Downtown Sarasota has no shortage of dining options, but locals know not every restaurant earns repeat visits.
The places that do — the ones you return to again and again — tend to strike a rare balance: food that hits the mark every single time, often paired with a charming setting and a staff that welcomes you like a returning friend.
From a sandwich shop with circus history dating back to the 1950s to several of the best new restaurants to open in the past year or so, these 10 downtown spots represent the places I recommend most when friends ask where to eat…