We are going to Siesta Key soon. We haven't been in a few years and wondered if there are any new restaurants (or new to us) to try.

We will be traveling with kids, so looking mostly for kid-friendly seafood. Also interested in Cuban or Caribbean. Outdoor dining is a plus.

We are planning to go to the Ringling Museums. Any recommendations for restaurants in the area? Thanks.

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This is not quite the immediate area, but an easy drive to Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island. There you will find the Beach Bistro, a very nice gourmet restaurant that seems to feature some of everything but really specializes in seafood. You can't go wrong there. Good luck.

If you do a search for "Siesta Key restaurants" you will get many threads. To be honest with you I really don't feel like listing all the restaurants again as I already did it few times but you won't be disappointed. Siesta Village has numerous options and the south bridge commercial strip has few more. You won't have to leave the island if you so choose. Everything from the low cost hamburger/fish joints to expensive places. If you run out of options on the island there is a large number of options just across the 2 bridges in Sarasota.

Welcome to our little paradise!

Enjoy your stay!

Well, as you surely know, Siesta Key is not too far from St. Armands Circle. That's where you'll find the Columbia Restaurant, dating to early 1900's Florida, at least in their original branch in Ybor City. Always good for black beans, yellow rice, and arrogant waiters -- it's their style. and their house salad is particularly good.

Don't know any Island muses down there.

We really liked the Lobster Pot, right in Siesta Village. I don't remember if there is a kids menu, but it is casual, so I suspect there is. Our kids are all teenagers, and we loved the food.

Thanks for the replies. As I said in OP, we haven't been in a few years, so I just wanted to know if there was anything new we should try. I can't remember if the Lobster Pot was there last time, but I know we didn't go, so we'll check it out.

Also, still looking for restaurants near the Ringling museums.

Thanks

My wife and I were there in late April, and liked Javier's at 6621 Midnight Pass Rd. (just south of the Route 72 intersection). It's a Peruvian-style menu with many tasty seafood dishes. Closed on Mondays.

For Cuban food, we absolutely loved El Habanero at 417 Burns Court in downtown Sarasota. The freshly squeezed mango shake and the cafe con leche with dessert were outstanding. You can't go wrong with the cubano sandwich, but the daily specials are often a better deal!

We didn't like the "chain food" dining options near the Ringling Museum. I'd suggest St. Armand's Circle instead, or if you're visiting the Mote Aquarium in the morning/afternoon, we liked the Salty Dog for a casual lunch. Very kid-friendly with outdoor dining right on the bay. The fish n chips were triple-bypass delicious and you can't go wrong with the blackened grouper sandwich!

Have fun! We really enjoyed our time in the Sarasota area (Lido Key), and can't wait to return there next year.