Sarasota Field Guide
Food scene
The outdoor space behind the restaurant is amazing with live music going on most nights, oysters being grilled over an open fire, and so much more.
Pro tip: The wait can be super long, so visit when you have some time on your hands, put your name in with the host and then sit out back, listen to music and sip some drinks while you wait.
261 locals recommend
Owens Fish Camp
516 Burns CtThe outdoor space behind the restaurant is amazing with live music going on most nights, oysters being grilled over an open fire, and so much more.
Pro tip: The wait can be super long, so visit when you have some time on your hands, put your name in with the host and then sit out back, listen to music and sip some drinks while you wait.
Authentic Amish restaurant with great food and cream pies that are literally famous. (See Travel Channel's Man vs Food).
The best part is - it's about 100 yard walk from the front door of the airbnb cottage.
Pro Tip: The stuffed french toast is a must.
109 locals recommend
Yoder's Restaurant & Amish Village
3434 Bahia Vista StAuthentic Amish restaurant with great food and cream pies that are literally famous. (See Travel Channel's Man vs Food).
The best part is - it's about 100 yard walk from the front door of the airbnb cottage.
Pro Tip: The stuffed french toast is a must.
This is an open air market with fresh fruits and vegetables and other sundries. It is right next door to Yoder's Restaurant and owned by the same people.
27 locals recommend
Yoder's Fresh Market
3404 Bahia Vista StThis is an open air market with fresh fruits and vegetables and other sundries. It is right next door to Yoder's Restaurant and owned by the same people.
Arguably the best brunch in Sarasota - only available Sunday's from 10am - 3pm.
27 locals recommend
MADE Restaurant
1990 Main StArguably the best brunch in Sarasota - only available Sunday's from 10am - 3pm.
Cool trendy restaurant in the heart of downtown Sarasota with a focus on local products.
81 locals recommend
Boca Sarasota
19 S Lemon AveCool trendy restaurant in the heart of downtown Sarasota with a focus on local products.
Some people in Sarasota love Nancy's BBQ, some love Brick's. When it comes to BBQ - you can't go wrong either way, but I would personally give Brick's a slight edge.
Pro tip: Brick's has some of the best mac-n-cheese you can find.
40 locals recommend
Brick's Smoked Meats
1528 State StSome people in Sarasota love Nancy's BBQ, some love Brick's. When it comes to BBQ - you can't go wrong either way, but I would personally give Brick's a slight edge.
Pro tip: Brick's has some of the best mac-n-cheese you can find.
Some people in Sarasota love Nancy's BBQ, some love Brick's. When it comes to BBQ - you can't go wrong either way, but I would personally give Brick's a slight edge.
If you're looking for a more casual scene - pick Nancy's. Think rustic picnic tables and coolers of beer. (This note is for the original location in downtown Sarasota. There are other locations around town now, but I have not been to them.)
Pro Tip: Ask for the burnt ends and Nancy's - best thing you can get there.
21 locals recommend
Nancy's Bar-B-Q
14475 State Road 70 ESome people in Sarasota love Nancy's BBQ, some love Brick's. When it comes to BBQ - you can't go wrong either way, but I would personally give Brick's a slight edge.
If you're looking for a more casual scene - pick Nancy's. Think rustic picnic tables and coolers of beer. (This note is for the original location in downtown Sarasota. There are other locations around town now, but I have not been to them.)
Pro Tip: Ask for the burnt ends and Nancy's - best thing you can get there.
Origin Craft Beer & Pizza Cafe
1837 Hillview StGreat pizza. Great wings. Enough Said.
Pacific Rim
1859 Hillview StHeralded by locals as the best sushi in Sarasota for many years.
Great ice cream that is made locally and is walking distance from the airbnb cottage.
Pro Tip: Cash Only.
59 locals recommend
Big Olaf Creamery
5208 Ocean BlvdGreat ice cream that is made locally and is walking distance from the airbnb cottage.
Pro Tip: Cash Only.
Little whole in the wall joint that sells pizza and burgers. It's not going to knock your socks off, but it's walking distance from the cottage and is super quick and convenient.
Village Pizzas By Emma
3350 Bahia Vista StLittle whole in the wall joint that sells pizza and burgers. It's not going to knock your socks off, but it's walking distance from the cottage and is super quick and convenient.
Sightseeing
Miles of white powdery sand and amazing sunsets.
As you probably already know, it is pretty consistently voted the best or one of the best beaches in the country.
Pro Tip: Beat the crowds and the heat by getting to the beach before 10am.
799 locals recommend
Siesta Beach
Miles of white powdery sand and amazing sunsets.
As you probably already know, it is pretty consistently voted the best or one of the best beaches in the country.
Pro Tip: Beat the crowds and the heat by getting to the beach before 10am.
Amazing park and marina right on the water with beautiful sunsets, views of the city and the Ringling Bridge. There is a a big grassy area to hang out in. A side walk loop if you want to walk or take a run. A playground and water fountains during the day for kids.
103 locals recommend
Bayfront Park
5 Bayfront DrAmazing park and marina right on the water with beautiful sunsets, views of the city and the Ringling Bridge. There is a a big grassy area to hang out in. A side walk loop if you want to walk or take a run. A playground and water fountains during the day for kids.
Lido beach plays second fiddle to Siesta Key Beach, but it is still a great beach. The drive out to it is nicer then the one to Siesta and there are tons of nearby upscale shops and restaurants.
442 locals recommend
Lido Key Beach
400 Benjamin Franklin DrLido beach plays second fiddle to Siesta Key Beach, but it is still a great beach. The drive out to it is nicer then the one to Siesta and there are tons of nearby upscale shops and restaurants.
Tons of upscale shops and restaurants. There are a few local joints on the circle, but it is also pretty commercial and touristy.
Navigate the circle like a pro:
- Best pizza is at Venezia.
- The Colombia Restaurant has been serving up fantastic Spanish style food for over 100 years. Try some while you're in town, you won't regret it.
- Plot twist - best ice cream is not at Kilwins, it's at Big Olaf which is one one of the side streets. Warning - Big Olaf only takes cash.
358 locals recommend
St Armands Circle Shops
300 St Armands CirTons of upscale shops and restaurants. There are a few local joints on the circle, but it is also pretty commercial and touristy.
Navigate the circle like a pro:
- Best pizza is at Venezia.
- The Colombia Restaurant has been serving up fantastic Spanish style food for over 100 years. Try some while you're in town, you won't regret it.
- Plot twist - best ice cream is not at Kilwins, it's at Big Olaf which is one one of the side streets. Warning - Big Olaf only takes cash.
A bit of a drive from the cottage, but if you're into the outdoors, this is a great place to has great places to view alligators, deer, world-class bird watching, and tons of other wildlife. You can rent canoes, bike, hike, etc.
7 locals recommend
Myakka River State Park Big Flats Campground
Myakka State Park RoadA bit of a drive from the cottage, but if you're into the outdoors, this is a great place to has great places to view alligators, deer, world-class bird watching, and tons of other wildlife. You can rent canoes, bike, hike, etc.