5 Sarasota area restaurants open, 2 close, local donut shop named best in Florida

While summer is an excellent time to visit our favorite restaurants in Sarasota and Manatee counties, we also saw plenty of new restaurant openings this month. Unfortunately, we reported on restaurant closings, too.

Our monthly restaurant news recap includes five openings and two closings. You'll find new restaurants to visit in downtown Sarasota, University Town Center, and on Anna Maria Island.

Looking for more positive dining news? One Sarasota-based business was named among the best doughnut shops in Florida — and we wholeheartedly agree with that choice!

Presented in no particular order, here are the biggest restaurant openings, closings, and honors that we reported on during June in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

10 of the best restaurants in Sarasota-Manatee and what to order!

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Pier 22 waterfront restaurant in downtown Bradenton reopens

Pier 22, the popular waterfront restaurant located in downtown Bradenton on the Manatee River, announced that its spacious covered patio and outside bar would undergo a significant remodel, "designed to enhance your dining experience with a beautifully upgraded outdoor space and new bar," according to a press release issued May 31.

Seating under the covered patio was closed starting June 3, with the entire Pier 22 restaurant temporarily closed for enhancements beginning June 9. On Saturday, June 22, Pier 22 reopened, and the restaurant's popular happy hour, offered daily from 3 to 6 p.m., was back in action during our visit earlier this week. However, the covered patio and outside bar overlooking the water is now completely empty and ready for its makeover, with impressive progress already visible on the new roof.

"While our indoor dining and outdoor terrace seating are available for your enjoyment, please note that our covered patio and outside bar are currently undergoing an exciting remodel, and seating in those areas remains closed," Pier 22 noted in a statement. "This enhancement aims to elevate your dining experience with a beautifully upgraded outdoor space and a brand-new bar.

"We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work diligently to complete these improvements. Your comfort and satisfaction remain our top priority, and we look forward to unveiling our enhanced patio and bar area soon."

Stay tuned for updates on the covered patio and outside bar reopening.

Popular waterfront restaurant in Bradenton temporarily closing

Big Top Brewing opens new facility at Fruitville Commons

When Mike Bisaha, Seth Murauskas and Josh Wilson planned their new Big Top Brewing Company facility at 3045 Fruitville Commons Blvd., they reached out to Joe Seidensticker and Joe Guli, best known for their leadership of popular Sarasota and Bradenton restaurants Oak & Stone, Libby's and Circo.

On June 4, the public had the opportunity to visit this massive new brewery, restaurant, full bar, and beer garden replete with lawn games, which is in the burgeoning Fruitville Commons neighborhood, situated just east of Interstate 75.

"The moment you’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived!" Big Top posted to social media. "We are thrilled to announce that Big Top Brewing Co.’s brand new location is officially open! Join us for an unforgettable evening of craft beer, delicious food, and great company."

Sarasota's biggest new brewery, restaurant, full bar and beer garden now open

Peach’s Restaurants closes two Manatee County locations

Peach’s Restaurants issued a statement that it would be permanently closing its location at 3240 E. Bay Drive in Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island, as well as the restaurant at 2207 60th Ave. E. in Ellenton. Both Peach's locations served their final meals on Father’s Day, June 16.

The leases expire on June 30, Peach’s noted, and they needed time to transition their team and move their property during the last two weeks.

“We are a proud small business with dedicated teams and loyal guests," said Alison Thomas, president of Peach’s Restaurants, in a statement. "This decision was not ours to make, and it does not reflect the incredible dedication of our team at these locations. We are doing our best to relocate all 40 employees throughout our other six locations in Bradenton, Sarasota and Venice.”

Peach's Restaurants blame Benderson Development for closing locations

Five-O Donut Co. named among best doughnut shops in Florida

Ahead of National Donut Day, which was June 7, our USA TODAY Network-Florida dining and entertainment team published a list of the best doughnut shops in the Sunshine State. Five-O Donut Co., which debuted in downtown Sarasota in 2017 and now has multiple locations in Sarasota-Manatee, was among the dozen selected from across Florida.

Five-O features a variety of doughnuts, including "simple" classics like glazed and chocolate iced, alongside more elaborate "fancy" creations such as the Cookie Monster (blue vanilla buttercream, Oreo bits, cookie dough bites, and Biscoff cookie butter), as well as special and seasonal offerings. We recommend not counting calories for the day and ordering a "fancy."

What's the best donut shop in Florida? 12 we love to recommend

Inner Compass brewery, restaurant opens in Lakewood Ranch

Sarasota-Manatee's brewery scene got a new addition when Inner Compass Brewing Company opened in early June at 10316 Technology Terrace in Lakewood Ranch. Originally from Sanford outside Orlando, Inner Compass Brewing Company serves its own beers on tap, as well as selections from other fellow Florida craft beer breweries. It also offers a full menu of "high-quality bar food" including a variety of burgers (with a non-meat option) and other handhelds, pizzas (with a gluten-free option), chicken wings, salads, appetizers, sides and desserts, with a kids menu.

New brewery, restaurant now open in Lakewood Ranch

Naked Farmer restaurant opens at University Town Center

One of Sarasota's most anticipated new restaurants has begun welcoming guests. Naked Farmer, the self-described "fine-casual" restaurant established in St. Petersburg in 2020, now has seven locations across Florida, including a new one in downtown Miami. Its University Town Center location opened June 19.

Naked Farmer’s 2,300-square-foot space is in the West District at UTC, right next to Blaze Pizza and near Rocco’s Tacos, which was one of the biggest restaurant openings in Sarasota and Manatee counties in 2023. Originally scheduled to open in summer 2023, Naked Farmer specializes in "locally-sourced, farm-fresh food."

Diners can choose from one of the rotating chef pairings or build their own harvest bowls from the menu. Some of the summer menu items currently available include Street Cart Corn, Chili-Crunch Green Beans, and Farmer’s Panzanella. Each dish is advertised as being made with produce grown on nearby farms. Meals start at $11.

New restaurant opens in Sarasota serving 'farm-fresh food'

Cuba 1958 opens in downtown Sarasota

After Italian eatery Flavio's on Main recently closed the doors at its 1766 Main St. location in downtown Sarasota, another restaurant announced it would be taking its place, and a month later, has already opened. Cuba 1958, an offshoot of Westfield, New Jersey restaurant 1958 Cuban Cuisine, takes its name and theme from the final year before Fidel Castro assumed power in Cuba in 1959. The Sarasota restaurant started its soft opening period in June, and while its patio currently isn't open, it plans to be in time for a grand opening around the end of July.

New Cuban restaurant now open in downtown Sarasota

AMI Mediterranean Xpress opens on Holmes Beach

Mediterranean fast-casual dining concept AMI Mediterranean Xpress opened in late June at 5316 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach's Island Shopping Center, next door to Pizzano's Pizza & Grinderz, with both restaurants operated by the same family. AMI Mediterranean Xpress offers build-your-own bowls with choice of bases, proteins, toppings and sauces, as well as salads, sandwiches, half or whole rotisserie chickens available as meals or on their own, sides, desserts and non-alcoholic drinks.

New Mediterranean restaurant now open on Anna Maria Island

Email entertainment editor Wade Tatangelo at [email protected]. Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at [email protected]. Support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 5 Sarasota restaurants open, 2 close, donut shop named best in Florida