Originally from Piedmont, Italy, Chef Andrea Bozzolo creatively transforms regional produce and seafood to reflect the cuisine of his native region. The pastas are made from scratch; the steaks prepared in an 800-degree oven for perfect doneness; the wine list boasts more than 350 selections. The tasting menu changes regularly to reflect seasonality, availability of rare treats, and Bozzolo’s creative inspiration.

When it comes to oysters, the selection will wow you. But the eclectic menu also offers succulent seafood selections (including fresh Maine lobster), creamy pasta skillets, inventive salads and even land critters.

Feast on fresh salmon, crab, tuna and more–Barnacle Bill’s has proven that you don’t have to be seaside to enjoy the best the sea has to offer.

Perfect views of the Gulf of Mexico, grouper sandwiches to write home about, and a bustling bar scene with live music. Locals rave about the chilled seafood salad stuffed with Gulf shrimp, scallops, mangoes and cashews. Leave room for the Key lime pie.

A great spot for a date, the family-owned Bella Roma cooks up classic Northern Italian fare, from rustic focaccia bread to fresh pasta, seafood and veal. Located just a block from Siesta Beach, it’s the perfect place to dine after catching a spectacular Siesta Key sunset.

This romantic restaurant enchants diners with intimate dining rooms, bouquets of freshly picked flowers, an award-winning wine list and a menu reflecting chef/owner Jean-Pierre Knaggs’ French and South African heritage. Signature dishes include the blue crab crakes, roasted duck and the creamy potato gratin.

This Siesta Key restaurant offers seafood, poultry and smoked meat. just a short walk from the beach, with Happy Hour starting at noon and live music everyday.

The food is billed as “New American Southern fare,” and on the menu you’ll find dishes like fried green tomatoes, catfish, meatloaf and fried chicken, as well as rich desserts like red velvet cake and sweet potato pie. Be sure to stick around to have a drink at the bar and listen to live music.

Enjoy spectacular Gulf views while dining al fresco on the third floor terrace.

This classic café/diner offers seven days of breakfast and lunch and lots of friendly service. If you’re in the mood for something really special, try the crab eggs benedict or the Longboat Key omelet (salmon, cream cheese and chives).

This classic ristorante offers authentic Italian cuisine from breakfast through late night. You can brunch on the spinach and ricotta frittata, lunch on the polpo melanzane (octopus and eggplant salad) and feast on the sogliola alla mugmaia (fresh sole with lemon). The wine cellar features more than 400 hand-selected wines, and the outdoor seating is perfect for watching the world stroll by.

This intimate ristorante on Main Street offers creative takes on classic, hearty and contemporary Italian fare, including antipasti, soups, salads and pasta dishes and an impressive wine list.

Specializing in Tuscan and Roman cuisine, including succulent seafood dishes, homemade pastas and traditional veal recipes. The wine and spirits menu is positively inspired. Closed Monday-Friday from 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

An urbane trattoria, deli, gelateria and bar, with indoor and outdoor seating, in the heart of downtown Sarasota. The menu tempts with seasonal salads, classic pasta dishes, wood-fired pizzas and creative seafood, meat and chicken dishes. Stop by the hip martini bar for an after-dinner drink.

A Sarasota institution, 34-year-old Café L’Europe is located in a prime space on St. Armands Circle, perfect for dining al fresco and people-watching. The cuisine is multi-continental, spanning everything from Asian to classic French, and highlights include bourbon pecan salad, brandied duckling, potato-crusted grouper and pan-seared sea scallops with sweet potato hash. There’s a lovely wine list and good desserts, as well—combining, with the high caliber of food being put out by the kitchen, to prove why this restaurant has been around for more than three decades.

Brothers John, Mark, Rob, Anthony and Paul Caragiulo share their passion for traditional Italian cooking, Italian wines and Italian cinema (the walls are covered with vintage movie posters) in a family-friendly atmosphere with patio dining and a separate bar. The mozzarella is made fresh and the biscotti is still baked by Mrs. Caragiulo.

This Casey Key establishment—more than a decade old—is accessible by land and sea, and features daily dinner specials like bouillabaisse, ahi tuna, stone crab claws, seabass, wahoo, monkfish, lobster tail and grouper. Additionally, you’ll find the popular Tiki Bar, which recently reopened to much local applause.

The best way to enjoy this restaurant is at one of the outdoor tables, enjoying the lovely Florida weather while people-watching. Cha-Cha Coconuts serves up classic island-style seafood, like fish tacos and coconut shrimp, as well as burgers, fries and a large selection of tropical drinks (think Rum Runners and multiple margarita flavors).

With a prime location on Longboat Key and dramatic views and décor, the Chart House is a favorite with locals and visitors alike. There’s fresh seafood, juicy steaks and decadent desserts, like Hot Chocolate Lava Cake, as well as a nice selection of wines by the glass and bottle.

Husband-and-wife team Ash Shukla and Denise May offer outstanding Indian and Middle Eastern fare, including Chicken Masala, Lamb Vindaloo, falafel, spanakopita, and a host of other spicy delights. The wine and beer list is inventive and the atmosphere casual and friendly. Closed from 2-5:30 p.m.

Breathing new life into the corner of Main Street formerly occupied by Sarasota News & Books and Cafe Palm, Clasico offers diners contemporary American cuisine, featuring everything from tacos to steak frites.

One of the most popular restaurants on St. Armands Circle, the Columbia—which has been in existence since 1905, with its first outpost in Ybor City—serves up consistently delicious Cuban and Spanish food. A half Cuban sandwich with a 1905 salad makes the perfect lunch; for dinner, there’s a tantalizing selection of beef, chicken and seafood dishes, such as the fancy pompano en papillote (pompano baked in parchment paper). As libations go, you’ll find sangria and a nice selection of wines, and for dessert, there’s classics like flan and churros, as well as Key lime pie and a sinful Godiva chocolate cake.

It’s back! Cosimo’s has reopened in South Sarasota, and fans of the award-winning pizzas, pastas and sandwiches can all breathe a sigh of relief.

With its 33-year history and lovely sidewalk tables, it’s no wonder Crab & Fin is a Sarasota mainstay for locals and visitors alike. Start with Charley’s Chowder, a Mediterranean fish soup, then proceed to coldwater oysters and any one of the restaurant’s various fresh catches. There’s pasta, sandwiches and—if seafood’s not your thing—chicken and steak, too.

With its waterfront views, bright décor, lively bar scene and friendly service, this is a great place to sit and sip. Signature dishes include the roasted fennel and goat cheese almandine salad, the Meyer lemon and spinach linguine, and the Florida lobster macadamia.

Let’s be honest: Is there anything more refreshing than coming off the beach after a long, hot, sandy day—and then enjoying a frozen daiquiri? With an extensive drink menu—featuring more than 30 kinds of daiquiris—as well as a raw oyster bar, Daiquiri Deck is the perfect post-beach destination. Second location on St. Armands Circle.

Let’s be honest: Is there anything more refreshing than coming off the beach after a long, hot, sandy day—and then enjoying a frozen daiquiri? With an extensive drink menu—featuring more than 30 kinds of daiquiris—as well as a raw oyster bar, Daiquiri Deck is the perfect post-beach destination. Second location on Siesta Key.

Peruvian street food meets international dining at chef Darwin Santa Maria’s bar and restaurant, which is quickly earning a name for itself with high-quality Latin fare.

Focusing on imaginative and progressive American cuisine. Dining patrons can expect the daring as well as the familiar from Chef Derek Barnes. Ongoing culinary explorations include delectable adventures in beef, lamb, duck, chicken, seafood, salads and soups with small and large plate options. The wine list is eclectic and inspired.

A family-owned restaurant offering regional Italian food, a divine wine list and a full bar in a gracious atmosphere. Homemade ravioli and gnocchi, the Sogliola di Mare (fillet of sole) and the Agnello Divino (rack of lamb) are just some of the mouth-watering specialties.

Another restaurant that’s as popular with visitors as it is with locals, Dry Dock has indoor and waterfront dining overlooking Sarasota Bay. The grouper sandwich is a can’t-miss item here; the homemade lobster bisque is also especially tasty. There’s also a kids’ menu, so little ones are welcome.

Eat Here is actually more a bistro than its older sibling, Beach Bistro. Its compact menu offers variations on comfort food and well-priced wines and a superior beer list.

The ambiance is welcoming; the fare is classic Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. Favorites include moussaka (try the veggie version), the gyro platter, the chicken kebab and the cheese Philly steak sub. Beer and wine served—and live Greek music on some nights.

The tantalizing (and vast!) breakfast and lunch menu comprises omelets, crepes, soups, salads and sandwiches. Specialties include the “Not Guilty Your Honor” (grilled flatbread, hummus, cucumber, spinach and mushrooms) and the Power Wrap (egg whites, smoked turkey, spinach, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, with salsa).

A good steak is a work of art. For their artistry, Fleming’s chefs begin with the finest beef, perform their magic, and grill it as you like it. The menu also stars fresh seafood, innovative side dishes, decadent desserts, and more than 100 wines by the glass.

To get any closer to the beach, you’d need a snorkel. The family-friendly menu includes crepes, pancakes, sandwiches, burgers (try the “Very Blue” burger slathered in blue cheese)—and fresh seafood dishes. Did we mention the hot fudge brownie sundae? Wine and beer, too!

Fresh, hand-shucked oysters aren’t the only thing you’ll find here. Have your fill with a selection of steak, chicken and pastas, then wrap up your visit with a dessert such as the bananas Foster cheesecake.

Chef Steve Phelps shows off his prodigious culinary chops in a comfy and chic setting at the southwest corner of downtown’s Towles Court. Polished service and a fine wine list match his skill in the kitchen; the menu–which offers sustainably grown, wild harvested ingredients–changes sesaonally.

Serving sushi standards, original rolls and creative fusion dishes, this local favorite is famous for artistic presentations, friendly service and impeccably fresh fish. The lunch bento boxes are spectacular. Closed from 2:30-5 p.m. daily.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota gets a revamp with Jack Dusty, the restaurant that replaced Vernona. On the menu you’ll find craft cocktails and a bevy of seafood-focused entrées–oysters, shrimp and grits, Maine lobster, blackened grouper etouffée, seafood gumbo and more.

Featuring a delightfully diverse menu of Peruvian-inspired ceviches, tapas and Chinese-Peruvian fusion dishes starring organic vegetables, seafood and meats. Favorite dishes include roast duck with cilantro risotto, the arroz chaufa, a bracing stew of rice, shrimp, chicken, scallions, and crunchy red pepper, and the roasted chicken with rice. The wine and brew list is hand-selected and ever-evolving.

Jim’s Small Batch features made-from-scratch artisan breads, pastries and desserts–sourdough bread, almond croissants and sticky toffee pudding, just to name a few. Sandwiches, soups and quiches available for lunch, too; plus house-made ice cream and sorbet.

A former hot dog joint, Kacey’s still offers a varied selection of hot dogs, but now the focus is on seafood–diners will find lobster rolls, fish tacos and crab cakes, as well as burgers and chicken options.

From the Japanese word meaning both “cloud” and “spider,” Kumo Japanese Steakhouse–which also has locations in North Port and Venice–serves up a variety of Japanese food, including teppanyaki tableside cooking, bento boxes, tempura, sushi and noodle bowls. Happy hour nightly; early bird menu available. Closed from 3-5 p.m. daily.

Le Colonne doesn’t just have ambience (although dining at one of its sidewalk tables is certainly a treat). Meat dishes are delightful (try the pollo alla Rusticana), as are desserts (hello, tiramisu), but it’s the fresh, homemade pasta—like gnocchi and tortellini—that’s the real star.

With soul-satisfying food, a comfortable atmosphere and a friendly staff, Lee Roy Selmon’s redefines what a sports bar should be. For good eating to accompany the good game, try the fried green tomatoes and the “Mama’s Meatloaf,” straight from Mama Selmon’s kitchen.

Formerly Christopher’s on Lido, the Lido Beach Grille—which is located on the eighth floor of the Lido Beach Resort and features perfect city views—serves up consistently ambitious fare. Try the lump crab martinis and the pan-roasted free range chicken with a whole-grain mustard demi glace, and finish your meal with a hearty Irish coffee.

The chic new restaurant from the family behind Libby’s Café + Bar features contemporary American cuisine–think veggies, pasta, stead and seafood–as well as craft beer, handcrafted cocktails and decadent desserts. Gluten-free options available, too.

An Irish pub in the true sense of the word, Lynches offers up authentic Irish fare, from corned beef and cabbage to Irish stew to cottage pie. Many of the sandwiches have delightfully Celtic names, but the best part of everything on the menu is how good it tastes. Peruse the menu, order a pint of Guinness and you’ll feel just like you’re in the Old Country, especially when you listen to owners Chris and Ethna Lynch speak in their lovely lilt.

The acronym stands for “Modern American Delicious Eats,” and that’s what you’ll find at Made, which took over the former Brasserie Belge space this spring. This is comfort food with an upscale twist–grilled corn dogs, fried chicken, steak and eggs and a towering burger.

With a menu featuring the freshest seafood, poultry, game and produce, chef Jose Martinez creates French-inspired dishes that delight the palate. The ambiance is sumptuous, the service sophisticated, and the wine cellar features 250 top-shelf wines.

Serving up first-rate Florida fare, inside and outside, with a fabulous view of north Sarasota Bay. Menu highlights include steamer pots, Long Beach Bouillabaisse, and perfectly crunchy stone and blue crab cakes that tickle the tongue and warm the gullet. Full bar.

The former Lan gets a revamp as Mélange, which–in addition to Lan’s innovative cuisine–now showcases local artists and inventive cocktails.

This family-run restaurant offers specialties that reflect the cuisine of Northern Mexico, including colorful dishes heaped with fresh homemade tortillas filled with all things spicy and good. Signature dishes include the house fajitas, the shrimp and mango tortillas, and the pollo con mole. The cream cheese flan is irresistible. Also offering a vegan menu, and three locations in Sarasota/Venice.

This family-run restaurant offers specialties that reflect the cuisine of Northern Mexico, including colorful dishes heaped with fresh homemade tortillas filled with all things spicy and good. Signature dishes include the house fajitas, the shrimp and mango tortillas, and the pollo con mole. The cream cheese flan is irresistible. Also offering a vegan menu, and three locations in Sarasota/Venice.

This family-run restaurant offers specialties that reflect the cuisine of Northern Mexico, including colorful dishes heaped with fresh homemade tortillas filled with all things spicy and good. Signature dishes include the house fajitas, the shrimp and mango tortillas, and the pollo con mole. The cream cheese flan is irresistible. Also offering a vegan menu, and three locations in Sarasota/Venice.

This Sarasota institution boasts a plush ambiance, an inventive American-Continental cuisine menu and an adventurous wine list selected by owner Michael Klauber. This is the spot where cognoscenti flock to engage in serious talk over serious food or sip spirits in the lively piano lounge. Closed from 2:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. daily.

Featuring award-winning American contemporary cuisine, including Atlantic salmon, grilled filet mignon, sea bass and duck breast. The extensive wine list is awe-inspiring.

Chef Dylan Elhajoui’s adventurous menu is inspired by Southern French and Mediterranean cuisine and fortified by fresh regional fare. Favorites include the braised petite veal shank tagine with root vegetables, the seven vegetable couscous, and the sautéed quail and forest mushrooms with chèvre polenta. The wine list is out of this world.

It’s true that Sarasota has no Chinatown, but thank heaven for Mrs. Chen’s. Crowds gather, lining up for the buffet, though some prefer table service. It’s relaxed and affordable.

Easygoing Florida dining at its most relaxed. Chill out on the outside deck with a frosty mug and let the drama of the waterfront unfold. Dig into conch fritters, shrimp poppers, steamed clams, oysters, grouper sandwiches, burgers, fish and chips and more.

Enjoy indoor or outdoor dining surrounded by lush gardens overlooking the sweep of Sarasota Bay. Combining local fresh seafood and fine meats with Florida-grown produce, Ophelia’s offers a menu with a distinctly New World flair. The extensive wine menu is one of the region’s best. Sunday brunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Chef-driven Southern grub in a historic cottage beneath a banyan tree. Sup on fresh fish, mussels, lobster, scallops and clams, steaks, pulled-pork sandwiches, crawfish po’ boys, collard greens, sweet corn and more. The Low Country boil for two (crab, mussels, shrimp, clams and spicy andouille sausage) is a must-have. Desserts are fab—and the wine and beer list sturdy.

High ceilings, outdoor seating and a stylish bar make Patrick’s presence on Main Street a much-appreciated one. Enjoy specialty items off the dinner menu such as the bacon and egg burger, or choose from the list of gluten-free options.

Pattigeorge’s brings you savory flavors from all over the world, including Italy, Asia and Latin America. The small plates menu is comprised of dishes such as cracking five-spice calamari, while the large plates boast such delicious items as grilled New Zealand rack of lamb.

Casual waterfront dining (indoors and out) and fresh seafood, burgers and sandwiches. Delights include the spicy Cajun seafood gumbo, the steamed pots (oysters, clams, mussels), and an avalanche of sides, from parsley taters to hush puppies.

Located on the Memorial Pier overlooking the Manatee River, this restaurant/ballroom offers indoor and outdoor dining and an outdoor bar with live music. The menu emphasizes fresh seafood, lamb, duck and beef.

A popular new restaurant located in downtown’s trendy Rosemary District, Pomona specializes in French and Italian fusion cuisine, with standouts including buttermilk gnocchi, rosemary-and-lemon roasted chicken, fresh salads and chocolate soufflés to die for. A well-edited international wine list is available.

Family-owned and operated since 1978, Roessler’s offers classic, irresistible dishes like Colorado lamb rack and bouillabaisse. Their award-winning wine list has received recognition from Wine Spectator magazine.

Combining the freshest local ingredients with European sauces and bold Asian spices, Roy’s features fine seafood with a focus on delicacies from the oceans surrounding Hawaii, in addition to an array of hand-cut meats, sushi and fresh shellfish. The wine list is award-winning.

Their justly famous steaks are seared to perfection at 1,800 degrees and sizzling when they hit your table. Not in the mood for steak? Dishes celebrating seafood, lamb chops, chicken, pasta and seasonal vegetables prove the rest of the food chain is not neglected. The chocolate sin cake is a must and the bar always lively.

Fun, creative, authentic Italian cuisine in an elegant, welcoming atmosphere. Open for lunch and dinner with a selection of bruschettas, pastas, cheese and cured meats as well as delectable classic entrées.

Sharky’s on the Pier literally sits on the Gulf of Mexico, with views of breathtaking sunsets and a great live-music schedule. Watch the sun go down as you sip a tropical frozen drink, or stop in for a grouper sandwich after a day of digging for sharks’ teeth on the beach.

A Siesta Key classic, SKOB is a funky, laid-back beach bar with a fun deck, live music, friendly servers and bartenders, and moderate food and drink prices. SKOB also features local entrepreneurs (like Jalehouse Light lager and Siesta Key rum), and serves a tasty and delightfully priced Sunday brunch.

This historic, 1920s-era cottage offers a cozy ambiance, a fresh take on Florida-inspired cuisine and an impressive beer and wine selection. Their pies consistently win national awards.

Something like Asian-Southern fusion, with meals ranging from spicy grits with shrimp to hoisin-glazed pork chop.

This picture postcard setting is ideal for enjoying vintage Florida food—and views. The Star Fish runs a commercial fishing business, so the fish you eat here is flopping fresh. The cornmeal hush puppies pop with sweet corn goodness in your mouth.

This newly opened café on Upper Main Street, across from the Hollywood 20 movie theater, offers diners affordable, authentic dishes from the Sicily region of Italy, such as eggplant Parmigiana, rice balls, fresh seafood, pastas and homemade desserts like cannoli, tiramisu and profiteroles.

Tarpon Pointe Grill offers casual waterfront dining island energy–thanks in part to its popular tiki bar. The menu spans wings and burgers to seafood entrées like crab-stuffed flounder.

This classic café/diner offers seven days of breakfast and lunch and lots of friendly service. If you’re in the mood for something really special, try the crab eggs benedict or the Longboat Key omelet (salmon, cream cheese and chives).

Starring lobster (and mussels) in all incarnations, sinfully rich lobster bisque, carnivore offerings and an extensive wine list. The Lemon Sole Francaise is also spectacular.

Flip-flops and bathing suits are welcome on the outdoor deck; the inside dining room offers more formal service. The infinite menu offers unfussy Florida fare with an emphasis on fresh seafood. The selection of tropical cocktails is dazzling.

The addition of a popular Sunday brunch takes this restaurant’s menu to new heights–think quinoa pancakes with guava-honey butter, Nantucket Bay scallop risotto and poached duck egg with potato hash. You can’t beat the creekside dining experience, either.

Exquisite views of Tampa Bay and the Skyway Bridge? Check. Inspired wine and beer selection? Check. Progressive menu featuring a bounty of local fish, produce and meats? Check. Al fresco dining? Yep. Don’t miss the wine tastings, May through November.

This popular spot serves breakfast and lunch daily–think eggs, waffles, pancakes and breakfast wraps, as well as hearty sandwiches and salads.

Don’t let Tommy Bahama’s association with its sister clothing store fool you: This restaurant stands on its own (in a lovely two-story building, at that), and the food is very good. Start with the delicious (and fun to say) Loki-Loki Tuna Poke, then take your pick from the list of entrees, which strikes the perfect balance between land and sea. Be sure to save room for the famous pina colada cake, too—you won’t regret it.

Holding court in The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Treviso redefines museum dining with its exquisite blend of classic Italian and American cuisine based on seasonal offerings, and its cool, minimalist décor. The patio dining area boasts an outdoor view of the Ringling grounds.

Featuring dishes from Mexico and the American Southwest with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The salsa, guacamole and flour tortillas are housemade daily. Signature dishes include the steak tortillas, the shrimp chipotle and the ancho- and cumin-encrusted salmon. Full bar.

Vizen is celebrating years of excellence in perfection and uniqueness. If you are a real lover of real sushi edo style and have an understanding of the flavors, presentation, and mastery of Chef Matsu, this is the place to be.

The massive menu of no-nonsense, hearty fare will force you to loosen your belt a notch. Indulge in platefuls of Amish quesadillas, Hungarian goulash and Southern-style fried fish fingers. Save room for a bite of their famous pies.

Yummy House has arrives and it’s enjoying instant popularity thanks to its authentic food–salt and pepper calamari, shrimp and scallops in XO sauce and Hong Kong roasted duck. Dim sum and lunch, too.

Italian-American-Asian fusion? Yup–it works! On the creative menu you’ll find Shanghai shrimp with wasabi aioli, a bevy of flatbreads and pasta options like Gorgonzola cream sauce and toasted hazelnuts. Gluten-free options available, too.