Old Salty Dog 1601 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-388-4311, A waterfront restaurant, The Old Salty Dog is a local favorite that is becoming one with visitors from around the world. Their two most famous menu selections are the grouper sandwich and the traditional English "fish & chips." Their second location is 5023 Ocean Boulevard.

Broken Egg Restaurant 210 Avenida Madera, Siesta Key, FL 34242, 941-346-2750, The Broken Egg Restaurant, Gift Shop and Gallery has been an island tradition for breakfast and lunch on Siesta Key since 1984. Their scrumptuous menu including fabulous egg creations and omelettes, plate filling pancakes, fresh juices, and homemade bakery selections. They serve exquisite breakfasts and lunches from 7:30 to 2:30 364 days a year.  

Bungalow-Restaurant, The 301 South Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-365-4430, The Bungalow-Restaurant is a family owned, casual restaurant open for lunch and dinner with outside seating available. Menu items include pizza, sandwiches and nightly entree specials. Live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights is also featured.

Chart House Restaurant 201 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228, 941-383-5593, A beautiful 200 seat restaurant with a water view of New Pass and The Gulf of Mexico. There is a full service bar and varied menu items. They feature fresh seafood, aged beef, a great salad bar, and incredible desserts. Private parties, special events, and group dinners are welcome.  

Five One Six Burns Restaurant 516 Burns Lane, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-906-1884, Five One Six Burns Restaurant offers fine soul food for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Manhattan Bar & Grill 6727 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231, 941-924-6969, Casual American food, Martini bar and great burgers. Open for lunch and dinner.  

Summerhouse Restaurant 6101 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota, FL 34242, 941-349-1100, The Summerhouse is the perfect location for special occasions of any kind. Their unique setting and unforgettable cuisine has earned them the distinction of being voted Sarasota's "Best All-Around" and "Most Romantic" Restaurant.  

Troyer's Dutch Heritage Restaurant 3713 Bahia Vista, Sarasota, FL 34232, Located in Pinecraft Amish Settlement, 941-955-8007, Enjoy the unique atmosphere and delicious Amish cooking available at this traditional Amish family and buffet style restaurant that has been a tradition in Sarasota since 1969. A gift shop is located on the second floor. They are open Monday through Saturday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; closed on Sundays. 

Sarasota Bread Company 208 Southgate Plaza, Sarasota, FL 34239, Located at Southgate Plaza Shopping Center, 941-957-3200, Enjoy true bistro dining within this beautiful Tuscan style restaurant that offers a wide variety of beer and wine and a menu that includes specialties such as croissants, apricot muffins, grilled sesame chicken satay, oven roasted vegetable paninis, Steak au Poivre, and unbelievably delicious bread. They are open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Sarasota News & Books 1341 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-365-6332, Linger over their outstanding Torrefazione Italia Coffees or choose from a selection of premium wines and beers in the unique European style cafe. Savor a sinful Tiramisu, a perfect bagel or a tasty sandwich. They also specialize in unique greeting cards for all tastes and occasions, beautiful hand painted ceramics from Deruta Italy, personal journals, boxed note cards, and stationery.  

Bijou Cafe, The 1287 First Street, Sarasota, FL 34236, Located in the Theater and Arts District, 941-366-8111, Selected in the Zagat Survey as one of the most popular restaurants on the Gulf Coast of Florida, this charming restaurant offers an extensive menu of continental cuisine inspired by Chef Jean-Pierre's South African and French heritage. An award-winning wine list complements your meal. They are open Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday for dinner; closed on Sundays. 

Cafe L'Europe 431 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-388-4415, One of Sarasota's most beautiful and most distinguished restaurant, this restaurant is located in what was once circus magnate John Ringling's original real estate office built in 1926. In business for 30 years, the restaurant serves an innovative and creative menu of continental cuisine daily for lunch, in season, and dinner. The restaurant features classic elegance.  

Cafe On The Bay 5350 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34236, 941-383-0440, Elegant yet casual restaurant, which offers indoor and outdoor dinning with magnificent, Marina views. Heating is provided in the winter when dinning in the covered outdoor terrace. Excess to the cafe is available by boat. (ICW Marker 15) "Come by boat, come by car...Come just as you are!" Reservations recommended.

Pacific Rim 1859 Hillview Street, Sarasota, FL 34239, 941-330-8071, Pacific Rim specializes in authentic Thai and Japanese cuisine. Enjoy such selections as wontons, spring rolls, pad Thai, gyosa dumplings, edammame, and tempura.

Bayou Bleu 1359 1/2 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-917-0003, "A New Orleans Experience." Open for lunch and dinner with a full bar. 

Anna's Restaurant & Deli 140 Avenida Messina, Siesta Key, FL 34242, 941-349-7790, Open daily for lunch only, this deli is famous for their specialty gourmet sandwiches using only the highest quality meats, cheeses, and toppings on their unique "can bread." They also offer freshly prepared salads on the menu.  

Nellie's Deli, Market & Catering 3688 Webber Street, Sarasota, FL 34232, 941-924-2705, This deli is famous for their mouthwatering, New York style sandwiches, as well as home style soups and baked goods. A cozy gourmet neighborhood market is also on site that offers a great selection of unusual and hard to find gourmet and kosher style foods and complete catering services are available. They are open Monday through Friday for breakfast and lunch and open on Saturday for lunch only; closed on Sundays. 

Javier's Restaurant 6621 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key, FL 34242, Located in the Crescent Plaza, 941-349-1792, A charming, unique restaurant that re-creates a Peruvian village café in the Andes Mountains. A lush, plant filled dining room, a cozy wine bar featuring New World wines and imported Peruvian beers, creative Peruvian American cuisine with Spanish, Incan, European and Asian influences, all entice you for a dining experience found nowhere else in the area. Open for dinner only Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sundays and Mondays.  

Selva Grill Restaurant 1345 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-362-4427, Zagat has voted the Selva as one of its top 10 West Florida restaurants. Selva Grill's award winning chef/owner Darwin Santa Maria prepares delicious Peruvian entrees including octopus ceviche, anticuchos, and la buena causa.

Lynches Pub & Grub 19 B North Boulevard of the Presidents, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-388-5550, The true spirit of Ireland is captured at this friendly neighborhood Irish pub that is owned by sisters Ethna and Chris Lynch and provides an extensive menu of quality food for Irish cuisine lovers. They are open daily for lunch and dinner. 

Cafe Baci 4001 South Tamaimi Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231, 941-921-4848, Award winning for food and dining Italian restaurant.  

Caragiulos Italian Restaurant 69 South Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-9510-0866, Local favorite, family owned restaurant voted "Best of the Best" and "Best Italian," year after year.

Marie's Italian Kitchen 5767 Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL 34233, 941-923-1000, You'll feel like you are going to an Italian Grandma's house for dinner while dining at this quaint restaurant that offers a wide variety of new and traditional, home style Northern and Southern cuisine served in a casual atmosphere. They are open daily for lunch and dinner. 

Mediterraneo 1970 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-365-4122, A fine dining restaurant that serves a full menu of Northern Italian cuisine with a gourmet flair such as traditional pastas and pizzas cooked in a wood burning brick oven, all complemented by an extensive wine list. They are open nightly for dinner plus serve lunch Monday through Friday. 

Primo! Ristorante 8076 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243, 941-359-3690, Famous for their pizzas cooked in a wood burning oven, this casual dining restaurant offers an extensive menu of great Italian cuisine, as well as drinks in the relaxing lounge. They are open nightly for dinner and reservations are recommended. Well known for Italian hospitality. Catering and banquet available. 

Big Kitchen Restaurant, Deli and Bakery 3900 Clark Road, Sarasota, FL 34231, 941-925-3675, This is a Sarasota favorite for Jewish cuisine with a variety of seafood highlights. The atmosphere and great food makes this restaurant a perfect dining destination and they have an excellent reputation for off site catering. A full bar and bakery are also on site. They are open Monday for breakfast and lunch only, open Tuesday through Saturday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and open on Sunday in season for breakfast and lunch only. 

Munroe's Restaurant 1296 First Street, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-316-0609, Enjoy sophisticated regional American cuisine, a global boutique wine list and friendly service in a historic urban atmosphere. The upstairs jazz tavern offers dining and live entertainment. Chef owned and operated. 

Table, The 1934 Hillview Street, Sarasota, FL 34239, 941-365-4558, The Table offers a unique selection of well prepared food and an inviting intimate atmosphere.

Vernona Restaurant 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-309-2008, This AAA Four Diamond, Mobil Four-Star signature restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and a famous Sunday brunch. Vernona continues to win awards annually with its regional organic cuisine and was recently named "Best Overall" Restaurant in Florida by Florida International Magazine. A private dining room is available as an exclusive setting for special events.

Columbia Restaurant 411 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-388-3987, A Florida tradition since 1905, this casual dining restaurant serves a wide array of traditional Spanish cuisine with indoor and outdoor dining available. They are open year round daily for lunch and dinner. 

El Patio Latino - Restaurant 1100 North Tuttle Avenue, Suite 5, Sarasota, FL 34237, Grand Slam Plaza, 941-955-5093, Authentic Peruvian and Spanish cuisine in Sarasota open Tuesday-Thursday: 11 to 9pm, Friday and Saturday: 11 to 10pm., Sunday: 10 to 9pm., and closed on Monday.

Barnacle Bills Seafood 1526 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-365-6800, "One of Sarasota's premiere dining experiences," this fine dining restaurant serves a full menu of fresh, resort style seafood daily for lunch and dinner. 

Crab & Fin Restaurant 420 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-388-3964, Famous for their extensive collection of favorite and exotic seafood that is flown in from around the world and filleted on site, this attractively decorated restaurant specializes in quality fin fish, as well as shellfish, caviar selections, housemade pastas, handmade breads, and a large selection of fresh quality meats, chops, and sandwiches. A lovely sidewalk cafe with live piano background music is also an option for enhancing your dining experience. They are open daily for lunch and dinner. 

Leverocks Seafood Restaurant 5981 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34240, 941-342-8865, Specializing in fresh fish, this waterfront restaurant overlooks "Lake Leverock" and features hardwood floors and two cupolas. A list of the "catches of the day" is posted in the restaurant every day and the restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner. 

Maine Seafood Company 5769 Beneva Road South, Sarasota, FL 34233, 941-921-6396, Reminiscent of a lobster shanty up north, this restaurant specializes in the freshest seafood from Maine including lobster, mussels, clams, fresh fish, and cherrystones, all served in a casual atmosphere. They are open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner; open on Sundays from 12 to 6. 

Marina Jack's 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, FL 34236, Located in Island Park Downtown, 941-365-4232, This Sarasota landmark is open nightly for dinner and offers fine dining with fresh seafood and steaks as their specialty while you enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of the Sarasota Bay. The dining room features a stunning lounge area and a saltwater aquarium and an open air raw bar is also on site. 

Phillippi Creek Village Restaurant & Oyster Bar 5353 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34233, 941-925-4444, Nestled in a tropical setting, this award-winning, family restaurant offers a multiple choice of fresh local seafood on the menu, as well as indoor or outdoor waterfront seating. They are open daily for lunch and dinner. more... 

Turtles Restaurant 8875 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key, FL 34242, 941-346-2207, A casual waterfront restaurant that is open daily for lunch and dinner and provides an excellent menu of fresh seafood while you dine bayside with views of Siesta's wild parrots or inside with water views. 

Ruth's Chris Steak House 6700 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34321, 941-924-9442, Awarded "Best Steak House" two years running. Ruth Fertel founded the restaurant 36 years ago in New Orleans and, today, it is the largest upscale steakhouse chain in the world.