Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Sarasota / Bradenton

OpenTable

Updated December 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!

Bruschetta Fine Italian Cuisine

4.9

4.9 (46)

$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

Linda

Dined 7 days ago

Food was fabulous ! Service was friendly and accommodating. Great evening.

Sophie's at Saks Fifth Avenue- Sarasota

4.9

4.9 (738)

$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

DawnVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Our server Michael was great! Very friendly and helpful with the menu.

Sage SRQ

4.8

4.8 (1746)

$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

stephanieVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent service and excellent food place was beautiful

La Violetta Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1051)

$30 and under

Italian

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Intimate and designed to provide a rustic Italian experience. Buonissimo!

Top review

BrittanyVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Today was our first time dining at La Violetta and we will definitely be back. The menu was unique and each course delicious.

Roessler's

4.9

4.9 (1861)

$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

DawnVIP

Dined on Dec 24, 2024

Great meal and cocktails. The French onion soup and chocolate mousse were incredible! Terrific service and ambience.

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Popular dish

Wiener Schnitzel Holstein

Popular dish

Steak Diane

Dry Dock Waterfront Grill

4.9

4.9 (9341)

$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

BillVIP

Dined 1 day ago

This is the only place you need to go for Excellent Dining in Sarasota. Period.

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Crow's Nest Restaurant, Tavern & Marina

4.8

4.8 (3813)

$30 and under

Seafood

Venice

About the restaurant

The Crow’s Nest Restaurant, Tavern and Marina has been serving the Venice, FL community since 1976. With the freshest seafood and most flavorful dishes, the Crow’s Nest strives to prides itself on providing 5-star experiences for their guests each and every time they visit.

The upstairs dining room provides a fine dining experience with a fantastic view of the water for lunch or dinner. The wood-paneled and cozy tavern downstairs serves for a more casual experience and is open all day.

You can also enjoy their full-service marina, offering overnight dockage, gas and diesel pumps, and all the supplies you need for a day or week on the water. You can also rent their paddleboat, one or two person kayaks, paddleboards, bicycles and more!
Whatever experience you choose, you’ll be sure to enjoy a 5-star experience! Stay up to date on their specials and promotions by joining their email list at CrowsNest-Venice.com!

Top review

Catherine

Dined 3 days ago

We had dinner reservations for 6:30 and were promptly shown to our table. Dustin, our waiter was excellent. My husband had the scallops, granddaughter had fried shrimp, and I had Grouper Key Largo - all meals excellent (except the mixed vegetables were over cooked). The service and kitchen were efficient. The entrees are quite pricey, so this is the kind of place we just come for special occasions.

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Popular dish

Grouper Key Largo

Popular dish

Walnut Crusted Salmon

Arts & Central

4.7

4.7 (378)

$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

ChristineVIP

Dined 3 days ago

The kitchen is always very accommodating with my food sensitivities. Love the outdoor space. The staff makes every effort to give us an optimal experience. It's a neighborhood favorite.

Blue Marlin - Bradenton Beach

4.7

4.7 (2836)

$50 and over

Seafood

Bradenton

About the restaurant

All tables at The Blue Marlin will need to be booked ahead so we can comply with guidelines and accommodate our kitchen size. Reservations can be made online at www.bluemarlinami.com OR you can call (941) 896-9737 after 3pm.

Grace period - We have a 15 minute grace period. Please call us if you are running later than 15 minutes.

Table Times - Your table will be reserved for 1 hour 45 minutes for parties up to 3; 2 hours for parties up to 5; 2 hours 15 minutes for parties of 6+

Cancelation policy - We ask that you please call 24 hours prior to your reservation time if you need to cancel. This helps us tremendously!

We look forward to seeing you and serving you delicious food & cocktails!

Best Regards,
Blue Marlin Seafood Restaurant

Top review

ToddL

Dined on Sep 5, 2024

Just an absolutely wonderful experience! The ambiance is very nice, service was excellent and the food was amazing. Really two of the best meals we’ve ever had. The blackened grouper Alfredo was incredible and a really nice portion. But the cioppino was the star of the show. The best cioppino we’ve ever had. It’s a bit pricey but worth it for a special night out. And Drew, our server, made the experience even better. Thank you for creating such a wonderful memory for our anniversary!

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La Dolce Vita Authentic Italian Cuisine

4.9

4.9 (352)

$31 to $50

Italian

Sarasota

About the restaurant

We welcome our guests to an authentic Italian restaurant: here we offer traditional cuisine, with a modern take on northern and southern Italian recipes. Mauro, the chef, and his wife Tina, have an huge amount of experience behind them.

Mauro is from Naples, Tina was born in a little sicilian town near by Enna.
He began to learn everything about the southern cuisine by his experience in Naples since he was a child, from “Polipetti alla Luciana” to “Paccheri ai frutti di mare”. Furthermore he moved in Milan and he had the chance to learn the northern cuisine, from “Risotto ai funghi porcini” to “Polenta grigliata”, one of his favourite specialties!
From an ancient sicilian tradition, Tina learnt everything about the desserts by her grandmother and her mother, from “Millefoglie” to “Cannoli cake”.

We hope you enjoyed reading about us. but it would be great if you would have the chance to taste our fantastic dishes! It will be an amazing experience with no

Top review

SteveVIP

Dined on Dec 25, 2024

We had Christmas Eve dinner here. What a wonderful Feast of Seven Fishes! The food was excellent and the service was top-notch. The kicker was the singer, who really made the night for us with her combination of Christmas songs and old classics!

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