15 S. Boulevard of Presidents, St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, 388-1555; 15southristorante.com
15 SOUTH RISTORANTE ENOTECAHigh-end Italian cuisine along with excellent pizzas out of a blazing brick oven. 15 South also has a nice bar area up front and a music venue/nightclub upstairs.
431 St. Armands Circle, St. Armands Circle, 388-4415; cafeleurope.net
CAFÉ L’EUROPESarasota’s — and St. Armands’ — grande dame of fine dining is still chugging along with its repertoire of classic dishes. You can find the potato-crusted grouper and brandied duckling the restaurant has served for decades, along with a host of other straightforward fine dining standards.
417 St. Armands Circle, St. Armands Circle, 388-3300; chacha-coconuts.com
CHA CHA COCONUTSTourist food and boat drinks, featuring fried shrimp and cold daiquiris served in plastic cups.
411 St. Armands Circle, St. Armands Circle, 388-3987; columbiarestaurant.com
COLUMBIA RESTAURANTThe Sarasota outpost of this family-owned Florida chain still serves the Spanish/Cuban food that made their headquarters in Ybor famous. The black bean soup and 1905 salad are almost required eating, especially the one day a year they roll back the prices almost a hundred years.
420 St. Armands Circle, St. Armands Circle, 388-3964; crabfinrestaurant.com
CRAB & FINAlthough there’s nothing terribly fancy about the preparations, Crab & Fin has one of the most extensive selections of fresh fish and raw oysters in the greater Sarasota area. Order the Mote Marine locally farmed sturgeon for a truly Sarasota treat.
325 John Ringling Blvd., St. Armands Circle, 388-3325; daiquirideck.com
DAIQUIRI DECKThe Siesta Key fixture has opened an outpost in the former Hemmingway's space, serving the same Deck Diesel and other frozen treats that made them famous, along with good bar food and a large raw bar.
40 Blvd. Of The Presidents, St. Armands Circle, 388-4444; lamalincherestaurant.com
LA MALINCHEMexican cuisine that’s a slight step above the usual Tex-Mex restaurants.
19B N. Boulevard of Presidents, St. Armands Circle, 388-5550; lynchespub.com
LYNCHES PUB & GRUBLynches is a great place to hide from the unceasingly resort qualities of the rest of the circle, thanks to the deliciously casual pubby atmosphere, decent beer, and inexpensive Irish/American bar food.
19 N. Blvd. Of The Presidents, St. Armands Circle, 388-3119; newpass.com
NEW PASS GRILL ON THE CIRCLEThis waterfront fan-favorite from the other side of Lido Key is opening a spot on the circle, with the burgers and fish sandwiches that have made it famous.
22 S. Boulevard of the Presidents, St. Armands Circle, 388-4348; lecolonneristorante.com
RISTORANTE LE COLONNELe Colonne serves classic Italian fare -- from antipasti to, well, pasta -- in an elegant setting, along with a beautiful outdoor dining courtyard overlooking the teeming tourists walking by.
465 John Ringling Boulevard, St. Armands Circle, 296-0301, facebook.com/shorediner
SHORE DINERMaking a bold architectural statement with its blend of inside and outside dining experience – a retractable roof brings the outside in – Shore Diner represents the newest venture for the inventive Mark Cargiulo. But it's not just the good looks that attract diners. The American Bistro approach gives St Armands a casual but imaginative style of cooking it has lacked up to now. The menu revolves, so return visits will bring new surprises. (Read the review.)
326 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, 554-4916, tangosteakandsushi.com
TANGO STEAKHOUSE & SUSHIMeat, cooked the Argentinean way, along with maki and sashimi, largely not cooked at all. Two great tastes that taste great together.
419 St. Armands Circle, St. Armands Circle, 388-2222, facebook.com/terraceonthecircle
TERRACE ON THE CIRCLEFormerly Cafe Galante, Terrace on the Circle serves three square meals a day, largely focused on Middle Eastern cuisine, with a smattering of Italian and American standards thrown in to appeal to the masses. It's on the second floor, so keep an eye out for the stairs and prepare for a nice view overlooking the park in the Circle.
29 N. Boulevard of the Presidents, St. Armands Circle, 556-9758, tokyosteakhousesarasota.com
TOKYO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE, SUSHI & LOUNGEIn the two-story former home of Cork, Tokyo dishes up steamy teppanyaki and plenty of sushi, either at the bar or in front of chefs who chop-socky their way through steak and veggies.
300 John Ringling Blvd., St. Armands Circle, 388-2888, tommybahama.com/TBG/Stores_Restaurants/Sarasota.jsp
TOMMY BAHAMA TROPICAL CAFÉDon’t knock this touristy spot just because it’s touristy. The burgers and drinks are tasty, the décor is islandy (and admittedly contrived), and the second-story balcony tables offer a great view of the teeming hordes and swaying palm trees.
Where to eat: St. Armands Circle
ADD A COMMENT (Limit 5,000 characters)
This place is AWESOME. Prices are so low compared to others on the Circle. Try the Cuban, the Chicken Bacon and I shall not ever, ever forget the "BEST WINGS" in Sarasota! They use Franks Hot Sauce, a real Buffalo Wing sauce.
The Staff is the best! Carol, Emily run this place to where you can see the Waiters/Waitresses enjoy being there! You need to ask about specials as they will tell you and you will be AMAZED. My secret spot for sure! Great place to sit and enjoy all the Celebs and sites walking by. Always make sure you leave one outside table open, that is my table...HAHA.
Crab & Fin's new fish tacos are the best around!
Heard all the hoopla so decided to try it. Nice atmosphere but it is not all that. Food was not anything special and if it were my choice would stick with Carabbas or Flemmings. Time for something new in this old old place.
Its sad to have a review that list's a restaurant that has been closed for two weeks yet doesn't list a great restaurant like Venezia.
I know of an even shorter list then this:
Locations of public bathrooms on St. Armands Circle.
Just don't let them strong arm you into buying really expensive wines. Favourite trick is to embarrass you in front of a group of freinds, e.g., "if you can't afford it you can't afford to eat on the Circle".This from a churlish male waiter probably in his early 50's. Avoid him and have a good mea.
Very, very good food. Nice atmosphere and nice people!
I GAVE THIS PLACE THREE CHANCES TO IMPRESS ME
IT DID NOT
OVERPRICED UNDERFED
NO TASTE
TOO SALTY
LOUSY SERVICE
We ate at Shore Diner
In my opinion it stinks
The food just is not worth the money
This comment page is ridiculous and potentially harmful to the featured restaurants. The reviews are the same for all the restaurants.There is no attempt by the site to attach a particualr review to a particular restaurant. Useless.
MIKE G. please mention the name of the place. thanks......been to every spot there, but have no idea of who you speak of!!
No way, this place charges $11 for a piece of cake, overpriced and overrated on main menu items as well.