Black Gold Coffee Roasters

2385 E. Venice Ave., Venice, (941) 488-8242, blackgoldroasters.com

Gary Lauters roasts beans from all over the world in this Venice warehouse and shop and also works with local businesses from bakeries to breweries to craft coffee-flavored products. Lauters has concocted a menu that includes coffee, red-eyes (espresso and coffee), lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, blended drinks and cold brew that’s been dubbed “liquid crack.” Nice pastries, breakfast items, sandwiches and salads available, too.

Blú Island Bistro

625 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, (941) 485-8200, bluislandbistro.com

Tucked next to a small motel along a curve of U.S. 41 on Venice Island, the Blú Island Bistro is easy to miss but hard to forget. Blú Island does the expected uncommonly well, elevating everything from pancakes to burgers. Past specials include “Wealthy Whisky Bacon,” which featured two thick slices grilled and paired with a whiskey glaze. Creative? Yes, and satisfying, too.

BrewBurgers

370 Commercial Court, Venice, (941) 484-2337; 525 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, (941) 786-3341, brewburgers.com

The grill gurus at BrewBurgers are expert searers, adept at keeping thin patties pink and juicy while scarring their exteriors to blackened beauty. A tender, floury bun hugs the patty and contains tomato and a fistful of shredded lettuce. The burgers are also a perfect accompaniment to the restaurant’s excellent selection of local beers.

Café Bagel

1811 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, (941) 493-2095, ordercafebagelvenice.com

We're saying it: Café Bagel has the absolute best bagels in Venice—and, in fact, makes the list of top spots for the circular snack in Sarasota County. Warm, chewy bagels come with an assortment of spreads or can be made into a breakfast sandwich. The staff is friendly, the service is quick, and those bagels are out of this world.

Cassariano Italian Eatery

313 W. Venice Ave., Venice, (941) 786-1000, cassariano.com

Owned by Italian transplants Luca Cassani and Antonio Pariano, the menu here focuses on contemporary northern Italian cuisine. That means on any given night you can tuck into items like roasted duck breast with figs and risotto or grilled halibut with a sun-dried tomato crust.

Chaz 51 Steak House

549 U.S. Highway 41 Bypass N., Venice, (941) 484-6200, chaz51.com

When Chaz 51 owner and executive chef Charles Amherst relocated his business to Bird Bay Plaza, he tripled the restaurant's capacity and added a cocktail menu and a private dining room. The restaurant specializes in steaks, of course, with filet mignons, ribeyes and New York strips that can be accentuated with everything from blue cheese to crab and scallops. You'll also find burgers, sandwiches and seafood dishes.

Croissant & Co.

323 W. Venice Ave., Venice, (941) 480-1700, croissantandcovenice.com

On downtown mornings, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a seat at this downtown Venice boulangerie, patisserie and restaurant. Credit the mountain of pastries and sweets behind the counter up front, as well as a menu loaded with quiches, sandwiches and salads. The torsades are moist and delicious, the Danishes glisten and the cream toppings will have you licking your fingers.

The Crow’s Nest

1986 Tarpon Center Drive, Venice, (941) 484-9551, crowsnest-venice.com

A waterfront landmark since 1976, The Crow’s Nest provides tasty seafood in a beautiful marina setting. There's a big list of raw items to choose from, while the main menu highlights grouper, shrimp and crab, as well as beef. Arrive via boat and you can even spend the night.

Dockside Waterfront Grill

509 N. Tamiami Trail, Venice, (941) 218-6418, docksidewaterfrontgrill.com

This eatery, part of the Gecko’s chain, offers seating right next to the lapping waters of the Intracoastal, and the menu provides plenty of tasty, unpretentious seafood dishes. Try the grouper sandwich or the lobster rolls, or splurge on a big seafood entrée or a surf and turf combo. Don't miss happy hour, which will provide you with colorful tropical drinks to get you in the Florida mood ASAP.

Fins at Sharky’s

1600 Harbor Drive S., Venice, (941) 999-3467, finsatsharkys.com

The views alone justify making a reservation at this Venice landmark, an upscale dining room connected to the more laid-back Jimmy Buffett vibe of its sister restaurant Sharky’s. As its fishy name implies, Fins is known for its seafood, particularly for its quality sushi. The lobster nachos—made with potato chips, Gouda, prosciutto, arugula and lobster—make for great sharing, and we also like the grilled octopus.

Gold Rush BBQ

661 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, (941) 483-3137,  goldrushbbq.com

The huge menu at Gold Rush may be overwhelming but no matter what you land on, you won't be disappointed. We love the ribs, chopped barbecue platter and any side dish your heart desires. Pro tip: this spot also offers great catering for events.

Made in Italy

117 W. Venice Ave., Venice, (941) 488-8282, madeinitaly-venice.com

A favorite with locals and tourists alike for the pizza that pops out of the wood-burning oven, Made in Italy also serves a generous range of pastas like spaghetti alla carbonara, gnocchi and lasagne bolognese. Don’t ignore the martini menu, either, which features both refreshing and indulgent twists on the classic concoction.

Mi Pueblo

530 U.S. 41 Bypass, Venice, (941) 486-0005; 4436 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, (941) 379-2880; 8405 N. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota, (941) 359-9303; mipueblomexican.com

With three locations in Sarasota County, it’s easy to eat at this local staple. However, our favorite location is the Venice restaurant, where an upstairs terrace overlooks a central dining room where margaritas flow and a mariachi band serenades hungry diners. Try a combination plate for a sampler of the most popular dishes. This is definitely a Venice gem. 

Snook Haven

5000 E. Venice Ave., Venice, (941) 485-7221, snookhaven.com

A lovely slice of Old Florida, Snook Haven is a charming hangout known for its barbecue and basic seafood items, plus more unusual dishes like gator sliders and shrimp and chips. On “Banjo Thursdays,” which happen weekly from October through May, members of the Gulf Coast Banjo Society show up to jam. It’s a beloved Venice tradition.

Star Thai and Sushi

533 U.S. Highway 41 Bypass N., Venice, (941) 485-3981; 240 Avenida Madera, Siesta Key, Sarasota, (941) 217-6758; starthaiandsushi.com

There is nothing else in the area like Star Thai and Sushi’s “Ultimate Omakase” experience, an expensive sushi binge that will leave you reeling. The menu includes up to 20 different small plates, prepared by chef Mike Castro right before your eyes. If you’re not looking for that level of indulgence, Star is a great destination for basic rolls and Thai food, too.

Thai Bistro

537 B E. Venice Ave., Venice, (941) 484-8458, thaibistrovenice.com

Owner and chef Kwan Taylor is a pioneer. She introduced Venice to Thai cuisine when she opened this popular restaurant, which specializes in the food of southern Thailand. The basic soups are a delight, the steamed pork dumplings are fantastic and specials like a tempura softshell crab platter are beyond satisfying.

Tika Indian Cuisine

525A U.S. 41 Bypass N., Venice, (941) 303-5073, tikaindian.com

This Indian spot, located in an unassuming shopping plaza, regularly makes the top ten on Yelp's Top 100 Restaurants in Florida. In 2023 it was ranked in the No. 2 position, no small feat. At Tika, the menu covers a broad array of Indian favorites from biryani to saag, tandoori to butter chicken and, of course, tikka masala.

Megan McDonald, Marsha Fottler and David Hackett contributed reporting to this story.