Location: Longboat Key
Top Restaurants in Longboat Key
Florida, United States Food Guide: 10 Italian food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Longboat Key
Discover Restaurants offering the best Italian food in Longboat Key, Florida, United States. Gorgeous Longboat Key combines serene seashore enjoyment with luxury shopping and dining choices. Families enjoy the many water sport activities from fishing, boating and kayaking to plucking perfect seashells along the shoreline. Couples and friends explore chic dining and shopping spots around St. Armand’s Circle. The aristocratic heritage of the St. Armand and Ringling families resonates through quiet gardens and plush Palm Beach-style shopping. Umbrella-draped cafes and handsome restaurants offer exceptional European fare and inventive coastal specialties. Work off that decadent dessert with a stroll around the circle for leather, jewelry, resort wear and art gallery browsing.Venture just across the bridge over Sarasota Bay for unrivalled cultural treats. The Ringling circus family bequeathed an elegant legacy of art and architecture. The estate includes the acclaimed John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the family’s winter Ca’ d’Zan mansion – a Venetian Gothic masterpiece - the Circus Museum and historic Asolo Repertory Theater. With elegant gardens and terraces spread over 20 bayside acres, the complex provides hours of enjoyment.
Things to do in Longboat Key
10. The Bodhi Tree Cafe
Overall Ratings
5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By Ann S
For dinner with two friends, we sat inside to stay cool. The staff is charming and we were welcomed enthusiastically. An old house with smaller rooms allowed easy conversation. We all enjoyed our main courses. The only disappointment was the Tza Tziki which tasted basically like simple yoghurt. It was explained that they never use garlic in their cooking as too many do not like it. Yogurt without garlic cannot be labeled tza tziki so perhaps they should rename it. The other two items in the sampler dish were very good, hummus and hitipiti.
9. Joey D's Chicago Style Eatery & Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
4 based on 271 reviews
Reviewed By GR260
Their steak sandwiches are really outstanding (and that says something since I'm originally from Philly!). But this particular evening, service was really slow. It took forever to get our food, and when we asked why, the excuse seemed to lack the words "I'm sorry."
8. Portfino Restaurant and Grill at Longboat Key Club & Resort
Overall Ratings
3 based on 104 reviews
Reviewed By Jonesey01
The restaurant was recommended by the Long-boat resort where we are staying. Despite being half-full both courses were delayed. The white-wine sauce with the mussels still tasted of alcohol as if the sauce hadnât been properly reduced. The bottle of Brunello we ordered was the wrong year (for those who are interested 2012 was a better year than 2013). The fish-stew and the corvina risotto were OK when they finally arrived, but there was no flair, or unctuousness to either dish. The service was pleasant, but the ambience was flat. The only part of the meal that wasnât average was the cost. $270 for one and a half courses and a decent bottle of wine.
7. Le Colonne Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 410 reviews
Reviewed By rslaaliensr
the polo cacciatora at 24.00 was worth 12.00, the eggplant parmig was worth 10.00! house cab at 9.00 was worth 5.00! the server was fair but, did not seem to like his job. The best part of the night was stopping at Morcco Lindo next door for the best Mex. beer in town!
6. Bevardi's Salute
Overall Ratings
4 based on 395 reviews
A beautiful traditional Italian restaurant located in the heart of downtown Sarasota. Delicious homemade pasta, and extensive wine list with a full bar, this is the perfect place for date night, birthday, a special dinner party or wedding reception, or ju
Reviewed By Taylor B
I'm always mystified by restaurant reviews. How does a restaurant receive a "Mediocre At Best" criticism from one reviewer and a "Don't Miss This One" praise from another? Did they change chefs? Bevardi's Salute has been open since 2006 but my wife and I discovered it for the first time a year ago. Located at 23 North Lemon Avenue in downtown Sarasota, Florida, it is a classy Italian restaurant in an old-time setting, a big bar a large main dining room, two other dining rooms, a large patio and a comprehensive menu with several Tuscan touches. It is one of the most underrated restaurants in Sarasota, a very underrated restaurant town. Salute is housed in a historic 1920s building but our waitress, Moriah, added a young and attractive and personable touch to the proceedings. She also is an expert at filleting Branzino and Dover Sole tableside. It all makes for a very enjoyable dining experience. We started with bruschetta pomodoro, tomatoes and onions and Tuscan bread, then observed admiringly as Moriah filleted our special entrees, Branzino and Dover Sole. Branzino, a Mediterranean sea bass not to be confused with Chilean sea bass, has become very popular at upscale restaurants over the last three years. It reminds of Gulf red snapper but it has its own texture and flavor, light and tasty, not fishy. For dessert, we shared a plate of profiteroles, a pastry stuffed with vanilla ice cream and adorned with strawberries, whipped cream and chocolate sauce. Bevardi's Salute has found its niche in the Sarasota dining community.
5. Mediterraneo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 457 reviews
With its modern but classic Italian cuisine and emphasis on artisanal and contemporary Northern Italian style, Mediterraneo is often credited with being the first restaurant to bring authentic contemporary Italian cuisine to Sarasota when it first opened
Reviewed By CathyA943
This is one of my favorites in Sarasota. Excellent wood-fire over pizzas, delicious pastas, grilled fish and more. The owners are wonderful and do their best to make sure you are comfortable, happy and well-fed. Across from the Hollywood movie theatre, it's a great place to dine before or after a movie.
4. Venezia
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1002 reviews
Reviewed By MarcoMan1
We started with a pizza as an appetizer. The brick oven pizza was amazing! You could taste the freshness of the sauce and cheese. One of the best in Florida. This is a must if you eat there. All the entrees were delicious. Chicken Parm,gnocchi. All very good. Not from the area so Iâm not sure if the place has a reputation but it should. This is one of the best Italian around and Iâm from JERSEY!
3. Speaks Clam Bar St Armands
Overall Ratings
4 based on 166 reviews
For generations, my familia lived in New York and experienced firsthand the journey of the Italian clam bars. I have great memories of getting spiffy and visiting our local clam bar. I always thought it would've been the cat's pajamas to walk thru the doo
Reviewed By shel98
My husband and I had a very nice meal at Speaks while visiting the area to celebrate his brithday. We enjoyed the Arancini Shrimp with medium marinara, dinners from the daily specials (lobster tails and sides, lobster and shrimp pasta), and chocolate hazelnut dessert. From the wine/cocktails to dessert, from the food to the service, everything was excellent. We look forward to a return trip to try additional items on the menu.
2. Vertoris Pizza House
Overall Ratings
4 based on 329 reviews
Reviewed By 406shelleyb
Been a few years since Iâve tried this shop. I recently visited local family. Got a 14â half pepperoni & half cheese on hand tossed crust for $14.98 carry out. Box was light weight. Taste; Crust was dry and super crunchy. (More French bread in texture vs chewy pliable soft âfirmâ dough) Sauce was sparse. I donât mind this price level when high flavor. I usually prefer the non- chain shops. Guess Vertoris not for us.
What to do and see in Longboat Key, United States: The Best Places and Tips
1. Speaks Clam Bar St Armands
Overall Ratings
4 based on 166 reviews
For generations, my familia lived in New York and experienced firsthand the journey of the Italian clam bars. I have great memories of getting spiffy and visiting our local clam bar. I always thought it would've been the cat's pajamas to walk thru the doo
Reviewed By shel98
My husband and I had a very nice meal at Speaks while visiting the area to celebrate his brithday. We enjoyed the Arancini Shrimp with medium marinara, dinners from the daily specials (lobster tails and sides, lobster and shrimp pasta), and chocolate hazelnut dessert. From the wine/cocktails to dessert, from the food to the service, everything was excellent. We look forward to a return trip to try additional items on the menu.
Longboat Key Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Longboat Key
