Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Sarasota / Bradenton

OpenTable

Updated February 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!

Pietro's Italian Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (680)

$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

LawrenceVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Valentines Day-great table, decorated with rose petals, beautiful background music. The wait staff very friendly as was the hostess. Really nice family run restaurant, the chef owner puts a lot of love into every dish. Zero complaints with this establishment, which is rare today..highly recommend!

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Popular dish

Lasagna Marinara

Sage SRQ

4.8

4.8 (1796)

$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

NealVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Sage continues to deliver. It is absolutely now a mainstay of fine dining in Sarasota. From the interesting and inviting menu to quality servers, knowledgeable about each and every offering, to the actual food, Sage is an important asset to Sarasota and we hope it thrives into perpetuity.

Bruschetta Fine Italian Cuisine

5.0

5 (64)

$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

Kayla

Dined 3 days ago

Best Italian I have ever had. It feels homey while also being classy. The food quality is amazing! The staff was amazing. We had Prosecco, grilled octopus, and the specials dinner. Everything was truly delectable and the specials were spectacular. We will be returning and this is now our favorite Italian!

The Park Grille

4.8

4.8 (276)

$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

DeniseVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Everything I had was outstanding. I usually try to take half my meals home but I ate every bite. The atmosphere, we sat outside, was so calm and inviting.

Oyster River

4.6

4.6 (60)

$50 and over

Seafood

Palmetto

About the restaurant

Located on the 8th floor of our "Ship on Land" themed Marriott Resort and Spa, the Oyster River restaurant offers an unparalleled dining experience with spectacular views of the city skyline and marina. Guests can savor fresh oysters shucked right at the bar, complemented by an extensive selection of fine wines.

Book your reservation today and indulge in a meal that delights both the palate and the eyes—a truly must-try experience.

Top review

JASON VIP

Dined 2 days ago

An amazing restaurant experience! Drinks, food, ambience and Gabriel’s service were all top notch! We will certainly be returning again!!!

Dry Dock Waterfront Grill

4.8

4.8 (9514)

$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

Charles

Dined 4 days ago

2:30 reservation, seated promptly. Nice view. Our server, Kate was prompt, attentive and friendly. Meals were served still hot and eye pleasing. Very nice pre-Valentine’s day celebration ..

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La Violetta Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1098)

$30 and under

Italian

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Intimate and designed to provide a rustic Italian experience. Buonissimo!

Top review

PaulVIP

Dined 5 days ago

La Violetta presents an incredible dining experience each time we dine there. The combination of an extensive menu and nightly specials, served by outstanding and personable servers, provides an unbelievable variety of delicious choices of appetizers and entrees. The popularity of La Violetta appears ti be increasing exponentially as the word of this epicurean gem spreads cross the area.

Roessler's

4.9

4.9 (1887)

$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

fred

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent as always but nosier than I've ever experienced in many evenings there

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Popular dish

Wiener Schnitzel Holstein

Popular dish

Steak Diane

Crow's Nest Restaurant, Tavern & Marina

4.8

4.8 (3866)

$30 and under

Seafood

Venice

About the restaurant

The Crow’s Nest Restaurant, Tavern and Marina has been serving the Venice, FL community since 1976. With the freshest seafood and most flavorful dishes, the Crow’s Nest strives to prides itself on providing 5-star experiences for their guests each and every time they visit.

The upstairs dining room provides a fine dining experience with a fantastic view of the water for lunch or dinner. The wood-paneled and cozy tavern downstairs serves for a more casual experience and is open all day.

You can also enjoy their full-service marina, offering overnight dockage, gas and diesel pumps, and all the supplies you need for a day or week on the water. You can also rent their paddleboat, one or two person kayaks, paddleboards, bicycles and more!
Whatever experience you choose, you’ll be sure to enjoy a 5-star experience! Stay up to date on their specials and promotions by joining their email list at CrowsNest-Venice.com!

Top review

SherrillVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Fantastic meal. Oysters, caesar salad, scallops, pecan crusted salmon all excellent, as well as my martini.

Veronica Fish & Oyster

4.8

4.8 (2329)

$31 to $50

Oyster Bar

Sarasota

About the restaurant

A modern oyster bar with a nod to classic supper clubs of past featuring flavors from across the globe
We save tables for walk ins as well as the bar, lounge and patio, if a reservation time is not available feel free to walk in and check out these areas

PLEASE NOTE*** for parties of 5 and over, we ask that you call in in order for us to better serve the group's needs.

OUTDOOR SEATING NON RESERVABLE ***Our outdoor seating is all first come first serve- we apologize for any inconvenience

Top review

GilesVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Good food & ambience plus friendly waiter, worth a visit for special occasions

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Thai Crispy Snapper (Whole Fish)

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