Top Best American Restaurants in Siesta Key

"fusion restaurant in a lavishly tropical setting that caters to all-American tastes and world traveler expectations. In the heart of Siesta Village, the abode offers indoor and outdoor seating. From the menu, say yes to the cottage’s wild ceviche, which includes the fresh catch of the day from The Cottage’s fresh fish market, raw red onion, corn kernels and sweet potato."

"Aptly named for its cottage look and feel, The Cottage in Siesta Key is a quaint indoor/ outdoor restaurant with a diverse menu. The Cottage is rated one of the best restaurants in Siesta Key for good reason. The Forbidden Salmon is amazing, and they’re also known for the Billionaire Burger made with short ribs and brisket."

"It’s a quieter spot overall, but the place also comes to life with live music from various locals. Lunch is the perfect time for families. There’s plenty to try, including Mumbai Chicken and the Jumbo Crab Cake."

"Located just a few minutes from popular Siesta Key Beach, Gilligan’s is a tropical tiki bar that offers its customers an ideal nightlife experience. You can enjoy cold and refreshing beer, wine, vodka or fishbowl cocktail while listening to great live music from local bands and touring acts periodically. Gilligan’s Island Bar & Grill also boasts of a rich lunch and dinner menu that features beach classics that are served between 11 am and 11 pm."

"Featuring tropical-style indoor and outdoor bars, a dance floor and area for bands to perform, Gilligan’s offers plenty of options for day drinking and nightlife action, plus a full menu of fun beach food. Come spring break season, it also hosts bikini contests, with one such showdown even making its way onto an episode of “Siesta Key."

"Lila Sarasota brings spontaneity and playfulness to organic, healthy and mostly vegetable food into the heart of Sarasota. They serve small portions of meat so if you bring a friend that eats it, they can still enjoy their meat-filled meal alongside you!. Head Chefs and owners of Lila, Ryan Boeve and Arthur Lopes, wanted to bring locally-sourced food into a casual venue for all of Sarasota to enjoy."

"Located off Main Street, Lila is a vegan friendly, environmentally conscious restaurant that supports local organic farmers. Lila is known for their creative plant based menu. She’s the cool kid of vegan friendly spots in Sarasota."

"If you would like to learn a little more about the history of the area, the Florida Maritime Museum provides you with a glimpse of the people and events that shaped Florida into the state it is today. The museum occupies 4 acres of land and includes the historic fishing village of Cortez as well as a 1912 schoolhouse building. The Florida Maritime Museum was designed to showcase the significance of the regional commercial fishing industry."

"Florida Maritime Museum 4415 119th Street W Cortez, Florida 34215 • 941-708-6121. A non-profit organization, the old Cortez Rural Graded School was transformed into the Florida Maritime Museum to educate visitors on the topic of Florida’s maritime heritage. It sits on 1.6 hectares (four acres) of land in the historic fishing village of Cortez."

"Discover old Florida through the history of Cortez Fishing Village. Explore the traveling exhibits such as the current attraction, Caught in the Storm, 100 Years of Florida Hurricanes. Permanent exhibits feature an expansive shell collection, ship models, and more."

"The only surviving plantation house in South Florida as well as the oldest building in Manatee County, The Gamble Plantation Historic State Park features a plantation restored to resemble its original beauty during the mid-1800s."

"Only minutes from downtown Sarasota and BLVD Sarasota, the Sarasota Jungle Gardens are one of the easiest ways for locals to access area history. As a relic of Sarasota’s tourism boom from the 40’s to the 50’s, the Sarasota Jungle Gardens combines an older approach with a modern touch. As the name indicates, the gardens showcase exotic animals from across the world alongside tropical flora of all kinds."

"The Sarasota Jungle Gardens, which opened in 1939, is a popular tourist attraction that features a gorgeous botanical garden and animal shows."

"The Dwarf Garden showcases stone statues that the Ringlings brought back with them during their years of travel in Europe."

"When Siesta Beach Park is packed, Glebe Park is the place to go for locals and visitors, located right behind the St. Michael the Archangel Church. It is a substantially sized 10-acre park offering a full range of amenities including a covered picnic area, a covered playground, baseball field, soccer field and basketball courts. Enjoy a picnic here, ride bikes, or play a few games of your favorite outdoor sport with the family a bit away from the noise of Siesta Beach on one of your vacation days at Glebe Park."

"Glebe Park is a small sports park with a soccer field, basketball court, and concession stand halfway up the island. It is clean and well-maintained, but provides little shade. Be sure to bring hats, sunscreen, and even an umbrella to stay cool and protect your skin from the sun."

"The only surviving plantation house in South Florida as well as the oldest building in Manatee County, The Gamble Plantation Historic State Park features a plantation restored to resemble its original beauty during the mid-1800s."

"John & Rebecca Neal Park features the City's only Community Gardens site. The City's newest waterfront park also has a kayak launch into Wares Creek. Kayaking in Wares Creek is recommended for those without much kayak experience, as the water is shallow."