The Sarasota restaurant scene experienced a tumultuous September, with major closings offset by exciting openings, a long-awaited comeback and other promising developments.
Nothing hit harder, though, than the closing of Indigenous, where chef and owner Steve Phelps thrilled diners for 15 years with brilliantly crafted American cuisine, ranging from one of the city’s best burgers to sustainable seafood dishes that earned him a national spotlight on “CBS This Morning: Saturday.”
A two-time James Beard Awards semifinalist, Phelps served celebrity diners such as Bobby Flay and, perhaps most importantly, inspired fellow local chefs, including Mark Majorie, chef and co-owner of Lucky 8, Sarasota’s sole recipient of the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand
honor.
Read on for the biggest restaurant openings, closings and other noteworthy developments that shook up the Sarasota-area dining scene in September. —Wade Tatangelo
JPAN Sushi & Grill closes University Town Center location
A restaurant that has been part of University Town Center's dining and drinking scene for a decade has shut its doors, at least for now, while its other Sarasota location remain opens.
JPAN Sushi & Grill closed its UTC location at 229 N. Cattlemen Road #61, which opened in 2016, on Sep. 13. JPAN has another location at 3800 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota's Shops at Siesta Row that will continue on, as will sister restaurants Korê Steakhouse and Kuro Sushi in Lakewood Ranch.
It may not be goodbye for good at JPAN in UTC, either. In a video posted to the restaurant's social media, owner Daniel Dokko said "we are working very closely with" the dining and shopping district's owner Benderson Development "to find the next JPAN in UTC, so stay tuned.” — Jimmy Geurts
Just Salad opens in University Town Center
Another national restaurant chain has made its Sarasota area debut, with this one, as its name suggests, focusing on one meal in particular.
Just Salad is now open in University Town Center at 5231 University Parkway Suite 113. Founded in 2006 in New York, with Knicks player and NBA champion Jalen Brunson recently joining the company as a partner and equity owner, Just Salad has expanded to Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. and Florida. The majority of Just Salad's menu is indeed salads, with "fan favorites" including crispy chicken poblano, Thai chicken crunch, and Tokyo super greens with tofu, according to the restaurant's website. However, Just Salad also offers warm bowls, wraps, and market plates (which come with a protein, sauce, vegetables and basmati rice), all of which have build-your-own options. — JG
Grimaldi's Pizzeria to open in Sarasota County
A popular New York pizza chain plans to bring its signature Brooklyn-style pies to Sarasota as part of a five-restaurant expansion across Southwest Florida.
Grimaldi's Pizzeria is a traditional brick-oven, coal-fired pizza restaurant that opened in Brooklyn in the 1990s, drawing on traditions that originated in the borough more than a century ago. Founded as a family-owned business, Grimaldi's is serving its "secret recipe dough" and signature sauces at about 40 locations in the United States.
The chain announced that it has partnered with UNIV Hospitality of Fort Myers, LLC, a restaurant operating company, to bring five additional Grimaldi's restaurants to Southwest Florida. The expansion will include five restaurants across Sarasota, Lee and Collier counties, according to a news release. — Kendal Asbury
1000 North hits delay in downtown Sarasota
One of Sarasota’s most anticipated restaurant openings has hit a delay amid parking issues, questions about ownership and concerns from nearby residents.
1000 North, the exclusive private club and restaurant that first opened in Palm Beach County in 2018 with founding partners including basketball icon Michael Jordan, was slated to open by October on North Tamiami Trail in downtown Sarasota’s Rosemary District. The members-only club would occupy two commercial condominium units in The BLVD Sarasota, according to city planning documents.
But the Sarasota Planning Board voted unanimously at a Sept. 9 meeting to push back the discussion “to a date uncertain.” Concerns about the development included a lack of parking, disruption of residents and blocking the pedestrian walkway along the exterior of the building. — KA
Artisan Cheese Company closes in downtown Sarasota
Artisan Cheese Company, a local craft cheese shop and lunch restaurant, closed its doors after more than 14 years in business in downtown Sarasota.
Another restaurant is expected to take over the 3,000-square-foot space at 550 Central Ave. in downtown Sarasota’s Rosemary District, according to owner Louise Converse. She said two people had hoped to take over the cheese shop and had spent two months working with her on the transition, but the landlord approved a restaurant instead. Converse acknowledged that she was behind on rent.
Artisan Cheese Company opened in 2012, offering “fine specialty cheeses and other lovely things,” as previously reported by the Herald-Tribune. The business originally operated for about six years in a 1,100-square-foot space at 1310 Main St. Breaking Wave Coffee later occupied that storefront before closing its cafe in September 2025, announcing on social media that the building had been sold. — KA
Indigenous closes in downtown Sarasota
Indigenous has closed after 15 years, ending an award-winning run for one of Sarasota’s most celebrated restaurants. Owner and chef Steve Phelps opened Indigenous at 239 S. Links Ave. in the Towles Court neighborhood in 2011 and became a two-time James Beard Awards semifinalist for Best Chef: South, earning nominations in 2014 and 2015.
As its name suggests, Indigenous focused on incorporating ingredients from Florida as well as sustainable seafood. Some of the restaurant's well-known dishes included its cobia "hot dog," its wild mushroom bisque, and its My Uncle's Burger, which the Herald-Tribune recently named one of the best burgers in Sarasota.
Indigenous received a national television spotlight in 2021 when it was showcased on a “CBS This Morning: Saturday” segment for “The Dish,” which highlights chefs and culinary experts from around the world, with co-host Jeff Glor visiting Sarasota to meet with Phelps. Another national television personality, celebrity chef Bobby Flay, visited Indigenous in 2023. — KA, JG, WT
Baldoria opens in downtown Sarasota
A new Sarasota restaurant and cocktail bar featuring shareable plates, specialty beverages and Mediterranean-inspired flavors recently opened in the heart of downtown.
Baldoria occupies the former Block 15 Cork & Craft wine bar space at 1528 Main St. It's the latest concept by Riccardo Margarella and Paola Pignata, the restaurateurs behind My Mamma Italian Kitchen at 3105 N. Tamiami Trail.
Baldoria features a tapas assortment with Italian and Spanish twists as well as focaccia sandwiches, craft pasta plates and pizzas. In addition to its culturally inspired craft plates, Baldoria offers a self-pour beer and wine wall with 24 taps of craft beverages, as well as craft cocktails. — KA
Sarasocial opens in downtown Sarasota
A new restaurant serving lunch, dinner and "after hours" bites recently opened in the former Fork & Hen space on Main Street, bringing another nightlife option to downtown Sarasota.
Sarasocial debuted Sept. 15 at 1990 Main St., Suite 112, which spans 3,522 square feet. Though the establishment features the "same kitchen" and "same heart" as Fork & Hen, according to its website, Sarasocial brings new ownership, a new chef and a new "social experience" to the upper Main Street area of downtown anchored by the Regal Hollywood movie theater.
The menu remains rooted in familiar Southern soul cooking, while live music, cocktails and an outdoor hookah space add to the experience. Yamzey Gonzalez, a 40-year-old executive chef and Le Cordon Bleu graduate, is leading the kitchen at Sarasocial, along with the new owner Bobby Khush. — KA
Sorella opens in downtown Sarasota
A new restaurant in downtown Sarasota, co-owned by twin sisters and featuring chefs from fellow area Italian eateries, has opened its doors.
Sorella (Italian for "sister") opened near the end of September at 1532 Main St. in Yume Sushi's former space. Dana Malcolm co-owns the restaurant with her sister Danielle, with a team that also includes head chef Giancarlo di Cosmo from 15 South by Napulé on St. Armands Circle and pizza chef Simone Di Marco from Malmosto.
Sorella serves a variety of pasta dishes, including cacio e pepe and carbonara, and Neapolitan pizzas made using an oven from Italy. It also offers other Italian dishes including molten-pour chicken parm and osso buco, seafood such as octopus, and salads including a "girl dinner" with a Caesar salad, fries and choice of select cocktail. — JG
Alma de España to move locations in Sarasota
A Sarasota restaurant that has created a buzz since opening in Southside Village last year is moving downtown to the historic cottage where Indigenous recently ended its acclaimed 15-year run.
Alma de España chef and owner Elier Rodriguez told the Herald-Tribune he plans to relocate from his current location at 1830 S. Osprey Ave. to Indigenous’s former home at 239 S. Links Ave. He expects to reopen downtown at the start of early November.
Alma de España opened in Southside Village in 2025. Rodriguez, a Cuban native who previously worked at Michelin-starred restaurants in Las Vegas, said at the time that the restaurant was inspired by his grandmother, Cacha, whose cooking helped shape his career. Its menu has featured dishes such as garlic prawns, Spanish-style octopus, paella and Basque-style branzino. — JG, WT, KA
Kolucan Mexican Bar & Grill closes, reopens with new owners in Sarasota
A high-end Sarasota Mexican restaurant reopened under new ownership Sept. 18 in Gulf Gate, two weeks after its abrupt closure.
The restaurant at 6644 Gateway Ave. is temporarily retaining the Kolucan Mexican Bar & Grill name but will soon become Garibaldi Bar & Grill, according to an Instagram post.
Kolucan opened as a partnership between Gino Calleja, owner of Sarasota’s beloved Reyna’s Taqueria, and Jose Rojas, former chef at downtown Sarasota’s Louies Modern. Garibaldi’s menu has a heavier emphasis on seafood than Kolucan’s. Dishes include pulpo zarandeado, featuring grilled octopus in a smoky chile adobo, and grouper a la veracruzana, served with tomatoes, peppers, onions, olives, capers, rice and salad. — Earle Kimel, WT, JG
Tastes of the Philippines opens in downtown Sarasota
Tastes of the Philippines, a fast-casual, build-your-own-box restaurant featuring Filipino cuisine, recently opened in downtown Sarasota. The restaurant is located in the Courthouse Centre at 1987 Ringling Blvd.
Tastes of the Philippines serves Filipino food in a fast-casual setting. The restaurant features natural décor reflecting the culture of the Philippines. Its dishes are prepared from scratch and cooked over an open flame, bringing what the restaurant describes as the bold, bright flavors of the Philippines to downtown Sarasota.
The restaurant offers a “build-your-box” format, a more modern take on traditional Filipino street food in a fast-casual setting. The twist aims to reflect cuisine “rooted in tradition, plated for today.” Guests are given the choice to select from various flavorful proteins to serve as the base for a box with garlic fried rice, lumpia and turon. — KA
Hawkers Asian Street Food 'coming soon' to University Town Center
Sarasota diners may soon have a new place to enjoy dim sum, stir-fried noodles and twice-fried chicken wings.
A sign planted outside the now-closed JPAN Sushi & Grill at University Town Center says Hawkers Asian Street Food is “coming soon.” The restaurant has not confirmed an opening date or whether it will occupy JPAN’s former space.
Hawkers started in Orlando in 2011, stating a goal of bringing the flavors of Asian street food to Central Florida. The eclectic dining concept draws from the Malaysian, Hong Kong and Vietnamese roots of its founders to provide a fusion of traditional dishes with modern twists. The name refers to the street-food vendors known as hawkers across parts of Asia. — KA
The 1818 Grill closes in Sarasota
A Sarasota restaurant and bar has closed, with the business next door buying the space, while its owner will join the team of another neighbor's recently announced new location.
The 1818 Grill, named for its 1818 S. Osprey Ave. address in Sarasota's Southside Village neighborhood, shut its doors after a final day of business Sept. 26. Owner Tommy Lovell took over the space in 2024 that at the time was still Knick's Tavern & Grill, which had been open since 2002, with the name later changing to The 1818 Grill.
Lovell is selling the business to the Siciliano family that owns Legends Sports Pub next door at 1816 S. Osprey Ave. and said it will expand to a full bar and restaurant. Legends currently has a beer and wine license and does not have a food menu. Meanwhile, Lovell will join Alma de España as general manager and sommelier at the restaurant's new downtown Sarasota location. — JG
Beach Bistro reopens on Anna Maria Island
An award-winning beachfront restaurant on Anna Maria Island has reopened after a two-year closure caused by damage sustained from Hurricane Helene.
Beach Bistro, a fine-dining restaurant on Holmes Beach that overlooks the Gulf, reopened Sept. 25, welcoming back regulars and visitors "as a beloved island tradition begins its next chapter." The bistro boasts decades of history and myriad accolades, offering upscale dining right on the sugary white sands of Holmes Beach or indoors, inside a quaint waterfront cottage.
Beach Bistro was founded in 1985 by husband-and-wife duo Sean Murphy and Susan Timmins. The restaurant sold in early 2022 to a group led by local developer Shawn Kaleta, with local attorney Louis Najmy, of Lakewood Ranch-based firm Najmy Thompson, being one of the co-owners. — KA
Chicken Salad Chick opens first Sarasota County location
A popular national restaurant chain has opened its first Sarasota County location, with a little help from an ESPN legend.
The county’s first Chicken Salad Chick welcomed friends and family Sept. 28 for a trial run before its Sept. 29 opening. The event at 6650 Fruitville Road, Unit 132, also served as a fundraiser for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Longtime ESPN sports commentator Dick Vitale signed copies of his new book “20 for 20: The Dick Vitale Gala Through the Years,” and was scheduled to receive a check on behalf of the V Foundation at the grand opening.
Chicken Salad Chick, an Atlanta-based fast-casual chain and franchise featuring a variety of chicken salad offerings, as well as soups, salads and specialty sandwiches, started in 2008 in Auburn, Alabama. It has grown to more than 345 restaurants across 27 states. — EK
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota restaurant openings and closings cap a tumultuous September
