South Sarasota County’s restaurant news stretches from a Cuban-influenced sports bar in Venice to a new steakhouse on Englewood’s Dearborn Street and a growing collection of storefronts in Downtown Wellen. Some are already serving, while others are still getting their kitchens ready. Here’s what’s new—and what diners can watch for next.

Salty Neighbor Bar & Grill

The former Rib City in the Publix-anchored Venice Village plaza is now Salty Neighbor Bar & Grill, a neighborhood sports bar where the Cuban influence goes well beyond the sandwich.

The menu includes mojo-marinated pork, Cuban steak sandwiches and “Cuban Cigars”—egg roll wrappers packed with pulled pork, ham, Swiss cheese and pickles—alongside burgers, wings, salads and other American bar fare. A 25-seat U-shaped bar, 13 televisions, Golden Tee and a TouchTunes jukebox furnish the entertainment.

Owner Edwin Morales is a retired Navy veteran who envisioned the restaurant as a comfortable local hangout with cold beer, familiar food and a little Cuban flavor.

Salty Neighbor is located at 4187 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice. Call (941) 493-0090 or click here. 

Ristorante Roma

The former Unique Cuisine space is preparing for a Roman turn.

Ristorante Roma promises handmade pasta and cooking rooted in the traditions of Italy’s capital. Alexandru Petrache is the chef and founder and opened an earlier Ristorante Roma in Portland, Oregon, in 2005. The Venice concept is expected to include pasta, risotto, seafood, meat dishes and Italian wines. Opening is slated for the first week of November.

It will be located at 200 N. Tamiami Trail, Suite D. Click here for updates.

The Breakfast Company

Venice’s future breakfast plans include skillet bowls, Benedicts and the option to stay in the car.

Nick Doyle and Shannon Holder have partnered with The Breakfast Company to open its fifth location at 2996 Executive Drive, near Interstate 75 and Jacaranda Boulevard. The restaurant will offer breakfast, lunch, catering and the company’s first drive-through.

At its existing locations, the menu moves from pancakes, omelets and house-made pastries to sandwiches and a Mediterranean bowl with gyro meat, feta and tzatziki. It also serves avgolemono, the Greek chicken and lemon-rice soup. Dimitri Syros opened the original Breakfast Company in Bradenton with his mother, Terri Syros-King, in 2020. The company hasn’t confirmed an opening date for the new location yet.

It's slated for 2996 Executive Drive, Venice. Click here to learn more.

Agave Bandido

The colorful Mexican restaurant and tequila bar familiar to Lakewood Ranch diners is heading south.

Agave Bandido is preparing a new restaurant, where its contemporary Mexican menu and extensive tequila selection will arrive with vivid murals, dramatic décor and handcrafted cocktails. Wellen Park expects a fall opening, although Agave Bandido hasn’t announced an exact date.

It will be located at 19830 Wellen Park Blvd., Suite 6108. Call (239) 826-3951 or click here.

Texas Roadhouse

Steak lovers who leave Sarasota County for Texas Roadhouse should soon have a closer option.

The chain is planning a new Sarasota County outpost at Venice Crossing, the large commercial development rising along Laurel Road near Interstate 75. Texas Roadhouse is known for hand-cut steaks, ribs, made-from-scratch side dishes and the fresh-baked rolls that have inspired more than a few diners to fill up before the entrée arrives.

Plans for Venice Crossing also include other chain eateries including Panda Express, Chick-fil-A, Chipotle and Whataburger, although not every prospective tenant has publicly confirmed a restaurant. No opening date has been announced for Texas Roadhouse.

The center’s first businesses are expected to begin opening in 2027. Texas Roadhouse is headed to 2001 Laurel Road E. in Nokomis. Click here for more. 

Grain & Berry

Downtown Wellen’s next breakfast option may arrive in a bowl rather than a skillet.

Grain & Berry serves açaí, pitaya and spirulina bowls piled with fruit and toppings, along with smoothies, fresh juices, specialty toasts and plant-based flatbreads and quesadillas. The Florida-grown chain has built its menu around dishes that can function as breakfast, lunch or the virtuous snack one orders after remembering there were fries yesterday.

The café plans an October 2026 opening, although an opening date hasn’t been announced. It will be located at 6106 Wellen Park Blvd. Click here for more. 

Easy Does It Comfort Kitchen

Chef Spiros Stogiannis is bringing smashburgers, sandwiches, salads and “monstah” tater tots to Downtown Wellen.

The oversized, loaded tots are designed to be shared, although that depends on the company and the severity of everyone’s appetite. Easy Does It will be Stogiannis’ third restaurant.

An opening date is yet to be announced. It’s planned for Downtown Wellen at 19830 Wellen Park Blvd. Click here for more.

La Maison

Downtown Wellen is also awaiting a little French flour power.

La Maison is planned as a French pâtisserie serving freshly baked breads, pastries, croissants, quiches and other sweet and savory dishes throughout the day. The concept comes from Darel and Stephanie Albin, the family behind Sassy Tarts Bakery, Nico B’s and The Hideaway in Englewood.

An opening date is yet to be announced. It's headed to 7101 Wellen Park Blvd. Click here for more.

Five Nine Grill & Tavern

Five Nine Grill & Tavern opened Aug. 10 in the former Bay Leaf space at Blackburn Point Plaza, adding a second location to its Bradenton original. Owners Mike and Holly DeGirolamo have brought their scratch-made comfort food south, with breakfast and daily brunch joining lunch and dinner.

The morning lineup includes stuffed French toast, biscuits and gravy, chicken and waffles, and shrimp and grits, with mimosas and Bloody Marys for anyone whose schedule allows. Later appetites can turn to steaks, seafood, craft burgers, wings and flatbreads. Rotating blackboard specials add more variety, while cocktails, local craft beer and televised sports round out the neighborhood hangout.

Find Five Nine is located at 1092 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey. Call (941) 773-0223 or click here.