Sarasota is well known for its proximity to some of the best beaches in the US, but when it comes to food, especially vegan food, it hasn’t graced any top 10 lists.
But times, they are a-changing!
Something interesting is happening in this bustling Southwest Florida town. The large population of retirees and vacationers is now being met with a new wave of younger city-dwellers who are looking for healthier options for themselves and the planet — reducing meat is the name of their game.
Many restaurants have crafted menus around a 90/10 rule (90% vegan, 10% meat), at first, I thought, well that’s annoying, just drop it entirely, but upon reflection, I realized that with a diverse dining population this might be the smart approach to appease the masses and tempt visitors with their creative vegan dishes. At the end of the day, we can all agree good food is good food, despite preconceived ideas and maybe this is the best way to show that.
The vegan food scene is on the rise in Sarasota and if your travels are taking you to this sunshine-filled town, be sure to check out this lineup of the best vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants in Sarasota.
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The Best Vegan & Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Sarasota
#1 Crop
2480 Stickney Point Rd, Sarasota, FL 34231
Some things happen for a reason and our mistaken turn down Stickney Point led us right by this gem — a vegan, gluten-free, mostly raw, juice joint and drive-thru! The brightly colored pineapples lining the drive-thru welcome guests but, in all honesty, unless you’re a local you’re going to sit in the drive-thru lane forever examining the extensive menu — instead just pop in!
Inside, it’s a feast for the eyes, multiple bright cases proudly gleaming with freshly made protein brownies, chunks of healthy cookie bites, prepared food, and an epic lineup of cold-pressed juices (don’t miss the Deep Blue C), smoothies, and even coffee drinks (the Coconut Mocha Joy is pure joy!). From the carefully selected produce in every juice right down to the agave straws, everything is made with an abundance of care.
This was a vegan heaven—every city needs a Crop!
#2 Green Zebra
1377 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236
476 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34236
I’ll admit, when I first glanced at the menu, I thought well that’s nothing special and it fell to the bottom of my list. Luckily, we needed a breakfast spot on our last day, so I re-examined the menu again and thought well the reviews are good, let’s give it a shot. I went in with low expectations—a warm cup of coffee, maybe an ever-popular acai bowl, but came out baffled by the genuine creativity and concern for making vegan food great.
Their all-day menu is vegan-friendly, but I really suggest you come for breakfast. Bottomless cups of coffee with oat milk paired with their popular raw pancake topped with cashew cream and strawberry chia coulis will surely hit the spot.
If you can, I’d pencil in a second (or even third) stop in to test out their vegan French toast, perfectly seasoned tofu scramble, or a healthy fix of acai bowls.
#3 Ionie Organic Café
1444 1st St, Sarasota, FL 3423
From their website it was hard to tell, do I walk right in, or do I have to order ahead? I decided to take a risk and pop on by. Unfortunately, I made it right when the kitchen had closed but was encouraged to order in the morning to ensure whatever I wanted was ready. Because of the ultra-fresh nature of their food, everything is made to order. From the cold-pressed juices to the kelp noodle bowls, nothing is sitting around waiting for a taker.
If you want something specific, make sure you order ahead, otherwise, you’ll be left with whatever just happens to be in their fridge. Their menu is 100% raw and vegan, specializing only in nutrient-dense, quality ingredients. This is the perfect place to stock up the fridge in your rental if you want to ensure you’re well-fed. We dove into the raw tostada—the fresh crunch paired with the sweet zip of the house-made sour cream was delicious. Raw food has come a long way.
We also added on an order of coffee cardamom cookies for good measure—more like an energy bite than a cookie, but was a sweet treat nonetheless.
#4 Project Coffee
538 S Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
I love coffee. I really look forward to the first sips like its warm tonic every morning for the natural jolt of awareness and its sweet velvety taste. When I heard there was a 100% vegan coffee house in Sarasota, I thought, how many mornings will I be there? Now, you may think vegan coffee drinks aren’t anything special, but coffee is only one part of their morning menu.
You come for the coffee, but you stay for the giant Belgian waffles topped with fresh fruit and cashew whipped cream or a breakfast biscuit loaded with Just Egg and cheese. This special coffee house unicorn needs to franchise—yet another spot every city needs, especially Detroit (hint, hint, if you’re listening Project Coffee team).
#5 Nutritious You
6583 Midnight Pass Rd, Siesta Key, FL 34242
Another vegan delight tucked back into a tiny strip mall just steps from Siesta Key Beach — it is the perfect spot for a break from the sun and fun. Open for breakfast and lunch, their menu lineup features a selection of healthy and sinful acai bowls, cold-pressed juices, sandwiches, burgers, and even baked goods. If you’re in need of gluten-free eats, you’ll be delighted to know that their entire menu is 100% free of gluten!
#6 Lila
1576 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236
When I Googled vegan food in Sarasota, Lilia came up. At first, I thought, but there is meat on this menu, why is this rated so high? There must be more to the vegan food scene! While there is more to the vegan scene, Lilia is another spot taking the reducetarian approach to dining – 90 % of their menu is vegan.
Meat is offered as an add-on, but who needs it when they’re serving up piping hot bowls of noodles covered in a sweet coconut lime sauce or creative sushi rolls stuffed with BBQ tofu or “scallop” hearts of palm. They even go as far as to note which wines on the menu are vegan.
#7 Lucile
1660 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236
The sister shop to Lilia, with the same reducetarian concept but with pizza pies. These aren’t your ordinary pizzas—hand-tossed dough baked in a wood-fired oven and topped with a selection of vegan options like walnut mushroom meatballs, almond ricotta, coconut bacon, and much more.
If pizza isn’t your thing, check out their house-made cauliflower pasta and make sure you kick-off dinner with one of their zesty kale salads—so good you won’t believe you’re getting a solid fill of leafy greens.
A Few Other Vegan & Vegan-Friendly Spots in Sarasota
I did a pretty good job covering the vegan food scene throughout Sarasota but unfortunately, I ran out of time and couldn’t make it everywhere! Here are a couple more spots that are vegan or very vegan-friendly you should check out.
#8 Ka Papa Cuisine
1830 S Osprey Ave Suite 104, Sarasota, FL 34239
Upscale vegan dining with globally inspired dishes. Reservations are recommended.
#9 Drunken Poet Café
1572 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236
Vegan-friendly Thai café.
#10 Tsunami Sushi
100 Central Ave Ste 1022, Sarasota, FL 34236
Japanese restaurant with a full vegan sushi menu.
#11 Hamlet’s Eatery
821 Apricot Ave, Sarasota, FL 34237
This vegan food truck has created a space where meat-eaters and vegans can enjoy a delicious dining experience together and not be disappointed! Their vegan-friendly menu features breakfast burritos, buffalo cauliflower tacos, house-made veggie burgers, and more.
More Vegan Hot Spots in Florida
If you’re planning on checking out more sunny cities in Florida, don’t miss these guides and articles!
The Best Vegan and Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in West Palm Beach
12 Must-Try Spots for Vegan Food in Miami
Where to Find Vegan Eats in Cape Coral & Ft. Myers
Vegan Guide to Tampa & St. Pete: Restaurants, Bakeries, & More
The Best Hotels & Neighborhoods to Stay in Miami
Unique Things to Do & See in Miami
