Traveler's Guide to St. Armands Circle on Lido Key

Retail therapy, wildlife viewing, gourmet dining and Gulf-side relaxation come together on Lido Key and St. Armands Circle. Powdery sand invites beachgoers to dig for shells, while diverse flavors tempt every palate. Explore mangroves, shop local boutiques and discover the area’s rich circus history.

Dining

Columbia Restaurant

Serving locals and visitors since 1905, Florida’s oldest restaurant serves the Hernandez-Gonzmart family recipes in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Columbia Restaurant offers all manner of mouthwatering Spanish delicacies, but highlights include Cuban black bean soup, paella, a variety of tapas and the TikTok-favorite Columbia's Original "1905" Salad®.

Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar

Fan of Tommy Bahama’s elevated island style? Dine at the brand’s Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar. The menu features handcrafted cocktails and Caribbean-inspired fare, and the restaurant’s décor is as elegant yet low-key as the wardrobe options. Don’t miss the world-famous coconut shrimp!

Cha Cha Coconuts

Savor your meal with a side of live music at Cha Cha Coconuts. The island-inspired menu includes Bahamian conch fritters, Jamaican jerk chicken tacos, chipotle shrimp tostada and delicious tropical cocktails.

Speaks Clam Bar

At Speaks Clam Bar, guests find themselves transported to Prohibition-era New York, where the clams are fresh and the drinks are strong. Start with a classic shrimp cocktail, served with Speaks’ cocktail sauce, then enjoy Clams on the Half Casino—topped with seasoned bread crumbs, smoked bacon and shallots.  

Café on St. Armands

Courtesy photo

Café on St. Armands serves Mediterranean reimagined. Split small plates like chicken souvlaki and eggplant caponata or dips like baba ghanoush and citrus-whipped ricotta, then order a piled-high handheld like French onion sliders or Moroccan hot-honey sliders, with a side of patatas bravas.

Daiquiri Deck

The Daiquiri Deck offers more than fruity frozen beverages, although the daiquiri options are plentiful. Try the gator bites: tender Florida alligator hand-breaded and fried to a golden crisp, with orange habanero remoulade for dipping. And don’t forget to sample daiquiri flavors like tart electric lemonade or sweet piña colada.

Crab & Fin

Courtesy photo

Open since 1978 and remodeled in 2024, Crab & Fin serves just-caught seafood, premium meats and a selection of soups and salads. Start with Point Judith all-natural calamari (flash-fried and served with a sesame-soy emulsion), then indulge in a whole Key West yellowtail snapper, crispy fried whole with grilled baby bok choy, hoisin and serrano chili. The wine list here is as curated as the menu, and the craft cocktails—like the Pineapple Drop, a nod to Sarasota’s New Year’s Eve tradition—blend classic spirits with modern flavors.

The Old Salty Dog

Enjoy a meal on City Island at The Old Salty Dog—an eatery that dates back nearly three decades. The restaurant combines the ambiance of the Florida Keys with a little British flair. We dare you to try the “Salty Dog”—a deep-fried quarter-pound hot dog.

Shopping

When the sun descends into the Gulf, beachgoers retreat from the sand of Lido Beach and head to St. Armands Circle hotspots for tropical cocktails, exquisite dinners, boutique shopping and live acoustic island tunes. There’s also a historical component to the Circle: the “Ring of Fame,” established in 1987 at the central Circle Park, honors circus legends and their contributions to the art.

Clothing & Accessory Boutiques 

St. Armands Circle boutiques and clothing shops are plentiful, each with its own curated collection. Binjara Traders, nestled next to the Daiquiri Deck, stocks clothing, jewelry and accessories from around the world. From free-flowing Moroccan fabrics to Italian linens, Binjara Traders offers a global shopping experience from the comfort of Lido Key.

Breezin’ Up makes Sarasota-themed leisurewear for men, women and children, as well as accessories. The SRQ embroidered baseball cap is a perennial favorite. National brand Lilly Pulitzer also has a store on St. Armands, selling colorful wardrobe staples, and Kismet SRQ offers women’s modern resort wear, along with bathing suits from Frankies Bikinis. And from the golf course to the garden, Island Pursuits carries laid-back, comfortably stylish everyday wear for men and women.

Jewelry Stores

Master goldsmith Stephen Cole Powell has been crafting fine jewelry since 1974, and his work is on display at Jewelry by Cole, which also stocks quality designs from around the country. The Giving Tree Gallery is a treasure trove of jewelry, home decor and gifts. Browse designs by Monica Rich Kosann, UNOde50, Freida Rothman and more. Simona Jewelry spotlights the Caribbean’s rare blue gemstone, Larimar, in stunning necklaces, earrings, bracelets and even home decor.

Specialty Shops

St. Armands Circle’s specialty shops range from artisan teas and salts at Spice & Tea Exchange to hand-rolled cigars at Bennington Tobacconist. Cariloha sells eco-friendly bedding and mattresses made from soft, cool green bamboo, and Garden Argosy’s shelves are stocked with rare books, artwork, homemade soaps, baby clothes and other treasures. Hot sauce lovers, don't miss Pepper Palace for a variety of hot sauces with spice levels from mild to extreme!

Parks

Ken Thompson Park

A waterfront park with boardwalks, mangroves and tidal marsh restoration areas, Ken Thompson Park is a favored area for sailors. Perfect for canoe and kayak launching, the park offers a boat ramp and a fishing pier, as well as a playground, picnic pavilion and walking trails.

Ted Sperling Park

Also known as South Lido Beach, Ted Sperling Park is located at the southern tip of Lido Key and has a tree canopy, lush vegetation, picnic tables and a playground. The park is designed more for gathering and playing on land than for a full beach immersion, due to the swift current created by the convergence of four bodies of water.

Attractions

Art Galleries

St. Armands Circle is also home to several art galleries. Art on St. Armands Circle, A Procaccini Gallery features Florida-based and international artists and photographers. Stop by on select dates for Mimosa Sundays and Meet the Artist events. Wyland Gallery Sarasota’s curated collection features marine-inspired paintings, blown glass and sculptures, plus work from global artists. The Stadium Gallery is a must-see destination for sports fans. Browse high-quality prints featuring favorite baseball, basketball, football, hockey and college teams.

Lido Beach

About a half-mile southwest of St. Armands Circle in Sarasota, the main stretch of Lido Beach and its Public Pavilion offers more than 3,000 feet of white sand, picnic tables, lifeguards, a concession stand for food and drink, showers and restrooms. Find a canoe/kayak launch and trail on the bay side of the key!

Arcade Monsters

Pinball enthusiasts, Skee-Ball connoisseurs and racing-game aficionados, head to Arcade Monsters on St. Armands Circle. The arcade features two floors of retro arcade classics, pinball machines, experiential games, and rhythm games and consoles. Sip specialty drinks and enjoy comfort food while you explore everything Arcade Monsters has to offer.

Save Our Seabirds

Save Our Seabirds is a wildlife conservation organization on Sarasota’s City Island. More than 100 birds call the facility home, and visitors can learn about their rehabilitation at the Wild Bird Learning Center and along the Birdwalk.

Nearby Hotels

Lido Beach Resort

Looking to spend the weekend in pure relaxation? Book a room at Lido Beach’s most luxurious resort. Lido Beach Resort offers coastal-chic accommodations with private balconies, and the private, secluded beach features 300 feet of powdered-sugar sand. Sip cocktails poolside at its giant tiki bar, or enjoy an elegant dinner with a view on the eighth floor’s Drift Kitchen & Bar.

Cirque St. Armands Beachside

Courtesy photo

Cirque St. Armands Beachside pays homage to the city’s circus roots, while providing exceptional hospitality, food and beverage, and unforgettable accommodations. Guests at the Cirque can access Lido Beach Resort’s private beach, and St. Armands Circle is just minutes away. Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner at Ringside, the hotel’s photo-worthy restaurant serving chef-crafted specialties like the Cirque Seafood Tower.