Best Brunch in Sarasota Florida (2026)

Sarasota has quietly become one of the best brunch cities on Florida's Gulf Coast. Between the revitalized Rosemary District downtown, the European-feeling shops and cafes on St. Armands Circle, and the barefoot-friendly spots on Siesta Key, this city offers a brunch spread that ranges from converted railroad depots to Ritz-Carlton luxury — all within a twenty-minute drive of each other.

The dining scene here benefits from Sarasota's identity as Florida's cultural capital. The same crowd that fills the Ringling Museum and the Sarasota Opera on Friday night wants a serious brunch on Saturday morning, and the restaurants have risen to meet that demand. You'll find farm-to-table kitchens pouring bottomless mimosas alongside waterfront institutions serving Sunday brunch with panoramic bay views. Whether you're staying downtown, exploring St. Armands Circle, or recovering from a day on Siesta Key, these ten spots are where Sarasota does brunch best.

This article contains affiliate links. If you book through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support our local content.

Quick Navigation: Station 400 | Sun Garden Cafe | Boca Sarasota | Shore | SKOB | Marina Jack | Jack Dusty | Owen's Fish Camp | Ophelia's | Cafe on St. Armands | Brunch Tips

---

1. Station 400

Station 400 is the kind of place that makes you feel like you've discovered something special — mostly because you have. Housed in a beautifully restored 1924 railroad depot in the Rosemary District, this restaurant combines industrial charm with a menu that hits well above its price point. The soaring ceilings, original brick walls, and railroad memorabilia give the space a character that no new-build restaurant can replicate.

The brunch menu is built around Southern-meets-creative American cooking. The Lemon Ricotta Pancakes are the signature — light, fluffy, and served with fresh berry compote and a dusting of powdered sugar that has earned a devoted following among locals. The short rib hash with poached eggs is another standout, and the avocado toast here is done properly on thick-cut artisan bread with everything bagel seasoning. Prices are remarkably fair for the quality, making this one of the best values on the Sarasota brunch scene.

The Rosemary District location puts you within walking distance of downtown galleries, boutiques, and the Sarasota Farmers Market on Saturday mornings — making Station 400 a natural anchor for a full downtown morning.

• Address: 1490 State St, Sarasota, FL 34236
• Phone: (941) 906-1400
• Price range: $$
• Best for: Couples, foodies, affordable quality brunch
• Don't miss: Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, short rib hash, avocado toast
• Reservations: Accepted and recommended on weekends
• Website: station400sarasota.com

---

2. Sun Garden Cafe

If you've been to Siesta Key and haven't eaten at Sun Garden Cafe, you've been doing the island wrong. Tucked into Siesta Key Village on Ocean Boulevard, this award-winning breakfast and brunch spot has been a local institution for over two decades. The garden patio out back — shaded by tropical plants and strung with lights — is one of the most charming outdoor dining spaces in all of Southwest Florida.

The menu is eclectic in the best way. You'll find everything from classic eggs Benedict and Belgian waffles to Caribbean-inspired dishes like the Jamaican jerk chicken omelet and tropical French toast with coconut and macadamia nuts. The ingredients are fresh, the portions are generous, and the kitchen clearly cares about every plate that goes out. Sun Garden has won "Best Breakfast" awards from Sarasota Magazine more times than anyone bothers to count.

Expect a wait on weekend mornings during season — this is one of those places where the line is part of the experience. Put your name in, grab a coffee from the window, and enjoy the Siesta Key Village atmosphere while you wait. It moves faster than it looks.

• Address: 210 Avenida Madera, Siesta Key, FL 34242
• Phone: (941) 346-7170
• Price range: $$
• Best for: Garden dining, Siesta Key visitors, eclectic brunch
• Don't miss: Jamaican jerk chicken omelet, tropical French toast, garden patio seating
• Pro tip: Arrive before 9 AM on weekends to avoid the peak wait
• Website: sungardencafe.com

---

3. Boca Sarasota

Boca has brought a farm-to-table energy to downtown Sarasota's brunch scene that the city was missing. Located on South Pineapple Avenue in the heart of downtown, this kitchen-driven restaurant sources from local farms and builds a menu around seasonal ingredients — which means the brunch offerings rotate, and there's always something new to try.

The Grand Mar's French Toast is the dish that put Boca's brunch on the map. It's made with thick-cut brioche, soaked in Grand Marnier custard, and topped with fresh berries and whipped cream — decadent without being heavy. The bottomless mimosas are a smart add-on for groups and won't break the bank. The smoked salmon toast, the shakshuka, and the house-made granola bowl round out a menu that balances indulgence with lighter options.

The space itself feels like a modern farmhouse — reclaimed wood, open kitchen, natural light pouring through the front windows. It's the kind of brunch spot that makes you want to settle in for two hours, and the staff won't rush you.

• Address: 19 S Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
• Phone: (941) 256-3565
• Price range: $$ – $$$
• Best for: Farm-to-table, groups, bottomless mimosas
• Don't miss: Grand Mar's French Toast, bottomless mimosas, smoked salmon toast
• Reservations: Recommended on weekends
• Website: bocasarasota.com

---

4. Shore Restaurant

Shore is where St. Armands Circle does brunch with polish. This upscale coastal restaurant sits right on the Circle, and the combination of a refined interior, a strong cocktail program, and a menu that blends Southern comfort with Gulf seafood makes it one of the best brunch destinations on the barrier islands.

The chicken and waffles here are legendary — crispy buttermilk-fried chicken served over a Belgian waffle with maple butter and a drizzle of hot honey that balances sweet, savory, and heat in a way that keeps you coming back. The crab cake Benedict is another standout, built on house-made crab cakes rather than the pre-formed discs you find at lesser restaurants. The brunch cocktail menu includes a solid Bloody Mary bar and champagne-based drinks that pair well with the coastal atmosphere.

If you're spending a morning shopping and dining on St. Armands Circle, Shore is the natural anchor. Request patio seating when the weather cooperates — the people-watching on the Circle is half the entertainment.

• Address: 465 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34236
• Phone: (941) 296-0301
• Price range: $$$
• Best for: St. Armands dining, upscale brunch, special occasions
• Don't miss: Chicken and waffles with hot honey, crab cake Benedict, Bloody Mary bar
• Reservations: Strongly recommended during season
• Website: shoresarasota.com

---

5. Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB)

SKOB is the quintessential Siesta Key experience — and its brunch is no exception. This open-air oyster bar in Siesta Key Village has been the island's unofficial living room for years, with live music, cold drinks, and a crowd that mixes locals with vacationers in a way that feels effortlessly welcoming.

The brunch menu leans into SKOB's seafood roots. The Oyster Benedict — poached eggs over lightly fried Gulf oysters on an English muffin with hollandaise — is the signature and worth the trip alone. The shrimp and grits are creamy and loaded with Gulf shrimp, and the breakfast burrito is a massive, messy, satisfying affair. Live music starts early on weekends, so you're getting a full-on Siesta Key experience with your eggs.

This is not a white-tablecloth situation. You're eating under a tiki roof, possibly in flip-flops, with a reggae band warming up on stage. That's exactly the point. SKOB captures the laid-back spirit of Siesta Key better than anywhere else on the island.

• Address: 5238 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key, FL 34242
• Phone: (941) 346-5443
• Price range: $$
• Best for: Beachy atmosphere, live music brunch, Siesta Key visitors
• Don't miss: Oyster Benedict, shrimp and grits, live music on weekends
• Pro tip: Get there early — tables fill fast once the music starts
• Website: skob.com

---

6. Marina Jack

Marina Jack has one of the most commanding waterfront positions in all of Sarasota. Sitting right on Bayfront Park with panoramic views of Sarasota Bay, Bird Key, and the Ringling Causeway, this restaurant has been a downtown institution for decades — and the Sunday brunch is a signature event.

The brunch format is a generous buffet-style spread that includes carving stations, a raw bar with oysters and shrimp, made-to-order omelets, and a dessert table that could stand on its own as a pastry shop. The smoked salmon, prime rib carving station, and eggs Benedict station are perennial favorites. It's the kind of old-school, all-you-can-eat brunch that bigger cities have mostly moved away from — and that's precisely what makes it special.

The bay views alone are worth the visit. Whether you're seated inside the dining room or on the outdoor patio, you're looking directly at the water with sailboats and dolphins as your backdrop. Marina Jack is particularly good for groups, families, and anyone who wants to make brunch an event rather than just a meal.

• Address: 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, FL 34236
• Phone: (941) 365-4232
• Price range: $$$
• Best for: Waterfront views, Sunday brunch buffet, groups and families
• Don't miss: Raw bar, prime rib carving station, bay views from the patio
• Reservations: Essential for Sunday brunch
• Website: marinajacks.com

---

7. Jack Dusty at The Ritz-Carlton

If you're looking for the most polished brunch experience in Sarasota, Jack Dusty at The Ritz-Carlton delivers it. This coastal-inspired restaurant sits inside the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota with direct views of Sarasota Bay, and the brunch service reflects the kind of attention to detail you'd expect from the brand — without the stuffiness.

The menu is built around what the kitchen calls "coastal cuisine," which in practice means fresh Gulf seafood alongside refined takes on brunch classics. The lobster omelet, the crab avocado toast, and the house-smoked salmon platter are all excellent. The pastry program is standout — house-made croissants, seasonal scones, and a bread basket that puts most hotel brunches to shame. The cocktail list includes a well-made Bloody Mary with house-pickled garnishes and a champagne program with several options by the glass.

This is where you go for an anniversary brunch, a birthday, or when you simply want to treat yourself. Valet parking is available, and non-hotel guests are welcome. Smart casual dress is appropriate.

• Address: 1111 Ritz-Carlton Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236
• Phone: (941) 309-2266
• Price range: $$$$
• Best for: Luxury brunch, special occasions, waterfront elegance
• Don't miss: Lobster omelet, house pastry program, Sarasota Bay views
• Reservations: Required, especially during season
• Website: ritzcarlton.com/sarasota

---

8. Owen's Fish Camp

Owen's Fish Camp has built a cult following in Sarasota for its Southern seafood cooking and funky, Keys-inspired atmosphere. The original Burns Court location has been a local favorite for years, and the kitchen brings that same energy to its brunch service — combining Southern comfort with fresh Gulf seafood in a way that feels both familiar and surprising.

The fried green tomato Benedict — poached eggs over crispy fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese hollandaise — is the kind of dish that makes you wonder why every brunch spot in the South doesn't serve it. The shrimp and cheddar grits are rich and satisfying, and the biscuits come out of the oven with the kind of flaky layers that require actual skill to produce. The Bloody Mary is built with house-made mix and garnished generously.

Owen's doesn't take reservations for brunch, so expect a wait during season. The line moves, though, and the quirky, old-Florida atmosphere inside — think fishing memorabilia, vintage signs, and mismatched furniture — keeps things interesting.

• Address: 516 Burns Ct, Sarasota, FL 34236
• Phone: (941) 951-6936
• Price range: $$ – $$$
• Best for: Southern seafood brunch, local atmosphere, couples and friends
• Don't miss: Fried green tomato Benedict, shrimp and cheddar grits, house biscuits
• Pro tip: No reservations — arrive before 10 AM to minimize the wait
• Website: owensfishcamp.com

---

9. Ophelia's on the Bay

Ophelia's is Sarasota's premier special-occasion brunch. Perched directly on the waterfront at Siesta Key's north end, this fine dining restaurant offers views of the Intracoastal Waterway that are genuinely breathtaking — especially from the outdoor terrace during a morning when the water is glass-calm and the pelicans are diving.

The brunch menu is refined without being pretentious. The crab cake Benedict with lemon beurre blanc is a highlight, the house-made quiche changes seasonally, and the artisan cocktail program goes far beyond standard mimosas — think elderflower spritzes, lavender lemon drops, and a curated wine list that pairs beautifully with lighter brunch fare. The kitchen uses local ingredients when available, and everything from the bread to the pastries is made in-house.

This is where you take someone you want to impress. Ophelia's combines waterfront setting, culinary craft, and attentive service in a way that few Sarasota restaurants can match. Dress is smart casual, and reservations are non-negotiable during season.

• Address: 9105 Midnight Pass Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242
• Phone: (941) 349-2212
• Price range: $$$$
• Best for: Special occasions, waterfront fine dining, artisan cocktails
• Don't miss: Crab cake Benedict, artisan cocktail program, waterfront terrace views
• Reservations: Required
• Website: opheliasonthebay.net

---

10. Cafe on St. Armands

Cafe on St. Armands rounds out the Circle's brunch offerings with a Mediterranean-inspired menu that brings European cafe culture to the barrier islands. Sitting on St. Armands Circle with sidewalk tables that look out on the fountains and shops, this is the kind of place where you linger over a second cappuccino and a pastry basket without anyone rushing you.

The brunch menu draws from Mediterranean flavors — think spanakopita Benedict with feta hollandaise, a Mediterranean veggie omelet loaded with roasted peppers and goat cheese, and a house-made baklava French toast that is exactly as good as it sounds. The fresh-squeezed orange juice is notable, and the coffee program takes its espresso seriously. Lighter options like the Greek yogurt parfait and the Caprese omelet make this a good pick for those who don't want to go heavy.

The atmosphere is relaxed and European in feel — more sidewalk cafe than power brunch — which makes it a natural fit for a slow morning on the Circle before browsing the galleries and boutiques.

• Address: 300 Madison Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236
• Phone: (941) 388-3692
• Price range: $$ – $$$
• Best for: Mediterranean brunch, St. Armands Circle strolling, lighter fare
• Don't miss: Baklava French toast, spanakopita Benedict, fresh-squeezed OJ
• Reservations: Accepted for parties of 4 or more
• Website: cafeonstarmands.com

---

Brunch Tips for Sarasota

When to Go

Peak brunch hours in Sarasota run from 10 AM to noon on both Saturdays and Sundays. If you want to avoid the heaviest crowds, arrive at 9 AM or go the late-brunch route after 1 PM. Season (January through April) means longer waits across the board — plan your morning accordingly.

Best day: Saturday brunch tends to draw slightly fewer crowds than Sunday, particularly on St. Armands Circle and Siesta Key. Sunday brunch at Marina Jack is the exception — it's specifically a Sunday institution.

Reservations

• Always reserve: Jack Dusty, Ophelia's on the Bay, Shore, Marina Jack (Sunday)
• Strongly recommended: Boca Sarasota, Cafe on St. Armands, Station 400
• Walk-in friendly: Sun Garden Cafe, SKOB, Owen's Fish Camp (expect a wait during season)

Parking

Downtown Sarasota: The public garage on Lemon Avenue near Main Street is your most reliable option. Street metered parking is available but scarce on weekend mornings. Budget an extra 10 minutes during season.

St. Armands Circle: The free public parking lot behind the Circle fills up by 10 AM on weekends. Overflow street parking is available on the surrounding residential streets, but expect a short walk.

Siesta Key Village: Public parking along Ocean Boulevard is limited and metered. The municipal lot near the village center is your best bet. During peak season, consider using the Siesta Key Breeze trolley from the mainland.

Dress Code

Sarasota's brunch culture splits along location lines. Downtown spots like Station 400 and Boca are smart casual — think sundresses and button-downs. Jack Dusty and Ophelia's skew slightly more polished. Siesta Key spots like SKOB and Sun Garden Cafe are firmly come-as-you-are — flip-flops and board shorts are welcome. St. Armands falls somewhere in between.

For more dining recommendations, check out our complete best restaurants in Sarasota guide, or browse hotels near downtown and the beaches for your trip.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best brunch in Sarasota Florida?

Station 400 in the Rosemary District is widely considered one of the best overall brunch values in Sarasota, with standout Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and a beautifully restored 1924 railroad depot setting. For upscale brunch, Jack Dusty at The Ritz-Carlton offers luxury waterfront dining with Gulf-inspired cuisine. Sun Garden Cafe on Siesta Key is the top pick for garden-patio charm and an eclectic, award-winning menu.

What are the best waterfront brunch spots in Sarasota?

Marina Jack on Bayfront Park offers panoramic Sarasota Bay views with a generous Sunday brunch buffet. Ophelia's on the Bay serves refined brunch on the Intracoastal Waterway near Siesta Key, with artisan cocktails and an outdoor terrace. Jack Dusty at The Ritz-Carlton provides an elegant waterfront setting with bay views. All three require reservations during peak season.

Does Sarasota have bottomless mimosa brunch?

Yes, several Sarasota restaurants offer bottomless mimosa deals during weekend brunch. Boca Sarasota on South Pineapple Avenue is one of the most popular options for bottomless mimosas paired with their farm-to-table menu. Availability and pricing change seasonally, so call ahead to confirm current brunch drink specials at any restaurant.

Do I need reservations for brunch in Sarasota?

During peak season from January through April, reservations are essential at Jack Dusty, Ophelia's on the Bay, Shore, and Marina Jack for Sunday brunch. Station 400 and Boca Sarasota accept reservations and they're strongly recommended on weekends. Sun Garden Cafe, SKOB, and Owen's Fish Camp are walk-in only but expect waits of 20 to 45 minutes on weekend mornings during season.

What is the best brunch on Siesta Key?

Sun Garden Cafe in Siesta Key Village is the island's premier brunch spot, with an award-winning eclectic menu and a charming garden patio that has earned it "Best Breakfast" honors from Sarasota Magazine multiple times. Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB) offers a more casual, beachy brunch experience with live music and Gulf-inspired dishes like the Oyster Benedict. Both are in Siesta Key Village within walking distance of each other.

---

More Sarasota & SWFL Guides

Looking for more dining and things to do? Check out these related guides:

• Best Restaurants in Sarasota — Full dinner guide with top picks
• St. Armands Circle Guide — Shopping, dining, and nightlife on the Circle
• Best Hotels in Sarasota — Where to stay for every budget
• Things to Do in Siesta Key — Top attractions and activities on the island