Venice Florida is the place for some seriously good food. If you are looking for the Best Restaurants in Venice FL there’s a lot to choose from.
The beach city of Venice is one of the best kept secrets in Southwestern Florida. Located along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico just south of Sarasota/Bradenton, Venice averages over 250 days of sunshine and winter temperatures that rarely dip below 50 degrees.
Coastal Living named Venice it’s “Best Place to Live on the Coast” in 2020, and one of the “Happiest Seaside Towns in America” in 2015. With all of those accolades, you can bet that Venice has a ton of great selections when it comes to places to eat and drink. Here is a list of 20 of the best restaurants that Venice has to offer.
20 Best Restaurants in Venice FL – North Venice
1. Joey D’s Chicago Style Eatery
Florida is full of folks who have moved here to escape the cold and snow of the northern states. But those folks still like to have a taste of home from time to time.
For those from the Chicagoland area, Joey D’s fits that description to a T. This Chicago Style Eatery has been located in Venice since 1994, serving up favorites like Deep Dish Pizza, Italian Beef sandwiches, Eggplant Rollatini, and Cheese Curds. Not to mention the Chicago Style Hot Dogs, topped with yellow mustard, celery salt, vibrant green relish, chopped onion, fresh tomato, sport peppers and a pickle spear.
The menu options don’t stop there! Joey D’s is just as well known for their burgers, award winning hot wings, huge plates of pasta and sub sandwiches. They even have a great selection of salads for those who like to keep to the healthier side of things! Joey D’s is open for lunch and dinner every day but Monday.
2. Tikka Indian Cuisine
Craving authentic Indian Cuisine? Tikka Indian Cuisine serves up curries, tandoor, and other classic flavors of India from its location in Bird Bay Plaza.
Start your meal off with Samosas – pastries stuffed with spiced potatoes and peas, or some Masala Fried Shrimp. Then choose an entrée – perhaps the Chicken Tikka Masala or the Seekh Kabobs made with ground chicken or lamb.
All entrees are served with a generous portion of basmati rice. Don’t forget to order some fresh baked Naan bread, with optional flavors like onion, garlic, butter or cheese. Save room for dessert like date cake or rice pudding, or take it home with you. Items from their menu are available for takeout as well as dining in.
Serving sizes are generous, and Tikka is known for great customer service. Gluten Free options are plentiful if you are sensitive to that sort of thing. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner every day except Monday.
3. Mi Pueblo El Restaurante Mexicano
Operating since 1999, Mi Pueblo now has three locations in the area. The Venice location is conveniently located in a shopping center right along Highway 41 and is open daily for lunch and dinner.
Mi Pueblo serves authentic dishes of Mexico made from fresh ingredients, in a fun and family friendly atmosphere. The tortillas and guacamole which accompany many of their menu items are made in house daily. On Mi Pueblo’s menu you’ll find may of the standards – tacos, burritos, fajitas & enchiladas – but you’ll also see classic old Mexico dishes like Carne Asada (grilled seasoned sirloin) and Pollo con Mole (Chicken with a spicy chocolate-chile sauce).
If you can’t make up your mind, go for a combination meal where you can choose 2 or 3 menu items to go on your plate. Be sure to save room for some of their uniquely delicious desserts like Fried Ice Cream, Sopapillas, Churros or Flan.
4. BrewBurgers
If you’re a fan of burgers, beer, or both, this place was custom made for your taste buds! Brewburgers has two locations in Venice to choose from and has been serving Venice since 2010. They even have a food truck that appears in various locations around town.
Consistently voted the best burgers in Venice, they have a wide variety of styles and toppings to choose from. Naturally, since they are in Florida there is a Blackened Shrimp Burger on the menu. They also offer an array of Signature Burgers including the Maddy B, a bacon and herb cheeseburger between TWO grilled cheese sandwiches.
Pair either one of those along with a glass of icy cold local beer and you’ve got a winning combination! Beyond burgers, the BrewBurgers menu also includes several salads, house made soups and more. Gluten free and vegetarian options are also available for those who want them.
5. La Petit Jardin Cafe
For over 45 years, La Petit Jardin has been providing Venice visitors a taste of Europe. Because of its popularity, in 2010 the restaurant was moved to its current location to make space for more customers. La Petit Jardin is open for 7 days a week for Breakfast and Lunch.
Their European influence shines throughout the menu. Breakfasts include the ubiquitous French Toast, a crepe filled with custard & berries, and several decadent egg dishes. The lunch menu offers a variety of crepes and sandwiches like the Eiffel Tower – rye bread served open faced and topped with ham, Swiss cheese, tomato & asparagus with a champagne mustard sauce.
The kitchen always has a quiche du jour on hand for every meal. Every Friday and Saturday from 2-4pm La Petit stays open later to give a proper afternoon tea service. During this afternoon teatime they also offer select wines and cocktails.
6. The Star Thai & Sushi
You might not think of Thai food when you think of Southwest Florida eateries, but The Star Thai & Sushi has some of the best you’ll find. They say their mission is to become the best Thai restaurant in Florida, and by the looks of it they are well on their way.
The Star Thai is open for lunch and dinner on weekdays, and just for dinner on the weekends. Their location in the Bird Bay Plaza makes them easy to find and with plenty of parking even during the crowded tourist season.
Their lunch and dinner menus are comprised of selections of stir fries, curries, Asian style soups and salads. The Sushi menu is packed full of a wide variety of sushi, sashimi and rolls. The hardest part about eating at Star Thai is deciding which of their amazing dishes that you want to try first!
7. Pinchers
With a dozen locations stretching down the Gulf Coast from Tampa all the way to Key West, there’s no doubt that Pincher’s is a popular dining spot when it comes to seafood in Southwest Florida.
The Pincher’s menu is several pages long, and with that much variety even the pickiest eater is sure to find something they will enjoy. Seafood enthusiasts will love to see Oysters by the dozen, Crabs by the pound, Shrimp cooked 9 different ways, and platters overflowing with fish that has been either fried, grilled, broiled or blackened.
Outside the seafood realm, there are tacos, pastas, sandwiches, soups and salads. For those looking to get something from the bar, Pinchers has 2 for 1 drinks every day, for the entire time they are open. During their Happy Hour from 3-6pm each day they offer special deals on select menu items (varies by location).
Best Restaurants in Venice FL – On the Island/Downtown Venice
8. Cassariano Italian Eatery
For an upscale contemporary dining experience, check out Cassariano Italian Eatery in downtown Venice. Cassariano might be one of the newer restaurants on the block, but they are quickly making a name for themselves around town.
The restaurant’s founders had the vision of taking classic Italian dishes and putting on a fine dining twist. Start off your meal with a Caprese salad or the Burrata con Prosciutto. Then if you’re having lunch you might want to make a selection from their salad menu like the Insalata del Tonno, a combination of Bibb lettuce, Tuna, Eggs, Capers, String Beans & Onions.
Or perhaps a sandwich such as the Colorado, a Lamb patty smothered with Caramelized onions, Mushrooms & Gorgonzola cheese. If it’s dinner or a heartier meal you are looking for, then try the Gnocchi Sorrento – Potato pasta with Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella and Basil, or the Linguini allo Scoglio – Linguini noodles tossed with Seafood and Tomatoes.
9. Venice Wine & Coffee Company
Why choose between wine or coffee when you can try both? At the downtown Venice Wine and Coffee shop, expert wine purveyors work alongside trained baristas to offer customers the best of both worlds.
They believe the best way to learn about wine is to taste it, so customers are encouraged to ask questions and sample from their wide selection. Fresh made hot or cold espresso drinks, depending on your mood, can be ordered from the coffee bar.
The shop also has a small daily selection of food items available for purchase to enjoy alongside your beverage of choice. These repeating options include BLT Mondays, Taco Tuesdays & Smash Burger Slider Thursdays. Made from scratch soups are also on hand every day.
Each Tuesday night they host a wine sharing night, where each participant purchases a bottle of wine and then the selections are sampled by everyone.
10. The Old Salty Dog
This old Florida favorite has been serving the Southwest Florida region since 1985 and is so popular they have expanded to have 3 locations. The Old Salty Dog of Venice can be found just after you cross the bridge to go onto the Island.
The food at the Dog is heavily influenced by the proximity to the gulf, with seafood dishes like Peel & Eat Shrimp, Island Tacos made with Grouper, Mahi Mahi or Shrimp, and the ultimate Lobster Roll. Beyond the sea, the menu is packed with bar and grill favorites like hot dogs, burgers, and bbq ribs.
Their signature dish is the “Salty Dog” – a ¼ hot dog that has been batter dipped and deep fried. Try it on its own or go for the fully loaded version, topped with sauerkraut, bacon, grilled onions & mushrooms, and FOUR kinds of cheese. This dish is so iconic that it has been featured on multiple television shows.
11. Sharky’s on the Pier
Sharky’s restaurant is a legendary Venice landmark, and has been operating from their location at the Pier for almost 4 decades. Located right on the Gulf of Mexico, the views from the deck at Sharky’s are unmatched. Their food and drinks are just as good!
Be sure to try the conch fritters. These fried treats are similar to hush puppies but with a seaside twist. Another crowd favorite is their Famous Grouper Wrap, a sun-dried tomato tortilla stuffed full of fried grouper pieces, cheese, lettuce & tomatoes.
Sharky’s has live music almost every evening to entertain diners. Sharky’s dedication to the Venice community includes a Ride the Beaches charity bike event each year that has donated over $300,000 to charity. Reservations are not accepted during the busy tourist season, so be sure to arrive early to grab a table. If you’re looking for a more formal vibe, right upstairs from Sharky’s is their upscale steakhouse called Fin’s at Sharky’s
12. Bodrum Restaurant
Bodrum is a Mediterranean Turkish restaurant, located in the heart of downtown Venice. The goal of this popular eatery is to provide fresh, organic Turkish foods in a New York style restaurant atmosphere.
The results are working, as residents and visitors who eat there often find themselves returning time and time again! All the dishes at Bodrum are made from ingredients they hand pick each day from local markets. The appetizer menu has favorites like Falafel and Hummus, but also features unique dishes like the Carrot Tarator – shredded carrots mixed with yogurt, walnuts and spices – and Mom’s Potato Dip – a cold dish comprised of mashed potatoes, yogurt, dill & cucumber.
For the main dishes, there is a wide variety of Kabobs, gyros, as well as grilled lamb, fish & steaks. If you want a sweet treat to finish off your meal, try some Baklava, Halva, or a dish of Rice Pudding along with cup of their amazing Turkish Coffee.
13. Darrell’s Restaurant
For almost a decade, Darrell’s Restaurant has been serving up Southern style dining crafted with a whole lot of love. Located right along the famous Tamiami Trail, Darrell’s is open every day for lunch and dinner. Favorite dishes on the Starter Menu include Fried Green Tomatoes, Pulled Pork Nachos and the Southern Style Chicken Livers.
The rest of the menu is so chock full of Southern favorites that it’s hard to know where to look first. There are build your own baked potatoes and burgers, and a Pit menu which offers a wide array of smoked meats. The Signatures section features items like Cajun Mac & Cheese, Chicken & Waffles, and Low Country Shrimp & Grits.
As if that wasn’t enough, then there is the Entrée section with favorites like Crab Cakes, Ribeye Steaks, Fried Chicken, and Liver & Onions. Vegetable fans will love the Very Veggie Platter, where they can pair any 3 vegetable side dishes with a piece of Darrell’s famous cornbread.
14. Burgandy Square Cafe
The family run eatery known as Burgundy Square Café opened its doors in 2011. Their mission is to serve Venice the best homestyle cooking with a New England flair.
The Café is open 7 days a week, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner (with the exception of closing early on Sundays). The breakfast menu is filled with the usual suspects – eggs, bacon, pancakes & French toast. One unique and often ordered item from the morning menu is the Blackened Shrimp and Grits served with Andouille Sausage and Cheddar Cheese. When it comes time for lunch and/or dinner, the menu changes drastically.
The afternoon lineup is a long list of sandwiches, salads, wraps, followed by a huge selection of seafood and pasta entrees. Burgandy Square is well known for their Lobster Rolls, which can be ordered either hot or cold, and Pot Roast Dinner, served with Grilled Onions, Mushrooms and Gravy.
15. ABBY’s on Miami
Just across Miami Street from Burgandy Square Café and Bodrum Restaurant, you’ll find ABBY’s on Miami. ABBY’s calls themselves the quintessential seafood and American cuisine destination, and their menu is out to prove their point.
They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week, and they have a full bar to accompany their wide variety of food. For breakfast, ABBY’s serves favorites like omelets, pancakes, French toast, and 6 different version of Eggs Benedict.
At lunchtime, the menu switches over to an array of soups, salads and sandwiches including the Monte Cristo – a ham, turkey & Swiss cheese sandwich dipped in egg batter and deep fried!
The sandwiches disappear from the Dinner menu and are replaced with Pastas, Seafood, and Meat & Poultry entrees like a Roasted ½ Chicken or the Seafood Puttanesca.
16. Daiquiri Deck Island of Venice
The Daquiri Deck has been operating in the Southwest Florida area for nearly 30 years and now has 5 locations.
The Venice Island location can be found in the heart of downtown and is open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week. The Deck is famous for their oyster bar, where the delicacies can be ordered raw, steamed or prepared Casino style with breadcrumbs, parmesan and pancetta.
From the list of shared plates and platters are options like Coconut Shrimp, Gator Bites, and the super popular Blackened Mahi Bites.
The entrée list consists of Seafood & Pasta plates, or you can choose from a long roster of handheld favorites like the Crab Cake BLT or the Cuban Sandwich. If none of those fit your taste, feel free to create your own sandwich or pizza by choosing from their lists of proteins, veggies and cheeses.
17. The Soda Fountain & Vinnie’s Pizzeria
Every Main Street should have an old time Soda Fountain. Venice is fortunate enough to have one that shares its space with a fantastic New York style pizzeria. The checkered floor with chrome barstools give the Soda Fountain a classic look.
Customers can order and eat at the counter, or choose to dine in the pizza room. Either way, they won’t go away disappointed. Besides pizzas and ice cream, the menu has a long list of soups, salads, sub sandwiches and a handful of classic Italian entrees like Lasagna and Eggplant Parmesan.
There is even a beer and wine list if ice cream isn’t your thing! Speaking of ice cream, as a soda fountain there are way more options than just a scoop in a cup or a cone. This old fashioned shop serves phosphates, floats, malteds and egg creams in addition to scoops and sundaes.
18. Gold Rush BBQ
The tagline for Gold Rush BBQ is “Stake your claim on Legendary BBQ.” Since they have recently been awarded the Best BBQ in Venice, it seems like they can back up that statement!
Gold Rush has been a Venice standard for over 20 years and is open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week. Their starter menu is a multitude of fried options – from onions, yam patties, green tomatoes to green beans & more. The house smoked meats are the true treasure at Gold Rush.
Make a plate from your choice of ribs, chicken, shrimp, pork, brisket or even a smoked turkey leg. If you’re not feeling into the BBQ, there are plenty of alternatives like steaks, seafood, shepards pie & chili mac.
There’s even a Fried Chili Mac & Cheese Burrito if you are feeling adventurous! Desserts like the Peanut Butter Pie or the Homemade Brownie are the perfect ending to your meal.
South Venice
19. Off the Wagon & 3 Bridges Brewing
While there are other restaurants around Venice that have a Smoked Fish Dip on the menu, not many of them actually smoke the fish themselves. Nor do they go to the trouble of pairing it with their own house made pickled onions.
Proving that they are not just another brewpub, Off the Wagon does both of these things, and they do them well! In addition to the fish dip and the usual array of burgers and sandwiches, OTW also prepares a mean bowl of Ramen.
Housed inside the Off the Wagon brewpub (for the time being), 3 Bridges Brewing is one of only a few Breweries in Sarasota County, and the only one in Venice. One of their flagship beers is the Tasty Pig, an award-winning West Coast style IPA.
Over the years the brewing team has accumulated several awards, including 7 gold medals. 3 Bridges is slated to expand and will open in their own space later in 2022. For the time being, their beers can be found in several bars and restaurants around Venice.
20. Snook Haven
This old Florida eatery outside of Venice gives customers a great selection of foods in an Everglade style setting. Known for their barbeque as well as seafood dishes, Snook Haven offers riverside dining with views of wildlife while you listen to live music.
Not only can diners see alligators in the nearby river, they can also order some off the menu! Snook Haven’s Gator Bites are deep fried nuggets of alligator tail and are a popular choice. Their homemade chips that come with most of the sandwiches and entrees are also a customer favorite.
Menu options include BBQ Pork, Chicken and Brisket, burgers, fried fish, and tacos. Snook Haven makes their own veggie patty as well for those who choose not to eat meat. Snook Haven has a full bar and sells a wide selection of local beer in both cans and on tap. One of the best places to eat in Venice Florida.
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So there you have it – the top 20 restaurants in Venice, FL! With all of those and more, there is no shortage of places to fill up in style next time you head there for a visit. Just be sure you save room for dessert!
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jamall
Tuesday 6th of December 2022
Great article