Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Sarasota / Bradenton

OpenTable

Updated February 05, 2025

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!

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

Scott

Dined 2 days ago

This is one of the best restaurants in Sarasota. I go for the escargot and the Wiener Schnitzel. We have been going to Roessler's for over 37 years and it is always excellent.

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Popular dish

Wiener Schnitzel Holstein

Popular dish

Steak Diane

Lila

4.8

4.8 (1203)

$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

TomVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Both meals were fabulous. Took a while to get our entrees...they were not busy. A bit pricey. Ordered their kale caesar salad added a 3 oz salmon which was pretty pricey for a tiny serving.

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Popular dish

Mushroom Burger

Sophie's at Saks Fifth Avenue- Sarasota

4.9

4.9 (744)

$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

PamelaVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Lunch at Sophie's takes me back to the 60's at Hudson's at Eastland Mall with my Grandmother, Mother, and siblings; 70's and 80's at Oakland Mall in Madison Heights with my girlfriends; and the 2010's with my Dad at Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, MI! It waa so wonderful to shop and then have a leisurely lunch! Highly recommend Sophie's to recapture those memories with an updated menu and excellent service! (Wish Sophie's was open later for at least Happy Hour!)

Ophelia's on the Bay

4.7

4.7 (6356)

$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

Troy

Dined 6 days ago

Nick was our server and he was amazing. My wife ordered a cocktail and it was too sweet for her. Nick went back to the bar, got another one not as sweet and it was delicious to her. Also the kitchen was a little backed up, so they brought out a cup of their lobster bisque to hold us over. The food was amazing. If you're ever in the Siesta Key area, spoil yourself and go

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Popular dish

Hokkaido Sea Scallops

Popular dish

Atlantic Salmon

Popular dish

Jumbo Lump Blue Crab Cakes

Michael's On East

4.7

4.7 (5716)

$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

Ron

Dined 6 days ago

The ambience is off the charts. So upscale and beautiful! The food was good but not outstanding. I got the seafood special with risotto. The portion was very small and the shrimp and scallops were almost raw. I should have but did not send it back. My wife got the filet and it melted in your mouth. The experience was great but the price tag is very high!

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

Laurie

Dined 3 days ago

A lovely lunch with many choices. The cantaloupe coconut ginger cold soup was delicious. A beautiful outdoor space.

Libby's - Sarasota

4.7

4.7 (4032)

$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

Terri

Dined 4 days ago

The food was fabulous, wonderful service and a very inviting atmosphere!

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4.6

4.6 (106)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Nestled in the heart of downtown Sarasota, Green Zebra Cafe on Main offers a warm, casual atmosphere, exceptional service and delicious food to share with family and friends. With a focus on pure, wholesome, and locally-sourced ingredients, both of our Brunch and Dinner menus are carefully crafted to reflect our customers dietary requirements.

Our everyday Brunch menu features a long list of all time favorites such as, Omelettes Your Way, Italian Benedict, Our Famous Raw Pancake, and our Lavender-Blueberry pancakes. As well as, organic cold-pressed juices, smoothies and acai bowls.

Our dinner menu highlights both plant-based cuisine as well as dishes with ethically raised meats and sustainable seafood. Some of our most popular dishes are the Salt-roasted Golden Beets for starters, Chicken Veloute or the Raw Vegan Lasagna as Entrees, and our mouth watering gluten-free vegan cheesecakes for dessert.

Look forward to seeing you!

Top review

Lisa

Dined 6 days ago

Wonderful food and great service in a space where we actually can talk to each other without shouting over the noise or music. We love this restaurant as our pre-theatre go to.

PIER 22

4.7

4.7 (6075)

$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.

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.

While reservations are not required, they are highly recommended to ensure your preferred seating time. If your desired time slot isn’t available, rest assured that we reserve space every day to accommodate walk-ins, including on our temperature-controlled covered patio.

Top review

John

Dined 3 days ago

Very comfortable restaurant with great food at reasonable prices. One of my favorites restaurants!

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Riviera Dunes Dockside

4.3

4.3 (962)

$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, including our newly remodeled main dining room, 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

David

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent food and service. We had a fantastic evening between inside and outside.

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Popular dish

Crab Cakes

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