Best of Sarasota

Best of Sarasota 2021: Readers' Choice

Our readers speak.

By Staff May 2, 2021

Here’s what you, our faithful readers, had to say about your most favorite experiences in dining, shopping, services, playtime and more. Thanks for voting!

Food & Drink

Netflix & Chill (Best Takeout)

Pacific Rim

Gecko’s Grill & Pub, JPan Sushi & Grill

Frozen Or On the Rocks? (Best Margarita)

Mi Pueblo

TIE: Wicked Cantina and El Melvin Cocina Mexicana, Circo

Get Sauced (Best Italian)

Caragiulos Italian American

Napulé, Mediterraneo

Raw Talent (Best Oysters)

Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB)

Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar, Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB)

Roll Call (Best Sushi)

Pacific Rim

JPan Sushi & Grill, Tsunami

Get Hooked (Best Seafood)

Walt’s Fish Market Restaurant & Tiki Bar

Owen’s Fish Camp, Duval’s Fresh. Local. Seafood

Love Me Tenderloin (Best Steakhouse-Chain)

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse

Connors Steak & Seafood, Rodizio

Love Me Tenderloin (Best Steakhouse-Non-Chain)

Alpine Steakhouse

Summer House, Michael’s On East

Closed on Sunday (Best Amish)

Yoder’s

Der Dutchman, Sommer’s Dutch Family Restaurant

Pit Boss (Best Barbecue)

Nancy’s Bar-B-Q

Brick’s Smoked Meats, Stottlemeyer’s Smokehouse

Breakfast Club (Best Breakfast)

First Watch

Station 400, Millie’s

Let’s Have a Nooner (Best Lunch)

First Watch

Connors Steak & Seafood, Gecko’s Grill & Pub

Oh My Veggies (Best Vegan)

Lila

Veg, Simon’s Coffee House

Are You Sure We Should Bring the Kids? (Best Kids’ Menu)

Gecko’s Grill & Pub

Evie’s Tavern, Rodizio

Save the Date (Best Date Night Spot)

Ophelia’s on the Bay

Indigenous, Michael’s On East

Sip Happens (Best Cocktail)

The Ritz-Carlton Jack Dusty, Siren

State Street Eating House + Cocktails, Bramble; TIE: Rodizio, Caipirinha; Made, Gin & Juice

Want Fries With That? (Best Burger Place)

Patrick’s 1481

Gecko’s Grill & Pub, Shakespeare’s

Sippin’ on the Dock of the Bay (Best Boat Pull-up Restaurant)

Marina Jack

TIE: Dry Dock and Shore, Old Salty Dog

Let’s Taco-bout It (Best Tacos)

Mi Pueblo

Screaming Goat Taqueria, Circo

Life of Pie (Best Pizza)

Valentino Pizzeria & Trattoria

Rico’s Pizzeria & Pasta House, Solorzano Bros.

The Breadwinner (Best Sandwich)

Anna’s Deli, The Surfer

Spice Boys Kitchen, Falafel Pita; South Philly Cheesesteaks, Cheesesteak

Sweet Spots (Best Desserts)

Euphemia Haye

Floribbean Flo’s, Banyan Tree Café

Against the Grain (Best Bakery)

Rendez-vous

C’est La Vie, TIE: Floribbean Flo’s and Publix

Just Brew It (Best Coffee)

Perq

TIE: Clever Cup and Buddy Brew, O & A Coffee and Supply

Honk If You’re Hungry (Best Food Truck)

Spice Boys Kitchen

Hamlet’s Eatery, Fire Tacos

From the Land Down Under (Best Venice Restaurant)

TIE: Sharky’s on the Pier and Fins at Sharky’s

Cafe Evergreen, The Crow’s Nest

Side of Ranch (Best Lakewood Ranch Restaurant)

Grove

Lucky Pelican Bistro, TIE: Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie and Paris Bistrot

North by Northwest (Best Bradenton Restaurant)

Pier 22

O’Brick’s Irish Pub & Martini Bar, Château 13

Make It Al Fresco (Best Outdoor Seating)

Ophelia’s on the Bay

Shore, Owen’s Fish Camp

Hot Shots (Best Bartender)

Sage

Made, State Street Eating House + Cocktails

Pitcher Perfect (Best Brewery)

Calusa Brewing

Big Top Brewing Company, Motorworks Brewing

Now That’s What I Call Service! (Best Service from a Restaurant)

Seasons 52

TIE: Michael’s On East and Summer House, TIE: Rodizio and  Connors Steak & Seafood

Superb Markets (Best Specialty Grocery)

Morton’s Gourmet Market

Detwiler’s Farm Market, Trader Joe’s

Haute Chocolate (Best Chocolate Shop)

Banyan Tree Chocolate & Café

Kilwin’s, Floribbean Flo’s 

Goods & Services

Pamper Your Pooch (Best Pet Boarding/Grooming)

Bayside Pet Resort

PetSmart, Wet Noses

Shear Madness (Best Hair Salon)

Nuovo Salons

Cutting Loose, Fresh Salon & Spa

Razor’s Edge (Best Barbershop)

American Shave

Modern Gents Premier Barbershop & Bar, The Barbershop 941

Stairway to Heaven (Best Spa)

The Ritz-Carlton

The Met Day Spa & Salon, L. Spa

Up Your Zoom Game (Best Fillers/Injections)

TIE: Elite Medical Spa and Rita’s Medical Elite 

Sarasota Facial Aesthetics

Rock of Ages (Best Jeweler)

Diamond Vault

Coffrin Diamond Jewelers, Milan’s Jewelry

Walk the Runway (Best Women’s Clothing)

L Boutique

Foxy Lady, Darci

GQ HQ (Best Men’s Clothing)

The Met

Shore, Tommy Bahama

Suit Up (Best Swimwear)

Swim City

Shore, Beach Bazaar

Oldies But Goodies (Best Vintage)

Canned Ham Vintage

Sarasota Architectural Salvage, Bon Bon Vintage

Sustainable Shopping (Best Consignment Shop)

The Exchange

Fifi’s Fine Resale Apparel, Laura Jean’s Consignments

Put a Bow on It (Best Gift Shop)

Elysian Fields

TIE: The Giving Tree Gallery and The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime, Molly’s! A Chic & Unique Boutique

Home Sweet Home (Best Home Accessories)

Blu Home

Copenhagen Imports, Charlotte’s Grace

Sofa So Good (Best Traditional Furniture)

Baer’s Furniture

TIE: Matter Brothers Furniture and Robb & Stucky, Norris Furniture

Mod Living (Best Contemporary Furniture)

Copenhagen Imports

Soft Square, Home Resource

Magic Carpet Ride (Best Rugs)

Rugs as Art

Art to Walk On

Don’t Stop Beleafin’ (Best Landscaping)

TIE: Artistree Landscape Maintenance & Design and Michael A. Gilkey Landscape Architects,

Critter Ridge Landscape Contractors, Golden Leaf Landscaping

Dive Right In (Best Pool Service)

Coast to Coast Pools

Lucas Lagoons Aquatech Pools

Forever Young (Best Retirement Community)

The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch

TIE: Aviva Senior Living and Plymouth Harbor, Sunnyside Village

Lean On Me (Best Home Health Care)

Take Care Private Duty Home Health 

Help at Home, Doctor’s Choice

Interior Thinking (Best Interior Design)

Sally Trout Interior Design

Trade Mark Interiors, JKL Designs

Whatever Floats Your Boat (Best Boat Shop)

Marine Max

TIE: Erickson Marine and Galati Yacht Sales, Cannons Marina

Home Grown (Best Local Maker)

Tervis Tumblers

Siesta Key Rum, Sarasota Honey

White Glove Service (Best Business Service)

Castle Concierge

Publix, The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime

Things to Do

Child’s Play (Best Place to Take Kids)

TIE: The Beach and Mote Marine

Sarasota Jungle Gardens, TIE: Skyzone and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Tee It Up (Best Golf Course)

Laurel Oak Country Club

University Park Country Club, Serenoa Golf Club

Special Category 

I Love My Job (Best Place to Work)

The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch

TIE: Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Aviva Senior Living, Berlin Patten Ebling

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