Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Sarasota / Bradenton

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

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

Leslievip

Dined on Aug 23, 2024

We love the wine selection as well as the nibbles choices. A fun place!

element: steak. seafood. pasta.

4.7

4.7 (1922)

$31 to $50

Steak

Sarasota

About the restaurant

We encapsulate the best and most unique elements of world class dining. We feature pasture raised, hand-cut steaks grilled or seared to perfection, delicate, local seafood, house made pasta dishes with elegant hand crafted sauces and more.

Top review

Ricky

Dined 2 days ago

It was all amazing. Definitely will be dining there again

Kolucan

4.7

4.7 (310)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Mexican

Gulf Gate Estates

About the restaurant

Explore a world of extraordinary flavors expertly created by our talented chefs, who blend traditional Mexican techniques with exciting twists in the heart of Sarasota's Gulf Gate. Enjoy the perfect fusion of premium ingredients and traditional dishes with a modern spin. Guests are invited to celebrate vibrant Mexican culture through our elevated cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and a unique events calendar.

We're pleased to offer indoor and outdoor dining and a prime happy hour and cocktail spot in our Frida Lounge!

Top review

OpenTable Dinervip

Dined on Aug 31, 2024

The food and service were great. However, the musician was overly loud and you literally could not talk to your friends. Even the servers had a hard time taking our orders.

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Experience

Cheers to Happy Hour!

Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar - Sarasota

4.6

4.6 (4385)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Tommy Bahama combines a tranquil environment and good food with an emphasis on hospitality to make for the perfect place to recharge or unwind while indulging in a unique dining experience. The experience is sure to feel like a getaway, whether you’re on vacation or looking for a vacation from your everyday life. For more information: www.tommybahama.com.

Top review

Allenvip

Dined 3 days ago

Reliable Friday nite date night place. Martin did a nice job of looking after our needs with the timely delivery of a second proseco.

Taverna Toscana

4.6

4.6 (28)

$30 and under

Italian

Bradenton

About the restaurant

In downtown Bradenton, Florida, Taverna Toscana is led by the renowned Chef Fabio Viviani, offering an unparalleled Tuscan Italian dining experience. Our steakhouse blends Tuscan charm with modern sophistication, presenting an exquisite menu that transports you to the heart of Italy. The warm ambiance and handcrafted decor complement the authentic Italian flavors and the finest steaks, curated by Chef Viviani, a celebrated figure known for his culinary prowess and appearances on Bravo's "Top Chef." This venture, in partnership with Bradenton's entrepreneur Steve Herrig, symbolizes a commitment to culinary excellence and the revitalization of downtown Bradenton. At Taverna Toscana, we celebrate the shared essence of Tuscany and Florida: warm sun, wonderful people, and a passion for fresh, sublime food. Our indoor/outdoor dining welcomes everyone-from families and foodies to CEOs and couples-with aged steaks, homemade pasta, and crafted drinks in an inviting atmosphere that draws inspiration from Italy itself. Taverna Toscana isn't just a dining destination; it's a bold statement of culinary delight, offering a slice of Italy in Florida's friendliest city. Join us to experience the joy of Italian dining, where every visit promises an indulgent journey of taste and authenticity.

Top review

Judge

Dined 4 days ago

Food, service and ambiance were outstanding! Menu extensive, wine list exceptional. Especially noteworthy is the Osso Buck - succulent. What a great addition to this area which until now was not known for its Italian cuisine. Other local restaurants should aspire to this level of excellence.

Big Top Brewery

4.5

4.5 (60)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Fruitville, Florida

About the restaurant

When we started Big Top Brewing Company, there were no craft breweries in the Sarasota area and we set out to fix that. We wanted to compliment Sarasota’s historical associations with The Ringling Circus, performing arts, great architecture, the best art and design schools and world renown tourism.

The best way we could do that was to craft beer that our home town can be proud of. We plan to continue the tradition of the arts and help Sarasota add beer town to its identity. Come step under our big top and see for yourself. Big Top Brewing Company artistically crafts world class beers, inspired by our passion, integrity, and the history of our home town.

Top review

Bernie

Dined on Sep 6, 2024

The food and atmosphere was really cool. BUT, the service starting at the front door..was EXCEPTIONAL! Kudo's to the team!!

Motorworks Brewing

4.4

4.4 (223)

$30 and under

Brewery

Bradenton

About the restaurant

Built in 1923 as an automobile dealership, our 27,000 sq. ft. facility houses Motorworks Brewing’s full-production brewery and taproom, adjacent to a 22,000 sq. ft. beer garden: Florida’s largest. Relax in the shade of our majestic 250-year-old living oak tree and enjoy fantastic eats from local food trucks, the area’s best live music, over 30 craft beers on tap, and a full liquor bar. Be sure and stop by for corn hole, our weekly trivia night, biweekly salsa dancing, and monthly Yappy Hour Pet Extravaganza for our furry friends. Situated next to the Village of the Arts, LECOM field, and blocks away from downtown Bradenton and the Riverwalk, Motorworks Brewing is a dog-friendly and family-friendly environment suited for all occasions. Come try our award-winning craft beer!

For parties larger than 20, kindly call our office at (941) 209-5913.

Top review

Carol

Dined on Aug 31, 2024

We sat outdoors as that is where the stage is. We had a great time. Fans would have made the heat more tolerable.

NEAT: Bar · Food · Lounge

4.4

4.4 (26)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Gulf Gate Estates

About the restaurant

Neat Bar-Food -Lounge is a family-friendly restaurant in Sarasota.

Top review

Elizabethvip

Dined 2 days ago

Went after wine tasting across the street with friends - knew this place was new from owners at Italian Grill where we often go - good selection, good happy hour pricing, nice/modern atmosphere. So much different than when it was the Irish bar. Everyone enjoyed their meal except one whose burger was overdone (but decided not to complain as they were busy with a large group). Would def go again and try their other offerings - friendly staff. They had someone playing keyboard/singing - he was hard to understand/hear as the keyboard was louder than he was but we enjoyed the meal and atmosphere overall.

Fuego Comida and Tequila

4.4

4.4 (408)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Mexican

Lakewood Ranch

About the restaurant

At Fuego Comida & Tequila Lounge, every moment you spend with us should be something to remember – something special. From your first exhilarating sip to that savory bite, and every encounter with any of our team throughout, we strive to provide exceptional service, food, drink and memories that keep you coming back.

Top review

Seanvip

Dined on Sep 7, 2024

Had the special of the day and a steak salad. Amazing! Drinks amazing as always!

Rocco's Tacos - Sarasota

4.2

4.2 (404)

$30 and under

Mexican

Lakewood Ranch

About the restaurant

Rocco's Tacos & Tequila Bar Sarasota serves a diverse menu of authentic Mexican food in a vibrant, casual atmosphere, for locals and tourists alike. Rocco's passion for bringing the best of Mexico's flavor AND fun to life is felt as soon as you walk in the door. Our attention to authentic, fresh Mexican flavors and ingredients can be tasted in all our dishes - enjoy fresh guacamole prepared table side, house made margaritas, and Rocco's uniquely inspired signature tacos. From lunch to late night, for dinner or take out, there is something special waiting for you every day of the week. Be sure to stop in for our daily Happy Hour specials and our famous weekend Bottomless Brunch.

Top review

Psea531

Dined 3 days ago

First time visiting this location. We had only been to the Fort Lauderdale location. My skirt steak was cooked perfectly. And everything we ordered was delicious. Love the queso and guac! If you visit, ask for Ian. He was our server and he was awesome.

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