Best of Sarasota 2021: Readers' Choice
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