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Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Sarasota / Bradenton

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OpenTable
Updated March 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Sarasota / Bradenton? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!


A photo of Sage SRQ restaurant
4.8
4.8 (1827)
$31 to $50
Global, International
Sarasota
About the restaurant
Sage is Sarasota’s premier dining destination, providing inspirational cuisine and original craft cocktails in an unforgettable setting. Award-winning Chef Christopher Covelli and his team curate seasonal menus, highlighting flavorful culinary creations from around the world. As a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence recipient, Sage also offers an extensive wine list. Housed in the stunning historic Sarasota Times building, Sage's decor and attention to detail is mirrored in the food and service they provide. Sage's rooftop bar provides a serene setting for viewing some of Sarasota's spectacular sunsets.
Top review
WilliamVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Superb service, food and cocktails in a fabulous setting.
A photo of Pietro's Italian Restaurant restaurant
4.9
4.9 (703)
$31 to $50
Italian
Sarasota
About the restaurant
Italian Restaurant& wine bar in Sarasota. Where you are a stranger only once.
His philosophy served him well with his previous Sarasota businesses. Café Gabbiano located on Siesta Key was originated by the Migliaccio family in 2003 where is four sons grew in and out of the restaurant business.
A second venture in downtown Sarasota was opened and designed by Pietro in 2012 named Casantica, a small old house converted to a quaint homey restaurant. Both restaurants are now under new ownership.
Now, this small intimate place is where I can have fun serving and meeting new friends. Benvenuti.



Top review
RobertVIP
Dined 4 days ago
An outstanding meal. The veal chop parmigiana was certainly the finest tasting and most tender veal I have had in over 50 years of Italian dining. Great atmosphere and extremely pleasant staff.
A photo of Bruschetta Fine Italian Cuisine restaurant
4.8
4.8 (69)
$31 to $50
Italian
Gulf Gate Estates
About the restaurant
At Bruschetta Fine Italian Cuisine , our history is rooted in family and tradition. Our recipes have been passed down for generations, and we take great pride in using authentic ingredients and techniques to create the flavors of Italy. From our humble beginnings in a small kitchen in Rome to our bustling restaurant today, we've always stayed true to our roots.

Top review
Kurt
Dined on Feb 18, 2025
Amazing authentic Italian cuisine and atmosphere....
A photo of Dry Dock Waterfront Grill restaurant
4.8
4.8 (9638)
$31 to $50
Seafood
Longboat Key
About the restaurant
The Dry Dock Waterfront Grill is a “polished casual” restaurant over looking Sarasota Bay. We are located at the south end of Longboat Key behind the gas station. We are north of St. Armand’s Circle, and minutes from downtown Sarasota. Best known for Local Fresh Grouper and Red Snapper. Enjoy the second story dining area with a panaramic view of the bay, or enjoy dining outdoors on our dockside patio.
Top review
TerryVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Wonderful service, beautiful surroundings and terrific food.
A photo of The Park Grille restaurant
4.8
4.8 (287)
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Sarasota
About the restaurant
Discover the crown jewel of the University Park Country Club, The Park Grille, where you can indulge in gourmet dining while enjoying stunning views of the 9th and 18th greens and a serene, shimmering lake. Celebrated by Sarasota Magazine as the "Best of the Best Restaurant with a View," The Park Grille's renowned Sunday Brunch Buffet has also been honored by Sarasota Magazine, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and SRQ Magazine readers.

Dining Options:
Lunch: Open to the public daily from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. Please note that Mondays feature a lunch buffet only.
Sunday Brunch Buffet: Available every Sunday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

**Dinner service is exclusively for MEMBERS.**

Dress Code:
To ensure an elegant dining experience, proper attire is required. Blue denim, cut-offs, tank tops, and workout attire are not permitted in the dining room.

Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 6 days ago
Absolutely lovely Brunch! The selection was a perfect combination of breakfast and lunch choices. The food was delicious and unlike most Brunches the food was hot! Our server Madison was attentive and very pleasant. Highly recommend.
A photo of Roessler's restaurant
4.9
4.9 (1911)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Sarasota
About the restaurant
WE CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOU!
PLEASE NOTE WE CAN NOT ACCEPT RESERVATIONS FOR OUTSIDE DINING, PARTIES OVER 6, OR HOLIDAYS THROUGH OPEN TABLE. PLEASE CALL THE RESTAURANT IF YOUR TIME IS NOT AVAILABLE. THANK YOU!!! 941 966 5688

Top review
MeadVIP
Dined 3 days ago
Everything was delicious! The rack of lamb was the best we ever had. I highly recommend it. The service was also excellent. It’s our very favorite restaurant.
A photo of Rumours Wine Bar restaurant
4.7
4.7 (125)
$31 to $50
Wine Bar
Englewood
About the restaurant
Rumours Wine Bar was brought to life from a vision that began back in 2019 in our living room. Dana had recently resigned from her Wine Sales position and wasn’t sure what she wanted to do next. She had always dreamed of opening her own Wine bar so we created our logo, our name, and our brand and simply followed our heart. We opened as a retail store in January 2020 and pivoted when the Pandemic started by creating an online store and offering curbside pick-up and delivery. In September 2020, we passed our final inspections and received our beer and wine license for “on-premise” consumption as well as a restaurant license. We have not slowed down since. We have won numerous awards from our local community including 2022 and 2023 "Best Local Cheers Bar." Our mission at Rumours Wine Bar is to simply embrace intellectual stimulation linked to wine in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined on Feb 8, 2025
Wine Club tasting was great. Pairings of food with wines were spot on. New owners are keeping the vibe that Rumours is known for.
A photo of La Violetta Restaurant restaurant
4.8
4.8 (1127)
$30 and under
Italian
Sarasota
About the restaurant
Intimate and designed to provide a rustic Italian experience. Buonissimo!
Top review
KarenO
Dined 2 days ago
Both the food and service were excellent. The pace was nice and our server had good suggestions. Highly recommend the duck ravioli with orange butter sauce and the panna cotta di gorgonzola. Both had perfectly balanced combinations of flavors.
A photo of Ophelia's on the Bay restaurant
4.7
4.7 (6403)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Siesta Key
About the restaurant
Ophelia's on the Bay is one of Sarasota’s premier fine dining waterfront restaurants. Enjoy beautiful vistas of Little Sarasota Bay, from the floor-to-ceiling windows that line the dining room. Or join us for al fresco dining on our open-air patio, as the dolphins and manatee swim by. Winner of many awards both locally and nationally, including an Excellence rating from Zagat as well as being listed as the number one restaurant in America in Power and Motoryacht Magazine for dock and dine. Ophelia's on the Bay has also been voted most romantic, best waterfront and best restaurant with a view by its loyal customers. The menu changes nightly using fresh and seasonal ingredients, fresh fish flown in from all over the world and specialty meats. There is certainly something for every palate! We feature an extensive wine list, specialty martinis, as well as a full bar. Family owned and operated for over 22 years, we have an experienced staff that prides itself on exemplary service.
Top review
OpenTable DinerVIP
Dined 4 days ago
Excelente food and amazing service with an inviting atmosphere. Highly recommended.
A photo of Sophie's at Saks Fifth Avenue- Sarasota restaurant
4.9
4.9 (749)
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Sarasota
About the restaurant
Sophie's offers globally influenced yet decidedly American cuisine in a luxurious intimate setting featuring an outdoor terrace, open kitchen and private dining area. Sophie's dining experience captures the style and elegance of Saks Fifth Avenue, with a passionate focus on outstanding food and drink. Sophie's Chef Andrew Thompson changes his innovative menu seasonally using the best locally-sourced ingredients. The menu is complemented by a selection of craft cocktails and a thoughtfully curated wine list.
Top review
MoniqueVIP
Dined 2 days ago
Delicious lunch with my friend at Sophie. Our waitress Madison was perfect.
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