Kyle Green
Sarasot is one of those tropical gems situated on Florida’s Gulf Coast that everyone should ivist at least once for a vacation. If you already live there year-round, then you’re off to a great head start.
What makes this place so special to visit and to live isn’t just the crystal clear waterways and clean beaches.
For me, the best thing about Sarasota is that there are some seriously amazing places to eat all around the city, especially when it comes to brunch.
Weekend brunch is a must when you’re in Sarasota, and I’m going to tell you exactly where you need to go.
In order to fully experience the wonders of the Sarasota brunch scene, you’re going to want to head straight for the best of the best when it comes to restaurants.
In order to help you do that, I’ve put together this list ranking all of the top brunch spots in the area, so check them out below!
MADE Restaurant
1990 Main St #112, Sarasota, FL 34236
Phone: 941-953-2900
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The first brunch spot on my list is MADE Restaurant. This place is off of Main Street inside the Courthouse Centre building, right across the street from Regal Hollywood movie theater in the Sarasota Main Plaza.
When you get here for brunch, you have to try some of their beignets or the buttermilk pancakes.
Don’t worry, though, if neither of those sound good, the menu is massive so there’s bound to be something else to better suit you.
Brunch is served only on Sundays from 10 AM to 2 PM, so plan accordingly if you want to eat here.
Fresh Start Cafe Breakfast & Lunch
630 S Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Phone: 941-373-1242
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This next brunch spot near Sarasota is Fresh Start Cafe on South Orange Avenue in the Swift Center, not far north of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Event Venues.
This place is a bit lesser-known and more tucked away than some of the others, so keep your eyes peeled.
When you get to Fresh Start Cafe, I highly recommend starting with a fresh cup of hot coffee.
That’s what I do since I can’t function in the mornings without it.
For food, I recommend the breakfast burrito or the shaklshuka to get you nice and full for the day, bu the cheese blintzes are also incredible.
Shore
Multiple locations
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This next amazing brunch restaurant is called Shore and they actually have several convenient locations around town. You’re never too far from a fantastic brunch at Shore in Sarasota!
The location I frequent the most is probably the St. Armands spot. I enjoy this location because it’s so close to the Public Beach and Lido Key Beach.
There’s no better place to grab brunch before spending the day lounging in the sun by the water.
Definitely try the marinated steak and eggs or the lump crab cake benedict when it comes time to order your food.
Station 400
400 N Lemon Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Phone: 941-906-1400
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Station 400 is the next brunch spot you need to visit here in Sarasota, and you’ll quickly see why.
Everything here at Station 400 is locally-sourced and fresh, so you know you’re getting quality ingredients and delicious food when you come here.
Personally, I prefer one of the waffles here at Station 400. There’s just something about a good, old-fashioned Belgian waffle that can’t be beaten.
If you want something a bit sweeter, though, try the Nutella waffle. It’s to-die-for.
Check out Station 400 off of North Lemon Avenue, just north of the Whole Foods Market.
Sun Garden Cafe
210 Avenida Madera, Sarasota, FL 34242
Phone: 941-346-7170
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Sun Garden Cafe is the next place I want to mention, and this one may seem familiar.
If it does, that’s because they’ve previously made my list for being one of the best places to eat in Siesta Key, a small beach town in Sarasota.
Today, I want to talk about the brunch menu here at Sun Garden Cafe. They serve up all the breakfast classics that we know and love, and so much more.
You have to start with a cinnamon bun or a muffin because they go so great with a cup of coffee.
Buttermilk Handcrafted Food
5520 Palmer Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34232
Phone: 941-487-8949
Hidden away near the Fruitville neighborhood of Sarasota is another fantastic brunch spot that you simply do not want to pass up, Buttermilk Handcrafted Food.
With a name like that, you know it has to be good.
Buttermilk Handcrafted Food is an old-fashioned restaurant that specializes in the down-home comforts of a Southern-style breakfast.
Some of my favorite dishes to order from here include the fried chicken, the avocado toast, and one of their many biscuit sandwiches.
When you come to Buttermilk Handcrafted Food, be sure to check the pastry case as well to see what they baked for the day.
First Watch
Multiple locations
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The next brunch spot I have to talk about is First Watch. First Watch, for those of you poor souls in cities without it, is a breakfast restaurant that specializes in healthy, locally-sourced ingredients.
There are many First Watch locations around Sarasota, but my favorite has to be the one off of Main Street, right next to the Sarasota Opera House in the Main Street Merchants district.
I always go for the Trifecta breakfast when I come to First Watch. It’s usually plenty of food, but sometimes I’ll even add two extra eggs if I’m feeling extra-hungry.
Toasted Mango
Multiple locations
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Toasted Mango Cafe is another great place to grab brunch in Sarasota. What really makes me love this place is that they have a dog-friendly patio at their location off of North Tamiami Trail near the Hotel Indigo.
I love coming here for brunch with my pooch on the weekends. What I usually order from Toasted Mango Cafe is their award-winning Toasted Mango Waffle.
It’s a Belgian waffle that comes topped with fresh mango, toasted coconut, and whipped cream.
It’s tropical and delicious, so be sure to try it. Of course, they have plenty of less-sweet options as well.
Breakfast House
1817 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota, FL 34236
Phone: 941-366-6860
Up next is the Breakfast House. Their name says breakfast, but this place is also a fantastic destination for brunch.
I always love coming here on the weekends with a couple of friends for brunch.
Breakfast House is a charming little restaurant built inside of an old house near the suburban area of Gillespie Park.
The food here is phenomenal. You really need to try some of their amazing pancakes, but there are so many other great options that it’s hard to choose sometimes.
Check out the House Originals portion of the menu for even more awesome choices.
The Blue Rooster
1525 4th St, Sarasota, FL 34236
Phone: 941-388-7539
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Up next is The Blue Rooster. There’s no other brunch spot like this, if you ask me.
This little gastropub knows their way around a delicious, down-south breakfast, so definitely come here on the weekends for a brunch that won’t disappoint.
When you get here, I highly recommend going for their low country shrimp and grits or the fried chicken and waffles. Either one of those pretty much represents the quintessential brunch food, if you ask me.
Check out The Blue Rooster off of 4th Street in the Rosemary District near the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center.
Sunnyside Cafe
4900 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234
Phone: 941-359-9500
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Wrapping things up is Sunnyside Cafe. I absolutely love Sunnyside Cafe for a ton of reasons, but the brunch menu items really take the cake.
You can find this place off of North Tamiami Trail, just north of the Quality Inn Sarasota Near Lido Key Beach and right before the Days Inn by Wyndham Sarasota Bay hotels.
When it comes to the food, I highly recommend steak and eggs or a classic eggs Benedict, but they also have some fantastic vegan breakfast options that even omnivores will love.
Check out the whole menu because it’s enormous and there’s a little bit of everything.
Best Brunch in Sarasota
- MADE Restaurant
- Fresh Start Cafe Breakfast & Lunch
- Shore
- Station 400
- Sun Garden Cafe
- Buttermilk Handcrafted Food
- First Watch
- Toasted Mango
- Breakfast House
- The Blue Rooster
- Sunnyside Cafe
Final Thoughts
Sarasota knows its way around a good Sunday brunch, that’s for sure. These restaurants are no slouches when it comes to serving up a delicious weekend brunch, but you have to know where to go.
Hopefully, this brunch guide will point you in the right direction for your next midday meal in Sarasota.
If you’re not interested in Sarasota’s brunch scene, check out these waterfront restaurants instead!
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment and we’ll check it out!
Excellent writing skills, worth reading. Keep it up