyday upscale restaurant where you can be yourself and enjoy great fresh seasonal creations while we work thoughtfully to make even the most simple moments extraordinary. With a fresh and seasonal approach to the classics, Boca is the food you love handcrafted with the freshest ingredients into dishes you will crave. Like the food, our Market Fresh cocktails are thoughtful, luscious, and handcrafted featuring house-infused spirits and fresh ingredients. Join us for Weekend Brunch and Bottomless Mimosas, Lunch on the Avenue or Dinner with friends that feel like family.

10. Michael's On East

4.8

Exceptional(5562)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Sarasota

Booked 11 times today

Serving "inspired cuisine" since 1987, the celebrated Michael’s On East restaurant takes fine dining to another level, offering award-winning cuisine and outstanding service, in an exceptional 1940s supper club atmosphere. Michael's On East has been inducted into Nation's Restaurant News Fine Dining Hall of Fame and recently received their 34th consecutive AAA Four-Diamond Award. The 350+ bottle wine list has been awarded the Best of Award of Excellence by the Wine Spectator!Upon entering the dining room, you are immediately dazzled by the plush design and inspired décor. The restaurant’s intimate aura, along with its contemporary flare, world-class wine cellar and incomparable service, create an unparalleled dining experience.Michael's Lounge, complete with a grand piano, is a guest favorite with its signature cocktails and award winning wine selection. Michael’s Atrium for outdoor dining is a stunning glass-covered, plant-filled courtyard with a beautiful flowing fountain.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

R
Robertvip
Seattle / Eastern Washington •54 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Nice experience. Authentic Italian food and recipes. The menu has many different options so it makes you want to come back for more. Great waiter recommendations. Attentive service. A strong thumbs up!
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Mediterraneo Ristorante ItalianoPrice: Expensive• Italian• Sarasota
•
4.9
M
Michelle
Tampa / Central Florida West •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
A great experience with delicious food presented beautifully. Loved that the menu was not too big but had great choices. Service was great too, everyone was very pleasant and knowledgeable! We are from Europe and to find food so delicious with this quality close to home is exciting. We will be back. Thank you ☺️
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IndigenousPrice: Expensive• American• Sarasota
•
4.7
N
Nickvip
Toronto / Ontario •77 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
The Date Night meals are amazing and such a reasonable price. Thank you ! We had the Parmesan Crab Halibut and the French onion soup along with a Tiramisù and Carrot cake ! Absolutely delicious. The service is excellent as well. A perfect way to celebrate our anniversary.
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The Rosemary & ThymePrice: Expensive• American• Sarasota
•
4.9
M
Mattvip
Chicago / Illinois •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Great spot on Sarasota Bay for delicious seafood and drinks. The grouper sandwich is the best in the area. The outdoor patio is the best setting, where you can watch the boats wander by or come to be stored in the adjacent boathouse. Plan ahead as reservations are scarce and you’ll face long waits without one.
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Dry Dock Waterfront GrillPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Longboat Key
•
4.9
J
Joevip
Southwest Florida •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
As always the food and service was great. Nice cool night and sat outside by the fireplace. David was a great server and very attentive.
More info
Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria-SarasotaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Sarasota
•
4.7

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Sarasota

Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Sarasota

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32 restaurants available nearby

1. Indigenous

2. Mediterraneo Ristorante Italiano

3. Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria-Sarasota

4. Dry Dock Waterfront Grill

5. The Rosemary & Thyme

6. Selva Grill Downtown Sarasota

7. Duval's Fresh. Local. Seafood.

8. Cafe L'Europe - St Armand's

9. Boca - Sarasota

10. Michael's On East

See what locals rave about

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