I need suggestions on a great restaurant - Naples, Sarasota, Tampa, St Pete

Sails in Naples is excellent, upscale, Other than that I'm a Big Ocean Prime Fan in Tampa, probably the gold standard for cocktail IMO. Don't fall for Berns in Tampa except for the desert room. that place is very very overrated. That's a fairly large area you are asking from Naples all the way up to Tampa. I live in Tampa so I hope you get some good recommendations for St Pete and Sarasota from people that live there. I will watch this thread as I am curios too.

 

In Tampa I’d look at Rooster & The Till or On Swann. Both are my wife and I’s favorites in town.

 

Campiello Italian restaurant in Naples.

 

I strongly disagree regarding Berns in Tampa. I have been fortunate enough to dine at some the highest rated steakhouses in the US (eg Peter Luger’s etc.) and I would rate Berns up there with the best.

Berns is so hard to get a reservation it may not work out for you due to your timing.

 

Just make sure you have 4 hours for the experience. Reservations are 2 months out and if you try to sit at the bar expect a 2-3 hour wait.

 

It's a lot better than Sails.

That's what I would recommend for a total dining experience.

Stay the night and have brunch at Jane's Cafe right nearby. (The Trianon hotel is within walking distance of both.)

Matt

 

Sails sued for stealing employee tips:

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2024/02/15/florida-restaurant-stole-tips-and-owed-u-s-international-workers-184000-feds-say/

 

To be clear, I was strongly recommending Campiello's over Sails.

They way I was quoted sounded a little like I was endorsing sails. Quite the opposite.

Bice is also pretty wonderful.

Matt

 

I'll second Bice. We dined there the past two Januarys and had excellent meals and service.

 

Donatello in Tampa if you like old school great Italian food. In Sarasota try Euphemia Haye or Masion Blanche.

 

molto trattoria on 5th ave in naples is the most authentic italian south of fort meyers or osteria 500 in sarasota - had the best dinner in a long time on either side of the Atlantic at osteria500 last week.

 

Osteria is great but they don’t take reservations and the waits are long. Glad you enjoyed the restaurant here in town.

 

amazing neighborhood there!

 

Marcello's in Sarasota, call 2 months in advance.

 

Summer House on Siesta Key (Sarasota) was rated a top 25 steak house in the country a couple years ago. Took my wife there for her birthday and it was excellent.

 

Naples: Seasalt, or Captain & Krew (good lunch spot/ not misspelled) Verginas (also not misspelled ) or Alberto’s

 

The Turtle Club in Naples, they closed after Ian and their reopening keeps moving but may work depending on your date. All the other Naples recommendations above me are great as well.

 

If you like Ceviche then Selva Grill in downtown Sarasota is very good.

 

Was our favorite for a number of years. Great choice…

 

Lima in Naples is good peruvian.

 

Naples - we have our favorites.

The Continental
Chops
Veranda E at The Escalante
Campiello (we have only ever sat at the outdoor bar)
Bice (bar area is nice, watched all the cars turning onto 5th)
Highly recommend Dolce and Solato for lunch only (sit outside and watch the parade of cars)

Don’t bother with Sails, over priced average food.


Doug

 

It’s interesting to read other opinions about Naples restaurants. I lived in downtown in Old Naples for 20 years. Campy’s is a great location to watch the crowd. I lived two blocks away. Food is good as is Bice (original is in Milan). I agree that lunch at Dolce and Salato is my favorite. Both owners are from Italy.

For steaks the Capital Grill in N Naples was always excellent. Funny…the Capital Grill in Tampa is not as good as the Naples version. And the reverse for the Ocean Prime. The Tampa is better than the Naples restaurant.

I left Naples before Molto Trattoria came to town. Everyone raves about it.

 

Favorite place for my wife and I. We go every month