Restaurant Watch: What's Opening in Sarasota and Venice This Fall

The dining scene between Sarasota and Venice keeps adding new places worth knowing about. Some of the most anticipated openings of the year are landing this fall, a few favorites have expanded to new neighborhoods, and the pipeline for next year is already exciting. Here is my restaurant watch for what is open now, landing soon, and coming next in Sarasota and Venice.

Now Open: Casa Masa in Siesta Key Village

Casa Masa, the Oaxacan-style Mexican favorite, opened its Siesta Key Village location in the former Bonjour French Cafe space on Ocean Boulevard. It is the restaurant's third area spot, joining its Bee Ridge Road and South Tamiami Trail locations, and the village setting suits it beautifully. The fresh masa made daily produces some of the best tortillas in town, and now you can enjoy them a short walk from the beach. Expect a wait at peak hours: it earned its following quickly.

Now Open: Mama G's German Bakery in Venice

Venice welcomed Mama G's German Bakery on South Tamiami Trail earlier this year, and it is already the kind of place locals protect like a secret. Authentic German breads, pastries, and baked goods in a warm, unpretentious setting. It is an easy stop after a morning at the beach and a reminder that the best additions to a town are often the small ones.

Landing This Fall: Pinchers on St. Armands Circle

Pinchers, the popular Gulf seafood chain, is targeting opening this fall in the former Tommy Bahama space at 300 John Ringling Boulevard on St. Armands Circle. The 8,000-plus-square-foot restaurant will be the 11th location for the Phelan Family Brands group, moving into the prime corner spot that the clothing store vacated in late 2024 after flooding. Fresh steamed shellfish and a lively, family-friendly atmosphere in the heart of the Circle: that combination should be busy from day one.

On the Way: Venice Crossing Takes Shape

The developing Venice Crossing Commercial Center on Laurel Road is one of the most watched projects for dining on the south county side. Walmart and Home Depot are already approved for the center, and restaurants are lining up: Texas Roadhouse is under review for a location, with Whataburger and Chick-fil-A also discussed for the site. Note that plans remain in progress, and no opening dates are set yet. When the pieces land, Venice residents will finally have some favorite chains closer to home.

Coming Next Year: Balos at The Edge

For my money, the most exciting announcement is Balos, the acclaimed Mediterranean restaurant from Washington, D.C. that will make its Florida debut in downtown Sarasota. It is slated for the ground floor of The Edge, the 10-story luxury condo at the corner of Cocoanut Avenue and Fruitville Road, in a roughly 7,200-square-foot space that will be the building's only retail tenant. The opening is planned for spring 2027 rather than this fall, so it is worth putting on your radar now and reserving early once it opens. Fresh seafood, wood-grilled meats, and an extensive wine list right on the edge of downtown: I cannot wait.

Stay Current With Me

I track openings and closings all over Sarasota, Nokomis, and Venice because my clients always ask, and because where you live is about more than the house. If you are relocating and want the neighborhood that puts you close to the dining and lifestyle you love, I would love to help you find it. Send me a note and tell me what kind of evenings you like: I will point you to the right communities and the right tables.