Sarasota — Food Safety Records
Sarasota, Florida has 802 food establishments with 14,708 inspections on record. 3 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 90.5%, above the state average of 85.6%. Inspections average 4.7 violations per visit.
Most recent closure: Michelles Brown Bag Cafe LLC in Sarasota, shut down September 17, 2026 for rodent activity.
Largest fine: $1,600 assessed to Green Zebra Cafe in Sarasota on February 23, 2026.
Data from Florida DBPR. Updated October 2026.
Sarasota Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Sarasota
90.5%
Pass Rate
90.5%
Florida Average
85.6%
Pass Rate
85.6%
Sarasota
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Sarasota
0.37
Closures per 100 Facilities
0.37
Florida Average
1.97
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.97
Sarasota Restaurants: Recent Closures (1)
| Date | Business | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Michelles Brown Bag Cafe LLC | Rodent activity |
Sarasota Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osteria 500 | 11 (7 high) | Administrative complaint recommended | |
| Caretta Landing | 4 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Toasted Yolk Cafe Lakewoood Ranch | 0 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Djonisi's Restaurant | 11 (7 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Wow Wow Hawaiian | 6 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Selva Grill | 4 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Geckos Grill & Pub | 5 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Moes Southwest Grill #411 | 3 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Al Forno De Libano | 5 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Bamboo Garden | 9 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action |
Sarasota Restaurants: Most Common Health Violations
| Code | Violation | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 08 | Proper hand/arm washing | 119,674 |
| 14 | Food contact surfaces | 100,771 |
| 31 | Clean multi-use utensils | 100,610 |
| 22 | Consumer advisory | 90,341 |
| 36 | Proper ventilation | 83,591 |
Sarasota Restaurants: Disciplinary Actions & Fines
Largest Fines (Past 12 Months)
| Date | Business | Fine | Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 23, 2026 | Green Zebra Cafe | $1,600 | 7--2025071275 |
| Mar 11, 2026 | Art Ovation Hotel | $1,600 | 7--2026009824 |
| Nov 25, 2025 | China Kitchen | $1,600 | 7--2025060114 |
| Oct 21, 2025 | Green Zebra Cafe | $1,600 | 7--2025047454 |
| Oct 21, 2025 | Phillippi Creek Villag Oys Bar | $800 | 7--2025071290 |
| Mar 4, 2026 | Florence and the Spice Boys | $800 | 7--2025091992 |
| Oct 23, 2025 | Chipotle Mexican Grill #1040 | $800 | 7--2025069758 |
| Jun 24, 2026 | Cilantro Grill | $800 | 7--2026034052 |
| Jan 22, 2026 | Shs Sarasota | $800 | 7--2025071080 |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Popis Place at Lockwood | $600 | 7--2026021665 |
Sarasota Restaurants: Fire Safety Violations
Most Common Fire Safety Issues
| Issue | Citations |
|---|---|
| Exit blocked or locked | 92 |
| Fire extinguisher in red zone | 64 |
| Other fire safety violation | 49 |
| Propane tank stored inside building | 47 |
| Missing boiler certificate/report | 10 |
| Cooking without hood suppression | 8 |
Sarasota: Notable Restaurants
Michelles Brown Bag Cafe LLC
23 inspections
68 violations
3 closures
Fuzzy 55 Restaurant
36 inspections
304 violations
2 closures
F.l.a. Deli
36 inspections
275 violations
2 closures
Denny's
49 inspections
382 violations
Steak N Shake
40 inspections
306 violations
1 closures
Michelangelo Pizzeria & Cucina
39 inspections
472 violations
1 closures
Sarasota: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonalds | 12 | 628 | 0 |
| Subway | 12 | 465 | 0 |
| Dunkin | 9 | 613 | 0 |
| Taco Bell | 5 | 474 | 1 |
| Tropical Smoothie | 4 | 107 | 0 |
| First Watch | 4 | 315 | 0 |
| Panera Bread | 4 | 412 | 0 |
| Jersey Mikes | 4 | 350 | 0 |
| Wendys | 4 | 404 | 1 |
| Chick-fil-a | 4 | 219 | 0 |
Sarasota Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Sarasota?
- Sarasota, Florida has 802 food establishments tracked by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
- What is the restaurant inspection pass rate in Sarasota?
- The current pass rate for food establishments in Sarasota is 90.5%. The Florida state average is 85.6%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Sarasota this year?
- 3 food establishments in Sarasota have been shut down by health inspectors in 2026.
- What are the most common health violations in Sarasota?
- The most frequently cited violations in Sarasota are: Proper hand/arm washing, Food contact surfaces, Clean multi-use utensils.
- Which restaurant chain has the most locations in Sarasota?
- McDonalds has the most locations in Sarasota with 12 establishments.
- What was the most recent restaurant closure in Sarasota?
- Michelles Brown Bag Cafe LLC in Sarasota was shut down on September 17, 2026 for rodent activity.
- How does Sarasota compare to the Florida state average?
- Sarasota has a pass rate of 90.5%, which is 4.9 percentage points above the state average of 85.6%. The average violations per inspection is 4.7 compared to the state average of 4.68.
- How often are restaurants inspected in Sarasota?
- Food establishments in Sarasota have an average of 18.3 inspections on record. Florida DBPR conducts routine inspections based on facility type and risk level.
- How much in fines have restaurants in Sarasota been assessed?
- Food establishments in Sarasota have been assessed $226,890 in fines across 600 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $383 and the largest single fine was $4,800.
- How many fire safety violations have been found in Sarasota restaurants?
- 270 fire safety violations have been documented across 164 food establishments in Sarasota. The most common issue is exit blocked or locked.
In the News Sarasota
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Sarasota Restaurants & Food Establishments (795)
Michelles Brown Bag Cafe LLC 3 closures
630 S ORANGE AVE STE 101, Sarasota
23 inspections · 68 violations · Last: Sep 2026Fuzzy 55 Restaurant 2 closures
1770 N TAMIAMI TRL, Sarasota
36 inspections · 304 violations · Last: Sep 2026F.l.a. Deli 2 closures
2805 PROCTOR RD, Sarasota
36 inspections · 275 violations · Last: May 2026China Kitchen 2 closures
935 N BENEVA RD #719, Sarasota
25 inspections · 244 violations · Last: Aug 2026Breakfast House 2 closures
1817 FRUITVILLE RD, Sarasota
34 inspections · 224 violations · Last: Sep 2026Sun Garden Cafe 2 closures
210 AVENIDA MADERA, Sarasota
36 inspections · 212 violations · Last: Aug 2026Cafe Barbosso 2 closures
5501 PALMER CROSSINGS CIR, Sarasota
34 inspections · 205 violations · Last: Sep 2026Ganges Restaurant & Bar 2 closures
5013 RINGWOOD MDW, Sarasota
29 inspections · 186 violations · Last: Sep 2026Crab & Fin 2 closures
420 ST ARMANDS CIR, Sarasota
31 inspections · 179 violations · Last: Jul 2026Serving Spoon 2 closures
1825 S OSPREY AVE, Sarasota
30 inspections · 178 violations · Last: Sep 2026Lq Restaurant on Main 2 closures
1526 MAIN ST, Sarasota
28 inspections · 171 violations · Last: Jul 2026Ricos Pizzeria & Subs 2 closures
5131 N TAMIAMI TRL, Sarasota
28 inspections · 162 violations · Last: Aug 2026Lucky Strike Sarasota 2 closures
7221 S TAMIAMI TRL, Sarasota
20 inspections · 162 violations · Last: Oct 2025Tikka Indian Cuisine 2 closures
5445 FRUITVILLE RD, Sarasota
26 inspections · 147 violations · Last: Aug 2026Cilantro Grill 2 closures
419A SAINT ARMANOS CIR, Sarasota
27 inspections · 147 violations · Last: May 2026Coffee Carousel 2 closures
1644 MAIN ST, Sarasota
25 inspections · 123 violations · Last: Sep 2026Sarasota Jungle Gdn INC 2 closures
3701 BAYSHORE RD, Sarasota
22 inspections · 91 violations · Last: Aug 2024Michelangelo Pizzeria & Cucina 1 closure
2957 UNIVERSITY PKWY, Sarasota
39 inspections · 472 violations · Last: Sep 2026China Taste 1 closure
8421 TUTTLE AVE, Sarasota
36 inspections · 434 violations · Last: Apr 2026Italian Grill 1 closure
8620 S TAMIAMI TR, Sarasota
36 inspections · 334 violations · Last: Nov 2025