Best Lunch Restaurants in Sarasota

59 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Mediterraneo Ristorante Italiano restaurant

1. Mediterraneo Ristorante Italiano

4.8

Exceptional(3547)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Sarasota

Booked 64 times today

With its modern but classic Italian cuisine and emphasis on artisanal and contemporary Northern Italian style, Mediterraneo is often credited with being the first restaurant to bring authentic contemporary Italian cuisine to Sarasota when it first opened in 1996. Still under the same ownership, Mediterraneo has consistently been rated one of the top restaurants in Zagat. The restaurant has received numerous accolades including the acclaimed Insegna Del Ristorante Italiano awarded by The Minister of Agriculture & Commerce in Rome. With its highest honor, inducting the restaurant into its Accademia Italiana della Cucina "Fine Dining Hall of Fame." Mediterraneo has been rated as Best of the Best in Sarasota Magazine since the first year of opening. So whether you're celebrating a special occasion or grabbing a quick bite to eat, at Mediterraneo you are always assured the best quality food accompanied by excellent service. All of it thoroughly Italian.

A photo of 1592 Wood Fired Kitchen restaurant

2. 1592 Wood Fired Kitchen

4.6

Exceptional(1394)

Price: Moderate

• Mediterranean • Sarasota

Booked 25 times today

The modus operandi at 1592 is fire. The key feature – everything is cooked on wood fired grill. The menu is handcrafted and well executed. 1592 is a great spot to indulge in comforting and flavourful cuisine from around the world.

A photo of CUBA 1958 - Sarasota restaurant

3. CUBA 1958 - Sarasota

4.6

Exceptional(86)

Price: Expensive

• Cuban • Sarasota

Booked 26 times today

Infused with the legacy of a prestigious Cuban restaurant in New Jersey, a part of this family's culinary lineage, the new Cuban restaurant in Sarasota, Florida, promises to be a beacon of excellence and authenticity. Building on the reputation and expertise garnered from their successful establishment up north, this new venture aims to elevate the dining experience in Sarasota by offering a refined yet soulful menu that reflects the family's dedication to quality and tradition. From classic dishes that have graced the tables of their renowned Jersey restaurant to innovative creations that push the boundaries of Cuban cuisine, every bite tells a story of passion, expertise, and a commitment to culinary excellence that spans generations. This new restaurant is not just a place to eat; it's a destination where food becomes art and tradition meets innovation in a celebration of the vibrant flavors of Cuba.

A photo of The Melting Pot - Sarasota restaurant

4. The Melting Pot - Sarasota

4.7

Exceptional(1312)

Price: Expensive

• Fondue • Sarasota

Booked 38 times today

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.

A photo of Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria-Sarasota restaurant

5. Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria-Sarasota

4.7

Exceptional(1092)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Sarasota

Booked 29 times today

For parties of 13 or more please call the restaurant.*Weather may interfere with your reservation, we will do our best to accommodate you.*Out of passion, tradition, hard work and integrity, Bavaro’s opened its doors in March 2009 as the first traditional Neapolitan Pizzeria in the state of Florida. Determined to share their family recipes with the world, Dan Bavaro, his wife Anna-Maria, and their five beautiful children packed their U-Haul, left their friends and family, drove from New Jersey to Tampa, and set out to provide for others the same love, energy, and authenticity that they experience around their own dinner table.

A photo of Duval's Fresh. Local. Seafood. restaurant

6. Duval's Fresh. Local. Seafood.

4.7

Exceptional(5500)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Sarasota

Booked 56 times today

We are an eclectic eatery with a passion for stunning seafood, superb service, fine wine, and creative cocktails.We are committed to serving only the freshest dishes to our guests. We receive fresh fish daily from our local suppliers and filet everything in house to ensure the best possible quality.Together with our unique menu, our focus on excellent service allows us to deliver a one-of-a-kind dining experience in downtown Sarasota. Every menu item is prepared to order to allow for customization and personalization of each dish and to ensure you are getting the freshest possible meal.Voted Sarasota's Best by Herald Tribune Readers:Best All-Around Restaurant (2019-2023)Best Seafood Restaurant (2016-2023)Best Sandwich for our renowned Po' Boy (2016-2022)Best Lunch (2020-2022)Thank you, Sarasota!For parties of 8 or more, a gratuity of 18% will be added to the check.

A photo of The Rosemary & Thyme restaurant

7. The Rosemary & Thyme

4.9

Exceptional(4464)

Price: Expensive

• American • Sarasota

Booked 46 times today

Welcome to Rosemary & Thyme! Downtown Sarasota American Bistro serving traditional and contemporary dishes with an emphasis on healthy options. Savor made-from-scratch selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner prepared with fresh ingredients from regional farms.

A photo of Connors Steak & Seafood - Sarasota restaurant

8. Connors Steak & Seafood - Sarasota

4.7

Exceptional(8516)

Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Siesta Key

Booked 132 times today

Connors Steak & Seafood specializes in fresh seafood and premium aged steaks, as well as gourmet salads, pastas and more! Enjoy a memorable evening with friends and family in our well-appointed dining rooms, or stop by for the lunch you and your associates deserve. Our friendly service and flavorful fare will keep you coming back for more.

A photo of Dry Dock Waterfront Grill restaurant

9. Dry Dock Waterfront Grill

4.9

Exceptional(9335)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Longboat Key

Booked 198 times today

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.

A photo of Columbia Restaurant - Sarasota restaurant

10. Columbia Restaurant - Sarasota

4.8

Exceptional(10566)

Price: Moderate

• Spanish • Sarasota

Booked 161 times today

Family-owned and operated for more than 116 years, Columbia has earned acclaim for its old-world charm and award-winning Spanish/Cuban cuisine. Casual attire is fine, but we don’t allow sleeveless shirts on men in the dining room.Join us for century-old family recipes like Paella "a la Valenciana," Roast Pork "a la Cubana,"and fresh seafood specialties. Don’t miss Columbia’s Original “1905” Salad®, prepared with our delicious, freshly-made dressing, a 100-year-old family recipe of fresh garlic, oregano, wine vinegar and Spanish extra virgin olive oil. Be sure to sample a fine Spanish wine like Montecillo or Campillo. Relax outdoors on our patio, or inside our Mediterranean-style dining rooms filled with hand-painted tiles and family heirlooms. We are a sister to the Columbia in Tampa's Ybor City, founded in 1905. Children's menu available. Open 365 days a year, including all holidays.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

P
Pam
Toronto / Ontario •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
As always, our time there was amazing. Our server was very detailed and didn’t rush our time. The food was amazing and flavourful, everyone was very happy with their choices. We all shared the Panna Cotta for dessert and it was lovely and refreshing!
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Mediterraneo Ristorante ItalianoPrice: Expensive• Italian• Sarasota
•
4.8
R
Rebelee
Orlando / Central Florida East •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Always a fun family experience us. I especially appreciate all the gluten free options and how knowledgeable the staff is about them. It is also nice that the managers are visible and actively helping assist the servers. Although we miss having a Melting Pot in St. Petersburg, this one is worth the drive.
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The Melting Pot - SarasotaPrice: Expensive• Fondue• Sarasota
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4.7
P
Paulene
Southwest Florida •1 review
5.0
Dined on Dec 27, 2024
The lamb shank in a mushroom wine sauce was fork tender & the moussaka was perfect! Sticky toffee pudding was a winner! Service by Alex was great!
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1592 Wood Fired KitchenPrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Sarasota
•
4.6
P
Paul
Greater Boston •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 24, 2024
The service was outstanding, and remarkable, due to the specifics of this particular night. Our group was at Bavaro's in Sarasota during a busy holiday week, and on a night when the restaurant was a little understaffed, yet filled to capacity with patrons. Even the food met the standard that we have come to expect from Bavaro's. I tip my hat to you Bavaro's.
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Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria-SarasotaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Sarasota
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4.7
M
Marilyn
New York City •1 review
5.0
Dined on Dec 23, 2024
Everything was lovely and delicious. Our waiter was wonderful too!
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CUBA 1958 - SarasotaPrice: Expensive• Cuban• Sarasota
•
4.6

Best Lunch Restaurants in Sarasota

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59 restaurants available nearby

1. Mediterraneo Ristorante Italiano

2. 1592 Wood Fired Kitchen

3. CUBA 1958 - Sarasota

4. The Melting Pot - Sarasota

5. Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria-Sarasota

6. Duval's Fresh. Local. Seafood.

7. The Rosemary & Thyme

8. Connors Steak & Seafood - Sarasota

9. Dry Dock Waterfront Grill

10. Columbia Restaurant - Sarasota

See what locals rave about

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