Best meal I've had in 2026, and will easily be in the top three this year, I feel it in my soul. Went here on a date and first of all... this place is gorgeous. The food is also beautifully plated (my pics are of my leftovers shhh). My server took the time to suggest me a lovely floral white wine and took great care of our table. The food not only looks beautiful but tastes phenomenal. I got the duck egg bolognese (if you love lamb get this, if you don't then avoid) and the cauliflower gratin. This deffo will not be my last time here. read more

Arts & Central - Cauliflower gratin (leftovers) - American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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May 2026 update - Pepino Refresco - cucumber & jalapeño infused misguided tequila blanco, pineapple, green chartreuse, agave and lime 2 out of 5 - although the green chartreuse combined with the pineapple juice gives the drink a pleasant color, the intrinsic sweetness of the green chartreuse with the agave made it feel off balance, cloying and slightly awkward; I'm not necessarily about complaining or returning a drink so I did ask for more pineapple and lime juice to balance out the drink; as the drink's recipe currently stands, I would not order it again or recommend it, the idea of using a cucumber & jalapeño infused blanco tequila is lovely but I'd rather have them build a margarita with that base spirit instead of going for the Pepino Refresco recipe as it is on their current menu in 2026; the intensity of the chartreuse flattens the delicate infusion that was used to prepare the tequila Mushroom Parfait - grilled baguette, torn lion's mane mushroom, shaved truffle, herb salad - *add this to the "one of the most delicious things I've eaten" list* - this dish had me delightfully impressed unlike anything I've had before! The delicate, fresh greens had the perfect ratio of light vinaigrette dressing. It was so pleasant to add a modest amount of the mushroom emulsion on the baguette and follow a bite of that with the greens. Truly a must order dish if you like mushrooms. French fries - you can't go wrong with the french fries here, go ahead and ask for a side of any aioli they offer you to have them with, I'm definitely ordering these again here read more

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Had a great experience here! The dining room and patio are both beautiful--perfect spot for lunch or dinner. Our server Tom was super attentive and gave really solid recommendations. You can tell he knows the menu well. Everything we ordered was fresh and full of flavor. The poke bowl was really well balanced, and the French "Philly" was a standout--so good. Even the sliders were done perfectly. Overall just a really enjoyable meal with great service. Definitely will be back. read more

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This is our go to stop in downtown Sarasota. Great seating both inside and out exceptional bar area and very friendly team at the restaurant.. our waitress was exceptional.. Kelly also gave us good information regarding other local places to see. My wife had the lunch special, crabcake sandwich, which was massive and scale and very well-made.. she enjoyed a side salad with with her sandwich. I had their take on a Philly, which was very well-made. It comes served in a croissant. The french fries were spectacular.! read more

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Great find in Sarasota! I had taken my Mom there on a Thursday after a special event. It was lovely. There was live music playing in the bar area and we were seated across the dining room in the perfect spot to enjoy it and still have a conversation. The beet hummus appetizer was delish and could have been a perfect meal actually. The PUA it was served with was probably the best pita I have ever had! I had the salmon. It was cooked perfectly, but I would have really loved some more veggies with it. My mom had the harvest bowl with tri-tip. The flavors were good, but the shredded cabbage was impossible for her to eat. It looked pretty, but the logistics were worse than pasta noodles. They have a wine special on Thursdays and because of that, we were able to try a glass of wine we never would have purchased. That was fun and tasty! Our server, Lexi, was great!! There when we needed her, but not too much. It wasn't inexpensive, but it was worth it!! read more

We returned with friends before attending the symphony. Located in the Rosemary district, this popular restaurant offers excellent American cuisine. My pan skillet trout was excellent , accompanied by a small salad; the choice of wines was numerous. Our waitress was efficient and friendly- a nice dining experience. read more

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Hipster kind of place with a varied menu but it just misses. Service was ok- app came right before main course so eating both together not as it should be; Had the fried oysters app and there was just too much in the dish - overwhelmed with olives, feta sauce etc.. Gruyère and beef au jus, with carmelized onions on croissant was good but a tad salty. Chicken pita very good. read more

This was our second visit to Arts and Central. We sat at the second bar in the back of the restaurant that faces the kitchen. First, they have 3 or 4 mocktails on the menu, yay!! I've had two of them and they were very good. We ordered the octopus appetizer and the tots appetizer and they were both very good and came out pretty quickly, despite the restaurant being pretty crowded. read more

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A+ will return again & again! Space was modern and diners were fancy (lots eating pre-Van Wezel show / Opera performance). Ambience was good and service spectacular. Our server was friendly & steered us to the good choices below! The physical menu itself featured a variety of paintings from a local artist which was a neat touch. Food selection was great - lots of starters that had us excited and we wanted every single salad. We ended up getting the fried oysters (served atop a massive platter of fresh greens, tomatoes, olives, etc. with a stellar sauce) and the poolside tots (warm & hearty - only order if you like brisket, it's central to the dish). Salads were an Apple and whipped goat cheese & a pear and burrata. Both came with a lot more veggies, great sauce, and unique flavors. We probably could have stopped there but added a burger (we got red cabbage slaw with it, wonderful addition). Burger was massive and tasty. Solid drink menu, both of us enjoyed our cocktail (especially me my Manhattan). Our biggest mistake was not getting dessert which looked great. Next time! read more

What can I say. Absolutely amazing from greeting to our table to service to food to drinks and let's not leave out the place is stunning both inside and out. Really imaginative dishes and great taste! read more

The environment here is nice and it has a great atmosphere, but unfortunately our experience with the service and food wasn't great. It was very busy, which we understand, but the staff didn't seem very friendly. Our waiter came to the table, saw we already had drinks, told us he'd bring water, and then disappeared. He returned about 15 minutes later. We ordered the scallop appetizer, which was actually very good. However, the cornbread that came with it was flavorless and very dry. After another long stretch without seeing our waiter, he finally came back and asked about dinner. We mentioned the venison sounded good. He told us it had been dry before but that this time it was amazing and had a better sauce, so he recommended we try it. Unfortunately, it was extremely disappointing. The venison was very dry, hard, and overcooked, and there was no sauce on it at all. The mashed potatoes were also cold. When we mentioned it to our waiter, he simply said "maybe next time it will be better" and suggested we come back. I will say the prime rib was very good, but again the sides that came with it were cold. After that, he brought the check and we just paid and left. The place has potential because the atmosphere is great, but between the service and inconsistent food it just wasn't a great experience for us. read more

Arts & Central - American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Flavorful, Fresh, and Full of Personality We had a fantastic lunch at Arts & Central in Sarasota, FL, made even better by the sunny outdoor seating. The setting had a great laid-back, artsy vibe with a beautiful view. We started with the Tuna Poke Tostado from the shareable snacks menu, and it was a hit. Crispy, colorful, super fresh, and full of flavor. Definitely a great way to kick things off. For the main course, I went with the Backyard Banh Mi and it was one of the most unique sandwiches I've had in a long time. The combination of smoked chicken, pork belly, and pâté was rich and satisfying, and the pickled toppings and chili crunch gave it a bold, spicy twist. Super creative and seriously delicious. Service leaned more on the relaxed side--not the most attentive, but not unfriendly either. Could've been a low-staff moment or just their laid-back approach. Still, it didn't take away from the quality of the food. read more

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Great city bistro atmosphere Attentive staff Tasty dishes We've had brunch as well as dinner and have enjoyed the creative dishes Live music is usually on tap with a single performer whose voice is heard but stays in the background during the meal read more

Update: this is my 4th time dining here (for reference) If you request a food substitution-- the kitchen may not do it for you. I can't eat oysters and requested shrimp on the poboy instead. The waitress put in the order and said she thought the chef would be fine with it. Also, they allowed this substitution for me last time. Then someone came out and told me no. It was a little disappointing read more

I was very excited for this place as it looks great but I genuinely got the most sick I've ever gotten after eating their pot pie. Very disappointed and it's too bad because I had a feeling when eating it something was wrong. Looked great but when you crack it open it was sewage and I can't believe I trusted eating it. Big regret. read more

Arts & Central - Pot pie - American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Stopped by for a quick bite and cocktail at the bar. I made it towards the end of a live music performance. The young lady has such a pretty voice. They provide indoor and out door seating, great for any occasion. I ordered their Mushroom Spinach & Grueyere Crepe. Such a savory take on a crepe. It's was quite good. Would love to make my way back for dinner. read more

Arts & Central - Naked and Famous - American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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I love the ambiance of this restaurant. It's very stylish but also casual. Great place to meet friends for a long lunch or dinner. Food is delightful. This time around I had the apple and fennel salad with added salmon which packed lots of flavor and was also surprisingly more filling than I had expected. My friends really enjoyed their selections too (lamb sliders and shaved sirloin sandwich). Service is professional and friendly. Nice big patio to sit outside if you prefer (though select a shady table when the sun is out). read more

service was great, got take out for work an got the wagyu sliders, only a 10min wait which was great! the sliders were amazing! read more

Arts & Central - American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

The ambiance, drinks and service was immaculate! However I did find a piece of hair in my food... as I said- this place was immaculate overall but I've never had to send back an entree or report anything a miss in my life aside from DoorDash. I thought about it possible being mine but if it were mine, it would have been more so on top. I had to PULL IT OUT OF MY FOOD, that's all the indication I needed that it belongs to someone who prepped my meal... This really ruined my appetite. I contemplated on ordering a different dish as I sipped the wine which was incredibly affordable and tasty but I couldn't do it. It was my husband's birthday and he wanted to come here so I didn't want to ruin his experience and I'm not the one for creating a scene however I was disappointed. read more

Arts & Central - "Dirty Rotten" Fruit basket with chicken. - American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

This restaurant is an absolute gem, great atmosphere, exceptional service, and the food is absolutely exquisite and reasonably priced. We had the oyster appetizer and the lamb sliders appetizer, they were both delicious and very generous portions. The menu is filled with items that we want to try, we will definitely be back to try more dishes and enjoy live music. Great addition to the Sarasota culinary scene. read more

Beautiful evening on the patio of Arts & Central! With multiple opportunities for seating you can find yourself on the main deck enjoying the outdoors and vibe of the Rosemary District, on the side patio for a more intimate cafe setting, inside in the cool, at the bar or at the casual couch area for a beverage before seating. Live music Thursday- the weekend. Food is well presented and delicious! Menu features a local artist where you can learn more and purchase their works. Our server was friendly and appropriately attentive. We shared dishes. While I wanted the tuna poke so reviewed, we opted a bit different. (I love tuna poke!) The poolside tots were recommended by our server and were very good. The bites of brisket the highlight. A bit heavy for the warm evening so will order during cooler times again. The Seared Scallops were melt in your mouth after the excellent sear crust! Definitely a highlight! Only note is the red curry may be a bit spicy for some. Not too but a note for those who don't like a slight kick. The Pickled Pear & Burrata salad was wonderful! Beautiful in both presentation and flavor and texture! Will make this place a go-to! read more

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Sat outside on 3/29. Poolside tots were very good and a huge portion. Swordfish was excellent but the salmon was too charred and over cooked. My smoked old fashioned was very smoky but lacked bourbon. Good service by Joe. read more

Arts & Central - Poolside Tots - American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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Finally tried this spot after it being on our list! Went with a large party and service was excellent. Food options were diverse. All food was very fresh, tasty & cooked to perfection. Good drinks as well! read more

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First time dining here. Everything was good. Service, food & atmosphere was excellent. We will be coming back.

Interesting menu Great food and fast! Excellent service - looking at you Moses! Super cute vibe and beautiful setting What more could you ask for in Sarasota? read more

The experience began with complimentary valet, great drinks with melt in your mouth oysters, amazing and knowledgeable servers, and delicious food. Can't wait to visit again! read more

Arts & Central - Duck egg bolognese - American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Return visit last night. There was a huge improvement over my initial visit. This time I had salmon over lettuce salad with avocado and a few other veggies. It was really delicious. The salmon was prepared very well and not overcooked, really delicious. Salad ingredients were fresh and well prepared. They offered a citrus vinaigrette which was also excellent. Service was great. This time, the server really listened to what we wanted. I was very pleased and would definitely return read more

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Very enjoyable experience. Love the ambiance and vibe of this place! Food is fantastic. Service top notch. Favorite item for dinner was the lamb sliders with Feta, Caramelized Onion, Sumac - I would have ordered a few more! We also enjoyed the tuna poke served in a unique style (see photo). A table favorite was the loaded hummus with Beetroot, Green Pea, Artichoke, Olive, Baby Tomato, Sesame, House Pita, Carrot Ribbons. One small downside was our pita had sat in the open air a little too long and was dry. The surprise of the table was the poolside tots - Brisket, Aioli, Scallions, Sweet Soy Glaze. A delightful presentation and flavor combination for tater tots! For an entree I devoured the cowboy pork chop, a Double-Bone Chop, Chow Chow Pork Jus, Grilled Corn, Garlic Chive Rice. Loved the chop and the chow chow pork jus! Mmmm tasty! Not a fan of the grilled corn on the cob; while it presented nicely on the plate, it wasn't delicious so it went uneaten. Overall, a fantastic experience and will return with friends! read more

Arts & Central - Sitting just outside the dining area on a beautiful "pink moon" evening! - American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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Let start off and say this place has potential. It's a beautiful place inside and out for dining. The service was excellent and the food was good not great. I may have caught them on an off day or my palette was off. I ordered the pork belly and octopus. I'll be back to try something else on the menu. Loved to location and atmosphere read more

Art & Central is a beautiful spot with an open layout and scenic outdoor views in the artsy downtown area. Brunch was good, though none of the dishes included breakfast meats, and eggs had to be added separately. However, the staff was very friendly and helpful in offering available options. The s'mores dessert was rich and delicious, and the pineapple mimosa was a refreshing treat! read more

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Wonderful, creative food in an upscale casual atmosphere. Our server, Kelly, was terrific - she even ran to find us when we left without our doggie bag! read more

Arts & Central - Duck egg bolognese - American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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A wonderful new venue (opened 2/17/24) at the corner of Central and Blvd of the Arts. There are ten (10) parking spaces in the lot across on Central , otherwise there is street and garage parking all around. This is an expansive place, with seating indoors and outdoors for up to 200 people. There is a huge patio in front, flanking the front entrance, a lengthy side patio on Central and a community shared space to the left. Seating inside includes bar, kitchen, private dining for 10-12, and the main dining area. The lunch menus have poetry from different authors on the back and dinner menus sport artwork instead. The inclusion of art is intentional. Even bathroom hall - to 5 bathrooms - is covered in poetry and wishful thoughts. Father & son (Daniel Henson Sr and Jr) teamed up in their first restaurant effort and built this gorgeous restaurant on the site of a former storage facility. Garage doors surround the dining are and bar (5 in total) giving the modern space an indoor outdoor feel. Open 7 days, currently serving lunch inside only with dinner inside and out. Plenty of heaters adorn the outside dining in case you feel chilly. The dinner entree menu is different from lunch, with the same set of Shareables and Between the Buns on both. Wine & cocktail list is very nice too! We tried the Lobster Corn Dog (delicious and filled with lobster), my wife had the steak salad ( big and delicious) and I went with the Bahn Mi (also delicious) accompanied by addictive french fries. Service was warm and friendly throughout and the staff is diligently working through all the surprises that accompany a restaurant opening. The owners are present and involved and hopefully this will be a smashing success! read more

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Wow! Shockingly good. Fantastic food. Great salads--tasty nuggets of goodness (and big). The entrees were magnificent. Really. Could not believe the meal. Service was excellent --warm, efficient, and funny. A great delight. Thank you! read more

Had an AMAZING dinner! We sat at the bar and the service and food were perfect!!! Every dish that came out was unbelievably unique and worth every calorie lol! Will be back for sure. read more

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Wait staff poorly trained. Waited 20 minutes for him to take our drink orders. Another 15 to get our drinks. We ordered wine by the glass for dinner when we ordered our entrees. The wine arrived halfway thru dinner. Very unprofessional. read more

I love coming to Arts and Central when I visit Sarasota! The food, ambience, and service is 10/10! Lily was our server, and she was so kind and helpful! She gave us her recommendations and even provided background on the artwork at the restaurant. Can't wait to come back again! read more

The trout entree is phenomenal! I loved the inclusion of trout roe to the dish. The salad (usually an afterthought) was perfectly seasoned and blended well with the trout. Scrumptious! The pork belly octopus entree was also a crowd pleaser. The drink menu is fun and has a different take on the usual craft cocktails. The only reason for the 4 and not 5 star rating is that it took a long time to get our drinks. Our server was apologetic and explained that the bar got backed up but a restaurant of this caliber shouldn't allow staffing issues to interfere with the dining experience. All said, I can't wait to return and try more of the menu items! read more

The fried oysters here are particularly excellent, and the poboy is fantastic. The ambiance is nice, and the menu is creative. I've been here a few times, and the food and experience have always been consistently good. read more

Service was great Sticky ribs and drinks were great Filet and swordfish entrees were bland unfortunately read more

Arts & Central - Swordfish entree - American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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The menu provides a good variety of selections. In warm weather indoor and outdoor seating. The servers I have had have all been knowledgeable about the food and pleasant. read more