Ally Abroad: My Sarasota & Siesta Key Food Guide

Where I Ate During 25 Days in Florida

If there’s one thing I learned from spending 25 days in Sarasota and Siesta Key during the summer, it’s that there are SO many good places to eat. 🌴☀️

One of my favorite parts of staying somewhere for almost a month was getting to try a little bit of everything! I tried everything from beachy breakfast spots and cute coffee shops to Italian dinners, brunch and fun places for a night out.

So, if you're planning a trip to Sarasota or Siesta Key, here are all of the places I tried during my stay!

🌴 Siesta Key Food Favorites

🥯 Bungalow Bagels

A Siesta Key morning basically calls for a bagel and coffee. Bungalow Bagels was one of my favorite stops for an easy breakfast before heading to the beach. It's right on Midnight Pass Road and is especially convenient for a beach day morning. They also had canned coffee you can take to the beach with you!

Perfect for: breakfast, coffee & grabbing something before the beach in Siesta Key

🍝 Clayton’s Siesta Grille

Clayton's Siesta Grille is a great casual Siesta Key dinner spot with a menu that has a little bit of everything. I tried the meatballs that was an appetizer (for my meal) & it was the best I’ve ever tried. It's been a local staple for more than 20 years, so it definitely has that established neighborhood feel.

Perfect for: a casual dinner & a relaxed night out in Siesta Key.

🥩 Siesta Key Summer House

For a slightly dressier dinner, Siesta Key Summer House was one of my favorites. It's an elegant but relaxed steak and seafood restaurant right in Siesta Village, making it a fun choice for a vacation dinner. We ate here on the 4th of July. You get to dress up & look nice. You must try the drinks, bread, & dessert along with your meal.

Perfect for: date night, girls' night, or a nicer dinner.

🛒 Crescent Beach Market

Crescent Beach Market was one of those convenient little stops that I loved having nearby. It's perfect because you can grab a coffee in the back & it’s the best.

Perfect for: grab and go food, beach days, coffee, & vacation snacks.

🍷 Siesta Key Wine Bar

If you're looking for a quieter evening, Siesta Key Wine Bar is such a cute Siesta Key stop. It's cozy and laid back, making it a fun place to slow down after a day at the beach. You can dress up & get a nice glass of wine.

Perfect for: wine, girls' night & a relaxing evening.

🇮🇹 Cafe Gabbiano

Cafe Gabbiano was one of my favorite spots for a more special dinner. It's an Italian restaurant with handmade dishes.

This was definitely one of the places I'd recommend if you want to get dressed up a little and have a slower, more memorable dinner.

Perfect for: Italian food, date night & a special dinner.

🌴 Gilligan’s Island Bar & Grill

If you’re looking for a fun, laid back Siesta Key spot, add Gilligan’s to your list! Located right in Siesta Key Village, this tiki style bar and grill is all about the island vibes, live music, tropical drinks, and a lively atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to stop after a beach day for a casual meal. Expect a fun, energetic crowd, especially later in the evening when the atmosphere gets more party like.

Perfect for: Beach days, groups, & live music.

☀️ SARASOTA FOOD FAVORITES

🍳 Word of Mouth

Word of Mouth was one of my Sarasota breakfast stops. If you love finding local breakfast and brunch spots while traveling, definitely add this one to your list.

Perfect for: breakfast & brunch.

🇮🇹 D’Corato

D’Corato Ristorante was such a cute Italian dinner spot. It's intimate and family run, with that cozy, tucked away feeling that makes dinner feel a little more special. It was true genuine Italian food!

Perfect for: Italian dinner & date night.

🍸 Boca

Boca was another fun Sarasota brunch spot. Located downtown Sarasota, it has a lively atmosphere and is a great option when you want brunch somewhere that feels a little more energetic before you head to the beach.

Perfect for: brunch & before a beach day.

🥥 Cha Cha Coconuts: St. Armand’s Circle

If you're spending the day at St. Armand’s Circle, you have to stop at Cha Cha Coconuts.

The tropical atmosphere makes it feel like you're on vacation. Which you obviously are! 😂🌺 It's such a fun spot for lunch, drinks, and people watching.

Perfect for: lunch, tropical drinks, & a fun vacation vibe.

🍝 Venezia Ristorante: St. Armand’s Circle

Another St. Armands stop was Venezia Ristorante. It's right on the Circle, so it's perfect for pairing dinner with an afternoon or evening of shopping and walking around St. Armands.

Perfect for: Italian food, view of the circle, & dinner.

🍓 Toastique

Toastique was another cute brunch stop. If you're a girl who loves pretty breakfasts, toast, fruit and all the things that make a meal look as good as it tastes, you'll want to add this one.

Perfect for: brunch & a cute breakfast date.

🌮 Rocco’s Tacos

For a fun night out, Rocco's Tacos is a good one to save. Think tacos and a lively atmosphere.

Perfect for: Mexican food & a fun dinner.

🥩 Rodizio Grill Brazilian Steakhouse

If you haven't been to a Brazilian steakhouse before, Rodizio Grill is definitely an experience.

It's a fun option when you're looking for something different from the typical Sarasota restaurant and want a bigger, sit down dinner.

Perfect for: celebrations, date night, & a big steak dinner.

🥑 Pura Vida Miami

For something fresh and a little lighter, I stopped at Pura Vida Miami.

It's a great option when you're craving something like a lighter meal after indulging on vacation.

Perfect for: healthy lunches & lighter meals.

🍳 The Original Egg

For a classic breakfast, The Original Egg is one to add to your Sarasota list. It's a casual breakfast and lunch spot with all the traditional breakfast favorites.

Perfect for: a classic breakfast or brunch.

🥧 Yoder’s Amish Restaurant

You can't make a Sarasota food list without mentioning Yoder's!

This is a must in Sarasota & delicious. It is the perfect Amish food & atmosphere. This has comforting, homestyle food. And whatever you do, save room for pie. 🥧

Perfect for: comfort food, lunch, & PIE.

🌸 Bar George

For a more chic and trendy Sarasota dinner, Bar George is a fun addition to your itinerary. It has a stylish atmosphere with cocktails, brunch, & dinner.

Perfect for: dinner, drinks, celebrations, & night life.

Spending 25 days in Sarasota and Siesta Key gave me the chance to experience so much more than I could have on a typical long weekend.

I loved having slow mornings with coffee, grabbing breakfast before the beach, finding little local markets, trying cute brunch spots, having Italian dinners, and ending the day with wine or a fun dinner.

And honestly, that's one of my biggest recommendations if you're visiting Sarasota:

Don't rush it. 🌴

Give yourself time to explore different areas, try local restaurants and find the little places you wouldn't necessarily see on a typical tourist itinerary.

From Siesta Key to St. Armands to downtown Sarasota and UTC, there are so many good food and coffee stops to add to your trip.

Save this list for your next Sarasota + Siesta Key vacation! ☀️🌊🤍