Toast to the Coast: Outdoor Dining on the Water in Sarasota

Maybe your ideal beach vacation includes parasailing and jet skis, or maybe you like to relax and unwind with a great book by the water’s edge. Either way, one thing is clear: you are here to maximize your time near the water, and we are here to help.

Stopping for nourishment doesn’t have to cut into your coastal fun, which is why we’ve compiled a list of waterfront restaurants with the best outdoor dining. Enjoy a drink and meal in the salty air without ever taking your eyes off the sea.

Evie's on the Bay - Osprey

Located on the edge of Little Sarasota Bay, Evie’s on the Bay offers unbeatable sunset views paired with laid-back vibes and a menu of casual American fare. On the ground floor of its three-story restaurant, find its lively tiki bar setting where you can grab a burger or some peel-and-eat shrimp, sip on a cold draft beer and soak in the waterfront breeze under the canopy of palm trees. On cooler evenings in the winter, cozy up by one of the two fire pits.

The Monkey Bar - St. Regis LBK, Longboat Key

Sleek, stylish and perched just steps from the Gulf, The Monkey Bar at the new St. Regis LBK Resort brings beachfront elegance to your cocktail hour. Expect hand-crafted drinks, light bites and next-level views under its shaded patio bar—perfect for a luxe Longboat Key lunch or sunset toast (guest or not of the five-star resort). 

Fins at Sharky's and Sharky’s on the Pier - Venice Beach

Located at the south end of Venice Island, Fins at Sharky’s (and neighboring sister restaurant Sharky’s on the Pier) are the only restaurants in Sarasota County located directly on the Gulf of Mexico. Take in the sea breeze and unobstructed views of aqua-blue water while sipping a perfectly crafted cocktail. 

Fins specializes in elevated coastal cuisine, with highlights including the Tuna Tacos, anything from the raw bar and stone crab claws. Make time to walk the sandy beach or the Venice Fishing Pier—both just steps away—after lunch or dinner for some picture-taking or to witness one of the locals reeling in their next catch.

Rufa - The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

Elevated coastal cuisine meets high-end design at Rufa, the stunning waterside dining experience at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Savor modern, shareable plates and imaginative cocktails in plush outdoor lounge chairs, with hanging lights and fire pits to set the mood. No matter the time of day, Rufa's panoramic views of the resort's grand architecture and marina are something worth seeing, offering a truly refined way to unwind. 

The Old Salty Dog - City Island, Lido Key

No trip to Sarasota County would be complete without a trip to The Old Salty Dog on Lido Key's City Island. It’s no local secret that they serve up one of the best Bloody Marys in town, and is the perfect spot to anchor and dine outside after a day of boating and sandbar-hopping. 

The menu is rife with classics like peel-and-eat shrimp, fish and chips and conch fritters, but they are nationally known for their “Salty Dog," a quarter-pound hot dog deep fried to golden brown and served on a bun. Wash it down with a local brew or two while watching the pelicans hang out on the docks and the boats head in and out of the channel.

Ophelia’s on the Bay - Siesta Key

If you’re searching for some waterfront sophistication on your trip, look no further than Ophelia’s on the Bay. A romantic favorite on Siesta Key, Ophelia’s delivers fine dining with a front-row seat to the Intracoastal Waterway.

Diners enjoy artful dishes on the candlelit patio featuring seasonal seafood, prime meats and a deep wine list—all in an intimate, waterside setting. Fresh-caught, local seafood is artfully curated into palate-pleasing entrees, and their extensive wine list is second-to-none. Reservations are a must, especially for an outdoor table, so you can take in the sea breeze and be one with the water.

Dry Dock Waterfront Grill and Chart House - Longboat Key

Dry Dock Waterfront Grill on the very south end of Longboat Key has Sarasota County’s very best lobster roll. Served on a classic split roll and grilled to perfection, the Lobster Roll will make any New Englander homesick. Aside from their lobster rolls, Dry Dock has a variety of sandwiches, soups, salads and more to suit everyone’s preferences, and wonderful pasta dishes chock-full of fresh seafood.

Across the street, Chart House's fine dining room and terrace seating provide spectacular views of New Pass and the Gulf of Mexico alongside its surf-and-turf menu, curated wine list and elegant decor. 

O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill and Marina Jack - Sarasota

When you imagine grabbing some fried seafood, a frozen drink and priceless views on your tropical vacation, the ambiance at O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill is exactly what comes to mind. This casual, family-friendly hangout is a fixture in Bayfront Park near downtown Sarasota, making it the perfect stop for lunch or dinner during a day exploring near the city. Though it's not on a beach, O'Leary's outdoor picnic and high-top tables are still set in a cool layer of sand, so feel free to ditch those flip-flops anyway. The full-service tiki bar and endless views of sailboats in the mooring field make this a popular hangout for locals and visitors alike.

Just a stone's throw away, Marina Jack offers a more elevated experience with a similar backdrop of Sarasota Bay. Reserve a dockside table at its recently renovated Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill or sit at the outdoor bar to meet fellow yachters and boaters while dining al fresco in an upscale-casual environment and enjoying your favorite tropical beverage.

Pop's Sunset Grill - Nokomis

Pop's Sunset Grill is hard to miss if you're boating your way down Sarasota Bay past Casey Key. Right as you come under the south bridge to the key, you'll spot the massive tiki hut and probably a line of boats parked and waiting for their captains to return from a delicious meal. 

Almost all seating is outdoor seating with an open-air concept that allows guests to watch manatees and dolphins swim in the turquoise water, listen to live bands play classic covers or hang out around fire pits under the night sky.

Dockside Waterfront Grill - Venice

Located at the historic Fisherman's Wharf Marina, Dockside Waterfront Grill serves up seafood and a sunset impeccably. This local gem is a favorite amongst Venice locals and traveling boaters/fishermen alike. A true dock-and-dine destination, this Old Florida gem offers an open-air tiki vibe with hanging lights, live music and fresh-from-the-boat seafood platters. Easygoing maritime fun is found year-round here—and outdoor dining hugging the harbor is the only way to go.