Ophelia's on the Bay

4.7

6269 Reviews

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 26, 2024

11:00 PM

Booked 44 times today

Good for special occasions
Great for outdoor dining
Romantic

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.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Seafood, Wild Game
Hours of operation
Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(941) 349-2212
Website
http://www.opheliasonthebay.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Daniel Olson
Catering
Ophelia's on the Bay is the perfect location for your next catered event! Whether it be a birthday celebration, business function, wedding/baby shower, or any other memorable event in your life, we would love to create the perfect event catered to your needs. We also offer complete off-site catering services ranging from small to large functions with our fully equipped mobile kitchen. Please contact us to start booking your event today!

Location
9105 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota, FL 34242
Neighborhood
Siesta Key
Cross street
Stickney Point Road
Parking details
Complimentary Valet Parking on premise. No private parking available.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

100 Tampa / Central Florida West Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Popular dishes

Chestnut Maine Lobster Bisque
Butternut Squash, Cognac, Brown Butter, Toasted Pecans, Crème Fraiche
New England Clam Chowder
Applewood Smoked Bacon, Gold Potatoes, Baby Clams
Yellowfin Tuna Tartare “Nachos” $25.00
Won Ton Chips, Smashed Avocado, Sweet Soy, Spicy Mayo, Fresh Jalapeno, Wasabi Tobiko
Baked Sebastian Inlet Silver Oysters $21.00
Roasted Garlic-Horseradish Butter, Parmesan-Panko Crust, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Lemon Beurre Blanc
Maine Lobster Truffle Mac & Cheese$32.00
White Truffle Bechamel, Port Salut, Parmesan Reggiano Pecorino Romano Gratinee, Fresh Grated Perigord Truffles, Cavatappi
Jumbo Lump Blue Crab Cakes$25.00
Fried Green Tomatoes, Truffle Perfumed Baby Heirloom Tomato Coulis, Creole Saffron Remoulade
Smoked Cheshire Farm Heritage Breed Pork Belly $20.00
Crispy, Sorghum Glaze, Spiced Pear and Honeycrisp Apple Chutney
Escargot Wellingtons$24.00
Golden Chanterelles and Black Truffle Paté, Cultured Butter, Puff Pastry, Pinot Noir Demi-Glace
Eggplant Crepes$16.00
Ricotta, Mozzarella di Bufala, Mascarpone, Fontina, Spinach, Genovese Basil, San Marzano Pomodoro Sauce

Salad

Classic Caprese of Imported Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella
Heirloom Tomatoes, Artisan Greens, Micro Lemon Basil, Truffle Perfumed Tuscan Olive Oil, Balsamic Syrup, Fresh Pepper, Italian Sea Salt, Marcona Almonds
Vermont Creamery Chevre and Beets
Yuzu Honey, Pistachio Oil, Sun-Dried Grapes, Micro Lemon Basil, Vincotto Fig Vinegar
Heart of Romaine Caesar Salad
Classic Caesar Dressing, Gremolata Crouton Crumb, Parmigiano Reggiano, Baby Heirloom Tomatoes
Artisanal Baby Greens
White Grapes, English Cucumber, Baby Heirloom Tomatoes, Angel Hair Carrots, Sattocenere al Tartufo, Wildflower Honey Roasted Pecans, Black Truffle-Strawberry Vinaigrette

Entrée

Paella Ophelia $62.00
Black Tiger Shrimp, Diver Scallop, Black Mussels, Florida Clams, Crispy Pork Belly, Smoked Duckling, Spanish Chorizo-Saffron Rice, Maine Lobster Sofrito Butter Sauce
Yellowtail Snapper$52.00
Coconut and Macadamia Crumb Crust, Tropical Fruit Jam, Sriracha Potatoes, Crispy Plantain Chips
Chilean Sea Bass$65.00
Maine Lobster Persillade, Genovese Basil, Tarragon, Fresh Lemon, Buttered Carrot Crème Fraiche, Jasmine Rice
New Bedford Diver Scallops$60.00
Scallion Salad, Yuzu Kosho Beurre Blanc, Blue Crab Stir Fried Rice
~ 1-1/2 Pound “Lazy” Butter Poached Maine Lobster Risotto ~$69.00
Willamette Valley Chardonnay, Roasted Romanesco, Yellow Tomato Cruda, Micro Basil, Pecorino Romano
Colossal Black Tiger Shrimp & Joyce Farms Chicken Italian Meatballs$52.00
Fresh Bell Peppers, Garlic, Shallots, San Marzano Tomato Cream, Herb Butter, Bucatini Pasta
Center Cut Filet Mignon of Reserve Angus Beef$67.00
Rosemary Salt, Pan Seared with Whole Butter, Cambozola Sweet Onion Jam, Creamy Black Truffle Poivrade, Potato Gratin Dauphinoise
French Rack of Australian Lamb $65.00
Sous Vide, Whole Butter, Fresh Thyme, Pinot Noir Demi-Glace, Gratin Dauphinoise
Braised Cheshire Farm Heritage Pork Shank$48.00
Caribbean Spices, Sweet Carrot Pork Jus, Pineapple Salsa, Toasted Coconut Basmati Rice
Semi Boneless Half of Maple Leaf Farm Duckling$52.00
Spiced Orange, Crispy Apricot Glazed Skin, Elderberry Jelly, Honeycrisp Apple Butter Gastrique, Sriracha Mashed Potatoes
Atlantic Salmon$48.00
Lemon Brine, Dijon, Roasted Pistachio Crust, Raspberry Vinaigrette, Crème Fraiche Mashed Potatoes

What 6,269 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.8Service
4.8Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Sarasota / Bradenton
Romantic
Sarasota / Bradenton
Great for scenic views
Sarasota / Bradenton
Contemporary American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Ophelia's on the Bay offers a "beautiful location on the water" with exceptional service and a menu featuring standout dishes like shrimp cocktail and eggplant crepes. Ideal for special occasions, the restaurant's "food, ambiance and service" consistently earn high praise. Despite its premium pricing, the "amazing views" and culinary delights make it a must-visit.

6,269 Reviews

R
Robert
Philadelphia
10 reviews
4.0
10 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Reservation for 3 late because of Christmas Day. Seated on time, waited in their very small bar area. Nice table with what would have been a great view of the water I am sure but was 8 PM at night. Service was fantastic - server was Chris - welcoming with great attitude on an extremely busy night. Artisanal salad very good. One salmon dinner and two prime rib dinners. Small portions of creamed spinach and mashed potatoes with prime rib. Potatoes on all seemed puréed - not our favorites. Prime Rib was chewy although cooked to order. Salmon was good according to our guest.silly but steak knives could use a sharpening. Lol. Overall a fair meal (pricy) but won’t return due to the distance and overall quality when there are other better restaurants closer. Side note: valet parking a must as restaurant has an extremely small parking lot. Cars stacked in the lot and a number of people waiting when we arrived for valet to unstack the lot to get to their cars.
Is this helpful?
M
Michael
Las Vegas
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food. Great server. Right on the water. Everything great
Is this helpful?
K
Kristine
VIP
New York City
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Food- delicious Service-impeccable Ambiance- very nice. It was dark, so we couldn’t see the outside view. A bit pricey, but worth it. Dessert was outstanding
Is this helpful?
S
Suzanne
Washington DC
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
Christmas Dinner was a disappointment- Too many choices and less quality- Ophelia's should reconsider its direction. After decades of occasional evening dinner this particular special night with family was not up to par. We ordered a split of champagne which was Prosecco because they didn't have champagne and the waitress brought only one glass for 2 people- so we had to ask for another glass for the two of us! Spending almost $275 for dinner for two under these circumstances was a disgrace- This did not rise to their long standing reputation nor its location and expected quality. Not a night to remember as a positive experience!!! Take your time, money and experience to a better culinary experience and atmosphere. Even the way the 'leftovers' were presented for taking home was equal to a sandwich from a coffee shop; a plastic bag and tin foil container! Ophelia's is a miss both of culinary and what should be expected for this $$$
Is this helpful?
K
Ken
Tampa
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always great service, atmosphere and food! Our go-to restaurant on Little Sarasota Bay.
Is this helpful?
L
Lauren
Philadelphia
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent decision for Christmas Eve! We haven’t been to this restaurant in years. The food, service, and ambiance was outstanding. Everyone enjoyed their evening!
Is this helpful?
M
Mike
Tampa
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Best food and service in Florida. View of the bay.
Is this helpful?
F
Frank
VIP
Tampa
51 reviews
3.0
51 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We have eaten here for years, and this was the first time we were disappointed. The ingredients looked like and tasted like they were cooked separately and then mixed together to prepare the dish. Also, some items looked and tasted like they were cooked earlier and then heated. It is not what I expected from this restaurant. I know it is busy because of the holiday but it was disappointing especially because of the expense.
Is this helpful?
B
Brittany
Tampa
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was perfection and the view is amazing! Christmas dinner was perfect.
Is this helpful?
m
marcelo
Detroit
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Best service and dinner we had - if I could give six stars I would!
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Ophelia's on the Bay offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (941) 349-2212.

Ophelia's on the Bay is rated 4.7 stars by 6269 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 26, 2024

11:00 PM

Booked 44 times today

Order delivery or takeout

9105 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota, FL 34242

Additional information

Cross street
Stickney Point Road
Neighborhood
Siesta Key
Hours of operation
Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Seafood, Wild Game
Dining style
Fine Dining
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Complimentary Valet Parking on premise. No private parking available.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Daniel Olson
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.opheliasonthebay.com/
Phone number
(941) 349-2212
Catering
Ophelia's on the Bay is the perfect location for your next catered event! Whether it be a birthday celebration, business function, wedding/baby shower, or any other memorable event in your life, we would love to create the perfect event catered to your needs. We also offer complete off-site catering services ranging from small to large functions with our fully equipped mobile kitchen. Please contact us to start booking your event today!

Featured in

100 Tampa / Central Florida West Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Ophelia's on the Bay

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

100 Tampa / Central Florida West Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Yellowtail Snapper

Atlantic Salmon

Jumbo Lump Blue Crab Cakes

Appetizer

Chestnut Maine Lobster Bisque

New England Clam Chowder

Yellowfin Tuna Tartare “Nachos” $25.00

Baked Sebastian Inlet Silver Oysters $21.00

Maine Lobster Truffle Mac & Cheese$32.00

Jumbo Lump Blue Crab Cakes$25.00

Smoked Cheshire Farm Heritage Breed Pork Belly $20.00

Escargot Wellingtons$24.00

Eggplant Crepes$16.00

Salad

Classic Caprese of Imported Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella

Vermont Creamery Chevre and Beets

Heart of Romaine Caesar Salad

Artisanal Baby Greens

Entrée

Paella Ophelia $62.00

Yellowtail Snapper$52.00

Chilean Sea Bass$65.00

New Bedford Diver Scallops$60.00

~ 1-1/2 Pound “Lazy” Butter Poached Maine Lobster Risotto ~$69.00

Colossal Black Tiger Shrimp & Joyce Farms Chicken Italian Meatballs$52.00

Center Cut Filet Mignon of Reserve Angus Beef$67.00

French Rack of Australian Lamb $65.00

Braised Cheshire Farm Heritage Pork Shank$48.00

Semi Boneless Half of Maple Leaf Farm Duckling$52.00

Atlantic Salmon$48.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Ophelia's on the Bay offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Ophelia's on the Bay restaurant rated?

Is Ophelia's on the Bay currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Featured in

100 Tampa / Central Florida West Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day