Best Seafood Restaurants in Sarasota
By Carson B. · Updated November 6, 2026
For a fish market with a kitchen, go to Walt's or Big Water on Siesta Key. For oysters, Lefty's or Siesta Key Oyster Bar. For Southern fish-camp cooking, Owen's. For the real working-waterfront feel, Star Fish Company in Cortez. Stone crab season runs Oct. 15 through May 1.
Fish markets that cook
Walt's Fish Market comes from a fishing family with about a century behind it. Big Water Fish Market on Siesta Key is known for its O.G. grouper sandwich, and Fresh Catch on the South Trail is the family-owned market-and-grill combo. Kacey's covers the east side on Fruitville.
Oysters and raw bars
Lefty's on North Lemon does oysters and cocktails, Brine in Gulf Gate is the upscale raw bar, and Veronica Fish & Oyster is the stylish one in Southside Village. Siesta Key Oyster Bar is the beach-town classic.
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Sit-down seafood
Owen's Fish Camp in Burns Court, Duval's on Main, Tripletail at The Landings, and The Lazy Lobster on Longboat Key all make the seafood the point. Crab & Fin is the seafood stop on St. Armands Circle.
Old Florida in Cortez
Cortez has been fishing for generations, and stone crab history here runs back to 1927. Star Fish Company is about as honest as a working waterfront gets, and Tide Tables made USA TODAY's 2026 best-restaurants list.
Questions
When is stone crab season in Sarasota?
Oct. 15 through May 1. You'll find claws in fish markets and on menus from Cortez down to Venice.
Where can you buy fresh fish in Sarasota?
Walt's Fish Market, Big Water Fish Market on Siesta Key, and Fresh Catch on the South Trail all have retail cases.