🍦 Sarasota’s Spring Dining Surge

Best Things To Do in SRQ: 4/2 - 4/5

Author

Carson B
March 31, 2026

Happy Tuesday, Sarasota!

Spring is fully doing its thing and Sarasota's restaurant scene apparently decided to go on a spring opening spree.

We've got new bagels on Siesta Key, a nostalgic drive-in making a comeback on Washington Boulevard, and a Japanese fine dining spot landing in the Rosemary District — because apparently this town wasn't eating well enough already.

Meanwhile, the Farmers Market just had its biggest turnout since pre-COVID, which feels like it deserves a little slow clap.

Let's get into it.

—

In today’s edition of the Sarasota Scoop:

Thanks for reading,

Carson

🧠 Think You Know Sarasota? Trivia!

Sarasota has the highest number of Zagat-rated restaurants of any city in Florida. How many Zagat-rated restaurants does the city have?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

📰 Local Headline Roundup

"Rooted in Community" Exhibit Celebrates Newtown's Artistic Legacy

Art Center Sarasota's new exhibition highlights artwork from artists connected to Newtown — the historically Black neighborhood that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2024. The show features established and emerging artists across multiple mediums. Co-curator Paul Toliver put it simply: "This exhibition is to show Newtown's contribution to the artistic landscape of Sarasota."

Sarasota Farmers Market Hits Biggest Turnout Since Pre-COVID

The Saturday morning ritual on Main Street and Lemon Avenue is thriving. Christine Nordstrom of Five-O Donut Co. — who started as a vendor at the market before expanding to brick-and-mortar locations — says 2026 has brought the largest crowds since before the pandemic. The market remains one of the best free things to do on a Saturday morning in Sarasota.

 🔦 Spotlight: New Restaurant Wave

Handful of new spots are opening across Sarasota right now, and they couldn't be more different from each other. A bagel shop on the Key, a Japanese fine dining concept in a 1925 citrus exchange building, a coffee-wine-flower shop hybrid, and a crepe cafe with tableside slow pour coffee. Here's what you need to know about each one.

Bungalow Bagels — Siesta Key

A New York-style bagel shop at the south end of Siesta Key, about a block from the beach. Owner Robert DeSilvio — who also runs the three Casa Masa locations around town — is making everything in-house: six core bagel varieties boiled and baked daily, house-made cream cheeses (including a strawberry sweet option), plus fresh salmon and veggie toppings. The coffee program includes lattes, Kona coffee from Hawaii, and cold brew canned to order right in front of you with an in-house canning machine. Open 7 AM to 3 PM daily, with online ordering for beach-bound grab-and-go runs.

6583 Midnight Pass Rd. | Read more:

Hanami Japanese Fine Dining & Lounge — Rosemary District

This is the big one. Hanami is the evolution of the former downtown Tsunami Sushi, now relocated to a beautifully restored 1925 citrus exchange building in the Rosemary District. Owner Samuel Ray expanded the concept significantly — 135 seats at opening with a mezzanine built from reclaimed wood, a garden dining area coming later, and a dedicated 60-seat lounge. The name translates to "flower viewing," a nod to Japan's cherry blossom tradition of pausing to appreciate the moment. The menu keeps the Tsunami favorites (full vegan sushi menu, fresh fish, teriyaki filet, Korean short rib) while adding tableside hibachi and a cocktail program featuring sake on tap and citrus-forward Florida-inspired drinks.

1525 4th St., Unit C | See more:

Treehouse Flowers, Coffee & Wine

This one is hard to categorize, and that's kind of the point. Treehouse is a coffee shop in the morning, a wine bar in the afternoon, and a flower boutique all day. Co-owners Anna and Scott Langlais and their daughter Sheena Storek designed it as a place you can visit in gym clothes for a latte and come back later for charcuterie and champagne without either version feeling out of place. Counter service, about 35 seats, plus a small retail section with fresh bouquets and natural-fabric clothing. Targeting a Mother's Day weekend opening.

1551 Lakefront Dr., Unit 102 | Details 

Coastal Grind Coffee & Crepes — Gulf Gate

A husband-and-wife operation bringing espresso drinks and made-to-order crepes to the Gulf Gate neighborhood. The standout is the tableside slow pour coffee — staff grind the beans at your table, pour the water, and serve it fresh. ("It doesn't get fresher than that," says owner Rebecca Drescher.) The crepe menu covers savory (shrimp with avocado and chipotle sauce) and sweet (Nutella banana, Dubai chocolate), plus mimosa flights for those who want to keep things festive. About 25 seats with a mix of tables and lounge seating.

2661 Mall Dr. | Details 

Contribute to the Scoop!

Sarasota Scoop is 100% free to read, independently owned, and locally operated (heck, it’s just me).

Your contributions go toward keeping the Scoop going so we can have more fun and build more community. I appreciate any and all support! — Carson

Thursday, April 2

A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical

📍 Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
🕦 1:30 PM & 7:00 PM (through April 4)
🔗 Van Wezel

The Crucible

📍 Venice Theatre
🕦 7:30 PM (through April 5)
🔗 Venice Theatre

Ringling Underground + Collegiate Student Art Showcase

📍 The Ringling, Museum of Art
🕦 8:00 PM — 11:00 PM
🔗 The Ringling

Mindfulness and Art: Contemplation as a Creative Practice

📍 Sarasota Art Museum
🕦 12:00 PM
🔗 Sarasota Art Museum

Asé: Seeing Spirit in Afro-Caribbean Art

📍 Art Ovation Hotel Gallery
🕦 4:00 PM — 8:00 PM (through April 5)
🔗 Sarasota Arts

Friday, April 3

Springfest & Scavenger Hunt

📍 Robert L. Taylor Community Complex
🕦 10:00 AM — 2:00 PM
🔗 Let's Play Sarasota

Moon Over Myakka — Passerine in Concert

📍 Myakka River State Park, South Pavilion Lawn
🕦 7:00 PM — 9:30 PM
🔗 Friends of Myakka River

State Street Shuffle — Fresh Fridays

📍 State Street, Downtown Sarasota
🕦 7:00 PM — 10:00 PM
🔗 Scene Sarasota

Music on Main — Silver Thunder Band

📍 Main Street at Lakewood Ranch
🕦 6:00 PM — 9:00 PM
🔗 Lakewood Ranch

Music in the Park — Karen & Jimmy Band

📍 Bradenton Riverwalk Mosaic Amphitheater, 606 3rd Ave W, Bradenton
🕦 6:00 PM — 8:00 PM
🔗 Realize Bradenton

A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical

📍 Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
🕦 7:00 PM
🔗 Van Wezel

Saturday, April 4

Newtown Easter Parade & Spring Fling

📍 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Newtown
🕦 1:00 PM — 6:00 PM
🔗 Facebook Event

Easter Eggstravaganza

📍 Centennial Park, 200 W. Venice Ave., Venice
🕦 10:00 AM — 11:30 AM
🔗 City of Venice

Easter Egg Hunt at The Children's Garden

📍 The Children's Garden, 1670 10th Way
🕦 10:00 AM
🔗 The Children's Garden

A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical

📍 Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
🕦 1:30 PM & 7:00 PM
🔗 Van Wezel

Reflections: A Community Art Exhibition

📍 Art Center Sarasota
🕦 10:00 AM — 3:00 PM
🔗 Sarasota Arts

Sunday, April 5

Happy Easter!

Easter Brunch at Selby Gardens

📍 Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St.
🕦 10:30 AM / 12:00 PM / 1:30 PM
🔗 Selby GardensThursday, April 2

A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical

📍 Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
🕦 1:30 PM & 7:00 PM (through April 4)
🔗 Van Wezel

The Crucible

📍 Venice Theatre
🕦 7:30 PM (through April 5)
🔗 Venice Theatre

Ringling Underground + Collegiate Student Art Showcase

📍 The Ringling, Museum of Art
🕦 8:00 PM — 11:00 PM
🔗 The Ringling

Mindfulness and Art: Contemplation as a Creative Practice

📍 Sarasota Art Museum
🕦 12:00 PM
🔗 Sarasota Art Museum

Asé: Seeing Spirit in Afro-Caribbean Art

📍 Art Ovation Hotel Gallery
🕦 4:00 PM — 8:00 PM (through April 5)
🔗 Sarasota Arts

Interested in advertising in the Sarasota Scoop? Let’s Chat

Thanks for reading! Be sure to support us by sharing with a friend

Reply

or to participate.