Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Sarasota / Bradenton

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Sarasota / Bradenton? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Sophie's at Saks Fifth Avenue- Sarasota

4.9

4.9 (733)

$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

Chrisvip

Dined 2 days ago

This is by far the best hidden lunch spot in Sarasota. The entire staff is amazing and the ever changing menu is always exciting to explore.

Roessler's

4.9

4.9 (1835)

$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

Tom

Dined 1 day ago

The escargo were perfectly cooked, great tasting. Crispy lobster tail was very good, & the aioli excellent. For mains we did Steak Diane & the duck. 3 thin filet slices, hard to cook rare, but tender & tasty. Duck very good, & good portion

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Popular dish

Wiener Schnitzel Holstein

Popular dish

Steak Diane

The Park Grille

4.8

4.8 (240)

$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

Art

Dined 2 days ago

This is the best Sunday buffet in the Sarasota area. The food is very good a very big selection and well worth the price they charge it’s a great way to spend Sunday

Ophelia's on the Bay

4.8

4.8 (6238)

$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

mary ellen

Dined 4 days ago

Attention to detail! They care about their menu and the customer. Our server was very informed of the menu. Beautiful surroundings. A must on the key!

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Jumbo Lump Blue Crab Cakes

Michael's On East

4.8

4.8 (5568)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Serving "inspired cuisine" since 1987, the celebrated Michael’s On East restaurant takes fine dining to another level, offering award-winning cuisine and outstanding service, in an exceptional 1940s supper club atmosphere. Michael's On East has been inducted into Nation's Restaurant News Fine Dining Hall of Fame and recently received their 34th consecutive AAA Four-Diamond Award. The 350+ bottle wine list has been awarded the Best of Award of Excellence by the Wine Spectator!

Upon entering the dining room, you are immediately dazzled by the plush design and inspired décor. The restaurant’s intimate aura, along with its contemporary flare, world-class wine cellar and incomparable service, create an unparalleled dining experience.

Michael's Lounge, complete with a grand piano, is a guest favorite with its signature cocktails and award winning wine selection.

Michael’s Atrium for outdoor dining is a stunning glass-covered, plant-filled courtyard with a beautiful flowing fountain.

Top review

ANNIvip

Dined 3 days ago

As usual Michael’s was amazing. The food, the service and the ambiance was just perfect. That’s why we’ve been coming here for many years.

Lila

4.8

4.8 (1179)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Lila (pronounced lee-lah) means creative play. Lila is a spontaneous, playful, organic, healthy, mostly vegetable restaurant which does serve sustainable meats.

Top review

Tommy

Dined 2 days ago

This place is always excellent, the service is outstanding and the food is really good

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Popular dish

Mushroom Burger

Libby's - Sarasota

4.7

4.7 (3920)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Open in Sarasota since May of 2019, the Libby's space is open, modern & minimalist. Delicious menu items, sophisticated wine and daily specials are at the core of all that we do! Cozy bar area, weekday happy hour specials, and a private dining room are some of the unique features at our Sarasota location.

Top review

john

Dined 5 days ago

Everyone was very friendly. The food was outstanding as always. You can always count on Libby's to be the best.

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Popular dish

Chocolate Decadence Cake

Riviera Dunes Dockside

4.3

4.3 (934)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Palmetto

About the restaurant

Beautiful award-winning waterfront restaurant at the Riviera Dunes Marina in Palmetto next to the convention center. Featuring fresh seafood and other creative dishes in a casual setting, often with live music. Varied menu, affordable and with something for everyone.

Indoor and outdoor seating available. Our large patio is on the water at the marina and offers views of beautiful boats and sunsets. In addition to our reservable area is our large outdoor bar space with 1st come, 1st serve seating.

Inside are two dining rooms, another bar and a reservable "Captains Room" that seats 20 (Call for reservations on this)

We can accommodate groups of most sizes but please call for groups of 8 or more.

Top review

Kathy

Dined 5 days ago

What a wonderful Thanksgiving we had! We had a beautiful view from our table, our server was outstanding, the food was amazing! I couldn’t ask for a better day! We will definitely be back! Looking forward coming for dinner during the Christmas holidays here! I highly recommend this restaurant!

PIER 22

4.7

4.7 (5912)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Bradenton

About the restaurant

PIER 22 is Bradenton's historic waterfront destination. For over four decades, our restaurant has been the go-to spot for fine dining, stunning Manatee River views, and a modern and classic menu that will leave a lasting impression. We take pride in our from-scratch approach to cooking and believe that cuisine is an art form that should be shared with our guests. Our skilled chefs craft every dish with passion and elegance, ensuring each plate is bursting with rich, indulgent flavors.

Indulge in our menu favorites like the Jumbo Lobster Tail, Pork Osso Bucco, and Prime Rib, all of which are sure to satisfy your cravings. Whether you're joining us for a special occasion or a night out with friends, we promise a memorable dining experience that will leave you wanting more.

Join us for a taste of excellence and indulge in our award-winning cuisine, served with breathtaking views of the Manatee River.

Top review

Pat

Dined 1 day ago

One of our favorite places to dine. Food is always well prepared and presented. Service is outstanding, along with the view.

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Kona Grill - Sarasota

3.7

3.7 (1389)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Welcome to Kona Grill Sarasota at the Mall at University Town Center. Kona Grill is a classic American Grill with great steak and seafood - complemented by the best choice of sushi and margaritas at any grill in America. Kona Grill features a global menu of contemporary American favorites, award-winning sushi, and specialty craft cocktails in a polished, casual atmosphere. From brunch & lunch to dinner & happy hour, the restaurant offers a range of freshly prepared dishes from the grill, seasonal menu items and fan-favorite dishes across all dayparts. Kona Grill offers both indoor and outdoor patio dining at all its locations, $3, $6, $9 happy hour offered weekdays & NEW weekend brunch, guided by a passion for quality food and exceptional service.

Top review

Leslie

Dined 5 days ago

Our server, Sophia was the sweetest throughout the entire meal. Most of us had the Lemon Garlic Penne Pasta with shrimp and it was delicious! We were there on Thanksgiving but enjoyed having both turkey and many other items to choose from. One of our favorites for the holidays!

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Experience

Taste of Kona: 3-Course Prix Fixe Menu

Experience

Sushi Sundays at Kona Grill

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