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're here to maximize your time near the water, and we're 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 with 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 peel-and-eat shrimp, sip on a cold draft beer and soak in the waterfront breeze under a canopy of palm trees. On cooler evenings, cozy up by one of the two fire pits.

The Monkey Bar at St. Regis LBK, Longboat Key

Sleek, stylish and perched just steps from the Gulf, The Monkey Bar at 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. 

Fins at Sharky's & 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 located directly on the Gulf. 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, a 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 at 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 at 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 secret that they serve up one of the best Bloody Marys in town, and it's 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 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 & Chart House, Longboat Key

Dry Dock Waterfront Grill on the 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. The restaurant also has a variety of sandwiches, soups, salads and more, as well as 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.

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 a line of boats waiting for their captains to return from a delicious meal. 

Almost all seating is al fresco, allowing 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 and fishermen. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best waterfront restaurant in Sarasota for sunset views?

Several spots are known for standout sunsets, including Evie's on the Bay in Osprey and The Monkey Bar at the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, both of which offer unobstructed water views paired with outdoor seating.

Are there waterfront restaurants in Sarasota that are family-friendly?

Yes — spots like O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill and The Old Salty Dog offer casual, laid-back outdoor seating and classic menus that work well for families and groups.

Can I dock my boat and dine at these waterfront restaurants?

Many of them are true dock-and-dine spots, including Pop's Sunset Grill, Dockside Waterfront Grill and Marina Jack, all of which welcome boaters pulling up directly from the water.

Which Sarasota restaurants offer fine dining with waterfront views?

Ophelia's on the Bay on Siesta Key and Rufa at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota both pair elevated, chef-driven menus with waterside outdoor seating for a more upscale dining experience.

Is outdoor waterfront dining available in Sarasota year-round?

Yes — Sarasota's warm climate supports outdoor dining throughout the year, though many restaurants add fire pits or heaters for cooler winter evenings, so guests can enjoy the water view in any season.