Brunch. Often, my favorite word on a Sunday morning. Though it can be difficult to choose or find a place to go when you just have food (& mimosas) on the brain. After living in Sarasota for two years, I think it’s high time that I let you in on my top spots for a girl’s brunch or breakfast with my guy.

Ok, so let’s talk about favorite places for brunch in downtown Sarasota! Hope you’re ready for the foodie ride. SRQ has tons of awesome spots to check out.

Top 6 Brunch Places in Downtown SRQ:

1. Boca
2. C’est La Vie
3. Green Zebra
4. First Watch
5. Station 400
6. Jack Dusty

Boca

This tops this list at #1 because of the atmosphere of indoor and outdoor seating and the farm-to-table backbone of the restaurant. They pride themselves on great, sustainable, local food. They also have bottomless mimosas (a variety of flavors) and bottomless bloody marys (my personal favorite, but hold the bacon). I had the avocado toast with a hardboiled egg on top, which was very good. Friends of mine had the farmer’s breakfast (eggs, toast, bacon) and said it was tasty and filling.

They also have a fabulous dinner at Boca. My fiance and I are impartial to the cucumber gimlet to drink, fish dip, and the sweet potato gnocchi that is out of this world.

You can make a reservation on Open Table. To see the menu, visit them on the website at: http://www.bocasarasota.com/

Address: 19 S Lemon Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236

C’est La Vie

Whether or not you like French food, you’ll love C’est La Vie. They have a lovely outdoor area, and you can sit out on main street looking out at all the hubbub. I’m sure the inside is nice as well, I just always choose outside so that I’m not tempted by the case of desserts and croissants inside…yum!

C’est La Vie has a large menu so wonderful for those who love options. Most regulars love the quiches (myself included), crepes, and Croq’ Madame. They also serve more typical options such as omlettes and egg sandwiches.

Typically, on weekends there is a wait and people tend to form a line outside. It goes quick though, and well worth the wait!

View their menu at: http://www.cestlaviesarasota.com/

Address: 1553 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236

Green Zebra

If you’re looking to be more health-conscious or maybe you have certain dietary restrictions, Green Zebra is hands-down the best choice for you! They have a dynamite menu that can please both meat-lovers and vegans alike. There are gluten-free choices throughout the menu as well. The coffee drinks are a great pick me up, but also be sure to try a smoothie or fresh juice! My favorite is the Pure Gold juice and the Lido Sunset smoothie, both very refreshing. To eat, they have a large menu full of pancakes, omlettes your way, wraps, salads, and benedicts galore. I love the mushroom and goat cheese wrap or royal benedict most days, but if I’m feeling like something light, I opt for the baja burrito (raw vegan option). My friends and family love the Boss wrap, raw lasagna, and lavender blueberry lemon pancakes.

Another option is to order your food to go from the Green Zebra and then walk down to the bayfront park to eat by the water. Always a great choice!

You can reserve a table online! See their menu and go see why they’ve received local awards for their food: https://www.greenzebracafe.com/brunch

Address: 1377 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236

First Watch

When I first moved to Sarasota, I had no clue that First Watch was a chain restaurant. Their food never disappoints. They have a typical American-style breakfast with a twist. You’ll find the usual egg, meat, and toast dishes as well as biscuits and gravy, eggs benedict, lemon ricotta pancakes, a farmhouse hash, and my personal favorite, the smoked salmon frittata. This fall, they also have a special menu that includes dishes like pumpkin pancakes, brisket corn beef hash, a caramel crunch cinnamon roll, and a butternut squash bisque.

Now I’m not a big coffee drinker but every time we go to First Watch, my fiance has to buy a bag of their coffee: it’s that good!

Take a looksy at their menu: https://www.firstwatch.com/menu/

Address: 1395 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236

Station 400

There is an intriguing history to Station 400 that draws many regulars and tourists alike. The building was built out of an old train depot which gives it an old, rustic charm and feel inside. The outdoor patio is equally quaint and is a great atmosphere to enjoy your Sunday brunch in Sarasota. It’s located in the Rosemary District, which is just a stone’s throw away from the hustle and bustle of the Main Street area.

The earlier you get here for brunch, the better, as they frequently have long waits on the weekend. However, it’s worth it for the food!

To start, I suggest getting the French toast bites and Crabcake fritters along with a very tall mimosa. I feel like Sation 400 has one of the most unique menus of all of these brunch places. Everything from Nutella waffles and cinnamon roll pancakes, to the Greek or Mexican omlette, breakfast burrito, fried green tomato benedict, and basically everything under the sun you could want for brunch in downtown Sarasota, FL. Definitely give them a try!

http://www.station400.com/locations

Address: 400 North Lemon Avenue, Sarasota, Florida 34236

Jack Dusty (In the Ritz Carlton)

If you want to splurge a bit for brunch, this is the place to do it. The view of the water from their outdoor seating is incredible. While Jack Dusty’s is not truly on here because of their food, they are for the experience. I love dressing up for a brunch, having valet service for my car (even though it’s a beat-up Honda civic…HA), and having breakfast by the water. Nothing beats it!

That being said, they do have some good food options including: omlette your way, farmer’s breakfast, traditional eggs benedict, smoked salmon on a bagel, avocado toast, Brioche french toast, and more. If you want a special brunch, maybe for a Mother’s Day brunch or Easter brunch, try Jack Dusty’s!

View their menu here: https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/florida/sarasota/dining/jack-dusty/menu

Address: 1111 Ritz-Carlton Dr.,Sarasota, Florida 34236, United States

Enjoy Your Brunch in Downtown Sarasota!

I hope you’ve found this blog helpful and informative! This is my own personal opinion on the best brunch spots in downtown SRQ after living here for a few years now. As a fellow brunch-lover, I say go out and try them all. The food in Sarasota is fantastic, and I’ve very rarely if ever, had a bad meal anywhere here. Thanks for taking the time to read our latest blog from Sarasota Local Blogger. Cheers, and I hope you have a wonderful brunch experience wherever you choose to go!