Cheeseburgers in Paradise
There is a multitude of dining choices in Siesta Key, with an emphasis on casual dining. Nibble on Spanish cuisine at the tapas bars. For seafood lovers, there are raw bars, crab shacks, and award-winning chowder. At the public beach pavilion, listen to reggae music while enjoying burgers and ice cream. More sophisticated dining can be found at waterfront restaurant that serve gourmet fare.


Breakfast
One of Downtown Sarasota's nicest breakfast spots is the First Watch Restaurant, 1395 Main St., at Central and Pineapple. First Watch offers a wide variety of inexpensive breakfast and lunch fare. It's open daily from 7:30am to 2:30pm. If the wait's too long, walk south along Central Avenue; this block has several coffeehouses and cafes with sidewalk seating.

Lunch & Dinner
Sarasota's newest dining hot spots is Southside Village, centered on South Osprey Avenue between Hyde Park and Hillview streets, about 15 blocks south of downtown. Here you'll find several hip restaurants, including Fred's and Pacific Rim.

While the locals are hanging out in Southside Village, visitors flock to St. Armands Circle. Plan to spend at least one evening here, it's fun and safe, so come early and plan to stay late. St Armands Circle has a branch of Tampa's famous Columbia between John Ringling Boulevard and John Ringling Parkway. The Spanish food is excellent, there's outdoor seating, and the Patio Lounge is one of the liveliest spots for evening entertainment Thursday through Sunday. Tommy Bahama's Tropical Cafe, 300 John Ringling Blvd., draws a lively crowd of young professionals to its moderately priced seafood. It's upstairs over Tommy Bahama's clothing store on St. Armands Circle.

Ocean Boulevard, which runs through Siesta Village, Siesta Key's funky, laid-back beach hangout, is virtually lined with restaurants and pubs. Most have outdoor seating and bars, which attract the beach crowd during the day. At night, rock-and-roll bands draw teenagers and college students to this lively scene.

Sarasota Area Pizza Places

	Fodor's recognizes these outstanding Sarasota restaurants:
	BIJOU CAFE 1287 1st St., Sarasota. Phone: 941/366-8111	Over $35 Sarasota Continental
	CAFÉ L'EUROPE 431 St. Armand's Circle, Lido Key, Sarasota. Phone: 941/388-4415	Over $35 Sarasota Continental
	COLUMBIA 411 St. Armand's Circle, Lido Key, Sarasota. Phone: 941/388-3987	$20 to $35 Sarasota Spanish
	CRAB TRAP AND CRAB TRAP II U.S. 19 at Terra Ceia Bridge, Palmetto. Phone: 941/722-6255	Under $35 Bradenton Seafood
	MARINA JACK 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota. Phone: 941/365-4232	$20 to $50 Sarasota Seafood
	OPHELIA'S ON THE BAY 9105 Midnight Pass Rd., Siesta Key, Sarasota. Phone: 941/349-2212	$20 to $50 Sarasota Contemporary
	PATRICK'S 1481 Main St., Sarasota. Phone: 941/952-1170	Under $35 Sarasota American/Casual
	SHARKY'S ON THE PIER 1600 S. Harbor Dr., Venice. Phone: 941/488-1456	$20 to $35 Venice Seafood
	YODER'S 3434 Bahia Vista Dr., Sarasota. Phone: 941/955-7771	Under $50 Sarasota American

Frommers recognizes these great Sarasota Area Restaurants:
		Price	Name	Cuisine Type	Neighborhood
			Bijou Cafe	International	Downtown
			Blasé Café	International	Siesta Key
			Blue Dolphin Cafe	Diner/Cafe	St. Armands Key
			Cafe l'Europe	Continental	St. Armands Key
			Euphemia Haye/The Haye Loft	International	Longboat Key
			Hemingway's	Caribbean	St. Armands Key
			Marina Jack	Seafood	Downtown
			Moore's Stone Crab	Seafood	Longboat Key
			Pacific Rim	Asian/Pac Rim	Southside Village
			Patrick's	American	Downtown
			Turtles	American	Siesta Key
			Yoder's	American/Amish	Downtown