Diners' Choice: Best Service restaurants in Sarasota / Bradenton

OpenTable

Updated 05 February 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best service in Sarasota / Bradenton? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Sophie's at Saks Fifth Avenue- Sarasota

4.9

4.9 (744)

$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

PamelaVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Lunch at Sophie's takes me back to the 60's at Hudson's at Eastland Mall with my Grandmother, Mother, and siblings; 70's and 80's at Oakland Mall in Madison Heights with my girlfriends; and the 2010's with my Dad at Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, MI! It waa so wonderful to shop and then have a leisurely lunch! Highly recommend Sophie's to recapture those memories with an updated menu and excellent service! (Wish Sophie's was open later for at least Happy Hour!)

Bruschetta Fine Italian Cuisine

5.0

5 (64)

$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

RitaVIP

Dined 7 days ago

What a gem! Food and service were exceptional! Highly recommend.

Veronica Fish & Oyster

4.8

4.8 (2329)

$31 to $50

Oyster Bar

Sarasota

About the restaurant

A modern oyster bar with a nod to classic supper clubs of past featuring flavors from across the globe
We save tables for walk ins as well as the bar, lounge and patio, if a reservation time is not available feel free to walk in and check out these areas

PLEASE NOTE*** for parties of 5 and over, we ask that you call in in order for us to better serve the group's needs.

OUTDOOR SEATING NON RESERVABLE ***Our outdoor seating is all first come first serve- we apologize for any inconvenience

Top review

GilesVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Good food & ambience plus friendly waiter, worth a visit for special occasions

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Thai Crispy Snapper (Whole Fish)

La Norma Ristorante & Pizzeria

4.8

4.8 (780)

$31 to $50

Italian

Longboat Key

About the restaurant

Welcome to La Norma, a charming family-owned Italian restaurant that brings the heart of Italy to your table. Join us for homemade dishes, fine wine and live music on our patio. At La Norma we pride ourselves on using only the freshest ingredients to create authentic Italian cuisine. Our homemade dishes and handcrafted pizzas are made with care and our fine wine list is carefully curated to perfectly complement our genuine flavors. Whether you're in the mood for a romantic dinner or a festive gathering with friends and family, our warm and welcoming atmosphere is the perfect backdrop for a memorable dining experience. Come discover why La Norma is the go-to choice for Italian Cuisine on the island.

Top review

Marc

Dined today

Great food, the pizza is some of the best I’ve ever had, Italy included. Salads are excellent

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Experience

Focaccia Feast: Craft Charcuterie & Sip Prosecco!

Experience

Craft Fresh Tagliatelle & Sip Prosecco!

Experience

Homemade Gnocchi Masterclass

Sage SRQ

4.8

4.8 (1796)

$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

DianaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Always exceptional cuisine- taste treat/ perfect flavor and portion sizes. From cocktails to dessert! Try the chocolate mousse cake…. Possibly best dessert I’ve ever had! Took out of town “foodie” guests- they were impressed. Katie our server was spot on with everything!!

L’Olive Restaurant - Venice

4.8

4.8 (126)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Venice

About the restaurant

L'Olive Restaurant offers an innovative menu inspired by Turkish, Greek, Lebanese and the sun-drenched islands of the Mediterranean from Greece to Spain. Chef Ismail's Signature dishes are Spanish Octopus, Lamb Chops and Seafood Tagliatelle. Cuisines served up in a sleek and modern setting. Building on Chef Ismail's deep knowledge of Mediterranean cooking and years of research and travel, the menu features shared small plates of authentic and innovative fare and unique Mediterranean wines, making L'Olive one of the most exciting restaurants in Venice, Florida.

Top review

John

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent restaurant where the service and food were outstanding. The menu has a Mediterranean flair, but all the dishes are well prepared and delicious.

Selva Grill Downtown Sarasota

4.8

4.8 (5895)

$31 to $50

Latin / Spanish

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Selva offers innovative, intricately prepared dishes, plated and presented as works of art. Selva has earned raves from all
over the world, including from the New York Times, which write that Selva is “serving possibly the best food in Sarasota,”
and that “everything on the menu is worth trying.”

Top review

Judy

Dined 5 days ago

Great experience. Our server was so friendly and professional and the food was beautifully presented red and delicious.

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La Dolce Vita Authentic Italian Cuisine

4.9

4.9 (368)

$31 to $50

Italian

Sarasota

About the restaurant

For Valentine’s Day, we are offering a special prix-fixe menu at $95 per person. You can see the menu in the appropriate section.

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.

Top review

Greg

Dined 5 days ago

They were not very busy through our dining experience between 5pm and 6pm. The service was a bit slow but the food was very good. We all finished our dish and also enjoyed the wine and beer. They finished off the night by giving us a shot of a limoncello concoction which was excellent, we wanted a gallon to go. Overall, it was a very good experience.

Pietro's Italian Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (680)

$31 to $50

Italian

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Italian Restaurant& wine bar in Sarasota. Where you are a stranger only once.
His philosophy served him well with his previous Sarasota businesses. Café Gabbiano located on Siesta Key was originated by the Migliaccio family in 2003 where is four sons grew in and out of the restaurant business.
A second venture in downtown Sarasota was opened and designed by Pietro in 2012 named Casantica, a small old house converted to a quaint homey restaurant. Both restaurants are now under new ownership.
Now, this small intimate place is where I can have fun serving and meeting new friends. Benvenuti.

Top review

LawrenceVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Valentines Day-great table, decorated with rose petals, beautiful background music. The wait staff very friendly as was the hostess. Really nice family run restaurant, the chef owner puts a lot of love into every dish. Zero complaints with this establishment, which is rare today..highly recommend!

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Popular dish

Lasagna Marinara

Dolce Italia

4.9

4.9 (634)

$31 to $50

Italian

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Dolce Italia was established in 2010 by Tiziana Di Costanzo who came from Ischia, an island in the Gulf of Naples. Using a combination of classic Italian dishes, family recipes passed down for generations, and warm hospitality, Dolce Italia has built a reputation in Sarasota as a destination for anyone seeking great food and ambiance. In 2015 Matthew joined as manager of the front of house and is now a managing partner of Dolce Italia. The kitchen staff trained by Tiziana from the beginning are still with the restaurant with Maria being the capocuoco.
Some of the specialities Dolce Italia has become famous for are the Napoletan Eggplant- a tender sautee eggplant with fresh tomatoes crowned with ricotte, the Trenne Dolce Italia- the signature pasta dish with creamy tomato sauce, fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and mushroom.

Top review

Debra

Dined 4 days ago

Servers worked as a team, explained the various dishes and were very timely and personable! Food was outstanding! Dining space was pretty small but sufficient. Only wine and beer available. Tremendous value and culinary experience!! Highly recommend if you’re looking for excellent cuisine!

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