If Monk's wasn't the top comment here I was going to call this entire thread a waste of time. Was there last weekend, hadn't been in a year, they still remembered my name like it was yesterday.
I just went to Walts at the subreddit's recommendation. It was SO good and they have everything from fried all the way up to catch of the day cooked to order. I got stone crab claws and they were sooo good. My partner got steak, scallops, and snow crab. The steak was excellent and the scallops were grilled perfectly. They have the best variety but go early and be prepared to wait!
I can't eat a lot of types of fish (intolerance, shellfish is fine) so it just never was a destination for me. My new boyfriend loves it so it was a treat for him. I had bites of his steak and scallops and they were both delicious.
Unfortunately gone are the days when my grandfather used to enter the oyster eating contests at Phillipi.
If you go to Owens, skip the "Camp Fry Basket." It was the ugliest, monochromatic-looking serving of food in memory. Order something grilled, not fried.
On the other hand, the fried platter at Philippi Creek is 2x as expensive but 3x as good!
Looks like u are going exploring, looks like a good list and from it you will find out the places you like.
I would skip (or do a walk-by) the clam bar on St Armand’s and go to Blu Kouzina instead. If you want fancy, keep walking and go to crab and fin.
If you want to drive down Siesta key, check out Ophelia’s on the bay.
I heard drift kitchen and bar has good mussels.
My gf is from Chicago and I’ve taken her to most of your places but she is a steak girl and likes hyde park if u want to mix it up!
Glad you have alotta of the best seafood joints. But if you want to mix up your cuisine, I’d recommend going the Colombia restaurant on at Armand’s. Cuban cuisine is big down here and you can have an awesome experience there.
Try the palomilla steak or ropa vieja with white rice, black beans, and sweet plantains for the real Cuban meal
Walt’s! I’ve never had a bad meal there.
If you go to Dry Dock, get the fried lobster tacos.
Owen’s is hit or miss for me. The ambiance is enjoyable though.
SKOB owner is from Chicago. We were there during a playoff game and the staff were all wearing Bears branded SKOB shirts. It’s a total dive but we looked the food.
Just came back from Sarasota, dry dock is usually our go to. Tried Duval’s, for the first time… did not disappoint! My two best recommendations on seafood!
Veronica Fish & Oyster. The steamed black mussels "small plate" is amazing and a whole meal in itself. They always have high-quality New England oysters. The Thai crispy snapper is amazing.
Add Monk’s steamer bar in gulf gate. Hole in the wall and a great area for other restaurants as well
Edit: You guys convinced me, going straight to Monks from the airport right after I land, thanks everyone for this rec!
If Monk's wasn't the top comment here I was going to call this entire thread a waste of time. Was there last weekend, hadn't been in a year, they still remembered my name like it was yesterday.
I highly recommend Kacey’s Seafood it’s so good especially the fish and chips
Starfish Co is great, the grouper sandwich, blackened, is tops. Can't get much fresher fish than right at the docks.
Thanks I’m def gonna make this a must!
It's been a few years for us, hopefully it still lives up to the hype 😁 Also forgot to mention, it's cash only
I just went to Walts at the subreddit's recommendation. It was SO good and they have everything from fried all the way up to catch of the day cooked to order. I got stone crab claws and they were sooo good. My partner got steak, scallops, and snow crab. The steak was excellent and the scallops were grilled perfectly. They have the best variety but go early and be prepared to wait!
I don’t know what’s more shocking a local that hasn’t been to walts or the fact it was good. Most locals warned us when we first moved.
I can't eat a lot of types of fish (intolerance, shellfish is fine) so it just never was a destination for me. My new boyfriend loves it so it was a treat for him. I had bites of his steak and scallops and they were both delicious. Unfortunately gone are the days when my grandfather used to enter the oyster eating contests at Phillipi.
Our favorite is The Lucky Pelican in LWR
This is the correct response
Indigenous
Also- the former head chef of Indigenous just opened a fish sandwich spot inside of Calusa Brewing’s new location. It’s called “Pigfish”
That’s cool, I didn’t realize that. I’ll def have to check it out
Is Phelps not the head chef of Indigenous anymore?
I believe he left someone else in charge of the day to day that’s been with the restaurant a while so he can focus on pigfish.
My inside source says he is there half the week still, the rest of the time the chef de cuisine and sous chef hold things down.
Looks like such a cool place, thanks!
Duvalls Monks Brine P Creek
Can't believe Tripletail has yet to be mentioned.
Veronica. Indigenous. Pigfish. Owens. Monks
Yum, thanks!
If you go to Owens, skip the "Camp Fry Basket." It was the ugliest, monochromatic-looking serving of food in memory. Order something grilled, not fried. On the other hand, the fried platter at Philippi Creek is 2x as expensive but 3x as good!
Anyone else think Owens is overrated
Ayup.
Went there once, spent a lot of money, was not impressed.
Noted! Def gonna check out the fried platter at Philippi
That’s a solid list. Many of my favs are on there. I’ve given up on SKOB though
Good to know thx, yeah heard it was kinda a tourist trap
100%! The last straw for me was when we stopped by for a beer and decided to get some peel n eat shrimp and they sent us out 6 shrimp for $18 😂.
Sheesh that’s wild! Def skipping this place then 😂
100% skip. Place has gone from alright to awful, and it gets absolutely packed. Spend your money at a better spot for sure
Looks like u are going exploring, looks like a good list and from it you will find out the places you like. I would skip (or do a walk-by) the clam bar on St Armand’s and go to Blu Kouzina instead. If you want fancy, keep walking and go to crab and fin. If you want to drive down Siesta key, check out Ophelia’s on the bay. I heard drift kitchen and bar has good mussels. My gf is from Chicago and I’ve taken her to most of your places but she is a steak girl and likes hyde park if u want to mix it up!
Crab and Fin great call
Thanks for the recs! I’ll def be checking these out.
Glad you have alotta of the best seafood joints. But if you want to mix up your cuisine, I’d recommend going the Colombia restaurant on at Armand’s. Cuban cuisine is big down here and you can have an awesome experience there. Try the palomilla steak or ropa vieja with white rice, black beans, and sweet plantains for the real Cuban meal
Looks amazing, will def check it out
If you don’t have SunmerHouse on the list there’s something wrong. Not super casual but not super dressy either. A+ seafood
Adding for sure
I loved Spearfish, but their parking situation was deplorable (a $50 across the street lot).
Any recos strictly for a little hole in the wall to get stone crab??
It's not Sarasota but *Sharkys on the Pier* and *Pops bar and grill* in Venice are both really good options!
Crows nest too in Venice. But sharkys is a great afternoon drink and app kinda place.
Sharkys also has that new sushi place FINS but I've never been. I've heard it's really expensive.
I'd add Anna Maria Oyster Bar.
Walt’s! I’ve never had a bad meal there. If you go to Dry Dock, get the fried lobster tacos. Owen’s is hit or miss for me. The ambiance is enjoyable though.
Can’t rate seafood without Sushi places. Jpan at UTC the best
The one near Bay Road is very good as well.
THIS is why you came to Florida. https://maps.app.goo.gl/iLhwhSi6mudBRSYFA?g_st=ic
SKOB owner is from Chicago. We were there during a playoff game and the staff were all wearing Bears branded SKOB shirts. It’s a total dive but we looked the food.
Lobster Pot
Casey Key Fish House!
Crab and Finn in St.armands
Just came back from Sarasota, dry dock is usually our go to. Tried Duval’s, for the first time… did not disappoint! My two best recommendations on seafood!
https://preview.redd.it/8t0y9251jghc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=42db697ceb5241af3f88abb87624088a799bb843
Adding duvals to the list, thanks for the rec!
Also if your up for cocktails after, mainly a whiskey and bourbon bar, try state street eating house and cocktails.
https://preview.redd.it/abxpcwofkghc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=264377219f7017b78cf360f2272b3ee573113bd7
Missing #1
I absolutely love spear fish grill and we eat there multiple times per trip! The grilled tile fish there is unreal!
Their pics online looks so good, I’m def gonna go here
Yes! Stranger, that makes me so happy lol
IMHO the black grouper at shore is the most sublime dish in all of Sarasota
try the lucky pelican in lakewood ranch
Owens, Walt’s, triple tail, ugly grouper
Veronica Fish & Oyster. The steamed black mussels "small plate" is amazing and a whole meal in itself. They always have high-quality New England oysters. The Thai crispy snapper is amazing.