Sarasota — Food Safety Records
Sarasota, Florida has 784 food establishments with 14,294 inspections on record. 3 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 90.4%, above the state average of 85.7%. 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
85.7%
Pass Rate
85.7%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epicure | 3 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Gilligans Island Bar & Grill | 5 (2 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Sun Garden Cafe | 7 (1 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Art Ovation Hotel | 1 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen 902 | 3 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Il Panificio's Siesta | 8 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Yard House | 4 | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Palm Avenue Deli | 5 (4 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| El Rancho De Sarasota | 5 (3 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Theduo | 0 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subway | 12 | 454 | 0 |
| McDonalds | 12 | 626 | 0 |
| Dunkin | 9 | 611 | 0 |
| Taco Bell | 5 | 470 | 1 |
| Panera Bread | 4 | 401 | 0 |
| Wendys | 4 | 397 | 1 |
| Chick-fil-a | 4 | 217 | 0 |
| Jersey Mikes | 4 | 345 | 0 |
| Tropical Smoothie | 4 | 102 | 0 |
| First Watch | 4 | 307 | 0 |
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 85.7%.
- 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?
- Subway 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 4.7 percentage points above the state average of 85.7%. 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.
In the News Sarasota
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Sarasota Restaurants & Food Establishments (770)
Bamboo Garden
5010 CLARK RD, Sarasota
30 inspections · 210 violations · Last: Dec 2025Drunken Poet Cafe
1572 MAIN STREET, Sarasota
31 inspections · 210 violations · Last: Mar 2026Siesta Key Oyster Bar
5238 OCEAN BLVD, Sarasota
33 inspections · 210 violations · Last: Mar 2026Blase Cafe
5263 OCEAN BLVD UNIT 9, Sarasota
28 inspections · 209 violations · Last: Nov 2025Der Dutchman Restaurant
3713 BAHIA VISTA ST, Sarasota
24 inspections · 207 violations · Last: Oct 2025Popis Place at Lockwood
3232 17TH ST, Sarasota
23 inspections · 206 violations · Last: Feb 2026El Toro Bravo
3218 CLARK RD, Sarasota
19 inspections · 205 violations · Last: Apr 2026Patrick's 1481
1481 MAIN STREET, Sarasota
32 inspections · 204 violations · Last: Jul 2026Alpine Steakhouse & Karl Ehmer Meats
4520 S TAMIAMI TRL, Sarasota
18 inspections · 204 violations · Last: May 2026Green Zebra Cafe
1377 MAIN ST, Sarasota
28 inspections · 203 violations · Last: Apr 2026Isan Thai Restaurant
5758 S TAMIAMI TRAIL, Sarasota
23 inspections · 203 violations · Last: Jun 2026Shakespeare's
3550 S OSPREY AVE, Sarasota
26 inspections · 203 violations · Last: Jan 2026Tommy Bahama
465 JOHN RINGLING BLVD, Sarasota
26 inspections · 202 violations · Last: Jul 2026Ncn Kolucan
6630 GATEWAY AVE, Sarasota
23 inspections · 200 violations · Last: Jul 2026Mattisons City Grille
1 N LEMON AVE, Sarasota
30 inspections · 200 violations · Last: Jul 2026Lenny'z Pizza & Island Bar LLC
6645 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, Sarasota
22 inspections · 199 violations · Last: Feb 2026Gecko's Grill and Pub on Hillview
1900 HILLVIEW ST, Sarasota
27 inspections · 198 violations · Last: Jan 2026Eleni's Pizza Works
6711 15 ST E, Sarasota
27 inspections · 198 violations · Last: Jul 2026Cmx Cinebistro Siesta Key
3501 S TAMIAMI TRL STE 1100, Sarasota
30 inspections · 195 violations · Last: Mar 2026Veronica Fish and Oyster
1830 S OSPREY AVE, Sarasota
39 inspections · 195 violations · Last: Jun 2026