Best Sarasota restaurants? 10 essentials for everyday dining that won’t break the bank

Brewster's Gastropub, Capo Pazzo Pizzeria + Kitchen, Fav's Italian Cucina, J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe, Mirna's Cuban Cuisine, Patricks 1481, Pho Cali , Shakespeare's Craft Beer & Gastro Pub, Tony’s Chicago Beef 

From longtime local favorites to newer spots with plenty of buzz, Sarasota-Manatee is packed with everyday dining destinations where the food is as good as the prices.

We’re talking juicy burgers, loaded pizzas, irresistible Cuban sandwiches, wings, pasta, and plenty more — all at places where you don’t need a special occasion (or a big paycheck) to enjoy yourself.

Whether you’re craving classic American comfort food or something with an international twist, here are 10 essential restaurants for affordable, everyday eats worth visiting again and again in Sarasota, Bradenton, and Venice.

Brewster's Gastropub, Capo Pazzo Pizzeria + Kitchen, Fav's Italian Cucina, J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe, Mirna's Cuban Cuisine, Patricks 1481, Pho Cali , Shakespeare's Craft Beer & Gastro Pub, Tony’s Chicago Beef 

Brewster's Gastropub

Brewster's Gastropub, Capo Pazzo Pizzeria + Kitchen, Fav's Italian Cucina, J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe, Mirna's Cuban Cuisine, Patricks 1481, Pho Cali , Shakespeare's Craft Beer & Gastro Pub, Tony’s Chicago Beef 

Six wings, six bucks — that’s the $1 wing Wednesday deal at Brewster’s Gastropub, a go-to for everyday dining deals and game-day eats in downtown Sarasota. Photo taken Feb. 1, 2025.

Brewster's Tavern, right on Main Street in downtown Sarasota, checks all the everyday dining boxes — tasty wings, burgers, tacos, sandwiches — plus a long bar perfect for sipping a craft beer or cocktail while watching the game. You’ll also find indoor tables and a covered outdoor patio, both with big screens showing all the action.

But here’s the real pro tip: visit Brewster’s website (or just check the sign by the front door) for the popular deals offered Monday through Friday. Personal favorite? Burger Fridays, which come with your choice of side (fries, of course) and a happy hour drink — think ice-cold draft beer or a well cocktail like a margarita or Bloody Mary — all for just $15.99. One-dollar wing Wednesdays? Always a crowd-pleaser — and Brewster's wings just happen to be among the best in town.

Capo Pazzo Pizzeria + Kitchen

Brewster's Gastropub, Capo Pazzo Pizzeria + Kitchen, Fav's Italian Cucina, J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe, Mirna's Cuban Cuisine, Patricks 1481, Pho Cali , Shakespeare's Craft Beer & Gastro Pub, Tony’s Chicago Beef 

A small, 12-inch "Classic N.Y. Style" pizza at Capo Pazzo Pizzeria + Kitchen in Sarasota photographed March 3, 2024.

Opened a couple of years ago in a humble Sarasota strip mall just south of Gulf Gate, Capo Pazzo quickly built an ardent following with its New York-style pizzas featuring high-quality ingredients and a crispy crust with a slight char. Their "Classic N.Y. Style" pizza ($14) is a Manhattan-worthy masterpiece, with dynamic tomato sauce, a blanket of shredded mozzarella, and mounds of fresh mozzarella.

In addition to red-sauce pizzas and Sicilian-style pies, Capo serves excellent white pizzas — including my current favorite, topped with creamy burrata, cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, and generous slices of top-shelf prosciutto. What should you pair with that pizza? Capo Pazzo serves some ridiculously good wings ($13).

Fav's Italian Cucina

Brewster's Gastropub, Capo Pazzo Pizzeria + Kitchen, Fav's Italian Cucina, J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe, Mirna's Cuban Cuisine, Patricks 1481, Pho Cali , Shakespeare's Craft Beer & Gastro Pub, Tony’s Chicago Beef 

The meatball sub at Fav's Italian Cucina in downtown Bradenton is loaded with homemade meatballs, Fav's irresistible red sauce, and gooey melted mozzarella — all tucked into the restaurant's famously fresh bread. Photo taken Sept. 11, 2023.

Siblings Michael Favasuli and Maria Favasuli-Wagner have been crafting bread, pizza dough, sauces, and pasta dishes since 2000 in the heart of downtown Bradenton at their Fav's Italian Cucina, offering both indoor and outdoor seating along scenic Old Main Street — and plenty of down-home charm. On any given day, you can almost guarantee finding Mike or Maria at the helm of the open kitchen, warmly greeting their loyal army of regulars and ensuring the quality of every dish served at their casual, counter-service restaurant.

Among the essential dishes is their garlic-laced version of pizza margherita, known as the Pizza Favarita ($14.50 for the 14-inch). The stromboli ($9.50 for a small — but trust me, get the large for $11.75) arrives golden brown with a dab of mustard for an extra kick. Another standout is the meatball sub ($8.50 small, $11.50 large, which easily feeds two) featuring their homemade bread enveloping tender beef meatballs, Fav's classic red sauce goosed with ample garlic, and melted mozzarella cheese. Or simply go for one of the daily pasta specials — they never miss, even at their most adventurous, and they’ll only set you back around 20 bucks.

J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe

Brewster's Gastropub, Capo Pazzo Pizzeria + Kitchen, Fav's Italian Cucina, J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe, Mirna's Cuban Cuisine, Patricks 1481, Pho Cali , Shakespeare's Craft Beer & Gastro Pub, Tony’s Chicago Beef 

The Cuban sandwich at J.R.'s Old Packinghouse Cafe photographed Aug. 8, 2023.

For more than a quarter-century now, J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe has been serving up irresistible comfort food — including some of the best Cuban cuisine you’ll find in town. A funky slice of Old Florida tucked just out of sight from nearby I-75, the OPC is housed in a building that dates back to the 1950s and remains a favorite for beer, cocktails, and live music hosted six nights a week on the restaurant’s intimate stage.

Must-try culinary creations from South Florida native, owner, and trained chef J.R. Garraus include his famous Miami-style Cuban sandwich ($12.95). Sink your teeth into the crusty Cuban bread exterior and you’ll find gooey Swiss cheese, sweet ham, and crisp, thinly sliced pickle spears — all resting on a mound of slow-roasted, expertly seasoned shredded pork. In fact, you might find yourself tempted to order just about anything from the menu — or one of the daily specials — featuring that succulent pork. It even finds its way into OPC’s distinctive and delicious Blackened Ybor Burger ($17.95), a fusion of Cuban sandwich and cheeseburger that’s every bit as outrageously satisfying as it sounds.

Mirna's Cuban Cuisine

Brewster's Gastropub, Capo Pazzo Pizzeria + Kitchen, Fav's Italian Cucina, J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe, Mirna's Cuban Cuisine, Patricks 1481, Pho Cali , Shakespeare's Craft Beer & Gastro Pub, Tony’s Chicago Beef 

Mirna’s Cuban Cuisine recently relocated down the road to 2901 N. Tamiami Trail, near Ringling College of Art and Design and downtown Sarasota. Photo taken July 1, 2025.

If you're craving Cuban food closer to downtown Sarasota, the place to visit is Mirna's Cuban Cuisine, which recently relocated about three miles south down the Trail to a bright, friendly spot with indoor and covered, open-air seating near Ringling College of Art and Design. Yeah, the new digs are great — but my favorite part is that the menu (and prices) remain the same. That means you’ll want to start with the half-dozen croquetas — fried breadcrumb rolls filled with ham — that cost just $3.50, and then probably move on to the Cuban sandwich ($8.75 for the 12-inch that could easily feed two), another one of the most famous Cubanos in the region.

It contains some of the tastiest baked ham I’ve tasted anywhere, with everything — except the bread, which Mirna's gets from the legendary La Segunda bakery in Tampa — made in-house, I've been told. That includes the other star ingredient of Mirna's Miami-style Cuban sandwich: the roast pork. Finally, don't forget about their standout entrée, the arroz con pollo, which comes with a side and, during my most recent visit, still cost only $13.75. It has to be among the top Cuban chicken and yellow rice dishes served this side of Havana — and one of the best deals in Sarasota-Manatee.

Patricks 1481

Brewster's Gastropub, Capo Pazzo Pizzeria + Kitchen, Fav's Italian Cucina, J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe, Mirna's Cuban Cuisine, Patricks 1481, Pho Cali , Shakespeare's Craft Beer & Gastro Pub, Tony’s Chicago Beef 

This half-pound burger topped with American cheese and served with fries — photographed Monday, May 12, 2025 — costs just $10 at Patricks 1481 on Burger Mondays, one of Sarasota’s longest-running and most popular dining deals.

Patricks has been a downtown Sarasota staple for everyday eats (and drinks) since 1985, boasting an eclectic menu of smartly prepared comfort foods — including one of the city's best pork chops ($27) and a surprisingly on-point chicken francese ($22) that’s also among my personal favorites. Patricks is best known, though, for its big, juicy burgers — especially the legendary Kress Burger ($16.50), a bacon cheeseburger topped with onion straws and served with a side of their outstanding chili, which you’ll want to pour directly on the slab of beef.

More famous than the Kress Burger, however, is Burger Mondays at Patricks, when their prized half-pounders — served with fries or slaw — are just $9 (spend the extra buck for a slice of melty American cheese). The deals don't stop with the burgers, though.

Patricks rocks an impressive happy hour daily from 3 to 6 p.m., with a long list of priced-to-move appetizers, including favorites like the whiskey barbecue wings ($12), Thai chicken flatbread ($10), and two cheeseburger sliders with a side of fries ($10). Oh, and the drink specials pour from 3 to 7 p.m., with discounts on cocktails, wine, and beer — including a good ol' domestic pint for $5 and specialty martinis, like a cosmopolitan or espresso martini, for $10. Yeah, the deals can be enjoyed while seated at one of the sidewalk tables smack dab on Main Street, in the dining room, or at the long, handsome bar — easily one of the most welcoming spots you’ll find downtown.

Pho Cali 

Brewster's Gastropub, Capo Pazzo Pizzeria + Kitchen, Fav's Italian Cucina, J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe, Mirna's Cuban Cuisine, Patricks 1481, Pho Cali , Shakespeare's Craft Beer & Gastro Pub, Tony’s Chicago Beef 

The steak pho — photographed May 20, 2025 — is loaded with tender beef and rich, flavorful broth, making it a must-try at downtown Sarasota favorite Pho Cali, serving locals for more than 20 years.

No list of the best spots for everyday eats would be complete without a noodle house — and fortunately, downtown Sarasota has an excellent one. For the past two decades, Pho Cali has been serving up awesomely authentic Vietnamese cuisine right on Main Street. And yeah, the must-try dish is a beautiful, aromatic bowl of pho — with my go-to version being the steak, aka 48C on the menu ($20.95). It arrives loaded with enough tender, delicious meat to build a sandwich — but trust me, you’ll want every bite soaking in that rich, flavorful broth, which easily ranks among the most dynamic you’ll find anywhere in Sarasota County.

What else to order? The egg noodle with tofu entrée — best ordered “medium spicy” — is a favorite of mine and my wife, Kristin. But the real hit beyond the pho might be the chicken fried rice ($19.95). Rather than just tossing bits of fried chicken in with the rice, Pho Cali serves up an entire quarter chicken — fried to golden brown — alongside a plentiful portion of their deftly seasoned rice. The chicken alone is worth the price of admission and pairs beautifully with the rice for one of the most satisfying plates you’ll find in town.

Shakespeare's Craft Beer & Gastro Pub

Brewster's Gastropub, Capo Pazzo Pizzeria + Kitchen, Fav's Italian Cucina, J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe, Mirna's Cuban Cuisine, Patricks 1481, Pho Cali , Shakespeare's Craft Beer & Gastro Pub, Tony’s Chicago Beef 

The caramelized onion and brie burger with fries and a pint of Guinness — a classic everyday eats combo at Shakespeare's Craft Beer & Gastro Pub.

An adorable pub with a cozy English atmosphere, Shakespeare’s has been home to Sarasota’s best burgers for more than two decades. Hand-formed, eight-ounce patties of Black Angus beef are seasoned brilliantly with just the right amount of salt and cooked to order. I prefer mine medium, and they consistently arrive with a smart sear and charred exterior giving way to a perfectly pink center. Each burger comes on Shakespeare’s toasted rosemary Kaiser bun, a trusty companion to the pub’s various signature creations. Of the many burger options, none are more impressive than the caramelized onion and brie burger ($15.95). The umami-rich patty, sweet balsamic caramelized onions, and creamy, nutty brie make for an indulgent combination that every burger enthusiast should try.

Really, though, burgers are just the beginning of what's good — and a good deal — at Shakespeare’s. The Spicy English Beer Cheese Dip ($9.95) is nearly as famous as the burgers, and another appetizer you’ll want to try — again and again — are the English Dustbin Lids, which are basically the best crispy potato skins in town, filled with English sausage, onions, mushrooms, and cheddar cheese. For entrees, their English Fish & Chips ($16.95) are exceptional, and lately I’ve been craving the Cottage Pie ($16.95) almost as much as the brie burger — or, my other go-to, the horseradish cheddar cheese and bacon burger, which delivers the kind of bold, pub-grub happiness that practically begs to be chased with a cold pint of Guinness: each velvety sip transporting you a little farther from the Florida heat waiting just beyond the door.

Tony’s Chicago Beef 

Brewster's Gastropub, Capo Pazzo Pizzeria + Kitchen, Fav's Italian Cucina, J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe, Mirna's Cuban Cuisine, Patricks 1481, Pho Cali , Shakespeare's Craft Beer & Gastro Pub, Tony’s Chicago Beef 

The Italian beef sandwich at Tony’s Chicago Beef in Sarasota — served here with hot and sweet peppers and plenty of gravy — is a hearty taste of the Windy City, no plane ticket required. Photo taken June 25, 2025.

Mentioned in a New York Times article a few years ago about the best places to find Italian beef outside Chicago, Tony’s is definitely a top spot in Sarasota County for a truly satisfying taste of the Windy City — at both their Gulf Gate and Venice locations. The famed Italian beef sandwich, served on French bread with hot or sweet peppers (I prefer both), comes with three gravy options: dry, extra gravy, or dipped — which is probably the best way to go. The sandwich is huge and hearty, the kind of creation that could only come from the City of the Big Shoulders — with a price of just $8.89 making it one of Sarasota’s best deals.

Of course, it's tough to visit Tony’s without an order of their fresh-cut fries ($3.39) and textbook-perfect Chicago hot dog ($6.39), which I prefer “fire” style with giardiniera. But it’s hard to stop there because Tony’s also serves a one-third-pound char-grilled burger that ranks among the tastiest deals in town at $6.79. Feeling like treating yourself? Upgrade a buck to the Belushi Burger. Named after the beloved, beefy Blues Brother, it finds that char-grilled patty topped with Swiss cheese, grilled onions, and mushrooms served on a toasted, old-school bun for maximum flavor — the kind of handheld that should make Jake and Elwood proud.

Tralia

Brewster's Gastropub, Capo Pazzo Pizzeria + Kitchen, Fav's Italian Cucina, J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe, Mirna's Cuban Cuisine, Patricks 1481, Pho Cali , Shakespeare's Craft Beer & Gastro Pub, Tony’s Chicago Beef 

The Detroit-style margherita pizza at Tralia in Sarasota’s Gulf Gate neighborhood, topped with aged and fresh mozzarella, rustic marinara, basil, and parmesan on a crisp, cheesy-edged crust. Photo taken March 3, 2025.

In Sarasota’s crowded pizza scene, Tralia stands out in the pizza-obsessed Gulf Gate neighborhood thanks to owner and executive chef Anthony Petralia’s gourmet approach. His secret? A daily-fed sourdough starter that forms the foundation for two distinctly different but equally crave-worthy styles of pie: artisan rounds and Detroit square. But you don’t have to be a highfalutin food nerd to enjoy his take on a classic margherita — which I recently ordered Detroit-style ($17). The eight-by-ten-inch pie, aptly described as “thick and pillowy,” arrives topped with aged and fresh mozzarella, rustic marinara, basil, and parmesan — all piled on that perfectly crisp, cheesy-edged crust that makes Detroit-style pizza so dangerously addictive.

The 12-inch artisan round I highly recommend is the vodka ($15), featuring a crust billed as "airy and crispy" — and, yes, it's delightfully both — topped with vodka cream sauce, Calabrian chili, basil, and pecorino. Square or round, you really can’t go wrong with Tralia’s pizza — or their wings. Please, get yourself a half-dozen of the “real-deal” Buffalo wings and spend the extra buck to have them polenta-crusted ($13). You’ll thank me later.

Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. He can be reached by email at [email protected]. Support local journalism by subscribing.