Discover the Best New Restaurants in Sarasota

Cassariano, located on Cattlemen Road in Sarasota, serves up a combination of passion and culinary art in their unique Contemporary Italian Cuisine. The restaurant’s name is a combination of both partner’s last names, Luca Cassani and Antonio Pariano. Raised in Northern Italy, the two worked together in the restaurant business for years before making the decision to venture out on their own and open Cassarino Italian Eatery. It’s a formal space with a refined Italian menu featuring dishes like roasted duck breast with figs and ricotta and walnut and ricotta-filled ravioli with pears.

Located in the heart of Sarasota’s pedestrian-friendly downtown, Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse is just minutes from Siesta Key, Longboat Key and St. Armand’s Circle. It’s an award-winning prime steakhouse and many locals consider it the best new restaurant in Sarasota. The restaurant offers a chef-inspired menu with variations of its legendary aged prime steaks, daily chef’s fresh fish features and great seafood. It has an extensive wine list and impeccable service and is a perfect spot for intimate dinners, special occasions, family gatherings, business dinners or just an indulgent night out on the town.

An intimate and refined space designed to provide a rustic Italian experience, La Violetta is the creation of Emilio and Rosario, originally from Parma, Italy. La Violetta sets the pace for casual, country kitchen Italian dining in an intimate atmosphere. The name refers to the Italian expression “fare la scarpetta,” which means to bread up the last drop of sauce in a dish. They aim to make every dish on the menu good to the last drop. Menu favorites include the Burratina, Mozzarella al Forno, Pappardelle di Agnello and Ravioli di Burrata.

The Rosemary and Thyme is just a few doors down from owner George Armstrong’s other restaurant The Rosemary, which serves breakfast and lunch. The restaurant and bar have an intimate feel and cozy vibe and they also have outdoor tables in a courtyard style area. They offer great takes on original cocktails, like the Mint Julep and Bee’s Knees and they also offer about 80 wines available by the glass. They have a selection of bar bite-size appetizers including smoked salmon flatbread and fried calamari. And entrees include delicious dishes like walnut-crusted sea bass and salmon with fennel and seafood paella.

Sage is a new restaurant, bar and event space in the three-story Historic Sarasota Times Building on First Street. This beloved local landmark now hosts one of the best new restaurants in Sarasota! It also houses an elegant private event space and Sarasota’s favorite rooftop lounge. Sage is a culinary experience from award-winning chef Christopher Covelli, who brings upscale dining to the downtown area. The restaurant combines seasonal ingredients with authentic flavors and cooking styles from around the world and the menu changes regularly to keep it fresh and creative. Past items include a Tandoori Lamb and Thai Bouillabaisse.

Grove Restaurant, Patio and Ballroom is the newest offering from Pier 22, the award-winning waterfront destination headed by restaurateurs High Miller and Greg Campbell. GROVE specializes in contemporary gourmet offerings and onsite event planning. The menu features elevated yet approachable and locally-inspired cuisine, featuring housemade dishes with fresh, seasonal ingredients as well as innovative cooking methods. The restaurant has 27,000 square feet of dining space including casual patio dining, private rooms, a relaxing lounge area, and a large ballroom! They catch local Gulf Coast fish daily and prepare all fish, steaks and wild game on-site to guarantee maximum freshness. Standout menu items include Fish and Chips, Salmon Picatta, Grouper Gnocchi and Pork Osso Bucco.

Riviera Dunes Dockside is a beautiful waterfront restaurant at Riviera Dunes Marina that many locals consider one of the best new restaurants in Sarasota. It features indoor and outdoor dining with casual upscale cuisine and live entertainment Wednesday through Sunday nights. They also serve a fantastic and lively brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. The menu here features Contemporary American, Seafood and Caribbean cuisine with standout items like Chef David’s Jambalaya, Stylized fish, Lobster Mac N’ Cheese and more. The outdoor bar overlooks yachts and other water crafts docked at the Marina and is a popular spot year-round for dining and drinking in the open air!