Honest opinion from the perspective of a Sarasota resident who has been in the "industry" since 1992. (situation-waiting for an emergency instacart deliver- charging bank) I walked in from the beach side and the guests were a turn off because I was interrupting their experience. The bartender seemingly a seasoned gentleman who appeared to hate his job so much that he could not even smile or look in my direction as he had a total of maybe six people at the bar. He did point me to the front desk after he spoke the words just go to the front and they'll help you. I came in from side entrance, carrying my bag in my clothes. Which should've given it away... At least he pointed me in the right direction. I guess. I made it to the front desk where Gillian and (Justin -maybe- he was quite but seemed to be accommodating) let me use a charger for my phone and offered me the option to sit at the bar and she would come find me when the Instacart driver arrived. Also, she pointed me towards the front entrance as I came in Beach side, apparently. I am grateful that she was spot on as driver did show up exactly where she thought! My overall feel is probably skewed because there was some kind of occasion that people were in the lobby being photographed and having fun! I was surprised at how artistic and upscale the interior of this hotel was that I didn't even realize a hotel all of these years! I've driven a bazillion times and never knew there was this hidden jam of a place there is right in plain sight on Lido Beach! I am still gonna give it five Maybe the bartender is having a bad week or day... It is , and if people in the industry do not save up during the plentiful times it can be quite trying. Especially with the cost of living in general that have skyrocketed in the past few years. It is making it almost impossible for us folk to be here to serve people. read more

When I have visitors from out of the area, this is a spot I always suggest. Between shops, food, and the beach, of course it is. Things are getting better after the 2024 hurricane season. It is still a great place to visit. 28.06.2026 read more

St Armands Circle - Great day to enjoy outside. 11.10.2025 - Shopping Centers Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Enjoyed the visit to Armand Circle. There is parking on the street for a fee as well as parking lot. There are various shops and multiple restaurants choices. Over three days we returned shopped and went to several restaurants. The landscaping was beautiful and we would gladly return. read more

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Wonderful place to eat on St. Armand's circle!!we were there on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, met up with a former neighbor there for afternoon lunch. IT WAS AWESOME ,! You'll definitely need reservations! The island was very crowded with shoppers and eaters,so be prepared for traffic crossing the bridges. Had an awesome time. The waiter was very attentive, but not overly attentive that made us feel rushed! When we go back to Sarasota, St. Armand's is a very popular place to go. Tommy Bahamas store is right below it! A definite "must go to" place for us on our next Florida visit. read more

A cute area that had a variety of shops and restaurants. Everyone should be able to find something they like. For parking you can use the garage or street parking. You do have to pay for parking unless you park further away. They have some unique shops and each place we went to the staff was extremely friendly. I have been coming here since I was a child, so I always enjoy going back. read more

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This was a passionate project of the Ringling's who in the 1920's wanted to build a shopping, living, dining & nightlife destination for visitors. They used circus elephants to haul the timber used to construct the causeway & bridge connecting h Key to the mainland. The circle offers a European-style atmosphere with tropical courtyards, upscale boutiques, and sidewalk cafes steps from Lido Beach. This circular district features over 130 shops, galleries, and restaurants. It is a highly walkable with a vibrant, pet-friendly, and, in the evening, lively atmosphere. Renowned for it's relaxed elegance, diverse dining options, including the historic Columbia Restaurant, Crab & Fin, along with rooftop bars. The circle hosts boat parades, car shows, and holiday-themed parades. It's a fabulous area to wander around & people watch. I love the plaques that acknowledge all of the famous circus performers with their biographies. read more

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Lovely area! My husband and I passed thru the area going to Anna Maria. Very upscale shopping opportunities, but also shops with great deals for tourists! Lido Beach is within a 10 minute walk which is nice. read more

This area is truly beautiful and has ALMOST everything you need... except a bathroom. My lady friends and I made a morning of shopping and spent hundreds of dollars in various stores and yet five different ones told my friends or I there were no public restrooms. We bought a drink at one place just because we were told we could use theirs, only to find it out of order!!! At this point we were desperate ... there's great directional picture maps with the huge color-coded areas, and they seriously showed ONE PUBLIC RESTROOM in the whole area... somewhere near a parking garage? But we never found that mystery bathroom. Another shop employee told us to head toward the church and we'd see signs for a bathroom... again, never found. We're not that old or blind, so maybe it was all just a cruel joke and pretty soon we'll see footage of five middle-aged ladies walking funny because they're being pranked? Regardless, I get that it's a tourist area and many of these shops have to maintain their facilities for employees. What I don't understand is why the main purveyors of the area wouldn't have more comfort facilities readily available around this very large area. Surely a little of the money spent on those gorgeous statues could've bought a few toilets?? We honestly ended up loading up in our SUV and leaving well before we planned to, just because we needed to pee. Sad, really... but probably the best for our wallets. Ironically, we were laughing about it at a restaurant back near our place at Bradenton Beach that evening and our waitress said she's heard the exact same complaint from nearly everyone that visits there from where we were. She explained where we apparently should have gone to find the one restroom available because she frequents the gallery up there quite a bit. We said we'd most likely never go back though, since we could find most of the same stores/shops/restaurants (anything other than that admittedly beautiful gallery) in nearby Tampa and other locations. Ironically, one of the ladies in our group did go back the next day to repeat her steps and stubbornly return every single purchase she made because apparently got angrier throughout the night thinking of her "Pretty Woman" reject moments in stores telling her no potty when she had "good money to spend." Overall it's a large roundabout with a ton of upper-scale shops and restaurants, with beautiful landscaping and Instagram worthy statues, where you'll spy some fancy vehicles, and walk amongst the upper crust. But I beseech you to potty before you come or you'll regret it. read more

St Armands Circle - Shopping Centers Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

St Armand's Circle is still a great place to visit when in Sarasota. It's a big circle with lots of different boutiques, restaurants, and shops. Definitely a tourist spot to enjoy whether you are a tourist or not. They do have tourist prices. The hurricanes that past this past year in 2024 did affect the shops but there's still quite a bit of stores. Unfortunately I did eee many vacant spots as well. It is still open and bustling and people are around enjoying the area. There is meter parking. It says after 8 pm, parking is free. I'm not sure if the parking is temporarily free right now all around. Use Park mobile app to park for easy access. This area is also dog friendly and it's def the best walking at night with the cooler night air. We come back here over and over again! read more

It is perfect weather here at St Armand's Circle!! Love all of the quaint shops and everyone is always on Island time! Cheers! read more

St Armands Circle - Aperol Spritz on Island time - Shopping Centers Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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I have visited St. Armands Circle a few times on vacation with my family. We always enjoyed this spot for some shopping and a bite to eat. While the shops have changed a bit over time, this is still a great place to visit if you are on vacation or wanting to shop around for fun. There are many nice restaurants around the circle that take reservations, so if you are planning to stop here on a trip I would recommend booking a reservation ahead of time to avoid any long waits. I have had good dining experiences at both the Columbia Restaurant and Crab + Fin. There are a mix of shops for all ages, making this a good spot for families or couples to visit. read more

St. Armands Circle feels like the coastal, sun-kissed cousin of downtown Winter Park. Winter Park has its polished charm, shaded brick sidewalks, and that refined boutique energy, but St. Armands brings something different and honestly a little better. The Circle has this breezy, elegant island atmosphere where the shops feel more vibrant, the cafés spill out into the sunshine, and everything seems infused with a vacation-level glow. You get the same upscale shopping and walkable layout you'd find in Winter Park, but here it comes with palm trees, sea air, brighter colors, and a more relaxed, getaway vibe. It's like Winter Park dressed up and decided to take itself on a beach vacation, and the result is a place that feels lively, warm, and impossible not to love. One my my Fav places in Florida.... always. read more

Be careful of the roaming parking attendants. Disguised as tourists. The parking App didn't work-and neither did the kiosk. My husband walked across the street to tell us we had to leave due to not being able to pay to park. Within 3 minutes, someone swooped in with a ticket. They must wait up on tree limbs ready to pounce. Apparently there is a quota they need to meet. I'll never go back. read more

Nice little spot. A bunch of stores and more being added. You have a few parking lots to choose from and also can park in the street. It's let friendly and some stores even have water for dogs outside their store. read more

We always have a marvelous time at St. Armand's Circle. The food choices are varied and the charming atmosphere is a vibe!! Go here for special occasions for family fun like biking around the circle or celebrating family holidays! read more

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Great outdoor shopping area. Friendly stores, great restaurants and gelato. We had a light lunch at Columbia restaurant, which was fantastic. Great day strolling around. The cold AC is the stores was a welcome break from the heat. read more

We are back again to Sarasota and St. Armand's Circle. It draws us to it. There is so much to do here. Parking is difficult, however. It takes a minute or more to find a spot. We have visited for 4 days in a row now for different reasons. There are so many shops and restaurants to try. Bring comfortable shoes, please. There is something for any age group to do or see. read more

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Beautiful decorations for Christmas Nice restaurants Close to the beach Very walkable read more

A shopping Mecca for both foodies and consumers. Clothing stores galore; all price points and plenty of restaurants to choose from. A definite destination point for both locals and visitors. 4.5 stars read more

After soaking up some sunshine or enjoying the sunset, head on over to St. Armand's Circle. It is almost 100 years old. Originally an island in Sarasota Bay, it was purchased in 1893 by Charles St. Armand's for $21.71 for over 130 acres. Considered the "Jewel of Sarasota. it is one of the top tourist destinations in the USA. The circle is intersected (like slices of a pie) into four quadrants -- purple, aqua, pink, and gold. There's a mix of high-end and boutique shops, a day spa, restaurants, sweet shops, home decor, and art galleries in each quadrant. The island was separated from the mainland, but Ringling financed a bridge to connect Sarasota to St. Armand's. He named it the "John Ringling Causeway" and was the first to drive across it in 1926. It is the site for outdoor performances, a slow stroll with an ice cream cone, or a coveted sidewalk table at one of the legendary restaurants that make up the outer ring of the inner roundabout. The energy at St. Armand's Circle is magical. some restaurants you wanna try: Shore Diner Venezia Italian Restaurant Columbia Restaurant Parking: there is a garage just one block away, its free on Sunday but for the rest of the days- first 2 hours- Free 2-3 Hours- $3 additional Hr- $1 read more

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St Armands Circle is fabulous minus the store Le Cle Boutique with pushy , over aggressive personnel who try to bully and intimidate customers into the store and to try / buy product. Terrible experience where they target older women calling out their wrinkles to try to sell them $1000s of dollars on their products. Forceful , pushy, cruel , targeted , intense pressure to buy after making the person feel old and ugly. They prey on the older women . Tragic! Do not go in the store for it should be shut down for unscrupulous tactics !! read more

St Armands, Sarasota, Florida. One of my favorite places on earth. Wonderful eating venues, lively and cosmopolitan. Close to the famous Lido Beach, exquisite place. read more

St Armands Circle - Great guitar - Shopping Centers Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

All of your shopping and dining needs in one place! IMO, I think the shopping is way better than the dining. There is a mix of well know chain stores and locally owned small businesses. The womens clothing stores and the gift shops are some of the best I have ever enjoyed shopping at. The circle is color coded by "quadrants" and they have several directories available, as it can be confusing to know where certain shops are located. The dining options are primarily sit-down and there are only one or two casual spots to grab a quick salad or sandwich. Most of the restaurants offer outdoor patios, and the people watching is very entertaining. If you drive there, be prepared to have patience with the parking situation. It can be tough to find a spot. read more

St Armands Circle - Shopping Centers Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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St. Armand's is a place of nostalgia for me, particularly Kilwins ice cream shop. There are lots of cute little shops and restaurants here. Good places for souvenirs although most places are on the pricier side. Except for Alvin's. There's a parking garage which is nice because street parking is terrible here. It's mostly boutiques but you will find some upscale chains here too. read more

St Armands Circle - Shopping Centers Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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Really nice place near Sarasota. Lots of great shopping, restaurants and candy shops. A majority of the places are really pricey though so be prepared. Many of the candy shops offer free samples which is nice. A lot of chill music live on the streets playing as well. read more

St Armands Circle - Shopping Centers Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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Very cool little island where this circle sits. It is populated with tourist shops about pedal everything from T-shirts and sweaters and caps and all of the normal tourist fare. There are also quite a few other businesses, like restaurants, salons, and other things that you might find in a local business district. It is a generally nice little place, but I would not spend much money low quality garments. Spend it on food! Overall, it was worth the trip to check the area out. Probably the best reason to go are the restaurants. There are a few nice ones. It's also definitely worth taking a stroll and browsing the entire Circle, which could easily take a few hours. There are many places to see. The best part is you can get there for free on a local bus that services the island and other areas adjacent to downtown Sarasota. This bus is styled like a trolley-car and it comes down the main drag from Downtown Sarasota and services the island where the Circle sits as well as other major attractions, adjacent to Downtown Sarasota, which is Sarasota Beach; on a barrier Island, a couple miles down from the island where the circle sits. This is a part of the Sarasota experience and it was a very good experience, with lots to do and see, and with very nice people. If your bus driver is a woman named Suzanne, she's a gem. read more

It's a nice place for shopping, eating, and people watching. The stores are mostly dog friendly. Parking is rough but you can find free parking on the side streets, off the circle. read more

I definitely recommend visiting St. Armands circle if you are near the Sarasota area. The circle has plenty of shops and restaurants to offer! The shops vary from high end retail to Florida & Beach knickknacks. We were able to find street parking right in the circle for only a few dollars for a couple hours. read more

I'm not really used to review landmarks or public areas but St Armand circle is just something else! This town is magical! St Armand's circle is double , no triple , no 10 times the magic! You walk around it and every street comes out of the circle is full of shops , restaurants and bars! Coffee shops ! Ice cream and dessert! Restaurants! American ! Italian! Greek ! Spanish! Turkish delights store ! Shops ! My favorite place to shop is at Tommy bahama , I like to eat the Ribs at ChaCha and have their special salad! Columbia is also nice! It's beautiful day or night! And every corner of the circle there is usually a musician or performer who is very creative! read more

Fun times! You can spend hours here walking around and checking out the different shops, enjoying the park, and dining or just having a coffee. Some of my favorites being Columbia Restaurant, Kilwins, Giving Tree Gallery, and Stadium Gallery. We were also very surprised that the parking was free on a Saturday. read more

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beautiful atmosphere, food is okay nothing special. service, terrible nobody came over to us for 10 minutes. we sat there and waited, 2 people asked if anyone helped us and we still had nobody greet us. Eventually, someone and came over and asked us if we wanted anything to drink then ordered food since we had plenty of time to look at the menu. Once again though, nobody gave us a proper greet, not even sure if that was even supposed to be our server. read more

Public ADA restrooms are available in North Adams Garage M-F 8am-930pm. Sat 8am-1130pm Sun 1030am-630pm Meter parking in effect Monday-Saturday between 10am-8pm and costs $1/hour. First 2 hrs parking are free otherwise. Sunday and holidays are free parking. Garage parking protects car from heat. Street metered parking is $1.50/hr. Use quick stop button meter for free 10 min stops. I have to admit that the congestion getting off the island and Longboat Key has been manageable. The Tamiami Trail roundabouts are hair-raising to navigate but are almost complete. read more

Very pricey.... Be prepared to drop a buck for anything here. The beach water was pristine. We even saw a dolphin jump! read more

This is always a stop every time we visit the Sarasota area. Great shopping. Great restaurants. And overall a great environment to walk around. This is the first time we brought our three little dogs with us and found that there's a large grassy park in the middle of the circle. I don't think I ever realized it was there as I never really was looking for it. The entire circle though is very pet friendly with dog bowls sitting outside of many of the shops. read more

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I absolutely LOVE this upscaled shopping and dining destination, adjacent to beautiful Lido Beach! On my last trip to Sarasota, I remember thinking that this was one of the nicest retail strips I've ever been to...and I still feel the same. The place is beautifully manicured, with lush tropical trees and amazing statues/artwork throughout the strip. Not sure how many acres, but there's enough boutique shops and restaurants here at St. Armand's Circle to occupy a full day. One thing about this strip that I don't particularly love is the fact that it's a bit awkward to maneuver around...given the vastness of the circle maybe? Guess it's best to come on a good weather day, wear comfortable shoes, and prepare to walk. The strip also boasts rows of cool restaurants to conquer here as well. We've been to several, like Venezia and Columbia Restaurant...and we've left very happy! There are a few restaurants, like Cafe L'Europe, that's somewhat hard to tag a reservation, so I suggest doing so way in advance. Aside from restaurants, there are plenty of dessert shops, like Kilwin's and Ben and Jerry's, to the finer French pastry shops, like Choulala and Le Macaron. And OH, the Daiquiri Deck is always fun and refreshing!! There are so many juicy boutiques...many truly unique! On my latest excursion, think I did the most damage in Oh My Gauze and Sahara...and there were a few items in Dream Weaver and Binjara Traders that's still calling me. Some highly inspired galleries here, as well as fun, eclectic gift shops. I can literally spend hours here...and have! If you're ever in the Sarasota area, you MUST conquer this amazing strip! read more

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This restaurant came highly recommended by family that used to live in the area. The restauarnt eas packed for lunch in October, which is their "off season" for the beache nearby. There was only a few minute wait. My husband and I both got the half and half combo, which is half of their cuban sandwich and half of their 1905 salad. The salad is made table side. Everything was delicious and it's no wonder this place stays crowded. read more

St Armands Circle - Half combo with cuban sandwich and 1905 salad - Shopping Centers Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Always a pleasure there!! The food and shopping are the best in the area. I drive 30 miles just to shop there!

If you like cocktails shopping and eating it's a great place to visit. Columbia restaurant is where the celebs eat and every time I have gone there was one there. Well two of you include me. Lol read more

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The island is named for Frenchman Charles St. Amand, a homesteader who purchased roughly 132 acres of land on the island in 1893 (for the sum of $21.71!), becoming its first resident. However, his name was misspelled as "Armands" on the deed, thus St. Armands Circle was born.Apr 23, 2021 Home to more than 140 upscale boutiques, award-winning restaurants, posh art galleries, and more in an open-air European-inspired setting, St. Armands Circle said to be the in spot of Sarasota. But there's more to this barrier island destination - which sits adjacent to Lido Key and is connected to the mainland by the John Ringling Causeway - than just a sophisticated outdoor dining and shopping experience. More on history of this circle Its rich history tells a story of presidential ties, elephants as building aids, and an intentionally circular layout inspired by that of a circus wagon wheel. The shape and layout were inspired by the circus. Circus magnate John Ringling - whose honorary museum, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, is located just six miles away in northern Sarasota - purchased the island in 1923 with a vision for a spoked wheel-shaped shopping and recreation district and an upscale residential enclave consisting of homes of Mediterranean and Spanish architecture. Elephants Built the Circle's Adjoining Causeway Well, not by themselves, that is. Ringling used his paddle-wheeled steamer, Success, to ferry workers back and forth to the island, but circus elephants were recruited for hauling the timbers used to construct the causeway and bridge. Armand circle Has Presidential Ties At the heart of St. Armands Circle, Ringling developed a community of residences around a circular park, which he named in memory of his friend, Warren G. Harding - the 29th president of the United States. Armand circle Is on the National Register of Historic Places The aforementioned park is now known as the Harding Circle Historic District, which celebrates its 95th anniversary in 2021, and was designated a national historic place for its unique community development and planning in 2001. Sculpture Was a Key Part of Ringling's Vision from the Beginning John Ringling was a voracious collector of art. He indulged his passion on annual scouting trips to Europe for the circus, collecting works from the Old Masters including Rubens and van Dyck. Today, more than 30 sculptures grace the streets of St. Armands Circle - one-third of which belonged to Ringling himself. It Nearly Fell Victim to the Stock Market Crash of 1929 In fact, the circle's commercial and retail district sat virtually empty until the 1940s and '50s, when shops and restaurants finally started filling up storefronts. Today, the district fulfills Ringling's dream of being a premier tourist destination, drawing visitors from all over the world. It Has Its Very Own Version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame Winter home of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey Circus, Sarasota honors its ties to the circus with The Circus Ring of Fame that lives in St. Armands. With a roster of more than 140 inductees from around the world, the award celebrates the highest of achievement in the circus arts, and each inductee is honored with a bronze wagon-wheel and biographical plaque inlaid in the circle's central park. read more

I was super excited to visit this area with my friend from out of town and it was interesting to see how some of the various stores there treated customers. One store had at LEAST 6 employees in it and not one of them even bothered to say hello. Needless to say I won't buy anything from there ever. Also the store hours in the area could be more consistent with opening and closing. We went two different times of the day on different days and couldn't get to some of the stores read more