The Sarasota restaurant scene remained busy in August with highly anticipated openings, surprising closures and ambitious expansions.
A Michelin-recognized Gulf Gate restaurant announced plans for a new downtown Sarasota location, while other popular homegrown concepts prepared to grow into new neighborhoods.
The Sarasota area also welcomed a comfort-food tavern, a frozen custard shop and the nation’s first co-branded location pairing two familiar chains.
Meanwhile, beloved bars and pubs moved closer to reopening, and several prominent dining spaces began major transformations.
The month wasn’t all good news, however, as longtime restaurants closed and a major brewery announced a months-long temporary closure "for an extensive remodel" under new ownership.
Here’s a look at the biggest Sarasota and Manatee County restaurant news from August.
BrickTop's to open in University Town Center
Sarasota's University Town Center is set to welcome a popular Nashville, Tennessee-based restaurant known for sushi, steaks and gourmet American comfort food such as its burgers and fries.
BrickTop's is scheduled to open at 55 N. Cattlemen Road in the spring of 2027. The restaurant closest to Sarasota now is in Naples at Waterside Shops, 5555 Tamiami Trail.
At the Naples location, popular choices include chicken Milanese, barbecue ribs and a cooked-to-order tavern burger that includes two griddled patties, caramelized onions, American cheese and a secret sauce. Southern-style items include deviled eggs and sugar bacon; shrimp New Orleans, featuring sauteed shrimp in a Creole sauce with basmati rice and a toasted baguette; and bread pudding. Ribeye, prime rib, filet mignon and steak frites are all part of the BrickTop’s signature steak menu. Sushi options include several warm offerings, such as warm butter crab and seared tuna. — Earle Kimel and Michaela Galligan
The Shebeen to reopen soon in new Sarasota location
The Shebeen Irish Pub & Kitchen hopes to open in early September at its new location in Gulf Gate, at 6607 Gateway Ave. in the former Sarasota Brewing Company space, said owner Eileen Carrigan.
The Shebeen (an Irish term akin to speakeasy) originally opened on Siesta Key's Midnight Pass Road in late 2022 under the ownership of Ross and Louise Galbraith, who also previously operated Sarasota's Pub 32 Irish Pub & Kitchen. Carrigan, who worked at Pub 32 and The Shebeen, later purchased the latter from the Galbraiths.
Much of the menu will stay the same from The Shebeen's original location — including favorites such as its fish and chips, shepherd's and pot pies, and its burger — but additions to the back of house staff should allow for more specials and menu items such as Guinness stew. Unlike its original location, The Shebeen's new space will also have a liquor license that will allow them to serve Irish whiskey and other spirits along with beer and wine. — Jimmy Geurts
Red Chillez Indian opens food truck, to open restaurant in Sarasota
Four local women have teamed up to bring a popular restaurant franchise to Sarasota, but before opening its first brick-and-mortar location, they're serving customers from a food truck.
The Red Chillez Indian Fusion Food Truck is now open six days a week at 4413 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, the future home of what will be the second Red Chillez Indian Cuisine restaurant in Florida and the sixth in the country.
The first Red Chillez Indian Cuisine opened in Largo, Florida, in August 2024. Since then, it has expanded to include two restaurants in Georgia, and one each in North Carolina and Iowa.
The restaurant, once internal renovations of the former Mama G’s German Bakery & Coffeehouse are complete, will offer more traditional, authentic Indian food, said Gopika Trivedi, one of the co-owners. — EK
Rose & Ivy temporarily closes for renovations in downtown Sarasota
The ivy-adorned I.R. Burns & H.H. Bell Building, at 1296 First St. next to the Sarasota Opera House in the heart of Sarasota's theater district, is a downtown landmark dating to 1925. Over the decades, it has housed everything from the city collections office to a furniture store, but it is best known for its revolving door of restaurants.
Most recently, the upscale Rose & Ivy occupied the prime two-story space with its tropical patio for the past two years. The restaurant will be temporarily closed through Oct. 1 "as we transform our space into something truly special," according to a July 16 social media post.
"From the restoration of our beloved speakeasy to the debut of our new Ringling Room inspired by John Ringling's 1920s rail car, we can't wait to welcome you back. Thank you for your patience and continued support. Stay tuned as we share the journey." — Wade Tatangelo
Bradenton's Motorworks Brewing gets new owners, temporarily closes
Motorworks Brewing, at 1014 Ninth St. W. in Bradenton near the Pittsburgh Pirates’ spring training home LECOM Park, stated in a social media post that effective Tuesday, Aug. 4, it "will temporarily close for an extensive remodel" and "hope to reopen on February 1, 2027, under new ownership and new management, with a refreshed space and an exciting new chapter ahead."
The brewery's taproom was popular for its full-liquor drink menu and a beer garden with a century-old oak tree and a covered stage for live music and other entertainment. Just earlier this year, Motorworks Brewing was named the ninth best beer garden in USA TODAY's 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards.
Yet as previously reported by the Herald-Tribune, Motorworks Brewing has faced recent legal issues including being named as a defendant in a foreclosure lawsuit filed May 21, according to court documents. Motorworks Brewing also in May closed its downtown Orlando taproom, which opened in 2020, according to the Orlando Business Journal. — JG
Denny's in Sarasota closed, sold
One of Sarasota’s last 24-hour restaurants has sold for $4.25 million, just days after serving its final customers.
It took just three phone calls for American Property Group to put together the sale of the former Denny’s at 3701 Bee Ridge Road to Nathan Rich of West Palm Beach-based Rich Global. The sale closed Aug. 4, two days after the restaurant stopped serving customers.
Tyler Sluman, a commercial real estate specialist with American Property Group, told the Herald-Tribune that the existing building will be renovated to house two or three businesses, including one with a drive-through. — EK
Ed's Tavern to open in former Sarasota Chili's space
A longtime Chili’s location in Sarasota is getting a new life as a locally owned restaurant.
Ed's Tavern Sports Bar and Restaurant plans to open in 2027 at 4131 S. Tamiami Trail, leasing the former Chili's Grill & Bar spot that opened in the 1980s and closed last year, according to signage outside the building.
Ed's Tavern expanded from one location on Lakewood Ranch Main Street to two in 2024, when it opened another location in Bradenton off of State Road 64. It has since opened a location in Palmetto's Gateway Commons plaza near Parrish and has another upcoming opening in West Bradenton, according to the restaurant's website.
Ed's Tavern's current locations offer a variety of casual cuisine dishes including shareables, salads, wings, flatbreads, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, sliders, bowls, entrees, sides and desserts. It also has a full-liquor drink menu, serving signature cocktails, beer with local craft options, and wine. — JG
Fork & Hen closes, Sarasocial to open in downtown Sarasota
A popular Sarasota restaurant has closed after less than 18 months at its new, larger location downtown.
Following a successful three-year run on North Tamiami Trail, Fork & Hen brought its Southern soul food, often featuring innovative twists, along with a new liquor license to 1990 Main St. The downtown space, inside the Courthouse Centre building across from the Regal Hollywood movie theater, had previously housed MADE Restaurant for about 12 years.
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation records show a new restaurant called Sarasocial is slated for the former Fork & Hen space at 1990 Main St., Suite 112. — WT
Cock & Bull nears reopening in Sarasota
One of Sarasota’s most beloved beer bars and live music venues could soon be making a comeback.
Cock & Bull may reopen as soon as October under a partnership between the man who purchased the property in February and a former Big Top Brewing Company executive.
Frank Giuffre, who bought the Cock & Bull space at 975 Cattlemen Road as part of a $3.35 million package in February, told the Herald-Tribune that he and Dean Lambert, former regional operations director for Big Top Brewing Company, plan to bring the beloved Sarasota bar back to life.
Giuffre and Lambert are working on a deal with Lora Rust Miller, the owner of Smokin’ Momma Lora’s BBQ, to have a permanent food truck on the site. “It’s not going to be her barbecue truck,” Lambert said, then added that the menu is still being planned. — EK, JG
D.C. restaurant Balos to open downtown Sarasota location
A Michelin-recognized Mediterranean restaurant from Washington, D.C. will expand to downtown Sarasota as "the sole retail anchor tenant" at a luxury condominium building.
Balos will open at The Edge Sarasota at 290 Cocoanut Ave., according to a press release. The approximately 7,200-square-foot restaurant will be open to the public.
Created by Stefanos Vouvoudakis, Tom Tsiplakos and Joe Ragonese, Balos is inspired by the lagoon of the same name on the Greek island of Crete. The restaurant offers a contemporary take on Greek and Mediterranean cuisine with a menu emphasizing seafood, seasonal ingredients and dishes designed for sharing.
Balos opened in December 2023 in D.C.'s Dupont Circle neighborhood, and the following year became a Michelin Guide selected restaurant. The Michelin Guide has expanded beyond its well-known star ratings to now also include Bib Gourmand, Green Star and Selected, or recommended, status. — JG
Five Nine Grill & Tavern opens in Osprey
A popular restaurant known for comfort food classics has made its Sarasota County debut.
Five Nine Grill & Tavern soft-opened Aug. 10 at 1092 S. Tamiami Trail in Blackburn Point Plaza in Osprey.
The original Five Nine Grill & Tavern opened in Bradenton in December 2023 at Cortez Commons Shopping Center, near the intersection of Cortez Road and 59th Street West. The tavern’s name is a nod to that location.
The tavern strives to offer what owner Mike DeGrirolamo calls Southern comfort food with a variety of scratch-made dishes and daily specials. Once the Osprey location is established, Five Nine may look into additional taverns farther north in Sarasota or east in Lakewood Ranch. — EK
Whit's Frozen Custard opens first Sarasota area location on Siesta Key
A national frozen custard chain has made its Sarasota debut within walking distance of world-famous Siesta Beach.
Whit’s Frozen Custard recently opened at 5147 Ocean Blvd. in bustling Siesta Village, about a one-minute walk from landmarks such as the Beach Club.
The shop specializes in custard with custom toppings and mix-ins ranging from fruits and nuts to candy bars and whipped cream.
Whit’s Frozen Custard is known for its rich, creamy custard made fresh throughout the day, along with more than 300 rotating flavors, sundaes, shakes and its signature Whitsers — custom frozen custard creations blended with guests’ favorite toppings and mix-ins. The menu also features Whitties, frozen custard cookie sandwiches. — EK
Buffalo Wild Wings GO, Jimmy John's open co-branded Palmetto location
Sarasota residents looking to try a new dining concept will find the nation’s first location just across the county line in Manatee County.
Buffalo Wild Wings GO and Jimmy John’s opened the country’s first co-branded location at 5241 69th St. East in Palmetto on Aug. 18. The new dining spot will bring hand-sauced wings and made-to-order subs together under one roof.
Buffalo Wild Wings GO provides a carryout and delivery-focused experience with bone-in and boneless wings available in more than 26 signature sauces and dry rubs, plus tenders, sandwiches, wraps, burgers and shareable sides. Working alongside it, Jimmy John’s will be serving its fresh-made and fast-delivered sandwiches with real, high-quality ingredients. — MG
Moe's Southwest Grill closes multiple Sarasota area locations
A popular national fast-casual restaurant has closed multiple Sarasota area locations after a major franchisee for the chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Moe's Southwest Grill at 8192 Tourist Center Drive in the University Park/UTC area and 5668 Tuscola Blvd. in North Port have both closed, according to the Herald-Tribune's sister publication, the Florida Times-Union. The closures come in the wake of Quality Fresca I L.L.C., headquartered in Palm Beach, filing for Chapter 11 protection Aug. 4 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Another Sarasota-area Moe's location, at 4005 Clark Road, was not on the list of shuttered locations and is still open, according to Moe's website.
Moe's is known for its burritos, bowls, quesadillas, tacos, salads and nachos with build-your-own-style customization options, as well as meals coming with free chips and salsa. — JG, Teresa Stepzinski
Tralia to open second location in downtown Sarasota's Rosemary District
A Sarasota pizza restaurant that started as a pop-up before becoming one of the county's hottest dining destinations is expanding with a second location.
Tralia Pizza, which earned Michelin Guide recognition earlier this year and routinely draws crowds to its Gulf Gate restaurant at 6566 Gateway Ave., plans to open a second location in the former Original Wolfie's & Rascal House space in downtown Sarasota’s Rosemary District at 1420 Boulevard of the Arts.
The Rosemary restaurant will be just under 4,000 square feet, including about 1,500 square feet of outdoor space, making it roughly twice the size of Tralia’s Gulf Gate location. The menu will remain anchored by Tralia’s sourdough pizzas but lean more toward a full-service Italian restaurant, with additional entrees and pasta dishes. — WT
Downtown Sarasota’s Sugar Champagne Bar drops $150 minimum
Sarasota boasts plenty of high-end restaurants and bars, but only one made headlines by requiring a $150 minimum spend per person for reserved seating.
Sugar Champagne Bar, which opened in March 2025 at 127 S. Pineapple Ave. in downtown Sarasota, has eliminated that much-discussed minimum.
The glamorous drinking, dining and entertainment destination occupies a striking pink, two-story building and features Champagne, caviar, live piano music and an unmistakable pink Rolls-Royce. Guests can now stop in for a drink, enjoy dinner or spend the entire evening without being required to meet a minimum tab.
Owner Ronnie Shugar said Sugar is seeking to bring its upscale experience to a broader Gulf Coast audience.
The lounge is also expanding its culinary focus. Chef Erik Decker’s evolving menu features Wagyu tenderloin, king crab rolls, red snapper and Sugar’s signature caviar service, designed to complement a collection of more than 70 Champagnes. — WT
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Restaurant closures and big changes hit Sarasota
