This is the best place in Florida. I have been in n Tea Rooms in both the states and Europe…read more The enchanting experience begins as you past through the wooden gateway into the garden. You are surrounded by beautiful flowers and plants creating a wonderful world away from the busyness of everyday life. The cottage is in the middle the secret garden. The interior creates a whimsical mood that will enchant you and take you back in time. Each course is carefully crafted to your liking and can be adapted to meet the needs of food allergies. The service is spot on and the 1:1 attention to detail will leave you wanting to return with more friends. The owner is simply enchanting and will make you feel like royalty. I certainly plan on returning for more adventures. Thank you for making my mother's birthday just perfect!

Just... wow! Bear with me through this long review, but it deserves every single praise it's given!…read more Once you step through the door of this magical hideaway, you'll find yourself transported to a realm where time slows, and every sip of tea feels like a gentle whisper from an old, beloved storybook. The moment you enter, you are embraced by a cascade of twinkling fairy lights that shimmer like stardust against a twilight sky. Fresh flowers bloom in every corner, their sweet fragrance mingling with the comforting aroma of steeping tea and freshly baked cakes. The menu is a delightful symphony of flavors, with each dish crafted as if by fairy hands. The tea sandwiches are dainty yet satisfying, their ingredients so fresh they seem to have been gathered from a mystical garden just moments before. The salads are vibrant and bursting with life, each leaf and garnish adding to the overall tapestry of flavors. And, of course, the cakes! The cakes are tiny works of art, each bite a burst of sweetness that leaves you floating on clouds of pure bliss. Even the soups, served in charming little teacups, are more than just a meal--they are comfort and warmth, a gentle embrace on a slow afternoon. Each spoonful is like a chapter in a story you never want to end. In this enchanting restaurant, you don't just dine--you dream. Every moment here feels like a stolen piece of a fairy tale, and you'll find yourself lingering, not wanting to break the spell. Whether you come alone to sip tea and read by the soft glow of the fairy lights or with friends to share laughter over a tray of delicate sandwiches, you'll leave with your heart a little lighter and your spirit a little brighter. To say that the owner of this enchanting establishment is just as magical as the place she's created would be an understatement. Kathryn is the heart and soul of this fairy-tale haven, a living embodiment of the kindness and beauty that fills every corner of her restaurant. Her presence is like a gentle breeze, warm and soothing, making everyone who walks through the door feel instantly at home. Her generosity is evident not just in the thoughtful touches that make each visit special--like the fresh flowers that greet you at every table or the extra care taken to ensure each dish is perfect--but in the way she treats each guest like an old friend. There's a sweetness in her smile that makes you feel as though you've known her for years, and a gentle warmth in her words that wraps around you like a comforting blanket. She moves with a quiet grace, always attentive, yet never intrusive. Whether she's offering a kind word, making sure your tea is just right, or sharing a delightful story, she does so with a lightness that leaves you feeling cherished and cared for. It's clear that this restaurant is more than just a business to her--it's a labor of love, a place where she pours her heart into every detail. In a world that often feels rushed and impersonal, the owner's presence is a reminder of the beauty of kindness and the power of a generous spirit. She has created not just a restaurant, but a sanctuary--a place where time slows down, and you can savor not just the food, but the warmth of human connection. To dine here is to be touched by her sweetness, and to leave with your heart a little fuller, your day a little brighter. Thank you, Kathryn, for creating such a beautiful safe haven for all who enter. As long as this establishment is standing, I will be there in attendance.

Columbus Hall is home of Knights of Columbus Council 3358. During Lent the Knights and Columbus…read moreHall open every Friday for a Fish Fry. The menu is Fried, or Baked Wild caught Alaskan Pollock, (no farm raised fish here). If fish isn't your thing, they also have fried shrimp. Choices for your sides are macaroni and cheese, rice pilaf, or french fries, all dinners come with coleslaw. Upon arrival you are greeted by volunteers of the Knights of Columbus, who will seat you, wait on you, and even offer a drink from the full liquor bar. Its a Sarasota tradition. Monies collected help support some of Knights of Columbus Council 3358s local charities. Columbus Hall is also available for parties. ColumbusHall.org VictoryKofC.org

We spent maybe 90 minutes at the gardens, which are currently featuring sculptures and drawings by…read moreartist Alexander Calder. Calder is most famous for his use of primary colors, and for his mobiles. This exhibit, "Alexander Calder: The Nature of Movement" ends May 31, 2026. Calder's connection with Sarasota is mainly through sketches he made of Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, which was based in Sarasota. Portions of the gardens are under construction, but most areas along the water are open. There wasn't much in bloom during our visit. Admission is not cheap ($28 per adult, $12 for children 5-17) but we were able to get in for free using the reciprocal arrangement from our membership at another botanical garden. Garage parking is free, and there's an elevator.

Such a lovely time ! This is a must-see place to go if you're visiting Florida. Nice place to take…read morepictures and walk around. I do wish there was more structure as to what section of the garden to go to first. However, they do provide you with a map to make sure you hit everything.

We held our rehearsal dinner at the Riverhouse for my son and daughter-in-law's wedding the next…read moreday. About 30 guests were in attendance. We chose this venue because of it's location in proximity to the wedding (Baker's Ranch), the price, the menu, and mostly because of the room itself and the views of the sunset over the Manatee River. When we first met with Cindi many months ago, she already knew the time of sunset on March 9. That speaks for itself. We set the end of cocktail hour to coincide with that time, and worked everything backwards from there for the rehearsal. The sun cooperated on the day of the event and everything was magical. We choose an open bar, appetizers, and a menu of about five entrees. The food was all very good, but I wouldn't call it excellent. The mahi-mahi was a tad too done. The brisket was close to excellent. I didn't have the island tacos, but heard they were a hit. The coconut shrimp was perfect. So a mix. Appetizers were generous. We selected "premium level" beer and wine and liquor for the bar. Mostly I was happy with that choice - good beer and liquor, except I felt that the Chardonnay options brought it down a notch. We asked for a slightly better Chardonnay, and the best we could get was still not so great. Wine lovers need a little more value in an event like this, and a better white would help to improve the overall value of the premium selection. The venue and the staff are the reason the rating is high. Cindi was very helpful and accommodating from the time we first met in the fall, but really showed her professionalism on the night of the event. She and her team were friendly and helpful, paying attention to detail and flexible in meeting our needs. Big kudos to the staff!

Absolutely amazing. Working with the Riverhouse was like a dream come true for my out of town…read morewedding. I had so little time and flexibility, but Cindi and the team at the Riverhouse consistently went above and beyond to make everything so easy and perfect with me. I cannot imagine what my wedding would have been like without them. They are FANTASTIC and I whole-heartedly recommend this venue to all my friends and family. The venue is beautiful, food is delicious, and the people are amazing.

We were here for a business lunch. The service was great, food was decent, and the view was…read morewonderful during lunch.

Bird Key Yacht Club is located on the private island of Bird Key approx. 5 minutes from downtown or…read morethe famous shopping area of St Armunds Circle. Drive another 2 minutes and you are at Lido Beach or further down is Lido Park. BKYC is a private club offering a beautiful clubhouse, fine dining, tennis courts, huge pool, and work out facilities. In addition, members can rent a slip and keep their boat their for substantially less than a conventional marina. For the boater, they also have reciprocity with approximately 30 yacht clubs in Florida.

A beautiful wedding venue that is right on the water! I attended an April wedding here, and I was…read moreblown away about the beauty of this venue. To get to the venue, you have to drive through a university's campus... there was tons on construction going on. Once you get to the estate, there isn't a sign saying you are at the estate. The only sign there is, is the one from the street. This and the parking lot situation were the only two things that I wasn't a fan of. Everything else was absolutely stunning. Our bride had her ceremony under beautiful trees, and the whole back lawn was decorated with tables, bar tops, photo booths, and a marquee sign. There were two bars, one under the gazebo and one under the trees, so there wasn't congestion there. There was tons of space to walk around and spread out. Such a picture worthy venue. It photographs extremely well. For the reception, we sat at tables right by the water. It wasn't too hot because of the nice breeze and sitting out at sunset was priceless. The bride didn't have anything set up inside, but you could go in there if you wanted. A beautiful spot for a destination/beach vibe wedding.

I attended a wedding here a couple days ago and the venue is absolutely stunning and beautiful! The…read morereception was under a tent and it was perfect with the sunset and no rain. Inside the estate, there are a few bathrooms and a separate room just for the bride. There were approximately 130 people and didn't feel crowded at all. Definitely would recommend this place if you are planning any events!

Hadn't been to Sage in well over a year, as I don't get to downtown too often. As we made a last…read moreminute decision, after attending the boat show, to try to get in, with no reservation, on a completely booked up Saturday, we were not setting ourselves up for or expecting to have the best of service. Yet everything was above perfect. From the greeting at the door, to the gorgeous decor, live music, lighting and overall vibe, I was reminded just how special a place Sage is. Our party of 3 enjoyed every course and nothing was less than exceptional. We had the roasted parsnip soup and Cesar salad, followed by the Crab Cake appetizer. For main course, the Thai Bouillabaisse and Lobster Gnocchi followed with warm Blueberry Crumble, cheesecake and chocolate crème brûlée. Highly recommend, this place set high standards and nothing has slipped. next time, I'll have a reservation made.

Don't sleep on this…read more Fantastic cocktails, food and service make this a goto in Sarasota. Zero disappointments and literally everything was great including our server Cassie. We will be back.

Loved our tiki cruise. Our captain was great, really made the cruise fun. We were able to bring on…read moreour own foo and drink. We highly recommend.

What an enjoyable time! Great experience! Hands down the best thing to do in Sarasota! Floating…read moretiki bar, nothing is better than that! Stopped at the sandbar and the beach awesome owes and even seen some wildlife! Very personal cruise it seems like they care and enjoy the views and cruise at the same time! Hands down if you haven't experienced this you have to! 10 stars all the way!