Divided between the Sarasota and Manatee counties, Longboat Key is one of Florida’s many barrier islands, famous for its white sand beaches, luxury resort community, waterfront gulf, and plenty of fine dining. Its unique location between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico provides Longboat Key with the avenue for unique dining experiences you’re not likely to find elsewhere, including bayfront restaurants, luxury venues, and romantic settings perfect for dates, proposals, and anniversary celebrations.
Come and discover the best restaurants on Longboat Key — the number one way to discover the true beauty and wonder unique to this luxury town.
Lazy Lobster Longboat Key
The
Lazy Lobster at Longboat Key is a nautical-themed cafe with an open-air wood bar and outdoor patio offering a variety of seafood dishes. Classics include fish and chips, broiled wild nordic cod, shrimp scampi, crab cakes, and coconut flounder, as well as your choice of lobster specialties from their selection.
Dry Dock Waterfront Grill
Situated in front of Sarasota Bay, the
Dry Dock Waterfront Grill features a dockside patio and a fish-themed setting for a truly tropical seaside experience. Book your reservation to enjoy local favorites like seafood linguine, red snapper, salmon, Chilean sea bass, bourbon-glazed salmon, coconut shrimp, and a variety of seafood combinations.
Chart House
For luxury dining, book your table at the
Chart House, an upscale steakhouse specializing in high-quality steaks and seafood while offering gorgeous seaside views right from your table. Entree options include mahi mahi, wild caught king crab, filet mignon, New York strip steak, Atlantic salmon, and other mouthwatering delights sure to make the dining experience one of the best you’ve ever had.
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub
The
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub is located directly inside an early 1900s beach house refurbished into a rustic seafood restaurant. The Mar Vista offers culinary masterpieces such as a seafood paella prepared with saffron rice, gulf shrimp, seasonal fish, mussels, crawfish tails, and Tasso ham; grilled octopus with romesco sauce served alongside fingerling potatoes and garlic chips; and a parmesan crusted flounder cooked in creole butter sauce and served with fried green tomatoes and a portion of squash casserole.
Maison Blanche
The elegant
Maison Blanche is the premier restaurant for French cuisine and fine wine in a romantic setting. Maison Blanche embodies elegance and sophistication and prides itself on offering its guests only the finest of meals and ingredients to make their night a memorable one. Discover the unique flavor and beauty of one of their specialty dishes, such as their Mediterranean sea bass served with roasted baby spinach, simmered in a grenobloise sauce, or their braised beef short ribs served with French potato puree.
Euphemia Haye Restaurant & The Haye Loft
The
Euphemia Haye Restaurant offers upscale dining in a quaint historic cottage for a unique, extraordinary experience you’re sure to remember. Indulge in tender poached sweet gnocchi simmering in a gorgonzola and parmesan cream sauce or partially boned roasted duck with bread stuffing, drizzled in a tangy and sweet seasonal fruit sauce. The Euphemia Haye Restaurant also serves high-quality steaks, veal, seafood, and a variety of side dishes to complete your meal.
Harry’s Continental Kitchens
Discover romance and delicious cuisine at
Harry’s Continental Kitchens, a quaint American restaurant offering patio seating and sunset views. Their dinner menu features luxury delights such as baked macadamia nut-crusted salmon in an orange poppy seed sauce; seafood cobb with poached shrimp, crabmeat, smoked salmon, tomato, avocado, olives, cucumbers, and romaine with a creamy dill dressing; and garlic infused gulf shrimp accompanied by crispy bacon strips, red onion, and garlic butter sauce, grilled corn polenta, and fresh vegetables.
Whitney’s
Whitney’s is a charming tropical cafe offering hearty plates and live music, perfect for dates or casual outings. Local favorites include mixed salad, local fish sandwiches, chilled seafood platters, pan-sauteed snapper with sticky rice and soy ginger sauce, and tenderloin steak sandwiches topped with caramelized onions, jack cheese, and horseradish sauce. For dessert, satisfy your sweet tooth with a slice of key lime pie or donut holes sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.
Viento Kitchen and Bar
The
Viento Kitchen and Bar is an open-air lounge with an impressive floating wine wall and a sleek fireplace to accentuate the restaurant’s drama and stylish flair. Their dinner menu features a mix of Caribbean fare with a local twist, including pan-seared chicken breast with herb potato gnocchi, roasted carrots, and a natural pan jus; pan-seared snapper in a creamy herb risotto, served with carrots, asparagus, and a roasted tomato vinaigrette; and char-boiled filet mignon served alongside herb mashed potatoes, sauteed wild mushrooms, char-grilled asparagus, and red wine reduction.
The Tavern and Whiskey Bar at the Longboat Key Club
For authentic whiskey and fresh ingredients, the
Tavern and Whiskey Bar is the best of the best. Dedicated to preparing meals with everything the region has to offer, including the Gulf Coast’s seafood bounty, the Tavern is a timeless dining experience exclusive to club members and guests of the Resort at Longboat Key Club. Their main entree menu features chicken pot pie, cauliflower and edamame stir fry, organic rotisserie chicken, and their signature tavern burger, served with bacon, havarti cheese, and a flourish of whiskey braised onions.
The Old Salty Dog
A visit to the Keys isn’t complete without a visit to
The Old Salty Dog, Florida’s all-time favorite for hot dogs, burgers, and other tasty handhelds. The Old Salty Dog is most famous for its signature hot dogs, especially their trademark “Salty Dog,” a quarter-pound hot dog dipped in batter and fried to a beautiful golden brown. Other hot dog favorites include the Fully Loaded Salty Dog, their traditional Salty Dog but this time topped with sauerkraut, bacon, mushrooms, grilled onions, and a mix of American, Swiss, cheddar, and pepper jack cheese.
Eager to learn more? For the best information on how to buy your own Longboat Key real estate, you want to get in touch with
Judy Kepecz-Hays and her team of elite real estate agents. Judy and her team have over 80 combined years of proven experience and are dedicated to helping their clients
find their perfect Longboat Key luxury home. Kindly give Judy a call or
reach out via email as soon as you can!
