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. RomanSQ only features pizza, which means it must be amazing for them to make the list. Right near downtown Sarasota, the St. Armands Circle location of this Florida Gulf Coast chain beckons families and friend groups with its frozen drinks and tasty food. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. If youre looking for fancy Italian restaurants in Sarasota for a romantic date or an important business meeting, this is it. Cafe Gabbiano is a cozy place that makes you feel like youre in the countryside of Italy. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. People also searched for these in Sarasota: See more italian restaurants downtown in Sarasota. Caragiulos became one of Sarasotas most popular eateries in much the same waythe family found the cozy storefront on Palm Avenue, with ease. With generous outdoor seating, guests can watch other visitors pass by while enjoying traditional Italian cuisine. The crust is just the right amount of thin and crispy, and the toppings are always fresh and tasty. Here, they not only accommodated but made me a personal touch from scratch and it was DAMN GOOD! Homemade desserts are a treat here, too, and you won't miss tiramisu if you opt for the Baba Napoletano, a rich rum cake filled with cream. If the weathers nice, sit on the patio and enjoy the live music. The Old Salty Dog sits on stilts over the bay, with pelicans and boats making frequent passes as you dine on seafood entrees loaded with fried mahi-mahi, shrimp, or the restaurant's signature fish and chips. 4837 Swift Road, Sarasota, (941) 927-8716, laviolettasrq.com. Price range for entrees: $12 to $40Address: 5353 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231Details: creekseafood.com; 941-925-4444. Price range for entrees: $18 to $48Address: 411 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, FL 34236Details: columbiarestaurant.com; 941-388-3987, Tags: Travel, Florida Vacations, Southeast Vacations, Restaurants. Breakfast is even served here with a full British breakfast of bangers and baked beans or a serving of shrimp and grits among the offerings should you want to start your day with sunrise views over the water. 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. Book a reservation at Caragiulos. Enjoy this complete guide to local Italian restaurants participating in Sarasota Countys annual restaurant week of spectacular deals on exquisite dining this June. It's been open since 1966. Address After an exhausting, two week long car trek around Florida with no prospects and tempers flaring, Tony signaled for the car to pull over; Stoppa the*#!*#!!! Mediterraneo has consistently won awards and been listed on Best of the Best lists since opening. 11:00 PM time. Please use the form below to apply. For a lighter meal, opt for the panzanella di granchioa bread salad made with crab and avocado. Offering complimentary valet parking, Element is an ease to dine at during Savor Sarasota. Everything at Dolce Italia is lovely: the location in Gulf Gate, the accommodating service and the homey feeling. Situated in St. Armand's Circle with another location on Longboat Key this popular breakfast and lunch spot boasts plenty of egg dishes, waffles, burgers, sandwiches and more. This place makes the list for its unbelievable charm. Downtown Restaurant Sarasota, Happy Hour, Mattison's City Grille Traditional favorites like cannoli and tiramisu make for a memorable end to the meal. So while youll see veal scallopini, gnocchi and lasagna on the menu, youll also encounter baked polenta fortified with Fontina cheese, cacio e pepe that luxuriates in a white truffle emulsion and tripe cooked in the style of the Piedmont region, Bozzolos home. Start your meal with raw or steamed clams and oysters and then double down on the seafood fest with a straightforward plate of linguine with clams, or lasagna layered with shrimp and lobster. 29 N Boulevard of the PresidentsSarasota, FL 34236(941) 232-7633. good vibe in themore, Having an allergy to cow's milk makes it a challenge to eat Italian food and the owner, Danny, mademore, Our favorite Italian food in the area! A Siesta Key Village mainstay, the original Flavios has been a popular spot for a romantic night out near the beach for years, while its companion restaurant is younger, but no less appealing. Indulge in the tender steak with a glass of red wine and your choice of sides, like delicious mashed potatoes or sauted veggies. White Sandy Beaches. Right near downtown Sarasota's Rosemary District, Circo pulls in crowds to try its artisan Tex-Mex tacos, weekend bottomless mimosa brunches, and a vibe focused on fun and good food. I was invited here for a birthday dinner of a dear friend of mine. Their dining room and garden terrace are rich with baroque influences perfect for a romantic evening out. captures the essence of Italy thanks to the excellent people-watching made possible by its central downtown Sarasota location. Their Savor Sarasota menu consists of three savory courses including octopus carpaccio with housemate bottarga, ricotta and orange zest ravioli, and roasted Mediterranean sea bass served with anchovies. Open for lunch and dinner, Caf Epicure is an easy hunger slayer when youre touring downtown. At Ama La Vita we believe that the greatest memories we give each other are often sharing meals and creating traditions. This is the best Italian Restaurant in the state of Florida!! The Daiquiri Deck runs a daily happy hour special with frozen daiquiris whipped up in flavors that range from watermelon and mango to electric lemonade. 6551 Gateway Ave., Sarasota, (941) 921-7007, dolceitaliarestaurant.com. Great ambience and music with a wide variety of drinks and food. You don't need to travel all the way to Italy to enjoy a proper salumi bar and delicious pizzas served piping hot from a real wood-burning oven. Homemade pappardelle at Marcello Ristorante Italiano. Located in the heart of downtown Sarasota on Lemon Avenue, Bevardis Salute! Start your meal with a platter of the chef's selection of meats and cheeses, perfect for sharing, then segue into an Abruzzo-style orecchiette pasta dish with homemade sausage or a giant tomahawk pork chop stuffed with mushrooms and fontina cheese. Check the aurora borealis off your bucket list. Italian at it's finest comes to Sarasota! Dolce Italia 6551 Gateway Ave Sarasota, FL 34231 (941) 921-7007 Dolce Italia is a fine-dining Italian restaurant that has been serving Italian staples since 2010. Flavios is a restaurant and bar specializing in wood-fired pizza and Italian delicacies for over 28 years. Price range for entrees: Lunch $11 to $21; dinner $15 to $29Address: 1668 Main St., Sarasota, FL 34236Details: lamuccaballerina.com; 941-366-7600. The menu skews Italian American, with popular dishes like linguine pescatore and chicken Parmesan. Their menu is a wonderful list of authentic Italian dishes that look almost too good to eat. But its the lasagna Bolognese that keeps us coming back for more. Adding a business to Yelp is always free. Powered By . 69 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota, (941) 951-0866, caragiulos.com. Sarasota has dozens and dozens of Italian restaurants. La Mucca Ballerina Pizza Al Taglio & Italian Comfort Food The Original Italian Experience Join us every WEDNESDAY night starting at 6:30pm for a grand event featuring our quality Italian food! At Cafe Gabbiano everything is made to order as we want each dish to be fresh. The Works Pizza is their most popular dish. Fun things to do, events in May in Sarasota Bradenton Venice Charlotte Located in midtown Sarasota, all the locals wait to see what hilarious adage they are going to post on their sign. Price range for entrees: $11 to $35Address: 516 Burns Lane, Sarasota, FL 34236Details: owensfishcamp.com; 941-951-6936, [See more of Sarasota: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]. The NEW Italian Grill - The Best Italian Food in Sarasota Great food, service and staff . 5239 Ocean BlvdSarasota, FL 34242(941) 349-0995. bone-in veal chop, pounded thin, lightly fried, topped w/arugula, fresh mozzarella, slide tomoaties. Cassariano is one of the most delicious restaurants on Venice Island, and while there is a second location in Lakewood Ranch, we love the original spot the most. About 5 miles south of downtown Sarasota, near Gulf Gate Estates, this welcoming Mexican restaurant has impressed recent travelers with authentic cuisine and warm service. Enjoy a cup of Italian coffee, a glass of wine, or a delicious meal while taking in the beautiful atmosphere of the cafe. A dish of pappardelle comes tossed with speck (smoked prosciutto) and a pistachio cream, while the bucatini allamatriciana is prepared with guanciale (cured pork jowl). Stepped-up big time during the COVID mess, serving to-go 7 days a week, with a smile. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Thank you for signing up for email updates. Must-Try Italian Restaurants in Bradenton, Sarasota and Venice We would love to have you join us! It has the best Italian ingredients on it and is cooked to perfection. Homemade pasta and spectacular authentic Italian dishes, that will blow your taste buds. Caragiulos Reservations - SevenRooms Italian, Pizza $$ - $$$ Menu. It is my friends favorite place in town and now I see why! Tricia actually makes the bread and desserts. Top 10 Best Italian Restaurants Downtown in Sarasota, FL - Yelp Upon arriving, the ambiance of the restaurant itself was that of a cozy personal touch. Call Ama La Vita by phone at They are offering a generous menu for Savor Sarasota with highlights including eggplant rollatini, beet salad with feta, handmade ravioli and trout almondina. 3809 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota, (941) 210-3607, fiorellabistrosrq.com. Its no surprise Solorzanos is the best Italian in Sarasota, especially when so many customers can vouch for them. Welcome to Le Colonne Restaurant! . WARNING! We love the mushroom gnocchi with a sauce so creamy you would never suspect it is made from plants. This new hotel is eight stories high with 252 rooms, 10,000 square feet of meeting space, 32,420 square feet of outdoor space and a full-service restaurant as well as "a chic VIP rooftop lounge . What are people saying about italian restaurants in Sarasota, FL? The chefs ensure every dish has high-quality ingredients, making every bite delicious. NewYorkWendy March 2023 TripAdvisor. Solorzanos Late Night Pizzeria is a family-owned and operated restaurant that has been serving Italian pizzas since 1995. 1970 Main St., Sarasota, (941) 365-4122, mediterraneorest.com. Enjoy the warmth of the wood-fired ovens, which make food that tastes like it was made in Italy. 28 Best Italian Restaurants In Sarasota | OpenTable CAFE GABBIANO, Sarasota - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor No matter what you choose, you are in for a treat. To-go food was wonderful, but the sit-down that I enjoyed this evening was incredible. 1418 13th St. W., Bradenton, (941) 741-8646, ortygiarestaurant.com. The Daiquiri Deck is the place to be if you want to enjoy some people-watching with your meal. Flavio's Brick Oven and Bar 722 reviews Closed Now Italian, Pizza $$ - $$$ Menu "Great dining experience" "Pizza and fresh salad" 2022 11. Everything on the menu is a hit, especially the spaghetti carbonara and the chitarra al rag. Head to the City Island neighborhood to dine at one of the Sarasota outposts of this beloved local waterfront seafood restaurant; you'll be treated to sparkling water views across Sarasota Bay and hamburgers lauded by recent diners. Conceived as an homage to the Italian American clam bars that are popular on Long Island and throughout the Northeast, Speaks two locations are fun, boisterous destinations where you can find a mean cocktail and tons of fresh shellfish. Dined on April 14, 2023. overall 5 food 5 service 5 ambience 5. Try their signature dish, Spicy Grilled Shrimp, for the best meal. The pizza is so good at Caf Epicure that some loyal locals swear they would request it as a last meal if they were on death row. Its perfect for a romantic date night or an intimate celebration with family. 313 W. Venice Ave., Venice, (941) 786-1000; 8209 Natures Way, Unit 103, Bradenton, (941) 355-8615; cassariano.com. We are one of the most authentic and detailed oriented restaurants outside of Italy. Alas, more Italian restaurants have closed recently in Sarasota and Bradenton. The rustic wood accents, hand-painted tiles, and cozy fireplace in the interior all create a romantic vibe. Feed a hungry crowd by ordering a whole pan and watch your guest's faces light up when they sink their teeth into RomanSQs incredible creations. Feel free to send in your resume even if you don't see the position you're looking for listed. Theres the Ca dZan, John Ringlings immense Venetian-style mansion on Sarasota Bay, plus, of course, the mans immense Renaissance art collection, which includes the famous replica of Michelangelos Davidso recognizable that the City of Sarasota made it its logo. Located in downtown Sarasota, they are sharing their authentic homemade recipes during Savor Sarasota. Tricia and Danny are great hosts and made us feel welcome on our first two visits. The fish is seasoned with a tasty mix of herbs and spices and perfectly grilled. We spent our time over desert debating who out ordered who. 1413 Main StSarasota, FL 34236(941) 724-8585. olive oil and marinara sauce was as good as I ever had..Wine list very good and affordableFolks, this is the tip of the Iceberg for these new owners!! Ama La Vita | Italian Restaurant in Sarasota, FL !car!, This is it, he declared, pointing to the vacant stucco location And it was. We invite you to join us so you can experience delicious, authentic northern Italian food, here in Sarasota. Custom wine cellar and seating at Caf Gabbiano, Travel Alerts, Beach & Weather Conditions. From casual Italian eateries to upscale Italian restaurants, theres something for everyone in this charming town. Travelers appreciate the fun atmosphere and crowd-pleasing drinks at this spot. The warm and inviting ambiance is enhanced by a sophisticated color palette of neutral earth tones, complimenting the menu. Savor delicious sauces, homemade pasta, select wines, and a wealth of fresh enticing ingredients. 7129 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (941) 556-9639, napulesarasota.com. Price range for entrees: $8 to $34Address: 1100 N. Tuttle Ave., Suite 8, Sarasota, FL 34237Details: mariscosazteca.com; 941-210-3873. The staff was amazing friendly, communicative, helpful, and accommodating. Mediterraneo - Italian Restaurant in Sarasota "Pizza and fresh salad". Danny is the chef and Trish is the Hostess.Don't miss this spot on main st, downtown on MAIN ST 5 stars on food, ambiance and waitstaff, Lucie is a terrific waitress with great bar helpYou will be greatly rewarded with a fine meal. 1551 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 960-1551. 5:00PM 10:30PM, Bar & Pizza Hours Menu looked decent as did the prices so we decided to go for it. Looking forward to my next meal there. It makes you feel like youre dining in Italy without expensive plane tickets. 11:45AM 4:00PM La Mucca Ballerina translates to The Dancing Cow, and youll definitely be dancing when you taste how wonderful the food is. It has the right amount of salty and sweet flavors to please any taste. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Menus. shrimp, the osso bucco over risotto." 2022 10. Price range for entrees: $12 to $18Address: 3218 Clark Road, Sarasota, FL, 34231Details: eltorobravosarasota.com; 941-924-0006. The interior is decorated in a chic coastal style and has a warm, welcoming atmosphere for a cozy dinner or a night out with friends. Its family-run and serves traditional Italian recipes passed down through generations. Our Italian farmhouse style in downtown Sarasota is a true taste of Rome! Get inspired to plan your next vacation to the Volunteer State. 10. While all types of Mexican seafood dishes are the house specialty at Mariscos Azteca, Tex-Mex favorites find a place on the menu too, including nachos, burritos, fajitas and the like. The bright blue and white tiles on the walls add a touch of coastal charm. Mediterraneo is the first authentic modern Italian restaurant that opened in Sarasota in 1996. The staff is professional yet warm. 8764 E. State Road 70 E., Lakewood Ranch, (941) 232-7646; 29 N. Boulevard of Presidents, St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, (941) 232-7633; speaksclambar.com. Mediterraneo is a place to see and be seen, and yet you will still feel welcomed as though you are part of the team. Menus | Mediterraneo Best italian restaurants downtown near me in Sarasota, Florida Sort:Recommended Offers Delivery Offers Takeout Wine Bars 1. Their extensive wine list ensures that there will be the perfect bottle for your meal. Things to Do in Sarasota | EVEN Hotel Sarasota-Lakewood Ranch Danny and Tricia, owners of Ama La Vita would like to invite you to their dining room in true Italian fashion.