Metro Diner ($-$$)
2053 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice 941-451-2832
metrodiner.com
The Guy Fieri-featured Metro Diner chain is
noted for day-long breakfast and standbys like
Fried Chicken & Waffle.
Mi Pueblo El Restaurante
Mexicano & Cantina ($$)
530 U.S. 41 Bypass S., Venice 941-486-0005
mipueblomexican.com
Authentic Mexican cooking in a festive
atmosphere.
Norma Jean's Sports Bar & Grill
Room ($$)
1635 U.S. 41 Bypass S., Venice 941-492-5524
facebook.com/NormaJeansSportsBarGrill
Making great burgers and sandwiches in Venice
for about 30 years. Grill Room open Thursday
to Saturday 4-9 p.m. for steak and seafood
dinners.
Original Word of Mouth ($)
1740 E. Venice Ave., Venice 941-218-6509
originalwordofmouth.com
Cozy, fresh and elegant breakfast and lunch spot
with sidewalk seating.
Paradise Grill ($$)
1097 N. Tamiami Trail, Nokomis 941-786-1524
facebook.com/paradisegrillnokomis
"Good food, good fun, good folks," with an
outdoor tiki bar and live entertainment.
Patches Family Restaurant ($)
501 E. Venice Ave., Venice 941-484-6713
patchesrestaurant.com
A Venice family tradition for 35 years, serving
breakfast all day, as well as Greek cuisine for
lunch.
Pelican Alley Restaurant ($-$$)
1009 Albee Road West, Nokomis 941-786-3616
pelican-alley.com
Renee and Tommy Adorna's Intracoastal
Waterway seafood institution.
Plaza Mexico Bar &
Grill ($$)
405 U.S. 41 Bypass, Venice 941-
488-0503
plazamexicorestaurant.com
Member of the Plaza Mexico
family of restaurants, with
extensive menu and full-liquor
bar for margaritas.
Pop's Sunset Grill ($$)
112 Circuit Road, Nokomis
941-488-3177
popssunsetgrill.com
Old Florida-style seafood
institution with a multilevel tiki bar, in a former
fishing camp right on the Intracoastal Waterway.
Rosebud's Steak & Seafood House
($$-$$$)
2215 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey 941-918-8771
rosebudssarasota.com
Elevated surf 'n' turf eatery with prime rib and
fish dishes, plus pasta and Italian entrees.
Shamrock Café ($$)
759 Shamrock Blvd., Venice 941-244-0795
facebook.com/ShamrockCafeVenice/
Owners Fabien and Carine Langelus, formerly
of Le Petit Bistro, serve diner-style comfort
food, plus French specials.
Snook Haven Restaurant ($-$$)
5000 E. Venice Ave., Venice 941-485-7221
snookhaven.com
Must-visit Old Florida riverfront fishing camp
turned restaurant. Live music, gator bites
and smokehouse barbecue, and river tours
exploring the Myakka River ecosystem.
Snowbirds Grille ($$)
4167 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice 941-492-5798
snowbirdsgrille.com
Café that aims to please the tastes of
Northerners missing their favorites, from
Maryland crab cakes to Wisconsin poutine fries
with cheese curds.
Thai Bistro ($-$$)
537 E. Venice Ave., Venice 941-484-8458
thaibistrovenice.com
Authentic Thai cuisine, curries and entrees.
Dine in and takeout.
Tarpon Point Grill & Marina ($$)
121 Playmore Dr., Venice 941-423-9616
tarponpointmyakka.com
Waterfront dining on the Myakka River, serving
seafood in a former fish camp.
The Sand Trap Sports Bar & Grill
($$)
4145 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice 941-493-2300
thesandtrapbargrill.com
Standard American sports bar and grill. The
surprise? A top-notch, classic Thai menu, too.
The Star Thai & Sushi ($$)
533 U.S. 41 Bypass N., Venice 941-485-3981
thestarthaivenice.com
Chef Mike Castro exhibits mastery of Thai
cuisine, but it's his virtuosic sushi artistry that
draws adoring crowds.
Tikka Indian Cuisine ($-$$)
525A U.S. 41 Bypass N., Venice 941-303-5073
tikkaindian.com
Venice's first Indian restaurant in 25 years, a
runaway success in Bird Bay Plaza.
Valenti's Ristorante ($$)
1200 E. Venice Ave., Venice 941-484-1888
valentisristorante.com
Comfy Italian eatery serving classic dishes
flavored with herbs from an onsite garden.
Hotel Venezia Restaurant & Bar
($$)
425 U.S. 41 Bypass N., Venice 941-308-7700
hotelveneziafl.com/venice-fl-dining.php
Fine dining at Hotel Venezia, with poolside bar
and live entertainment every weekend.
Venice Ale House ($-$$)
775 U.S. 41 Bypass S., Venice 941-303-6906.
thevenicealehousefla.com
Comfort food for families and the whole
community, with "genuine hospitality and cold
beer every day."
Wee Blew Inn ($)
590 U.S. 41 Bypass S., Venice 941-484-5616
facebook.com/WeeBlewInn
Traditional diner fare in lovable Old Florida
hole-in-the-wall.
Yummies Donuts & BBQ ($)
2001 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice 941-493-7170
yummiesdonuts.com
The one and only Yummies, home of doughnuts,
bagels, smoked barbecue, paczki (once a year)
and the over-the-top Sticky Pig Sandwich —
pulled pork on a glazed cinnamon sticky bun.
Dining
off the island
22
Discover Venice
PHOTO BY RONALD DUPONT JR.
Customers enjoy outdoor dining at Snook Haven which is on the
Myakka River.
