From fine dining to local cafés, Siesta Key has numerous locations that cater to different cuisines that residents and non-residents alike are certain to enjoy. Due to the size of Siesta Key, most locations are within walking distance, if not a short drive away. There are many locally owned restaurants and a few chains throughout the Siesta Key region.
In addition to delicious food, many locations offer top-rated views of Siesta Key beaches and local landmarks such as Siesta Village. This article provides a deep dive on five top-rated, local Siesta Key restaurants that are sure to satisfy your dinner cravings and pair local craft beers, wines, and cocktails.
Island House Tap & Grill
Situated in the northern corner of Siesta Key Village, Island House Tap & Grill is a scratch-style kitchen with big tastes such as fresh seafood, salads, and famous Island House Bowls. With a 4.4 star rating, this easygoing restaurant has outdoor patio seating under twinkle lights and indoor seating with cozy decor.
Visit their page on Untappd, which shows their extensive array of craft beers on draft. They also offer bottles and cans to go of their most popular beers, wines, and hard seltzers. Dine-in to experience the full ambiance that Island House has to offer, or order online in advance for pickup for a seamless to-go experience!
Wherever possible, Island House uses locally sourced ingredients for their dishes. Popular dishes are their Island House Bowls, such as the Pollo Bowl and Carne Asada Bowl which features high-quality meat on a bed of riceberry purple rice, queso fresco, pico de gallo, and cilantro lime crema.
Thursday through Sunday, Island House Tap & Grill features live music from local artists on their patio to curate a friendly, local feel. Check it out today!
Hours of Operation: 11 AM – 10 PM Daily
Located at 5110 Ocean Boulevard, Siesta Key FL
Siesta Key Oyster Bar
Siesta Key Oyster Bar, or “SKOB” as the locals call it, works to deliver Siesta Island spirit paired with delicious, fresh oysters and fine cocktails. This location serves up beach bar vibes, but takes their food quality and freshness seriously to offer locally sourced, pesticide free, and sustainably grown ingredients. SKOB has over four thousand reviews, ranking the business at 4.5 stars.
Big G’s Happy Hour provides significant discounts on fresh oysters from 3-6 PM daily! Their “SKOBetizers” feature award-winning wings, house fried oysters, lump crab hushpuppies, and more. In addition to burgers and filets, Siesta Key Oyster Bar is known for their fresh seafood prepared in so many different ways.
Pair your favorite dish with house beer and cocktails and live music performed 7 days a week! Several bands are scheduled for live music performances around the clock at SKOB, but they also feature Open Mic Night on the first Tuesday of each month from 7-11 PM! This location loves supporting local talent and curating the best set for visitors to listen to while feasting on fresh oysters and seafood.
SKOB also hosts a weekly Sunday brunch from 9-11:30 AM!
Hours of Operation: Mon-Thurs 11 AM – 11 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM – 12 AM, Sun 9 AM – 11 PM
Located at 5238 Ocean Boulevard, Siesta Key FL
Summer House Siesta Key
Summer House Siesta Key describes themselves as an “elegant, relaxed transitional steak house with a seafood attitude”. Rated on TripAdvisor’s 2020 Traveler’s Choice awards and earning a 4.7 star rating on Google, this location features a fully renovated, clean space with unique beach themed accents. At their bar, you’ll see top-shelf liquors and a selection of over 400 wines for you to try.
Summer House has a museum quality fish tank that is over 14 feet long and stores 1,000 gallons of water. Exclusively designed by Sea Clear Aquariums, this is a must-see and a fantastic sight to witness while dining at this fine establishment.
With hand-selected steaks from local ranches and fresh seafood offerings, this location is sure to impress you. They feature black angus steaks and chops such as filet mignon, prime angus ribeye, new york strip, and American wagyu top sirloin. For seafood, they offer a “colossal” lobster tail, diver scallops, jumbo shrimp, scottish salmon, and more.
Summer House’s operating philosophy is to “put people first” and enact a “servant leadership” style to impress and wow guests the moment they walk in the door!
Hours of Operation:
Located at 149 Avenida Messina, Siesta Key FL
The Lobster Pot Restaurant
Get a taste of New England tradition & Cape Code on Sietsa Key with this restaurant. Offering cafe-style patio seating and a variety of selections from New England seafood, steaks, chicken, pasta, and beer & wine, this spot offers a lunch & dinner menu sure to impress.
The first Lobster Pot Restaurant was opened in 1940 by Ralph & Adeline Medeiros, who freshly caught fish and lobster to prepare at their restaurant. Their son, Glen, brought his father’s recipes to this location at Siesta Key Village, ran with his wife and sons! Honoring their Portuguese heritage, the Lobster Pot serves up traditional dishes and fresh seafood to the Siesta Key area.
Their award-winning specialty is the “Baked Stuffed Lobster Dutchess.” Multiple Lobster dinners from tails, pastas, jambalaya, and more, are perfected at this location. Outside of seafood and lobsters, steaks like New York strip and filet mignon are grilled to perfection and served with a signature garlic toast. Order online or dine in person!
Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday 11:30 AM – 9 PM, Closed Sundays
Located at 5157 Ocean Boulevard, Siesta Key FL
Turtle’s Restaurant
Turtle’s Restaurant offers casual waterfront dining on south Siesta Key. Originating since 1986, six Siesta Key locals created Turtle’s Restaurant to provide top-tier service with a fantastic view of Sarasota Bay. Marketed as “fun, fresh, and affordable”, Turtle’s has an All Day menu, Cocktail menu, and a Sunday Brunch menu (offered from 10-1 PM) to view.
The outdoor patio dining is the best view of the water and the staff provides excellent service with reasonable prices for all food and beverages. From soups, sandwiches, seafood platters, pastas & bowls, large salads, and desserts, Turtle’s has something for everyone!
Weekly specials rotate to provide fresh seafood options and unique dishes exclusive to Turtle’s.
If you are interested in renting or hosting a private event, Turtle’s has multiple special events coordinators to provide you and your family with a beautiful event overlooking the water. This location cannot be beat!
Hours of Operation: Daily 11:30 AM – 9 PM, Sunday open 10 AM
Located at 8875 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key FL
