So You Think You’ve Eaten Everything in Sarasota? Think Again.
Sarasota isn’t just a place where tourists lose their minds at four-way stops—it’s a foodie paradise. Fresh seafood, Cuban influences, and an ever-growing cocktail scene mean you’ll never run out of things to eat, drink, and (probably) regret later.
If you want to call yourself a true Sarasota food connoisseur, this bucket list of 50 must-try food and drinks is your roadmap. Some are legendary, some are bizarre, and some will make you question your life choices—but all of them are worth it.
🐟 Sarasota’s Must-Try Seafood Dishes
1️⃣ Grouper Sandwich at Walt’s Fish Market – Because if you haven’t had a freshly caught, perfectly grilled grouper sandwich, you’re doing Sarasota wrong.
2️⃣ Stone Crab Claws at Captain Brian’s – Crack, dip, devour, repeat. Bonus: You get a tiny wooden mallet.
3️⃣ Smoked Mullet at Star Fish Company – Old-school Florida seafood at its finest.
4️⃣ Lobster Rolls at Dry Dock Waterfront Grill – New England meets Florida, and we all win.
5️⃣ Oysters at Owen’s Fish Camp – Briny, fresh, and best enjoyed with a cold beer.
6️⃣ Clam Chowder at Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar – Creamy, rich, and guaranteed to make you feel fancy.
7️⃣ Coconut Shrimp at Siesta Key Oyster Bar – Crispy, sweet, and dangerously addictive.
8️⃣ Soft-Shell Crab Sandwich at The Beach House – A Floridian delicacy that hits different when eaten with toes in the sand.
9️⃣ Seafood Paella at Columbia Restaurant – A massive, saffron-filled bowl of deliciousness.
🔟 Blackened Mahi-Mahi at Shore – Perfectly seasoned and cooked just right.
🥪 Sarasota’s Most Iconic Local Eats
1️⃣1️⃣ Cuban Sandwich at Columbia Restaurant – Crispy, smoky, and stuffed with history.
1️⃣2️⃣ Amish Fried Chicken at Yoder’s – So good it should be illegal.
1️⃣3️⃣ Key Lime Pie at Yoder’s – This pie could solve world peace.
1️⃣4️⃣ The “Godfather” Sub at Mozzarella Fella – Cured meats, cheese, and pure happiness.
1️⃣5️⃣ BBQ Ribs at Nancy’s Bar-B-Q – Messy, smoky, and worth every napkin.
1️⃣6️⃣ Hot Chicken Sandwich at Veronica Fish & Oyster – Spicy, crispy, and packs a serious punch.
1️⃣7️⃣ Cheese Pizza at Il Panificio – Because sometimes, you just need a perfect slice.
1️⃣8️⃣ Conch Fritters at Duval’s – A little island flavor right in Sarasota.
1️⃣9️⃣ Burgers at Patrick’s 1481 – Sarasota’s classic all-American burger joint.
2️⃣0️⃣ Gator Bites at Turtle Beach Grill – Because nothing says Florida like eating its mascot.
🍹 Sarasota’s Must-Try Cocktails & Drinks
2️⃣1️⃣ Mai Tai at Bahi Hut – This drink is pure danger. Two and you’ll need an Uber.
2️⃣2️⃣ Rum Runner at Siesta Key Oyster Bar – Beachside drinking at its finest.
2️⃣3️⃣ Espresso Martini at Pangea Alchemy Lab – If you need to wake up AND get drunk.
2️⃣4️⃣ Old Fashioned at State Street Eating House – A drink Don Draper would approve of.
2️⃣5️⃣ Frozen Daiquiris at Daiquiri Deck – Touristy? Yes. Still awesome? Also yes.
2️⃣6️⃣ Hurricane at The Beach Club – One sip and you’ll understand why New Orleans drinks these before bad decisions.
2️⃣7️⃣ Local Craft Beer at Calusa Brewing – Because Florida makes great beer, too.
2️⃣8️⃣ Sangria at Columbia Restaurant – Big, fruity, and perfect for pretending you’re on vacation.
2️⃣9️⃣ Tequila Flight at El Melvin Cocina Mexicana – Three pours of liquid courage.
3️⃣0️⃣ Bloody Mary at MADE – More toppings than an actual meal.
🍩 Sarasota’s Must-Try Desserts
3️⃣1️⃣ Chocolate Cake at Euphemia Haye’s Haye Loft – A legendary, multi-layered beast of a cake.
3️⃣2️⃣ Homemade Ice Cream at Big Olaf Creamery – Creamy, rich, and worth every calorie.
3️⃣3️⃣ Baklava at Apollonia Grill – Layers of heaven wrapped in honey and nuts.
3️⃣4️⃣ Milkshakes at Hob Nob Drive-In – Classic, thick, and a perfect excuse to pretend it’s the 1950s.
3️⃣5️⃣ Cheesecake at The Blue Rooster – Velvety, rich, and a local hidden gem.
🌮 Sarasota’s Must-Try International Eats
3️⃣6️⃣ Street Tacos at Reyna’s Taqueria – Mexican food that will ruin all other tacos for you.
3️⃣7️⃣ Sushi at Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi – Fresh fish, creative rolls, and no touristy nonsense.
3️⃣8️⃣ Pho at Pho Cali – Comfort in a bowl.
3️⃣9️⃣ Paella at Columbia Restaurant – A massive, saffron-filled bowl of deliciousness.
4️⃣0️⃣ Falafel Wrap at Bodhi’s Market – Legit Mediterranean flavors done right.
🍔 Sarasota’s Most Over-the-Top Eats
4️⃣1️⃣ Monster-Sized Burger at Munchies 420 Café – This thing is ridiculous.
4️⃣2️⃣ Loaded Mac & Cheese at The Rosemary – Cheese overload in the best way.
4️⃣3️⃣ BBQ Brisket Nachos at Nancy’s Bar-B-Q – Messy, cheesy, and glorious.
4️⃣4️⃣ Giant Cinnamon Roll at The Breakfast House – Bigger than your head.
4️⃣5️⃣ Crazy Donuts at Five-O Donut Co. – Toppings so insane, they shouldn’t be legal.
🏆 The Final 5: Absolute Must-Trys Before You Die
4️⃣6️⃣ Key Lime Pie at Yoder’s – If you only eat one dessert in Sarasota, make it this.
4️⃣7️⃣ Grouper Sandwich at Walt’s Fish Market – Fresh, simple, perfect.
4️⃣8️⃣ Mai Tai at Bahi Hut – A Sarasota rite of passage.
4️⃣9️⃣ Cuban Sandwich at Columbia Restaurant – History, flavor, and crunch in one bite.
5️⃣0️⃣ Stone Crab Claws at Captain Brian’s – Florida’s most legendary seafood.
Final Thoughts
Think I missed something? Got a dish that deserves a spot on this list? I’m all ears—unless it’s a gas station sushi recommendation.
If you’ve got a must-try Sarasota food or drink that belongs on this bucket list, let me know by heading over to the contact page and sending it my way.
And if you’re still hungry, check out our Sarasota seafood guide next—because if you’re in Florida and not eating fresh fish, you’re doing it wrong.
🚀 Now go eat something legendary.