6 Sarasota area restaurants open, 3 close, and local beach bar named best in Florida

Wade Tatangelo and Jimmy Geurts, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Updated ·7 min read

Now is typically the time when many of us who love dining out start visiting our favorite iconic restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton, as tourist season is finally over and everything has slowed down as we ease into summer.

But that's not what happened this May.

Six new restaurants opened in Sarasota and Manatee counties during the month. Alas, three restaurants closed. Looking for more positive dining news? One Sarasota County establishment was named among the best beach bars in Florida.

Presented in no particular order, here are the biggest restaurant openings, closings, and honor that we reported on during May in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

10 best restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton to visit now that tourist season is over!

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Flavio's on Main closes in downtown Sarasota, Cuba 1958 to open

Flavio's on Main, which opened in 2015 under the name Beulah, has closed and been sold, according to owner Flavio Cristofoli. A new restaurant called Cuba 1958 Authentic Cuban Cuisine plans to open in its place.
Flavio's on Main, which opened in 2015 under the name Beulah, has closed and been sold, according to owner Flavio Cristofoli. A new restaurant called Cuba 1958 Authentic Cuban Cuisine plans to open in its place.

After opening in 2015, originally under the name Beulah, downtown Sarasota Italian restaurant Flavio's on Main has closed. The restaurant at 1766 Main St. was owned by Flavio Cristofoli, who also owns Siesta Key's Flavio's Brick Oven & Bar, which remains open. Cristofoli still owns the Main Street property and is leasing it to a new restaurant, Cuba 1958, which hopes to open in June. Cuba 1958 is an offshoot of Westfield, New Jersey's 1958 Cuban Cuisine, with the Sarasota restaurant to feature largely the same menu and concept.

Italian restaurant sells downtown Sarasota location, new Cuban restaurant to open there

First Watch opens Lakewood Ranch location

First Watch, the national restaurant chain based in Sarasota-Manatee that serves breakfast and lunch dishes such as the lemon ricotta pancakes pictured here, has opened a new Lakewood Ranch area location.
First Watch, the national restaurant chain based in Sarasota-Manatee that serves breakfast and lunch dishes such as the lemon ricotta pancakes pictured here, has opened a new Lakewood Ranch area location.

Breakfast and lunch restaurant chain First Watch, which has locations nationally but is headquartered in Sarasota-Manatee, opened its latest area establishment in Lakewood Ranch. The 14475 State Road 70 E. space previously housed Nancy's Bar-B-Q, which then relocated to Sarasota's Rosemary District before permanently closing earlier this year. While First Watch's original location opened in California in 1983, it has been based in Sarasota-Manatee since 1986, with its current corporate headquarters in the University Park area. First Watch also plans to open at 8990 U.S. 301 N. in Parrish by the end of 2024.

Locally based national breakfast and lunch restaurant chain opens new Lakewood Ranch location

EnRich Bistro opens in Bradenton

Rich Knowles is the chef and owner of enRich Bistro, which opened in May in Bradenton. He's also the owner of the Innovative Dining catering company and co-owner of the Bradentrucky Grub Truck.
Rich Knowles is the chef and owner of enRich Bistro, which opened in May in Bradenton. He's also the owner of the Innovative Dining catering company and co-owner of the Bradentrucky Grub Truck.

Chef and owner Rich Knowles' enRich Bistro delighted a loyal following of discerning diners with its "elevated American entrees and small plates" for about six years before closing in July 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and strained lease negotiations. Now, the restaurant is once again welcoming guests at a new, larger, and more alluring location in West Bradenton, surpassing its previous spot nearby. The new enRich Bistro is at 5239 Manatee Ave. W., in the same Fairway Center shopping plaza as the pizzeria Agrigento. EnRich previously operated just down the road on Manatee Avenue West.

Ticket Editor: One of Sarasota and Bradenton's top restaurant openings of 2024 is this week

Fat Rabbit opens in downtown Sarasota

Fat Rabbit restaurant and bar is upstairs at 1359 Main St. in downtown Sarasota. It is on top of OfKors Bakery and Main Street Creamery, with a sign hanging above the sidewalk between the two businesses, where guests can enter Fat Rabbit via stairs or elevator.
Fat Rabbit restaurant and bar is upstairs at 1359 Main St. in downtown Sarasota. It is on top of OfKors Bakery and Main Street Creamery, with a sign hanging above the sidewalk between the two businesses, where guests can enter Fat Rabbit via stairs or elevator.

Following the popularity of their original Fat Rabbit pub in Tampa, owners John Kuemmel and Shawn Diehl have opened a new Fat Rabbit location in downtown Sarasota. Situated at 1359 Main St., Fat Rabbit is located above OfKors Bakery and Main Street Creamery, with a sign hanging above the sidewalk between the two businesses, allowing guests to enter via stairs or elevator. The restaurant spans 4,400 square feet with 123 seats, supplemented by an additional 20 at the bar. Fat Rabbit aims to offer guests an elevated pub experience marked by higher-end comfort food and cocktails.

New restaurant serving upscale pub food, cocktails opens today in downtown Sarasota

Sharky’s on the Pier in Venice named among best beach bars in Florida

Southern Living magazine included Sharky’s on the Pier in its recently published article titled "The 12 Best Beach Bars in Florida for Sun, Surf, and Stiff Drinks." No other Sarasota or Manatee county businesses made the list. Previously voted best beach bar in Florida, Sharky's is a Venice landmark dating back to 1987. Located at 1600 Harbor Drive S., at the base of the Venice Fishing Pier first built in 1966, Sharky's places guests right on the sand of the beach Brohard Park overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Southern Living praised Sharky's for "serving up seafood and stiff frozen cocktails" and recommends the Megalodon Margarita (tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, sour mix, and fresh Florida orange juice.) "The two-story deck is a prime spot for taking in the sunset, or you can watch it from the lower level with your toes in the sand," reads the Southern Living blurb.

Sarasota County beach bar named one of best in Florida by Southern Living

Fat Point Brewing closes in University Town Center, Florence and the Spice Boys to open

Fat Point Brewing at 257 N. Cattlemen Road #90 in University Town Center, photographed here July 26, 2023, has closed. Florence and the Spice Boys plans to open a second location in the space.
Fat Point Brewing at 257 N. Cattlemen Road #90 in University Town Center, photographed here July 26, 2023, has closed. Florence and the Spice Boys plans to open a second location in the space.

After relocating from Punta Gorda to University Town Center last year, Fat Point Brewing — which takes its name from the English translation of Punta Gorda — has closed. Along with its beers, Fat Point offered a menu of dishes such as its umami burger. Set to take over the 257 N. Cattlemen Road #90 property is a second location for modern Middle Eastern fusion street food spot Florence and the Spice Boys. Initially operating as a food truck, Florence and the Spice Boys opened its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Sarasota shopping plaza The Landings.

Ticket Editor: One of the best restaurants in Sarasota's University Town Center permanently closed

Popular Sarasota food truck-turned-restaurant to open second location

Sarasota dining icon Hob Nob Drive-In closes after 67 years in business

Cary Spicuzza, right, and Annette Gargett, are owners of Sarasota’s Hob Nob Drive-In. They posed for this photo on May 15, 2024, a day after their restaurant closed following 67 years in business.
Cary Spicuzza, right, and Annette Gargett, are owners of Sarasota’s Hob Nob Drive-In. They posed for this photo on May 15, 2024, a day after their restaurant closed following 67 years in business.

One of Sarasota's oldest and most beloved restaurants, which opened during the 1950s when the likes of Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe were the biggest stars of the day, closed after 67 years in business. Hob Nob Drive-In, occupying a prominent spot along U.S. 301 at 1701 N. Washington Blvd., just north of downtown Sarasota, served its final burger and fries on May 14. "We've been here since Nov. 7, 1991, and this past summer was the first time I lost money — we usually break even during the summer (with our biggest profits coming during the winter tourist season)," said owner Cary Spicuzza. "I'm 67 ... it's time to stop and smell the roses."

Sarasota restaurant closes after 67 years, owner says ‘time to stop and smell the roses’

Taverna Toscana opens in downtown Bradenton

Celebrity chef Fabio Viviani has opened the Italian restaurant Taverna Toscana in downtown Bradenton.
Celebrity chef Fabio Viviani has opened the Italian restaurant Taverna Toscana in downtown Bradenton.

Fabio Viviani, an Italian native perhaps best known for his appearances on the Bravo show "Top Chef," created a buzz last summer when he announced via social media that he was opening a Taverna Toscana in downtown Bradenton. Occupying a large, standalone structure found in front of the SUNZ Insurance Company building at 1301 Sixth Ave. W., near other popular downtown Bradenton restaurants Chateau 13 and Sage Biscuit, Taverna Toscana is now open. "Picture a modern Italian kitchen paired with the hearty allure of a top-tier steakhouse," Viviani said in an Instagram post. "And yes, we've also curated a selection of craft cocktails that will knock your socks off."

Celebrity chef’s first Sarasota, Bradenton area restaurant to open next month

Anna Maria Oyster Bar opens in North Port

Anna Maria Oyster Bar's North Port location is at 14132 Tamiami Trail, in the former space of Family Table Restaurant.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar's North Port location is at 14132 Tamiami Trail, in the former space of Family Table Restaurant.

Locally owned and operated seafood restaurant chain Anna Maria Oyster Bar is now open in North Port at 14132 Tamiami Trail, the former Family Table space. It is the first Sarasota County location and sixth overall for AMOB, which also has restaurants in University Town Center, Anna Maria Island's Bridge Street Pier, Cortez Road, Ellenton and "Landside" near Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Oysters Rock Hospitality operates AMOB along with St. Armands Circle staple Cafe L'Europe and recently acquired Kefi Streetside Cafe, which closed its downtown Bradenton location and plans to reopen in a new space.

Popular Bradenton seafood restaurant opens first Sarasota County location

Mouthole Smashburgers and BBQ opens in Sarasota

Mouthole Smashburgers and BBQ, which serves dishes such as The Meat Locker featuring various meats and sides pictured here, is now open in Sarasota's Gulf Gate neighborhood.
Mouthole Smashburgers and BBQ, which serves dishes such as The Meat Locker featuring various meats and sides pictured here, is now open in Sarasota's Gulf Gate neighborhood.

Opening in 2014 as a food truck, then briefly operating at a different Sarasota location, Mouthole Smashburgers and BBQ is now open in Gulf Gate at 2637 Mall Drive, the former Shiny Gumbo space. Mouthole serves smash burgers that differ from most others by using a 5.5-ounce patty rather than the more typical 2.5 or three ounces. It currently offers barbecue such as pulled pork and brisket twice a week, and St. Louis-style smoked ribs once a week. It also hopes to add a monthly Hawaiian brunch with dishes such as Kalua pork, macaroni salad and poke bowls.

New restaurant serving barbecue, smash burgers now open in Sarasota

Email entertainment editor Wade Tatangelo at [email protected]. Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at [email protected]. Support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 6 Sarasota restaurants open, 3 close, beach bar named best in Florida

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