Sarasota — Food Safety Records
Sarasota, Florida has 784 food establishments with 14,303 inspections on record. 3 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 90.4%, above the state average of 85.8%. Inspections average 4.7 violations per visit.
Largest fine: $1,600 assessed to Green Zebra Cafe in Sarasota on February 23, 2026.
Data from Florida DBPR. Updated August 2026.
Sarasota Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Sarasota
90.4%
Pass Rate
90.4%
Florida Average
85.8%
Pass Rate
85.8%
Sarasota
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Sarasota
0.38
Closures per 100 Facilities
0.38
Florida Average
2
Closures per 100 Facilities
2
Sarasota Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Village Cafe | 2 (1 high) | Administrative complaint recommended | |
| Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay | 4 (2 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Daiquiri Deck | 5 (3 high) | Administrative complaint recommended | |
| Hub Baja Grill | 4 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Kacey's Seafood & More | 4 (4 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Der Dutchman Restaurant | 6 (2 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Wicked Cantina | 5 (4 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Little Saigon Bistro Vietnamese Cuisine | 7 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Epicure | 3 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Gilligans Island Bar & Grill | 5 (2 high) | 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 |
| Oct 21, 2025 | Green Zebra Cafe | $1,600 | 7--2025047454 |
| Mar 11, 2026 | Art Ovation Hotel | $1,600 | 7--2026009824 |
| Nov 25, 2025 | China Kitchen | $1,600 | 7--2025060114 |
| Sep 10, 2025 | Super Buffet | $1,200 | 7--2025062465 |
| Oct 23, 2025 | Chipotle Mexican Grill #1040 | $800 | 7--2025069758 |
| Oct 21, 2025 | Phillippi Creek Villag Oys Bar | $800 | 7--2025071290 |
| Sep 10, 2025 | Geckos Grill & Pub | $800 | 7--2025060650 |
| Jun 24, 2026 | Cilantro Grill | $800 | 7--2026034052 |
| Mar 4, 2026 | Florence and the Spice Boys | $800 | 7--2025091992 |
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
Fuzzy 55 Restaurant
35 inspections
296 violations
2 closures
F.l.a. Deli
36 inspections
275 violations
2 closures
China Kitchen
23 inspections
230 violations
2 closures
Denny's
49 inspections
382 violations
Steak N Shake
40 inspections
306 violations
1 closures
Veronica Fish and Oyster
39 inspections
195 violations
Sarasota: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonalds | 12 | 626 | 0 |
| Subway | 12 | 454 | 0 |
| Dunkin | 9 | 611 | 0 |
| Taco Bell | 5 | 470 | 1 |
| First Watch | 4 | 307 | 0 |
| Tropical Smoothie | 4 | 102 | 0 |
| Panera Bread | 4 | 401 | 0 |
| Chick-fil-a | 4 | 217 | 0 |
| Jersey Mikes | 4 | 345 | 0 |
| Wendys | 4 | 400 | 1 |
Sarasota Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Sarasota?
- Sarasota, Florida has 784 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 90.4%. The Florida state average is 85.8%.
- 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.
- How does Sarasota compare to the Florida state average?
- Sarasota has a pass rate of 90.4%, which is 4.6 percentage points above the state average of 85.8%. 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 18.2 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 $225,330 in fines across 593 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $385 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.
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Sarasota Restaurants & Food Establishments (770)
Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria
27 FLETCHER AVE, Sarasota
18 inspections · 104 violations · Last: May 2026Pollo Tropical 202
5415 FRUITVILLE ROAD, Sarasota
24 inspections · 104 violations · Last: Jan 2026Ruths Chris Steakhouse #29
6700 S TAMIAMI TRL, Sarasota
18 inspections · 104 violations · Last: Jun 2026Osteria 500
1580 LAKEFRONT DR UNIT 101, Sarasota
14 inspections · 103 violations · Last: Mar 2026Lobster Pot Seafood Restaurant
5157 OCEAN BLVD, Sarasota
18 inspections · 103 violations · Last: Nov 2025Cafe Gabbiano
5104 OCEAN BLVD, Sarasota
18 inspections · 102 violations · Last: Feb 2026Duval's Fresh. Local. Seafood.
1435 MAIN ST, Sarasota
23 inspections · 102 violations · Last: Apr 2026Taco Bell #3057
8405 LOCKWOOD RIDGE RD, Sarasota
26 inspections · 101 violations · Last: May 2026La Brisa Tacos Glg INC
1156 N WASHINGTON BLVD UNIT C, Sarasota
23 inspections · 101 violations · Last: Apr 2026Stoneybrook Golf & Country Clb
8801 STONEYBROOK BLVD, Sarasota
19 inspections · 101 violations · Last: Feb 2026Chili's Grill & Bar Bee Ridge, Ch0518
5851 BEE RIDGE RD, Sarasota
19 inspections · 101 violations · Last: Dec 2025Viva La Vida
3440 CLARK RD, Sarasota
15 inspections · 100 violations · Last: Dec 2025Rita's Italian Ice of Southwest Florida
2881 CLARK RD STE 25, Sarasota
14 inspections · 100 violations · Last: Sep 2025Thai-licious INC
5755 BENEVA RD, Sarasota
18 inspections · 99 violations · Last: Mar 2026Original Wolfie's
1420 BLVD OF THE ARTS, Sarasota
21 inspections · 99 violations · Last: Jan 2026Fin & Tonic
6747 S TAMIAMI TRL, Sarasota
15 inspections · 99 violations · Last: May 2026Tamiami Tap
711 SOUTH OSPREY AVENUE, Sarasota
21 inspections · 99 violations · Last: Jan 2026Culver's Restaurant
7250 TAMIAMI TR, Sarasota
20 inspections · 99 violations · Last: Apr 2026Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen 902
820 N WASHINGTON BLVD, Sarasota
28 inspections · 98 violations · Last: Aug 2026Gyros & Seafood Express
918 N WASHINGTON BLVD, Sarasota
22 inspections · 98 violations · Last: Nov 2025