7 Best Waterfront Restaurants in Sarasota to Visit by Boat

Written by Boatsetter Team
March 24, 2022

Sarasota is a beautiful place to explore by boat, and when it comes to getting something to eat, there are several waterfront restaurants accessible by boat. Many of these restaurants serve locally sourced food, including seafood, in mouthwatering menu creations. So take time from your day exploring local beaches, sandbars, and spoil islands by docking your boat and grabbing something to eat at one of Sarasota’s waterfront restaurants:

  1. Pop’s Sunset Grill
  2. Evie’s Spanish Point Restaurant and Tiki
  3. Dockside Waterfront Grill
  4. Marina Jack
  5. Crow’s Nest
  6. Dry Dock Waterfront Grill
  7. O’Leary’s Tiki Bar and Grill

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1. Pop’s Sunset Grill

cheeseburger pizza pop's

Pop’s Sunset Grill is famous for its Floridian fare and tiki charm. Boaters can find this charming restaurant near Casey Key and Nokomis Beach at Marker 10. This restaurant is well-loved by tourists and locals for the casual atmosphere and beautiful water views. 

Diners can enjoy the waterfront bar and dining, indoor dining, a tiki bar, courtyard, and fire pits while grabbing a beverage or eating a meal.

Pop’s Sunset Grill offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner menus, full of appetizers to salads and egg creations to sandwiches. There is something for everyone on the menu at this popular dining destination. Top breakfast menu items include tiki benedicts, Pop’s short stack, and warm cinnamon rolls. 

Additional popular menu items include mango rubbed shrimp, cheeseburger pizza, wood-grilled rack of ribs, and Marker 10 Mahi tacos.

2. Evie’s Spanish Point Restaurant and Tiki

Fish Tacos Evies Spanish Point

Evie’s Spanish Point Restaurant and Tiki is a hidden gem nestled across Sarasota Bay from Siesta Key. This restaurant has two docks, offering plenty of space to dock your boat and enjoy cold beverages and mouthwatering treats. The location provides the perfect place to grab a chair, watch the boats pass by, and watch the sunset. In addition, Evie’s Spanish Point Restaurant and Tiki offer live music on select nights and weather permitting.

Menu items at this restaurant include appetizers, sandwiches, salads, entrees, and desserts. Popular menu items include boom boom shrimp, tiki chowder, and fish tacos.

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3. Dockside Waterfront Grill

shrimp cakes Dockside Waterfront Grill

Take a step back to Old Florida when dining at Dockside Waterfront Grill and enjoying the glorious harbor, fresh seafood selections, and hand-crafted cocktails. This unique dining experience in Sarasota provides a beautiful setting while eating fantastic food selections, including appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees, and more.

Popular Dockside Waterfront Grill menu items include gulf grouper bites, Prince Edward Island mussels, lobster lollipops, salmon sliders, and tuna nachos. Other popular menu items include the ultimate chicken sandwich, dockside burger, sea scallop dinner, seafood combinations, lump crab, and shrimp cake dinner.

4. Marina Jack

fried soft shell crab marina jack

Marina Jack is in downtown Sarasota, offering boaters an opportunity to enjoy some food and fill their gas tanks in one convenient stop. This restaurant is one of the most popular places to grab a bite to eat before heading out on the boat or taking a quick break for a cool beverage. 

Diners can enjoy the relaxed setting to unwind and enjoy the cool ocean breezes from the Gulf of Mexico. This restaurant is a family-friendly environment offering the perfect location to enjoy your favorite tropical beverage, including several non-alcoholic options.

Marina Jack offers a lunch and dinner menu full of appetizers, sandwiches, salads, entrees, and desserts. Popular menu items include corned beef salad, fried soft shell crab, wraps, tacos, grilled chicken breast, and slow-cooked Danish baby back ribs.

5. Crow’s Nest

Crows Nest Mushroom Flatbread

The Crow’s Nest is a laid-back, tavern-style restaurant offering beautiful views of the water, mouthwatering menu items, and finely crafted cocktails. If you are looking for a more sophisticated vibe when taking a break from the water, this restaurant is the place to go. Dining is available inside or on the outside patio.

Menus at the Crow’s Nest feature unique entrees with the freshest and locally sourced ingredients. The raw bar and chilled seafood menu are among the most popular things about dining at this location. Popular menu items include New England smoked salmon, crab cakes, oyster Rockefeller, mushroom flatbread, and seared grouper.

6. Dry Dock Waterfront Grill

Dry Dock Waterfront Fried Pickles

The Dry Dock Waterfront Grill is a popular waterfront restaurant offering opportunities to relax near Longboat Key. The views are one of the best things about enjoying this location, next to the fabulous menu full of various appetizers, salads, soups, seafood, sandwiches, and entrees.

 Popular menu items include nacho el grande platter, Gecko’s fried pickle chips, Margherita flatbread, pasta al la Gecko’s, and fried chicken thumb platter.

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7. O’Leary’s Tiki Bar & Grill

coconut shrimp Olearys

O’Leary’s Tiki Bar and Grill is a fun and unique stop for boaters wanting to grab some lunch, dinner, or beverages with friends. This restaurant is what you would expect when dining in a Florida tiki bar, featuring views of the glistening bay, barstools, and benches scattered across the soft, white sand. 

O’Leary’s Tiki Bar and Grill have breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus featuring appetizers, omelets, sandwiches, and entrees. Popular menu items include tiki nachos, coconut shrimp, garden quesadilla, California chicken sandwich, Mahi tacos, burgers, and hot dogs.

With a Boatsetter boat rental, you can explore some of Sarasota’s best waterfront restaurants on your own schedule. Rent local pontoon boats, fishing boats, catamarans, yachts, deck boats and more.

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