Our party of four visited Indigenous on March 10,2026. Upon our arrival we were warmly greeted by the hostess and immediately taken to our table on the open air porch. The lighting and decor fit perfectly in the quiet neighborhood. Our server Bex greeted us and it was obvious that she was experienced in the food service industry. She was very knowledgeable about the menu and made good recommendations to the Vegetarian in our party. The wait for our starters was short and they were delicious. Most of us opted for the Tile fish entree and it was simply delicious. I would have preferred a slightly bigger portion but I have a larger frame. The chocolate tort desert left me satisfied. Indigenous is a little pricey but this is offset by the experienced staff, quaint atmosphere and delicious food! read more

This was my first time here. The service was interesting. Our server was socially awkward. Don't remember her name. The restaurant is very pretty and nicely decorated. Now onto the food. All of the appetizers we had were absolutely amazing, I would come back strictly for them. The pork chop entree was good but not great. It was very expensive for just ok. The desserts were also good. Not sure that I'll be rushing back. read more

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All the food was fantastic - each ingredient complemented the others in each dish. The cobia in the tartare was highlighted by the thinly sliced cucumber, sesame, and seaweed. Parmesan beignets were light and airy, though a little greasier than expected. The finely diced pear went perfectly with the beignets. Tripletail was cooked perfectly stop a savory shrimp bisque-like cream. Pacing of the service was perfect, with our entrees coming out hot after we finished all our starters. The indoor seating space wasn't large, we were happy we got a four-top for the 2 of us. The patio area looked a bit more spacious, and elegant with lights and fans. read more

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We made reservations to dine at this restaurant based on reviews from friends for a delicious farm to table. We were not with children, so I cannot comment if it was family friendly. However, we sat outside and had a lovely experience. The beignets were delicious, and we both had amazing pieces of mahi. I had a local kombucha and my friend enjoyed wine. The server was friendly and knowledgeable. We took our time througu the courses and enjoyed the meal and sustainability. We will return! read more

Second time back at this wonderful little restaurant. I say little but it's actually bigger than it looks with a small 'shed' like building in the back that has a cute bar area and some tables inside. This time around, we ordered a very lovely rose called Summer in a bottle. We had the beignets for our appetizer and it was light and fluffy and yummy! For our main meals, I was happy to see a lovely vegetarian option of lentil and mushroom bologenese with pappardelle and my husband had the Kanpachi with Congoree & Penn middlins. Both were wonderful and our waitstaff was lovely giving us some history on the restaurant and how the chef is focused on sustainability and some future plans. For dessert we had the chocolate torte which was in the shape of a cupcake and a perfect way to end our night here. read more

I had the best 30th birthday dinner at Indigenous! My family and I dined outside in early August on the patio. It wasn't too hot as they had a big standing fan near our table. Our server Matthew was extremely attentive and professional. He had much knowledge about the menu selections as he has been a server for over 10 years at this restaurant. The food was simply incredible. Everything was beyond fresh. The details of each dish were all transparently stated on the menu, offering peace of mind regarding seasonality, locality, and sustainability. I don't choose to eat seafood out often as it is difficult to find quality, but here I was confident in the sourcing. I highly recommend the ahi tuna gazpacho if you can get it. The flavor profile was so rich yet light. The different textures were perfectly contrasting. My sister ordered the sea bass which was equally as divine, and my husband's pork chop dish was beautifully done. One critique on the Parmesan beignets - these felt more sweet than salty. I felt they were missing a hefty sprinkle of flaky sea salt or something. The green salad was just basic enough, while being elevated and unique. The truffle mushroom soup had to have been the table favorite. Papaya sorbet was a refreshing closer. The little flowers on top made me smile. Crisp New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc was the perfect zingy, dry and fruity pairing for the fish dishes we enjoyed. It's no wonder this place has been open 15 years. I hope they have continued success. Cheers to the chef. read more

Had dinner with friends last night in the room with the bar. Very nice setting and cozy. The roasted mushrooms were cold, the Artic char was warm, and the halibut was not very firm. The Parmesan beignets were good but salty and the burger was very good. Our service with Katie was very spotty Overall not a great experience. read more

Such a cute charming spot ! Not on the water but In a quiet neighborhood. The wine selection was extensive and their menu changes seasonally. The service was good and the vibes are just 10/10. read more

This is my second time coming here. First time was amazing and checked all the boxes. This second time however... Our waiter completely ignored us for 25-30 minutes. As we sat literally right in front of her. There were two other tables in the entire room and she only visited one table briefly and there was no reason she couldn't have said hi and asked for us to give her a moment as she got ready. It was repulsively awkward to see her standing around and then realizing after almost 30 mins that our waiter was right in front of us without saying hi. There is no way she was so busy with two other tables of just two people to not be able to say hi and get us water. The bathroom had literal human feces on a hand towel in the garbage can. I don't know how that happened and I don't think it was any employees fault but super disgusting to see mid meal. Besides that the food was great! But when each entree cost 40 dollars you should expect better service. read more

Good service. Enjoyed the ambiance on the porch. Food was good but would order something different next time. Mushroom soup was a little too truffley for me. Parmesan beignets were light and yummy. Arctic char was cooked well. read more

Restaurant is in a residential area so does sneak up on you a little bit! I loved that it was an old home--it felt like I was eating dinner in my kitchen! We were seated by the kitchen so could see them cooking. The service was fine, waiter probably could have checked in on us a little more and been bit quicker but overall, was good. We did the pear beignets for apps since they are a staple. They were good but nothing incredible. BUT, the pork chop was incredible. The crust was almost like a crème brûlée topping and went so well with the flavors and added nice crunch. We also go the kanpachi fish and felt the flavors of Brussels sprouts and purple sweet potato paired perfectly with it. Overall, I would 100% recommend an evening here and would totally come back! read more

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One of the best restaurants in the world. I visit Sarasota once a year and always look forward to dining here. The seafood dishes are consistently exceptional. This time, I had the arctic char, which was phenomenal--perfectly cooked and paired beautifully with a potato latke, beets, and an apple-arugula salad. What I love is that each fish dish is always unique and thoughtfully composed. The appetizers were also outstanding--the pickled peppers were sensational, and the roasted mushrooms were packed with flavor. For dessert, we couldn't choose just one, so we ordered all four. Each was fantastic. The orange creamsicle ice cream and cantaloupe sherbet were refreshingly unique, while the citrus olive oil cake and dark chocolate torte were absolutely divine. Our server, Cathryn (sp?), was outstanding and made the evening even more enjoyable. read more

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I love to dine at local restaurants that have been nominated for James Beard Best Chef awards. Indigenous is the only Sarasota restaurant to receive recent recognition. Indigenous has a limited menu, with a heavy focus on seafood. The restaurant's name emphasizes its locally sourced meats, seafood and ingredients. When I made my reservation, they only seat solo parties at the bar. Gary, the bartender and server took good care of me. The downside is I stared at wine bottles and beer in the refrig all night. When you read reviews on Yelp, the two menu items you must order are the Wild Mushroom Bisque, which is heavenly, and the Parmesan Beignets, which are super yummy. They are served with local honey and pears. Amazing! Gary said the Cheshire Pork Chop was his favorite, so that supported my choice. Loved the caramelized brown sugar. What was missing was the buzz or energy that I find at great restaurants. Some of that is created by guests, some by the staff. The bar dining area lacked that. read more

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Hello Our friends recommended, we came tonight , our 42 Anniversary. I even added that to our reservations . We even came earlier in the day to see if they had earlier dinner times than 7:45, but they did not. The mushroom soup was delicious as well as salad ; burger and fish sandwich ok. Little disappointing , not a cheap dinner ..... read more

Entries were excellent. Service was good. Ambiance was great. Very inviting with a rotating menu. Lovely atmosphere. read more

Indigenous Restaurant - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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Awesome spot, highly recommend! Everything about our meal was perfect! I loved the ambiance and atmosphere, very farm to table/neighbor gem type of place. We basically ordered the entire menu! The staff was very friendly tooX The Parmesan beignets were very light/fluffy, and very tasty with the local honey and thyme. The wild mushroom bisque was a definite favorite. Lots of flavor! Snapper crudo: was a nice, light, perfect summer dish. The baked scallops: very unique flavor. I loved the combination with the braised potatoes and Parmesan. The iberico pork chop was huge and very flavorful, full bacon flavor. The Kanpachi had a very unique flavor profile to it, very green and summer like. For dessert: the pickled Florida blueberries dish was outstanding. Loved the combination with the lemon cheesecake and shortbread. The orange blossom honey pie was good too. I needed a nap after this meal. But seriously, everything was incredible! read more

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Fantastic food, outstanding experience, great service with a delightful atmosphere! A perfect restaurant experience. Our out-of-town guests raved about this place. The mushroom soup, a staple on the otherwise always changing menu, is a must try! Love the way the restaurant is tucked into a house in a neighborhood, very homey feeling! read more

Indigenous Restaurant - Our out of town guests raved about their Indigenous experience and Siesta Key! - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

We had a wonderful dining experience here last month. The restaurant is very small and intimate located in a renovated house. They do have outdoor seating as well as street parking and paid parking in the lot across the street. The things that we felt stood out as fantastic that I would recommend would be: The mushroom bisque (not gluten-free) The pork chop (gluten-free) The gelato/ ice cream ( the topper on it is not gluten-free). The pork chop may or may not still be on the menu because the menu changes weekly, but holy cow, that was one of thee best pork chops I have ever had and the potato and Brussel sprouts hash that it came with was perfection. The pork chop was so tender and easy to cut. I drove all the way from Tampa for it, and I was not disappointed. I would highly recommend this restaurant dining here was a 5/5. read more

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One of the best restaurants in Sarasota. Amazing New American cuisine with incredible elevation of classic flavors Pros - fast and friendly service. The wild mushroom bisque is mind-blowing and packed with flavor. The Iberico pork chop is hands down the best pork chop I have ever had. They place a thin layer of crispy caramelized sugar over the pork that mimics a creme brulee and it pairs so well with the fattiness of the pork belly Cons - none! Definitely make a reservation at this place. Their cooking skills and ingenuity of flavor combinations is absolutely worth it. read more

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We haven't dined at Indifenous since 2020, but the food , service and overall ambiance still stands up to the test. The only issue is what to order - limited menu, but all super dishes. Maybe only note would be having a chicken or beef / steak dish on the menu, but the seafood is excellent and innovative. read more

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We have been visiting Sarasota for many years and can't believe we have not been here. It is my favorite restaurant in Sarasota The food was great We had a party of 5 We started with the Parmesan beignets Ordered the smash burger loved the pickled vegetables they served with it Had the nightly short rib special , scallops which had 6 and was very filling and rich could not finish The lemon thyme tart was very good but would have liked it a pinch tarter not as sweet read more

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This was the best meal we have had in a while. We started with the mushrooms and green curry fish dip. Both were great but the mushrooms were the dish of the night. We also shared the scallops and beef pappardelle. The scallops came with potatoes that were cooked perfectly and complemented the scallops well. The pasta was also tasty. Our server made great wine recommendations. The restaurant had a cool vibe being that it was a house that was converted into a restaurant. If you're in Sarasota, Indigenous is a must try. read more

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Ambiance was amazing Food was awesome staff was attentive, enjoy the evening Parking lot are easy access. read more

While the food was good and service solid, the atmosphere was boring and lacked soul. The menu is is focused on seafood. The restaurant only serves beer and wine; overall the bottle wine selection was good. We choose a nice bottle from Oregon. The Cobia appetizer was tasty and a highlight of the meal. We were celebrating a special occasion and while it was acknowledged, nothing else? We often dine with friends so no plans to return, much better options in the area. Cheers! read more

Indigenous Restaurant - Cobia appetizer - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Excellent service, great food at reasonable prices. Great ambience. Wonderful, thoughtful and creative menu selections.

Our server was wonderful. She was very attentive and well versed in the menu. She was also super nice. She was the highlight of our evening for sure. We've been here several times. Use to be our favorite restaurant but ever since Covid it's not the same anymore. I love small menus. Means everything is super fresh but their menu is too small. Not many options. We began with the chimichurri shrimp. It was ceviche. Shrimp were decent, however, the chimichurri didn't go well with the shrimp. Wasn't your traditional chimichurri. The buttermilk gelee was tasteless. Wasn't impressed. We both had the snapper special. The fish were both overcooked. The potatoes were underdone and so were the onions and mushrooms. The onions were practically raw. We skipped dessert. Oddly, it was the first time we had eaten there and their owner/chef wasn't cooking. Maybe that's why they had an off night. I know he has another project that he's working on. We want to give this place another try but not sure if we will. Past few times haven't been great. It's sad. This was the spot to go to. Not sure it is anymore. read more

Indigenous Restaurant - Chimichurri shrimp - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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The food was fresh and the flavors were perfection! The sustainable aspect of the selection was inspirational! The Cobia entree was fabulous with so many fresh flavors and Latin influences. The home made turmeric noni chips were amazing and the chi biscotti was the best home made biscotti I have ever tasted! The gluten free options were greatly appreciated! Love the entire experience! Our server was wonderful, attentive and full of information and great suggestions! Ambiance was lovely, a personalized experience with a feeling of privacy and connection to the kitchen! read more

Indigenous Restaurant - cobia entree - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Dear Indigenous Sarasota Team, I hope this message finds you well. My fiancé and I dined at your restaurant last Friday evening, December 6th. This visit was something my partner had been eagerly anticipating for over a year, and we were excited to experience the highly regarded cuisine and atmosphere. Unfortunately, our experience fell far short of expectations, and I wanted to provide feedback with the hope it might be helpful for your team. We were seated as the final table of the evening at 8:15 PM and started with the Lemon Pickled Shrimp. Unfortunately, the shrimp were overwhelmed by an excessively strong citrus flavor, which masked the intended balance of the dish. The accompanying chips, however, were fresh and enjoyable. Next, we tried the Roasted Mushrooms. Regrettably, the mushrooms were cut too finely and served in a manner that made them soggy and unappealing. This preparation detracted significantly from the dish. When our entrees arrived, the issues persisted. My fiancé ordered the recommended salmon, which was overly salted to the point of being inedible. I chose the Beef Pappardelle, which had promising elements like the noodles but was marred by the addition of raw panko and a presentation that felt unrefined. Throughout the meal, our server did not check in to ask how we were enjoying the food, nor were we offered the option to take any leftovers home. This lack of engagement added to our disappointment, as it felt like there was little care for the guest experience. We left In total, we had only a few bites of our meal, which came to over $240. While we appreciate the effort that goes into your menu, the overall experience left us deeply disheartened. When we shared a brief review on OpenTable, the response we received from your team, "We will be sure to keep an eye out for you, and share this with all the restaurants in town," felt unprofessional and dismissive. Constructive feedback should be an opportunity for growth, not a reason for retaliation. We wanted to share this feedback not out of malice, but in the hope that it can be used to enhance future guest experiences. We admire the vision behind your restaurant and hope that with some attention to these areas, others can have the exceptional dining experience we had anticipated. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Sincerely, AJ read more

Indigenous Restaurant - Their review on open table - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Wouldn't & wont recommend. Our waiter was bit of a d!ck. Food was avg at best. Pork chop was dry, over cooked. Triple tail was fishy and old. Wine & dessert was the only saving grace. But they didn't make the wine. See managements response in image to reviews of poor service by them. read more

Indigenous Restaurant - Their response to rude service and poor food. Says what you need to know about ownership. - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Food was very good. Outdoor table on the porch provided nice ambiance. I'd certainly recommend to others.

It's a really lovely restaurant. The food was pretty good. The service was excellent. Unfortunately they only offer wine and beer. I would say it's a nice place to have dinner, but it's a bit overpriced. But I will go back again! read more

We received a gift certificate for this restaurant for Christmas. We live in Venice which is 30 miles from the restaurant. We made reservations for 5:30pm. It must be noted that you have to give them a credit card number when you make the reservation. FIRST NEGATIVE. Because it was rush hour and traffic unprintable, we ended up arriving at the restaurant at 5:05pm hoping to have a glass of wine before dinner. Restaurant opens at 5:30 -- no wine served and no restaurants nearby to sit inside and wait. We sat outside in the 90 degree heat. SECOND NEGATIVE. Finally seated at exactly 5:30pm. Ordered a glass of Malbec apiece and it was excellent. BUT, $16 per glass. THIRD NEGATIVE. We sipped some then ordered about 5:37. Sat drinking wine. Finally asked if any bread was to be served. Answer: No, we don't do that. FOURTH NEGATIVE. Our food finally arrived a few minutes after 6. I had the burger. It was OK but, not $25 worth of OK. My partner had Eggplant. It was dry and not enhanced at all by the sauce. Her comment: tastes like something could get at the takeout at Whole Foods. FIFTH NEGATIVE. Bill arrived and was $97. read more

Always delicious and lovely atmosphere! The mushroom soup is so yummy. And really enjoyed the branzino last time

This is a very generous 3 stars. I was so excited to try this place but maybe my expectations were too high. I was going to go 2 stars but the rest of my party enjoyed their meals so I'll give credit for that. Mother's birthday. Chose here because they have everything. Meat, seafood, vegetarian, gluten free and a beautiful restaurant. Strike one: my mother has to watch what she eats but she really liked the swordfish with the green bbq and zucchini and eggplant. She can't have the tartar sauce or bbq sauce though, so she asked for it on the side. They wouldn't do it. She asked for it without the sauces. They wouldn't do it. Nothing on their website or menu says they don't do changes or substitutions. And we told the server it was her birthday. But fine. Maybe we missed the warning. The really stupid thing is that they would (and did) make her just a pan seared swordfish with potatoes. Literally the exact things she asked for when she asked for the sauces on the side or left off, the only difference being the lack of veggies. Really? Really? You won't do subs or changes but you do the exact same thing anyway but without the zucchini and eggplant? How stupid is that? Second strike: they're obviously very proud of their menu based on the no changes rule. But I did get the swordfish as it comes and it was bland. Had to add salt and pepper just to get some flavor. Admittedly, the tartar sauce helped but the green bbq sauce? Nothing to it. Didn't add anything to the dish. Very disappointing. Final strike was the check. My mom and brother both got iced tea. While it may not be the end of the world, $5 each for iced tea is obnoxious. On the positive side, service was generally good though it did take her a while to take our order and the kitchen was horribly slow (4th strike I guess). Entrees took about 30 minutes to come out. But otherwise, service was good and she was clearly embarrassed by the substation and changes rule. Also, my mom happened to like her plain swordfish and potatoes. My brother enjoyed his scallops and shrimp but (5th strike) the braised potatoes weren't even fingerling potatoes or if they were, they were the smallest ones ever put in a dish. He got 4 half tiny potatoes. They looked like those baby onions you see sometimes. He couldn't even find them until the server pointed them out. Anyway, mom and brother liked their meals in spite of the issues so I'll give them a generous 3 stars, but I see no reason to come back. read more

Indigenous Restaurant - Forgive the glare. Swordfish in green bbq with eggplant and zucchini. Swordfish was very bland. Needed salt & pepper. - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

We had reservations here at 6pm on a Thursday. The whole experience was nothing short of excellent. The restaurant is located in a neighborhood with sparse parking; so get there a few minutes early just in case. We were sat in the back room which was cozy; consisting of 4 tables and a few bar seats. I didn't look at the other sections in the restaurant. However, I did walk through the outside seating which was perfectly charming. My son and I split the Cheshire Pork Chop which was topped with a caramelized brown sugar over a bed of potato, broccoli, and bacon hash. For dessert, the table split the Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and the Cardamom Panna Cotta. The ice cream was very good; if a little standard. The Cardamom Panna Cotta was truly excellent with a very unique ginger granola mixed with caramelized apple pieces. Our server was very kind and attentive. If anything, I would say that the food took a while to be prepared. However, the wait is definitely worth it. read more

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Three things we liked about Indigenous: 1. The service was great. Our waitress (I think her name was Katie) was attentive & very polite. 2. They offer many gluten-free options! 3. The atmosphere is unique. It's basically an old converted house. We had a table inside &, while the table was small, we enjoyed the intimate vibe. Three opportunities for Indigenous: 1. The fish dip. Wow, it was THE saltiest thing I've tasted in awhile. I love salt, but this was WAY too much. We couldn't even taste the fish. It tasted like a salt block. We did, however, like the crudités they served with it. 2. The falafel. It wasn't falafel but more like undercooked veggie burger meatballs. I understand & appreciate culinary creativity, but this dish misses the mark. I do not recommend. 3. The burger. It was OKAY - a little boring, to be honest. I really wanted to love this place, but I left unimpressed. We may give it another shot, but it won't be anytime soon. read more

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Sad that I didn't get a photo of our dinner before we started eating ! The plates came out quick and the food was fresh. I got the pork chop and my partner got the burger, both were great choices! I found the pork chop to be some of the best I've had, paired with a delicious broccolini side. The ambiance is cozy and quiet, easy to have a conversation. We were sat in the back cottage. We will be back! read more

We, a party of 5, were seated right in side the door on the closed in porch. Very odd table placement, the tables didn't align, there were no lights (read menu with phone flaslights) and had the indoor to outdoor and outdoor traffic walking by us all evening. The service was a bit less than attentive and the gas station attendant looking uniforms is an odd look. 5 people, 5 different meals. 1 thing in common - no seasoning to speak off. The bisque was very good. The scallops were very good. The pork chop was huge and well cooked. The hamburger was good but the sides weren't seasoned at all and there wasn't salt or pepper around and no staff around to ask. The vegan meal was a small portion that lacked flavor. For the costs the value wasn't there, the service didn't add value, seating location subtracted value, the lack of lighting was brutal. Maybe an off night, but I am thinking it wasnt. read more

Make sure you make reservations or get ready to wait quite a while. Very quaint ambience. The food is excellent. The mushroom soup is a must. I will be back. read more

One of the all around best dining experiences I've ever had! This chef compares favorably to some of my best meals in SF, DC, and NY. Each dish was so complex and well balanced. My group had roasted wild mushroom appetizer (I'm a great wild mushroom home chef but these were clearly at another level.) After tasting the mushroom bisque I understand why it's a signature dish. My scallops were delicious as was the cobia and the New Zealand salmon. I think my husband's Papardelle with beef was better than any I've had anywhere! Had to try dessert too. White chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream with caramel and apple chips was perfect for me. All in all, although pricey, very reasonably priced for the quality and style. read more

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