Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Lake Sarasota

30 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Dry Dock Waterfront Grill restaurant

1. Dry Dock Waterfront Grill

4.9

Exceptional(9290)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Longboat Key

Booked 108 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

2. Columbia Restaurant - Sarasota

4.8

Exceptional(10491)

Price: Moderate

• Spanish • Sarasota

Booked 178 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.

A photo of Cafe L'Europe - St Armand's restaurant

3. Cafe L'Europe - St Armand's

4.8

Exceptional(2434)

Price: Expensive

• Modern European • Sarasota

Booked 1 time today

This season marks Café L'Europe's 51st year in its iconic St. Armands Circle location. Whether celebrating life's most meaningful moments, or the end of a long week, we welcome lovers of food and drink for a five-star experience inspired by Europe's finest bistros.Spring 2024 brings a reimagined restaurant interior and new dining menus. European culinary tradition inspires scratch-made dishes using local, sustainable ingredients. An exquisite Old World-meets-New World wine list, craft cocktails, and music greet you from our newly renovated "Wet Bar".We aim to graciously walk the tightrope between past and future: To honor the beloved traditions of Sarasota families, to welcome new visitors to our beautiful destination, and to celebrate the legacy of a place once housing the sales office of Sarasota’s most famous resident - John Ringling!

4. Michael's On East

4.8

Exceptional(5596)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Sarasota

Booked 11 times today

Serving "inspired cuisine" since 1987, the celebrated Michael’s On East restaurant takes fine dining to another level, offering award-winning cuisine and outstanding service, in an exceptional 1940s supper club atmosphere. Michael's On East has been inducted into Nation's Restaurant News Fine Dining Hall of Fame and recently received their 34th consecutive AAA Four-Diamond Award. The 350+ bottle wine list has been awarded the Best of Award of Excellence by the Wine Spectator!Upon entering the dining room, you are immediately dazzled by the plush design and inspired décor. The restaurant’s intimate aura, along with its contemporary flare, world-class wine cellar and incomparable service, create an unparalleled dining experience.Michael's Lounge, complete with a grand piano, is a guest favorite with its signature cocktails and award winning wine selection. Michael’s Atrium for outdoor dining is a stunning glass-covered, plant-filled courtyard with a beautiful flowing fountain.

5. Indigenous

4.7

Exceptional(887)

Price: Expensive

• American • Sarasota

Booked 12 times today

Opened in 2011, Indigenous has earned a reputation for being an inspirational and educational restaurant. For years, Indigenous has been known as one of America’s top restaurants, renowned for its passion for food, the community, and the planet. Indigenous’ menu of seasonal American cuisine changes progressively throughout the year based on peak ingredient availability. With a focus on sustainable seafood, we work closely with local fisherman, artisans, and farmers to maintain the highest quality. At Indigenous, we are always working our best to create a better food system. Owner Chef Steve Phelps has been a James Beard Foundation Semi Finalist for Best Chef South in 2014 & 2015, an Ambassador for Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Blue Ribbon Task Force, and a founding member and Chef for the EDF Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture.

A photo of Kona Grill - Sarasota restaurant

6. Kona Grill - Sarasota

3.7

Very Good(1393)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Sarasota

Booked 28 times today

Welcome to Kona Grill Sarasota at the Mall at University Town Center. Kona Grill is a classic American Grill with great steak and seafood - complemented by the best choice of sushi and margaritas at any grill in America. Kona Grill features a global menu of contemporary American favorites, award-winning sushi, and specialty craft cocktails in a polished, casual atmosphere. From brunch & lunch to dinner & happy hour, the restaurant offers a range of freshly prepared dishes from the grill, seasonal menu items and fan-favorite dishes across all dayparts. Kona Grill offers both indoor and outdoor patio dining at all its locations, $3, $6, $9 happy hour offered weekdays & NEW weekend brunch, guided by a passion for quality food and exceptional service.

A photo of Seasons 52 - Sarasota restaurant

7. Seasons 52 - Sarasota

4.8

Exceptional(5189)

Price: Expensive

• American • Sarasota

Booked 102 times today

Seasons 52 is a Fresh Grill and Wine Bar offering a seasonal menu that is naturally lighter and always flavorful. Our seasonal menus feature ingredients at their peak of freshness, oak-fire grilled or brick oven roasted (without a fryer in sight) to be naturally lighter and more flavorful. We also offer an extensive list of wines by the glass and bottle. Here, you'll always feel free to enjoy every bite, every sip, every moment. Lunch and dinner daily with happy hour Monday-Thursday from 3-6PM.

A photo of Selva Grill Downtown Sarasota restaurant

8. Selva Grill Downtown Sarasota

4.9

Exceptional(5805)

Price: Expensive

• Latin / Spanish • Sarasota

Booked 60 times today

Selva offers innovative, intricately prepared dishes, plated and presented as works of art. Selva has earned raves from allover 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.”

A photo of The Rosemary & Thyme restaurant

9. The Rosemary & Thyme

4.9

Exceptional(4425)

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 Duval's Fresh. Local. Seafood. restaurant

10. Duval's Fresh. Local. Seafood.

4.7

Exceptional(5484)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Sarasota

Booked 38 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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

N
Nathan
Tampa / Central Florida West •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Indigenous is an absolute culinary masterpiece in Sarasota. From the passionate hosts and servers to the ever changing and exquisite meals. You will never have a meal that misses here. Chefs are top notch and always deliver masterpieces. Can’t say enough about this fantastic place!!
More info
IndigenousPrice: Expensive• American• Sarasota
•
4.7
M
Mary Larsen Shortino andVIP
Tampa / Central Florida West •82 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
We thoroughly enjoyed our evening. Dinner was delicious. Of course it never disappoints! The restaurant was full, but noise level was moderate due to the three different levels. Our waiter was David one of the bar tenders. Very helpful, considerate and cheerful! Would love to request him again. Will be going back for sure
More info
Dry Dock Waterfront GrillPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Longboat Key
•
4.9
J
JudiVIP
Greater Boston •105 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Great food - Grouper was amazing. Everything is well prepared, generous portions, and the tableside prep of the 1905 salad and pitcher of sangria is fun. Great quality, reasonably priced, and very consistent.
More info
Columbia Restaurant - SarasotaPrice: Moderate• Spanish• Sarasota
•
4.8
H
HeidiVIP
Baltimore / Maryland •13 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Our server must of have had too many tables. We did not receive the exceptional service that we have experienced in the past. The food as always was exceptional, worth every penny spent on the marvelous steak. The piano music was so loud that we could not have conversation at the table. I realize that it is Christmas party season so that accounts for a bit of noise in the restaurant. We will be back again after the holiday season when we know that service will be back to the exceptional standard of Micheals on East
More info
Michael's On EastPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Sarasota
•
4.8
V
VirginiaVIP
Charlotte •123 reviews
5.0
Dined on 25 Sept 2024
Lovely experience. The amazing food, excellent service, and gorgeous style of this restaurant are truly wonderful
More info
Cafe L'Europe - St Armand'sPrice: Expensive• Modern European• Sarasota
•
4.8

Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Lake Sarasota

Price

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Top Rated

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30 restaurants available nearby

1. Dry Dock Waterfront Grill

2. Columbia Restaurant - Sarasota

3. Cafe L'Europe - St Armand's

4. Michael's On East

5. Indigenous

6. Kona Grill - Sarasota

7. Seasons 52 - Sarasota

8. Selva Grill Downtown Sarasota

9. The Rosemary & Thyme

10. Duval's Fresh. Local. Seafood.

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