Sarasota Area Restaurants

Different Restaurants for Different Reasons

Not every restaurant on this list serves the same purpose. Some are date night spots, the kind of place I wouldn't necessarily bring my kids because the experience is built for two. Others are exactly where I want to be with my whole family. As you go through this list, I'll tell you which is which so you know what you're walking into.Nabetsi's Favorite Sarasota Area Restaurants

Nabetsi's Favorite Sarasota Restaurants

Yugen: The Kaiseki Experience within Zoto

One of the most memorable meals I've had in this area was Zoto's Kaiseki experience at Yugen. I've been twice now and I have paid for my own bill both times.  It is memorabe and very high quality food.  This meal runs about $200 per person.  I have never been with my husband or kids because they would not appreciate it as much as I do.

Tralia Pizza

Best for: date night or family night

Tralia is Michelin guide recommended, but that's not why I love it. I love it because the pizza crust tastes like garlicky heaven. Everything I've eaten here, from the Roni and Hot Honey Round pizza made with sourdough to the Tralia O's pasta with meatballs and vodka sauce, has been the best.

A few things to know before you go:

• The Caesar salad is amazing, don't skip it

• The Burrata Parmesan is great, but it doesn't come with pasta, you have to pay an extra $5 for that, and I consider that a miss.  The chicken portion is generous enough to easily feed two people

• The everything pizza is a must!

• They have a pizza with vodka sauce and meatballs that is pure comfort food!

Expect to pay $20 to $30 per person

Mouthhole

Best for: barbecue night, casual and consistent enough to become a regular spot

Mouthhole is my go-to for barbecue. My husband's favorite order is the brisket burger, and it's massive. For me, it's the brisket, the mac and cheese, and the desserts.

A few things to know before you go:

• The art and theming can read as offensive to some people, so know that going in, but the food is amazing

• The owners are great people, and it shows in how consistent the food is

• We've had stretches where we go in weekly

• They care about the quality of the food, so expect to pay $20 to $30 per person

• Reel from the early days of going here and creating.

Mimi's Brasserie

Best for: date night with a little theater built in

Mimi's Brasserie is consistently good, I've been three times and it holds up every time. The cold water oysters were fresh, and the steak frites is my go-to. I've also enjoyed the beet salad and the wild caught scallops.

A few things to know before you go:

• Tell them you're going to the speakeasy and order the Crime of Passion drink, it's a whole show

• Watch my full review here: My Review Reel

Focaccia Bread and Sandwich

Best for: grab-and-go lunch that's worth planning around

This spot blew me away the first time I went, about a year ago. The owner used to get up every day at 2 am to make the bread and would sell out daily. It's an owner and wife team who relocated here just for this. They change the sandwiches weekly, and honestly, everything I've tried has been amazing.

A few things to know before you go:

• Get the arancini if it's available, the sauce is delicious

• Expect to pay $20 to $25 per person, especially if you add the arancini

• Watch my first reel for this place here: TikTok link

How I work with Restaurants

I work with restaurants in two ways.

The first is I go in without them knowing, try the food, evaluate it, and pay for it myself. This is how most of the restaurants on this list end up here.

The second is when a restaurant I've never been to asks me to create content. In that case, I let them comp the meal, but that doesn't guarantee a reel or a review. If the place is great and I genuinely enjoy it, I create a reel. If it's not, I don't post about it. I don't charge for this because I don't know going in how good the experience will be, and I usually let the restaurant decide what to bring out and showcase.

Where I do charge is when a restaurant wants something specific filmed, content they plan to use in their own reels, or when it's photography, videography, or editing work. That's a paid service, separate from the honest review.

Why I Create Restaurant Content

Being a restaurant owner is hard work, and I know that firsthand. Growing up, my godparents owned a deli in a building in Miami. The deli was open from 7 am to 2 pm, but that was never the whole day for them, they spent the rest of their time prepping for the next day, cleaning, and shopping for food. I was shocked by how much work it actually took, and it gave me a real respect for this industry.

I also just love eating good food. If I can help amazing local restaurants get more people through the door, why wouldn't I?

If you're planning a trip to Sarasota and want the real list of where to eat, this is it. I'll keep adding to it as I keep eating my way through this town.