Is there anything better than enjoying a delicious meal overlooking a stunning view of the Gulf of Mexico? We think not! Luckily, Sarasota makes waterfront dining the new norm with dozens of swoon-worthy restaurants with jaw-dropping views and great food.
Whether you’re heading out for date night, or entertaining guests, here are our top picks for the best waterfront restaurants in Sarasota, Florida.
- Dry Dock Waterfront Grill
- Dry Dock Waterfront Grill is one of the best waterfront restaurants in Sarasota, Florida, occupying a unique spot at the Boathouse Marina on Longboat Key. Not only does the restaurant offer panoramic views of Sarasota Bay, but it also has popular menu items, including the grouper sandwich, lobster rolls, and the boathouse burger.
- Jack Dusty
- Jack Dusty offers waterfront seating in downtown Sarasota. If you want to experience the fun offered by Florida, make sure you have lunch or dinner at Jack Dusty’s waterfront restaurant located inside The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. The most popular dish is the blackened grouper sandwich with green tomato, poblano aioli, arugula, and cucumber.
- The Boatyard Waterfront Bar and Grill
- The Boatyard Waterfront Restaurant offers excellent dining rooms with a state-of-the-art interior that opens to the waterfront, not to mention a wrap-around dining porch for the ultimate sunset views. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, offering a wide range of dishes, including Honey Soy Mahi Tacos, Jambalaya, Beef Island Nachos and more.
- Lido Beach Resort Tiki Bar
- Lido Beach Resort is the best waterfront restaurant for people who want to experience luxury outdoor dining. Not only does Lido Beach Resort feature a serene beachfront, but it also offers a variety of dishes for lunch and dinners, including Maine lobster sliders, the otter key, blackened or grilled chicken, and the signature (delicious) burger.
- Old Salty Dog
- Old Salty Dog is another top waterfront restaurant in Sarasota, offering delicious dishes to people of all ages. The most popular dish is their hot dog dipped in batter and topped with bacon, mushrooms, onions, sauerkraut, pepper jack, and Swiss cheese. Other dishes that you will love are the peel and eat shrimp tossed in garlic butter, snow crab legs, and mini “dogs” – battered and fried short hot dogs.
- Marina Jack
- Marina Jack boasts the Blue Sunshine Patio, allowing people to sit on Sarasota Bay and enjoy dining with the ultimate view. We recommend the second floor at Marina Jack because it has dining rooms with waterfront windows, allowing you to enjoy the picturesque views in a high-end setting. Marina Jack offers casual and formal dining experiences to its customers with popular dishes like the grouper Reuben sandwich, grilled grouper, potato-crusted grouper, and baked oyster Rockefeller.
- Ophelia’s On the Bay
- Ophelia’s On the Bay is another best waterfront restaurant in Sarasota, Florida, featuring outdoor patio seating and dining rooms with walls made of glass. One of Sarasota’s most romantic restaurants, Ophelia’s On the Bay is perfect for special occasions or just an enjoyable date night.
- O’Leary’s Tiki Bar and Grill
- O’Leary’s Tiki Bar is located at Bayfront Park, and most people visit this restaurant to enjoy the tropical climate and relish the delicious, casual food. Sit out at picnic tables directly in the sand and watch the boats roll by. Don’t forget to try one of their burgers with blue cheese, Swiss, bacon, and mushrooms. Most people also enjoy O’Leary’s margaritas while relaxing to live music and relishing the scenic paradise-like views.
- Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar
- Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar is a tiki-style restaurant in Sarasota that gives you a fun old Florida feel. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner with popular menu items: creek combo pots that contain two dozen steamed oysters, two ears of fresh corn on the cob, half-pound shrimp, celery, onion, and baked garlic bread. Other popular dishes include stuffed grouper and seafood paella. Don’t forget to enjoy a cold beer with your fresh oysters overlooking the soothing creek.
- Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay
- Turtles offer beautiful and scenic views while dining directly on the water. This little gem of a restaurant is located on the southern tip of Siesta Key and serves up delicious fresh seafood including grilled grouper fillet and coconut-crusted Mahi Mahi.