Spice Up Your Summer: Make It a "Spicy" Trip in Sarasota

Whether you're looking for a spicy dish or cocktail, or just want an experience that feels spicier than your daily grind, you can find it under the Sarasota summer sun!

Agave Bandido

Agave Bandido welcomes you to try its South Florida-inspired Mexican restaurant and tequila bar. Newly opened in the lively, lakeside community of Waterside Place, find flavorful food blended with newer culinary approaches. Whether you want Steak Fajitas, Ceviche, Pulpo Bandido (fire-roasted octopus tentacle), or something else entirely, your servers or bartenders can guide you on any additional fiery touches to make with your order. Add on a Spicy Avocado Margarita with Ghost Tequila or Fueguito cocktail with jalopeños and a Tajin rim for lip-smacking beverages. 

Circo

Come to Circo for the tacos ala carte and pitchers of margaritas, and stay for the fun loungey atmosphere. Circo livens up downtown Sarasota with regular BOGO and happy hour deals. Enjoy their unique artisan taco creations, like The Cubano, Birria Beef, and Thai shrimp, along with a spicy drink to wash it all down. Maybe you're craving a Jalapeño Margarita or an Angry Rooster, which features Casamigos Blanco Tequila, jalapeño, and fresh lime juice.

International Food Markets

If you're well-versed in spicy flavors and ingredients from cuisines around the world, then you may be content to go right to the local supermarkets where you can buy peppers, dried or ground spices/seasonings, and other ingredients to cook up your own fiesta. The Sarasota area has many different international markets you can try. One such market is Latin Brother's Supermarket, featuring products from Argentina, Colombia, Peru, and other Latin countries. Meanwhile, La Primavera Supermarket & Restaurant specializes in Mexican ingredients and foods. For Asian spices and specialties, try Vung Tau Oriental Market or Phuoc Loc Tho Oriental Supermarket. 

Latin Quarters & LQ on Main

If you're looking to try some authentic Puerto Rican food and partake in some Latin dancing, then head on over to Latin Quarters. Try tostones (fried green plantains), Steak Mofongo (described as "mashed plantains with steak, garlic, olive oil, and mom's seasoning"), or Arroz Con Pollo (chicken with rice). Latin Quarters also features some dishes from other Latin American countries. Its sister restaurant in downtown Sarasota, LQ on Main, also serves food and features live music and a dance floor for Latin dancing several nights a week.

Maemi Peruvian Restaurant

Peruvian food offers a lot of stand-out dishes, thanks to the country's focus on its cuisine. One simple and spicy pleasure that Peruvians enjoy on a hot summer day is ceviche, a cold fish dish flavored with lime juice, aji (similar to a Habanero pepper), salt, and onion—where you can crank up the heat, so to speak, as much as you desire. Maemi bills its ceviche as the best in town. Enjoy it with a Peruvian beer or another cold drink of your choice.

Pepper Palace

If you're a hot sauce fan, Pepper Palace is a must-see when you're in town. Located in the popular St. Armands Circle shopping district, Pepper Palace features small-batch, handcrafted hot sauces, salsas, and seasonings that you can use for marinades, wing sauces, glazes, or to spice up other condiments. With names like Voodoo Reaper Hot Sauce and Gator Death Roll Hot Sauce, you know you're in for a tastebud experience. Even if spicy isn't your thing, you'll also find sweet and/or savory products to peruse at this peppery paradise.

Sarasota Salsa Bachata Festival

If you know how to dance salsa and bachata, or you want to see how the pros do it, then make sure you're in town Sept. 5th through 8th for the Sarasota Salsa Bachata Festival. This special event, hosted at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota, will feature workshops, pool parties, nightly socials, and performances so you can learn and practice your best ballroom dance moves. Make sure to book your stay and buy your tickets in advance so you can stay and move a lo maxímo/to the max!

Spice Station

Prepare for the spicy sensation of Thai food at Spice Station, located in the hip Rosemary District neighborhood. While you've got your classic Thai dishes and variety of curries you can order from mild to "Thai hot", you also can keep the spice level high with signature orders like Spicy Spaghetti (featuring stir-fried Bucatini noodles with chicken and shrimp, chili peppers, basil, and onions) or Siam Chicken (breaded chicken tossed in a piquant three-flavor roasted chili sauce). Best part about Spice Station is it's a Japanese fusion restaurant—so beyond the hot menu items, you can also order sushi rolls to get your fixe. Try the Spicy Tuna roll or Tempura Jalapeno & Salmon roll for size.