Rocco Smith
There are a million reasons to visit Siesta Key and even more reasons to live there. Siesta Key is one of Florida’s many beautiful barrier islands located on the Gulf side, right off the coast of Sarasota.
The waterways are immaculate and the sugar sand is soft, but that’s only the beginning of the delightful attractions that make Siesta Key the tropical gem of a city that it is.
What made me fall in love with this city is the restaurant scene. There’s no shortage of fantastic cuisines to try there, you can find a great restaurant on every street corner, so how do you know which ones to try first?
If you’re looking to experience the best of the best when it comes to dining in Siesta Key, then this is the guide for you.
Best Restaurants in Siesta Key
- Summer House Steak & Seafood
- The Cottage
- Miguel’s Restaurant
- Cafe Gabbiano
- Siesta Key Oyster Bar
- Island House Tap & Grill
- The Hub Baja Grill
- The Old Salty Dog Siesta Key
- Flavio’s Brick Oven & Bar
- Sun Garden Cafe
- Lobster Pot Restaruant
I’ve scoured the city and ranked all the best restaurants right here to make things simple and easy, so get started and check them out!
Summer House Steak & Seafood
149 Avenida Messina, Siesta Key, FL 34242
Phone: 941-260-2675
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The first restaurant I want to mention is called Summer House Steak & Seafood. This restaurant is fantastic and really made my time in Siesta Key unforgettable.
When you’re going out to eat in Siesta Key, you’re probably going to be looking for some fresh seafood.
If not, then you really should be since Summer House has such an incredible selection. I always start with the oysters and then go for a Prime ribeye.
Check out Summer House Steak & Seafood off of Avenida Messina near The Beach Club and right across from the Tropical Breeze Resort.
The Cottage
153 Avenida Messina, Siesta Key, FL 34242
Phone: 941-312-9300
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Up next is The Cottage and this is another fixture of Siesta Key that you can’t leave without trying. I absolutely love this place and I try to come here as often as I can when I’m in town.
This restaurant is located right next to Summer House Steak & Seafood inside the Siesta Key Village shopping mall, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding it.
The Cottage is a wonderful combination of both American and Japanese influence, so there’s going to be a bit of something for all tastes and palates here. Don’t be afraid to try something new!
Miguel’s Restaurant
6631 Midnight Pass Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242
Phone: 941-349-4024
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Miguel’s Restaurant is the next one I want to talk about and you’re really going to love this one.
They’re located just over the bridge from Siesta Key Watersports on Midnight Pass Road. Be sure to stop by if you’re in the area.
Miguel’s is a French restaurant with fine, classic cuisine that is bound to impress. I highly recommend coming here if you’re looking for a romantic dinner for two. The atmosphere is perfect it.
What I recommend from the menu at Miguel’s Restaurant is beef short rib bourguignon, but there are tons of other great choices to pick.
Cafe Gabbiano
5104 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key, FL 34242
Phone: 941-349-1423
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Right down the road from Siesta Key Public Beach Access 2 on Ocean Boulevard is Cafe Gabbiano. This place is wonderful and I cannot recommend it highly enough. This Italian restaurant specializes in all the classics that we know and love.
My favorite thing to order from Cafe Gabbiano is the fried calamari to start things off with. After that, I recommend the lobster ravioli or the squid ink shrimp fra diavolo.
Cafe Gabbiano has really mastered their Italian seafood dishes. They have plenty of land-based options too, though. Just be sure to grab yourself a glass of wine first.
Siesta Key Oyster Bar
5238 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34242
Phone: 941-346-5443
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Up next is Siesta Key Oyster Bar. This restaurant is one for all the oyster-lovers out there like myself. It’s a dream come true when you walk in here and see the raw bar menu.
I love Siesta Key Oyster Bar because I love oysters, and what could be better than an oyster happy hour? Well, I can’t really think of anything, honestly.
That’s right, every day from 3 PM to 6 PM, you get 50% off a dozen house oysters. Not to mention, they also have oysters from all over the country, including Blue Point and Wellfleet, but it depends on what comes in that day.
Island House Tap & Grill
5110 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key, FL 34242
Phone: 941-487-8116
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Island House Tap & Grill is the next place I want to point your attention towards, and for very good reason.
This restaurant is an absolutely fantastic, casual hangout joint with great food and cheap drinks.
The Island House Tap & Grill is a local hangout with delicious Latin street food. I always come here because of their tacos, but the ceviche and various stir-fry dishes that they offer are superb as well.
Check out Island House Tap & Grill off of Ocean Boulevard in the Siesta Village Plaza where they host the Siesta Key Farmers Market on Sundays.
The Hub Baja Grill
5148 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34242
Phone: 941-349-6800
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This next restaurant, The Hub Baja Grill, is another great spot inside of the Siesta Key Village shopping mall.
You should definitely consider stopping here for a bite in the middle of your next shopping spree.
The Hub is a Mexican restaurant that has some of the most amazing pan-Latin cuisine I’ve ever had.
Not to mention, the margaritas are reason enough to stop in at this awesome place. There’s no better way to beat that Florida heat than with a cold marg!
Definitely try the fish sandwich or the baja burger when you come here. They’re both delicious.
The Old Salty Dog Siesta Key
5023 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34242
Phone: 941-349-0158
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The Old Salty Dog is the next restaurant I want to mention, and this one is fun for the whole family. Even the furry, four-legged members!
That’s right, this charming British pub allows you to sit outside with your dog on their spacious patio.
It’s a great way to grab food and a drink with man’s best friend. The menu is fun and simple, featuring probably the best hot dogs in the whole city.
Look for The Old Salty Dog off of Ocean Boulevard, right in between the SunTrust bank and The Cottages On The Key.
Flavio’s Brick Oven Pizza & Bar
5239 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34242
Phone: 941-349-0995
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When you’re in the mood for some of Siesta Key’s best pizza, there’s only one place to go: Flavio’s Brick Oven Pizza & Bar.
Flavio’s is an absolute must-visit dining destination in Siesta Key, even if you just want a nice place to grab drinks.
Flavio’s is fantastic in every way, and I’m never disappointed when I pay them a visit. They have a full liquor bar with a lovely cocktail menu, as well as lots of classic pizzas and even a few unique creations of their own.
Don’t hesitate to get down to Flavio’s for a drink and a slice of pizza.
Sun Garden Cafe
210 Avenida Madera, Sarasota, FL 34242
Phone: 941-346-7170
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Up next is another great family restaurant called Sun Garden Cafe. This restaurant really lives up to its name because it has such a bright and cheerful ambiance that you’ll want to stay and relax all day.
They’re known best for breakfast here at Sun Garden Cafe and it’s probably because they do it better than anyone else around.
I seriously love the biscuits and gravy that they serve here, but the lunch menu is also phenomenal.
Check out Sun Garden Cafe inside the Siesta Key Village shopping center off of Avenida Madera. It’s the best way to start your day.
Lobster Pot Restaurant
5157 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34242
Phone: 941-349-2323
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Last, but certainly not least, is Lobster Pot Restaurant. This place is unlike any other in town, and in the best ways possible. Nowhere else can you get steam pots of fresh seafood like this, in my opinion.
The whole Maine lobster here is unbelievably delicious, but that’s just one of the incredible options on the menu.
I am also a huge fan of their classic lobster roll, but they have fish dinners, too, like tuna, mahi, salmon, and cod.
The menu is massive, so you’ll need to come and see it all for yourself. You won’t regret it!
Final Thoughts
As you might expect from a tropical gem like Siesta Key, the restaurant scene leaves little to be desired.
The restaurants are what really make this small city into a slice of paradise, if you ask me. Go ahead and get started on this list and check out all these amazing places to eat in Siesta Key!
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment and we’ll check it out!