11 of the Best Lido Key Restaurants
Food is an integral part of any vacation, and the dining scene in Sarasota is simply stunning. Seafood, pasta, tropical drinks, Cuban sandwiches, steaks, and more adorn the menus of local eateries, but you’ll find some of the best selections in the area at the collection of restaurants on Lido Key! If you want to explore more excellent dining options, attractions, and events in and around Sarasota, request access to our free Destination Guide!
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The Top Lido Key Restaurants
Fine Dining
Tommy Bahama’s
Tommy Bahama’s incorporates the retail store’s island style into an array of delectable dishes in St. Armands Circle. Here, you can indulge in tasty lunch and dinner options like ahi tuna bowls, macadamia nut crusted snapper, and coconut crusted crab cakes! The happy hour is great too!
Cafe L’Europe
Cafe L’Europe is one of the top fine dining restaurants on Lido Key. The richly decorated interior is the perfect place for a romantic date night in St. Armands Circle. Lunch outside is a treat too!
Crab & Fin
The Crab & Fin is one of the best places to indulge in fresh seafood if you’re in the mood for fresh fish, oysters, crab or lobster. This Lido Key restaurant offers guests a wide variety of local fish and shellfish like Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and Florida Keys Lobster.
Blu Kouzina
Blue and white accents adorn this Greek restaurant in St. Armands Circle. Blu Kouzina serves up Mediterranean favorites like hummus, souvlakia wraps, kebabs, and feta-stuffed vegetables. The bright and friendly atmosphere is relaxing after a long day at the beach!
Columbia
The Columbia Restaurant, established in 1905, on Lido Key is one of the top dining destinations in the area. With its beautiful interior and excellent location in St. Armands Circle, we recommend that you treat yourself to a meal here at least once during your visit. Order their melty Cuban sandwich with the “1905” salad and Spanish bean soup—a local favorite! And during their season, stone crabs are a must!
Shore
Open air dining allows you to take a deep breath of fresh coastal air as you sample an assortment of top-notch seafood at Shore! Order some parmesan truffle fries for the table before digging into some pan seared red snapper, all while enjoying a blood orange margarita. After you finish your meal, head down to their store to do a little shopping before heading back to the beach!
Casual Dining
Old Salty Dog
The Old Salty Dog is one of the few waterfront restaurants on Lido Key. Spend a warm and sunny afternoon here taking in the views while sipping an ice-cold beer and digging into some tasty peel & eat shrimp!
Cha Cha Coconuts
Tacos, sandwiches, and tropical drinks are the highlights of this casual Lido Key restaurant! Cha Cha Coconuts offers a relaxed island atmosphere where you can sit back and sip a brightly colored cocktail while biting into a tasty fish taco or a refreshing slice of Key Lime Pie. Outside seating is available.
Surf Shack
This hip and trendy yet casual restaurant features fish right off the boat in a variety of preparations. You can sit out on the Surf Shack patio for some prime people-watching in St. Armands Circle as you enjoy freshly prepared diver scallops, coconut shrimp, or a plate of their gourmet tacos!
Venezia
Italian food is the name of the game at Venezia, where over 20 pizzas, a wide variety of pasta dishes, and other Italian specialties highlight their extensive and tasty menu! Enjoy your meal sitting at a bistro-style sidewalk table.
Speak’s Clam Bar
Speak’s Clam Bar is one of the newest restaurants on Lido Key, but the homemade pasta, craft cocktails, and fresh seafood make it a must-visit for great, local Italian food!
Book Your Sarasota Getaway
Florida Vacation Connection is your key to the perfect Florida Gulf Coast vacation! Our selection of private home and condo rentals offers you a variety of options for your stay on Lido Key or Longboat Key. Whether you stay at a canal-side house or a beachfront condo, you’re never far from all of the best things to do in the area!
Are you ready to start planning the beach vacation of a lifetime? Book one of our rentals today! We look forward to welcoming you to the Florida Vacation Connection family!