Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Sarasota / Bradenton

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance 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

4.8

4.8 (117)

$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

Debbievip

Dined on Nov 20, 2024

Awesome wine bar with great food!! Love taking friends there to enjoy a great evening!!

Bruschetta Fine Italian Cuisine

4.9

4.9 (40)

$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

Kenvip

Dined on Nov 22, 2024

Our second trip to Bruschetta. We tried new things, and we were not disappointed! This small restaurant is a gem from front to back! Highly recommended.

Sophie's at Saks Fifth Avenue- Sarasota

4.9

4.9 (733)

$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

Chrisvip

Dined 2 days ago

This is by far the best hidden lunch spot in Sarasota. The entire staff is amazing and the ever changing menu is always exciting to explore.

Sage SRQ

4.7

4.7 (1719)

$31 to $50

Global, International

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Sage is Sarasota’s premier dining destination, providing inspirational cuisine and original craft cocktails in an unforgettable setting. Award-winning Chef Christopher Covelli and his team curate seasonal menus, highlighting flavorful culinary creations from around the world. As a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence recipient, Sage also offers an extensive wine list. Housed in the stunning historic Sarasota Times building, Sage's decor and attention to detail is mirrored in the food and service they provide. Sage's rooftop bar provides a serene setting for viewing some of Sarasota's spectacular sunsets.

Top review

Patricia

Dined 3 days ago

We LOVE Sage. We’ve only been with large groups and last night was no exception. We celebrated our daughter’s bday w/five of her closest friends (ages 18-21). Her wonderful grandparents also joined us. Safe to say Sage appeals to all ages - everyone was delighted and amazed by the beautiful and delicious food - from the palette cleansers, unique and exotic specialty cocktails, stunningly arranged meals to our scrumptious desserts. Johnathon and the other waitstaff gave us excellent 5 star service making us feel warm and welcomed as per usual. All of our guests, especially the young people, were just plain happy and several of them (of which have been fortunate to already travel globally), stated, “This is the best restaurant I’ve ever dined in!” Thank you Sage, for the most amazing evening and helping to create a fantastic birthday for our daughter. - P. Quartermaine

The Capital Grille - Sarasota

4.8

4.8 (2904)

$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

Nicol

Dined 4 days ago

Capital Grill is a wonderful restaurant and excellent service. Always enjoy our time here!

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Popular dish

Creamed Spinach

Popular dish

Parmesan Truffle Fries

Popular dish

Caramelized French Onion Soup crock

Roessler's

4.9

4.9 (1835)

$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

Tom

Dined 1 day ago

The escargo were perfectly cooked, great tasting. Crispy lobster tail was very good, & the aioli excellent. For mains we did Steak Diane & the duck. 3 thin filet slices, hard to cook rare, but tender & tasty. Duck very good, & good portion

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Popular dish

Wiener Schnitzel Holstein

Popular dish

Steak Diane

Dry Dock Waterfront Grill

4.9

4.9 (9243)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Longboat Key

About the restaurant

The Dry Dock Waterfront Grill is a “polished casual” restaurant over looking Sarasota Bay. We are located at the south end of Longboat Key behind the gas station. We are north of St. Armand’s Circle, and minutes from downtown Sarasota. Best known for Local Fresh Grouper and Red Snapper. Enjoy the second story dining area with a panaramic view of the bay, or enjoy dining outdoors on our dockside patio.

Top review

Beth

Dined 1 day ago

We had a wonderful lunch overlooking the water. The food is always delicious and consistent. Thank you Drydock for a great lunch.

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4.7

4.7 (338)

$30 and under

American

Sarasota

About the restaurant

In the heart of the Rosemary District, come discover a dining experience that’s at the crossroads where laid-back vibes meet gourmet delights.

Top review

Phil

Dined 3 days ago

A lovely evening with our daughter and son-in-law. The service was prompt and professional. The food was amazing. All dishes from seafood to steak were perfectly prepared, with flavorful sides. Arts & Central never disappoints - this is our local go-to place.

Euphemia Haye - Longboat Key, FL

4.7

4.7 (2648)

$50 and over

Global, International

Longboat Key

About the restaurant

Thank you for choosing Euphemia Haye to help create wonderful memories.

A charming bungalow on Longboat Key, Euphemia Haye is an intimate restaurant with eclectic cuisine, a divine dessert room, and cozy cocktail lounge. Please join us for fresh, local, and creative fare all made-to-order in our "scratch" kitchen.

Our downstairs fine dining rooms are by reservation. Diners are encouraged to indulge in our a la carte menu which includes our signature dishes: Classic Caesar Salad, Signature Roast Duckling, and Prime Peppered Steak.

The upstairs Haye Loft was created for a more casual meal and atmosphere, you can just walk right on up as we do not accept reservations for The Haye Loft. Our upstairs diners may enjoy an abbreviated menu consisting of our appetizers, salads, Famous Roast Duckling, gourmet pizzas, and our nightly fresh fish special.

We look forward to providing you with an outstanding meal, served impeccably, in our romantic garden setting.

See you soon!

Top review

Matt

Dined 6 days ago

Duck and peppercorn steak are world class. Best caesar salad you will have. Love this place and have for over 20 years!

Casantica Ristorante

4.4

4.4 (1009)

$31 to $50

Italian

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Your host Roberto Ercolani comes to Sarasota from Rome, Italy, bringing the best and most delicious authentic Italian dishes to this area. He has been in the restaurant business since his youth. As co-owner of CasAntica, Roberto provides a refined and unique Italian culinary boutique atmosphere.
The restaurant occupies a 1926 historic home nestled among the trees on the edge of downtown Sarasota. Patrons may choose indoor or outdoor dining (weather permitting), always the perfect setting... exclusive, romantic and intimate.
Message from Roberto: “At CasAntica each and every dish is prepared upon request with tender loving care. Our food is not pre-cooked, ensuring the highest quality and fresh flavor every time. We strive to provide only the freshest meals for our patrons... We are confident that you will be delighted with our outstanding dishes and warm atmosphere!”
CasAntica: A place to gather with old friends, meet new friends, and to enjoy a beautiful dining experience!!!!!

Top review

Mikevip

Dined 7 days ago

Pleasant surprise after we found we were the only customers for a pre-theater dinner just ahead of Thanksgiving. From the outside, the restaurant is a bit unprepossessing as winter approaches, but inside it was more like someone’s ornate living room - cosy and inviting. The service and food were excellent. However, it was still a bit strange without other customers. We will definitely return again.

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