Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in Sarasota / Bradenton

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall cuisine in Sarasota / Bradenton? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Sophie's at Saks Fifth Avenue- Sarasota

4.9

4.9 (729)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Sophie's offers globally influenced yet decidedly American cuisine in a luxurious intimate setting featuring an outdoor terrace, open kitchen and private dining area. Sophie's dining experience captures the style and elegance of Saks Fifth Avenue, with a passionate focus on outstanding food and drink. Sophie's Chef Andrew Thompson changes his innovative menu seasonally using the best locally-sourced ingredients. The menu is complemented by a selection of craft cocktails and a thoughtfully curated wine list.

Top review

Janinevip

Dined on Sep 4, 2024

My friend and I had a wonderful lunch at Sophie’s today. Food was very good and service was fantastic. I would highly recommend this place to others.

Maestrale

4.8

4.8 (110)

$31 to $50

Italian

Gulf Gate Estates

About the restaurant

Our restaurant and pizzeria Maestrale it's the wind that brings good and bad weather in the Italian peninsula. Our small family owned place is open for dinner six days a week. Our dishes originally are from Puglia in south Italy: la puccia, focaccia, mozzarella, orecchiette, panzerotti and the sea food dishes, the famous Pugliese olive oil as well as the fine selection of wine are a must! The atmosphere is friendly, family style dining, and also for romantic and special occassions, inspired from the old style elegant Italian restaurants where you feel just like at home, alla salute!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jul 27, 2024

We have dined at this South Sarasota restaurant several times. This past visit we shared a starter of buratta, cantaloupe and prosciutto. The dish was very good with ripe cantaloupe. My spouse enjoyed the Chicken Carciofi, a chicken piccata with artichokes. I ordered the ravioli special, lobster ravioli. I have enjoyed this in the past, but last night I was disappointed. The filling did not taste of lobster, and there was a minuscule amount of lobster meat in the sauce. The service was good and it was nice to dine in a lively restaurant where we could still easily converse.

Apulia Osteria Italiana

4.9

4.9 (323)

$31 to $50

Italian

Rotonda

About the restaurant

Apulia Osteria Italiana is located in Placida, Florida just a few miles away from the beautiful Island of Boca Grande and Manasota key just 20 minutes from Port Charlotte and Venice.
The warm hospitality and the professionalism you will receive at Apulia will make you feel welcome throuout your entire visit. Chef Dario Leo along with his staff will make sure you will be delighted with superb food and great service.
You will enjoy dishes from his native region " Apulia" also called "The hill of the boot", specialties such as Orecchiette with Rapini, Fritto misto di Paranza ( seafood) , Burrata, Baked Snapper, Beef Braciole, Pasticciotto Leccese and so many other dishes from all over Italy such as Ossobuco, Risotti, Gnocchi, Branzino, Ravioli, Tiramisu, Gelati and so much more......

Top review

Rachel

Dined on Aug 24, 2024

We always have such an amazing experience every time we dine at Apulia. Dario and his staff always make us feel welcome and like family

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Popular dish

Tagliatelle alla Bolognese

Bruschetta Fine Italian Cuisine

4.9

4.9 (34)

$31 to $50

Italian

Gulf Gate Estates

About the restaurant

At Bruschetta Fine Italian Cuisine , our history is rooted in family and tradition. Our recipes have been passed down for generations, and we take great pride in using authentic ingredients and techniques to create the flavors of Italy. From our humble beginnings in a small kitchen in Rome to our bustling restaurant today, we've always stayed true to our roots.

Top review

Paul

Dined on Sep 4, 2024

great place food was great and the service was wonderful. Olga r waitress was so nice. Thank u so much, we will be back again and will tell all r friends. Paul D

By Patrik Pettersson at Kompose

4.9

4.9 (85)

$31 to $50

Contemporary French / American

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Experience a culinary voyage like no other, at Patrik Pettersson's restaurant, tucked away in the refined Kompose Hotel. Celebrated for his innovative fusion of classic flavors and cutting-edge techniques, Chef Patrik Pettersson promises an unforgettable epicurean journey. Immerse yourself in our rotating five and seven-course tasting menus, meticulously crafted to captivate your palate with every bite. With a menu that evolves every three weeks, each visit unveils a fresh symphony of flavors and culinary artistry. Reserve your table now and elevate your dining experience at Sarasota's premier destination for gastronomic excellence.

Top review

Melissavip

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

Loved this place. Food is really tasty and I don't generally enjoy a tasting menu but I found this one be very satisfying. We had the 5 course and both agreed that when we go back we'll probably try the 9 course. Really well delivered as our server allowed for just the right amount of time in between course and did a great job explaining each if the dishes ingredients. A Chef even stopped over to our table and introduced himself which I thought was very thoughtful and added to our experience. I would not say this is fine dining but it's really nice to have quality good in a more relaxed atmosphere than fine dining. We did dress up and I'm glad we did because I think that adds to the experience making it more of a celebration and special event than just going out to eat. We had an excellent bottle of wine. We'll be back for sure. 😊

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Experience

Five and Seven-Course Tasting Menu

Rumours Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (114)

$31 to $50

Wine Bar

Englewood

About the restaurant

Rumours Wine Bar was brought to life from a vision that began back in 2019 in our living room. Dana had recently resigned from her Wine Sales position and wasn’t sure what she wanted to do next. She had always dreamed of opening her own Wine bar so we created our logo, our name, and our brand and simply followed our heart. We opened as a retail store in January 2020 and pivoted when the Pandemic started by creating an online store and offering curbside pick-up and delivery. In September 2020, we passed our final inspections and received our beer and wine license for “on-premise” consumption as well as a restaurant license. We have not slowed down since. We have won numerous awards from our local community including 2022 and 2023 "Best Local Cheers Bar." Our mission at Rumours Wine Bar is to simply embrace intellectual stimulation linked to wine in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Top review

Joanne

Dined on Aug 23, 2024

Wines were excellent & you were given a good pour. Nibbles can be ordered to go with your wine selections. Charcuterie boards & flatbreads are the best selections!

Roessler's

4.9

4.9 (1810)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Sarasota

About the restaurant

WE CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOU!
PLEASE NOTE WE CAN NOT ACCEPT RESERVATIONS FOR OUTSIDE DINING, PARTIES OVER 6, OR HOLIDAYS THROUGH OPEN TABLE. PLEASE CALL THE RESTAURANT IF YOUR TIME IS NOT AVAILABLE. THANK YOU!!! 941 966 5688

Top review

Gregvip

Dined 3 days ago

This is our go to restaurant whenever we are in the area. Great drinks, food and service. We are never disappointed.

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Popular dish

Wiener Schnitzel Holstein

Popular dish

Steak Diane

The Melting Pot - Sarasota

4.8

4.8 (1294)

$31 to $50

Fondue

Sarasota

About the restaurant

We are highly committed to providing a healthy and safe environment with the highest of standards for our guests and team members. Reservations are highly recommended.

We are the premier fondue restaurant where guests can enjoy a choice of fondue cooking styles and a variety of unique entrees, salads and indulgent desserts. At The Melting Pot Restaurant, we offer a dining experience like no other. A unique, interactive dining experience creating memorable moments with family and friends.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Aug 21, 2024

Very neat experience for first timers! Excellent food and great service. Fun times!!!

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Popular dish

Pure Chocolate Fondue

A photo of Lavender & Blueberry White Chocolate Fondue of a restaurant

Popular dish

Chocolate Explosion

Dolce Italia

4.9

4.9 (579)

$31 to $50

Italian

Sarasota

About the restaurant

*We will be closed for our annual vacation starting September 8th. We will re-open on Wednesday, September 25th and our hours will be Tuesday through Saturday, 5-9PM
Dolce Italia was established in 2010 by Tiziana Di Costanzo who came from Ischia, an island in the Gulf of Naples. Using a combination of classic Italian dishes, family recipes passed down for generations, and warm hospitality, Dolce Italia has built a reputation in Sarasota as a destination for anyone seeking great food and ambiance. In 2015 Matthew joined as manager of the front of house and is now a managing partner of Dolce Italia. The kitchen staff trained by Tiziana from the beginning are still with the restaurant with Maria being the capocuoco.
Some of the specialities Dolce Italia has become famous for are the Napoletan Eggplant- a tender sautee eggplant with fresh tomatoes crowned with ricotte, the Trenne Dolce Italia- the signature pasta dish with creamy tomato sauce, fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and mushroom.

Top review

Chuck

Dined on Sep 5, 2024

Another outstanding feast! Unfortunately, they are closing for vacation for a few weeks! We may be forced to cook at home!! Anyway, they deserve a rest Looking forward to heading back as soon as they return

The Capital Grille - Sarasota

4.9

4.9 (2836)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Make it a day to remember. From birthdays and anniversaries to professional milestones, we aim to make every gathering special at The Capital Grille. Open seven days a week, The Capital Grille is best known for our expertly prepared steaks, which are dry aged in house for 18 to 24 days and then hand-cut by our restaurant's on-premise butcher. The Capital Grille's wine list features more than 350 selections, and its floor-to-ceiling wine kiosk regularly houses 3,500 - 5,000 bottles. Reservations are recommended but not required. For more information, please visit our website. We look forward to delighting you.

Top review

Phyllis

Dined 3 days ago

We decided to enjoy the Taste of UTC event and our meal was an amazing value. Steaks cooked to perfection, ambience was lovely, and our sever, Sean was attentive and went above and beyond to make our evening special.

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Parmesan Truffle Fries

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