Let’s Have Breakfast & Lunch – Sarasota Style
We’ve got lots of fantastic places that close around 2PM
What do these places all have in common? BLVD Café, Atria Bread + Coffee, and Lovely Square. That is correct. They all serve just breakfast and lunch, and they have all recently opened. Are breakfast and lunch having a moment, or am I just super late to the party?
It seems like every time I check my inbox, another breakfast and lunch only spot is opening its doors. It seems we’ve been writing about a bunch of places lately that specialize in a great breakfast omelet or a nice, light lunchtime salad. I think it IS a moment!
We’re going to run down a few spots we think might warrant spending a few of your hard-earned dining dollars on. It is just possible that we may leave out your favorites (sorry in advance). If we do, please add them to the comments section of this newsletter or on our dineSarasota Facebook page. We’d like everyone to be represented!
Here we go. These are listed in alphabetical order because… Well, frankly, it’s not a competition. It’s breakfast and lunch.
Bonjour Café (5214 Ocean Blvd., (941) 346-0600)
They are serving super traditional French fare at this Siesta Key eatery. When people say that they serve some kind of “traditional” cuisine, I tend to be a little skeptical. But this place hits the mark. Fantastic croissants, omelets, and baguette sandwiches. Oh, you can also get escargot if you’d like to fancy up your lunch a bit!
Breakfast House (1817 Fruitville Rd., (941) 366-6860)
They advertise that they’re the “Winner” of the Best Pancakes in Florida. I’m not 100% certain what exactly is going on here. There must be something to it if you’re willing to put that bold of a statement on a big sign outside your restaurant. They do serve eight different flavors of pancakes (is flavor the right word there??). With that type of selection, there is sure to be one that will be a “winner” on your plate!
Breakfast at Victoria’s (4141 S Tamiami Trl., (941) 923-6441)
Yes, we have written about Breakfast at Victoria’s before. We’re going to mention them again here, not because of their wonderful breakfast and lunch dishes, but because of their fantastic bakery. They list 16 different types of homemade baked goods on their menu. And it’s a deep bench. I honestly had to look up what a Sfogliatella was (A fact I learned, it’s sometimes called a “Lobster Tail”). And after reading about it (and seeing the pictures), I want one!!
Brooklyn Bagels & Deli (6970 S Beneva Rd., (941) 993-1577)
Bagels, bagels, and bagels. They’ve got a lot of them. They even have salt bagels (my personal favorite). All of their bagels are baked fresh daily. And they sell out quickly. I’ve read a lot of comments in some of our local food discussion groups about how you can’t find a decent bagel in Sarasota. Those folks either haven’t been here or they can’t be pleased unless they’re elbow to elbow at their favorite bagel place in NYC. (note* Jersey Girl Bagels recently opened in Bradenton. They’re great too!).
Coffee Carrousel (1644 Main St., (941) 365-2826)
Opened in 1987, it is one of Sarasota’s most established breakfast places. Notice I didn’t say breakfast AND lunch. That’s because they close at 11:30AM. This is strictly a breakfast place. A great spot to catch up on all of the local downtown gossip. Back in the early 2000s, local writer and downtown advocate Bob Arden treated me to my very first Coffee Carrousel experience. I think that’s where he got most of his hot tips!
Fresh Start Café (630 S Orange Ave., (941) 373-1242)
Busy, busy downtown breakfast and lunch place. Look at that courtyard, will ya! And it’s with good reason. They serve “poached eggs over…”, that sure sounds like a “Benedict” to me, but they don’t actually call it that. I kind of like things that don’t make sense. You may have to do some planning here; they’re closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. See my previous comment about making sense.
Oasis Café & Bakery (3542 S Osprey Ave., (941) 957-1214)
What else can we possibly write about this popular breakfast and lunch stop? I mean, last Tuesday we dedicated an entire post to just one of their delicious dishes! If you haven’t read our March edition of Make it at Home, do yourself a favor and read it HERE.
The Serving Spoon (1825 S Osprey Ave., (941) 388-7235)
OK, yes, people LOVE The Serving Spoon. And, yes, we neglected to mention it in our Southside Village restaurant roundup a couple of weeks ago. One of our readers was quick to point out the omission. Thanks for that. We really appreciate all of your input! Keep it coming. Back to The Serving Spoon. They’ve been dishing up delicious breakfasts and lunches since 1998 (that’s nearly 25 years!). You’ve got to be doing a lot of things right to keep packing them in for that long! You can drop by and find out for yourself.
Simon’s Coffee House (5900 S Tamiami Trl., (941) 5900 S Tamiami Trail)
This is not your typical breakfast and lunch place. Owner, Simon Kirby started out on Siesta Key at the Cafe Continental Patisserie. When he moved to the current location on Tamiami Trail and opened Simon’s, he embraced a health and wellness culinary style. They have an entire drink menu of healthy (and tasty) pressed juices, juice shots, and smoothies. Oh, yes, you can get other less healthful things too. But this place is really about more healthful alternatives. Lots of vegan and vegetarian options too.
The Village Café (5133 Ocean Blvd., (941) 349-2822)
Another long-standing Sarasota breakfast and lunch institution. Since 1995 they have been serving Siesta Key locals and visitors alike. There are a lot of regulars here. I’m sure it has to do with the fact that it’s so casual and comfortable. It is hard not to feel at home. I think most of us had a “Village Cafe” in our hometowns. Their staff will bend over backward to make sure that everything is just how you like it. They have great homemade soups and daily specials. If outdoor breakfast and lunch dining is your thing, there aren’t a lot of better places than this in Siesta Village.
OK, that’s a wrap. I’m sure a lot of you have checked every one of those off of your breakfast and lunch to-do list. If you haven’t, we’ve given you some homework to work on. If we left your favorite off our list, do us a favor and add them in a comment here or on our dineSarasota Facebook Page. Bon Appetit.
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