16 of the Best Siesta Key Restaurants for Families with Kids

Siesta Key is a lovely place to enjoy your vacation with your family, from its turquoise waters and white quartz sand to its expansive shopping centres and oceanside resorts. However, if you’re planning your weekly activities, you’ll need to find the best places to eat and relax with your kids. 

Thankfully, you can find plenty of restaurants in Siesta Key and other nearby areas offering a family-friendly dining experience.

Check out our list of the best Siesta Key restaurants for families with kids if you’re unsure where to start your search for the best dishes in town. You’re bound to find plenty of seafood options, but you might find other restaurants offering local and international specialities.

Daiquiri Deck South Siesta Key

1250 Stickney Point Rd, Siesta Key, FL 34242

One of the best Siesta Key restaurants for enjoying quality seafood is Daiquiri Deck South Siesta Key, located minutes away from Crescent Beach. Chef John Hentschl prepares each dish to ensure the best flavours in every bite as guests relax in a stylish and contemporary setting. They also have live music and an extensive oyster bar.

Your family will enjoy starting with their wide selection of shareable appetizers. Of course, their seafood mac & cheese is among one of their most popular dishes. You can also customize a deck sandwich or cheese pizza with the toppings you love. Don’t forget to order a frozen daiquiri in a souvenir cup.

Toasted Mango Cafe

6621 Midnight Pass Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242

If you’re looking for a nice bite to eat early in the morning before going to the beach, consider stopping by Toasted Mango Cafe. This cheery, casual eatery offers an all-day breakfast for anyone looking for a pick-me-up. They also have a lovely view of the ocean and a dog-friendly patio.

If you’re stopping by for breakfast, consider sampling their speciality omelettes, French toast, or waffles. You can also customize a breakfast burrito or choose something lighter, like oatmeal or breakfast banana split. Their lunch menu offers plenty of wraps, hold and cold sandwiches, salads, and burgers. Be sure to pair your meal with a mimosa, iced tea, or lemonade.

Ripfire Pizza & BBQ

5218 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34242

If you’re looking for a casual and relaxed setting for enjoying pizza with your family, Ripfire Pizza & BBQ is one of the top options you can find. Their customizable pizza pies are made with the freshest ingredients and cooked swiftly to perfection. They also offer outdoor seating when the weather’s great.

We recommend their Smoked Chicken, Margherita, or Heat Wave speciality pies. However, you can also customize a pizza with the veggies, proteins, and cheese of your liking. If you’re not in the mood for pizza, you can have their BBQ pulled pork platter with two sides, like mac & cheese or baked beans.

Cafe Gabbiano

5104 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key, FL 34242

If you’re having trouble finding Siesta Key restaurants offering fine dining settings for families, you’re encouraged to book a reservation at Cafe Gabbiano, located by the Tropical Breeze Resort. It has a rustic yet elegant vibe, perfect for enjoying classic Italian dishes after an exciting day. They also have a spacious patio and extensive wine list.

You can choose from a wide selection of meat, chicken, fish, and pasta dishes. Of course, your kids will love their spaghetti and meatballs, pizza, or pasta with butter, Parmigiano cheese, or marinara sauce. Their kid’s menu also offers gluten-free and whole wheat pasta options and a bonus gelato sundae.

The Old Salty Dog Siesta Key

5023 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34242

One of the best family-friendly Siesta Key restaurants you can visit during your stay is The Old Salty Dog Siesta Key. This cosy British-style tavern offers plenty of tasty hot dogs, seafood, and sandwiches for your family to enjoy. They also have live music and a dog-friendly outdoor dining area.

After starting with their coconut shrimp or mozzarella sticks, consider ordering their Loaded Salty Dog, Shrimp Po’Boy, Charbroiled Grouper, or Firecracker Wrap with a side of fries or pineapple coleslaw. Don’t forget to sample their wide selection of wine or beer to bring out your meal’s bold flavours. You can also order takeout on the phone if you’re too busy to stay.

Island House Tap and Grill

5110 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key, FL 34242

Island House Tap and Grill is a cosy and casual eatery offering the best Latin street food in Siesta Key. We consider it a great place to eat after spending a day at the Siesta Key Village shopping mall or enjoying the waters of Sunset Beach.

Their Carne Asada and Carnitas Bowls are some of their most go-to menu options. They also serve tasty tacos and burgers for avid seafood or meat lovers. Kids can choose between a hamburger, mac & cheese, chicken tenders, or quesadilla.

Be sure to order a side of tortilla chips or beans and rice for an authentic Latin dining experience.

Turtle Beach Grill

8865 Midnight Pass Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242

One of the best family-friendly restaurants on Siesta Key’s southside is Turtle Beach Grill, a casual tropical-themed eatery with a lovely view of Sarasota Bay. Their grilled steaks and seafood offer some of the best flavours in the area. They also have live music every Thursday through Sunday evening on their outdoor patio.

If you’re treating your family to dinner, consider trying their fried grouper basket, crab cakes, chipotle BBQ ribs, or ribeye & shrimp. They taste great with a loaded baked potato on the side. Their best kid’s menu items are fish & chips, chicken fingers, and cheese quesadilla. Don’t forget to pair your dinner with a frozen tropical drink.

Miguel’s Restaurant

6631 Midnight Pass Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242

Is your family in the room for authentic French cuisine? Then, consider taking them to dinner at Miguel’s Restaurant, east of Crescent Beach. This elegant establishment incorporates bold European-style flavours into its dishes for anyone looking for the best flavours in the area. Parents might also enjoy their extensive wine list.

Their menu offers plenty of seafood, chicken, duck, veal, and steak dishes to satisfy any classy cravings. Their steak tartare and tiger shrimp are the best hors d’oeuvres to share with your family.

They also offer an extensive dessert menu, including Crepes Suzette, Cherries Jubilee, Baked Alaska, and Apples Normandy.

Siesta Beach Eats

948 Beach Rd, Siesta Key, FL 34242

Overlooking Siesta Beach and the Gulf of Mexico stands the aptly-named Siesta Beach Eats. We consider this one of the best Siesta Key restaurants for families with kids because of its casual atmosphere and proximity to the beach. It’s ideal for anyone looking for a quick bite to eat.

They offer two food service areas: Sand Pavillion and Sun Deck. You can choose from a wide selection of tacos, burgers, fries, rice bowls, nachos, and sandwiches. They also offer plenty of appetizers to share with your kids. Their ice cream and frozen beverages are the best solutions for Siesta Key’s hottest days.

Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream

219 Avenida Madera, Sarasota, FL 34242

Are you interested in treating your kids to the sweetest ice cream by the beach? Then, consider stopping by Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream for their hand-prepared, flash-frozen ice cream. It has a casual ambience, perfect for enjoying a sweet treat on a hot day. 

They have a wide selection of ice cream, frozen yoghurt, and Italian ice flavours for your family to sample. After picking your flavours and toppings, they freeze it to your preferred thickness. They also offer plenty of sugar-free, vegan, lactose-free, low-fat, and soy-free options.

If you’re unsure of what to get, they offer plenty of speciality flavours, like Magnetic Mint and Banan Cream Pie Bismuth.

The Hub Baja Grill

5148 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34242

The Hub Baja Grill is an excellent dining option for anyone craving the best Baja, Latin, and Mexican fare by Siesta Key’s beaches. Their sidewalk has an airy, covered outdoor patio. In addition, its atmosphere is lively and tropical-themed. They also have live music to keep the place feeling energized.

After starting with their trademark grouper bites, consider ordering their fan-favourite shrimp tacos, southwest chicken wrap, Baja fish tacos, or El Jefe burrito. They taste best with a side of brown sugar plantains or red quinoa salad.

If your kid’s craving zesty flavours, they can order cheese quesadillas or soft shell tacos.

The Boatyard Waterfront Bar and Grill

1500 Stickney Point Rd, Sarasota, FL 34231

If you love enjoying great food with a pier-side view, The Boatyard Waterfront Bar and Grill is another wonderful Siesta Key restaurant you shouldn’t miss out on during your visit. Its lively ambience is enhanced by the space’s live music. They also have a wide selection of seafood and cocktails to make any night worthwhile.

Their best seafood menu options are lobster ravioli, stuffed flounder, snow, and blackened redfish. If you’re interested in seafood, you can try their steak, tacos, chicken, or pasta. After dinner, consider trying their cheesecake, key lime pie, or chocolate peanut butter cake. They also offer their cocktails to go.

Village Cafe

5133 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key, FL 34242

You can find Village Cafe nestled within Siesta Center. This casual eatery offers plenty of tasty breakfast and lunch dishes for anyone looking for a refreshing bite to eat earlier in the day. They also have a spacious patio for enjoying the sun, beachside view, or fresh coffee.

Their menu offers all-day full breakfast and lunch specials. Your kids will love Village Cafe’s French toast for breakfast and chicken fingers for lunch after starting with shareable cinnamon rolls or Dough-Nutella fritters. We also recommend their Siesta Benedict, cinnamon roll French toast, or avocado toast with a mimosa or hot tea.

Captain Curt’s Crab & Oyster Bar

1200 Old Stickney Point Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242

Captain Curt’s Crab & Oyster Bar is one of the best Siesta Key restaurants serving the best clam chowder on the southern side of the east coast. It’s a homey setting with a maritime influence, enhanced by its tasty crab dishes and relaxing tiki bar. Guests can also enjoy this restaurant’s live music as they dine.

You can enjoy a wide selection of seafood, from their fried oyster sandwich and ribs and shrimp combo to crab cakes and Alaskan pollock fish and chips. If you prefer land-based entrees, try their pork tenderloin, baby back ribs, or prime rib. They also have a kid’s menu.

Clayton’s Siesta Grille

1256 Old Stickney Point Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242

You can find Clayton’s Siesta Grille minutes from Christopher Wheeler Park. This cosy eatery has decorative artwork on its walls, a spacious patio overlooking the water, and creative dishes for families interested in casual or fine dining. Its friendly environment is another reason people love bringing their families for a bite to eat while on vacation.

Their braised beef short ribs, teriyaki salmon, and cauliflower offer some of the tastiest flavours on their menu. You can also have their brick oven pizza or bring any fish you catch and let them cook it for you if you bring it to them before 4 PM.

Bonjour French Cafe

5214 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key, FL 34242

Treat your family to tasty French comfort food when visiting Bonjour French Cafe, found blocks away from Sunset Beach. It has a laid-back atmosphere, outdoor seating, and plenty of dishes to enjoy for breakfast and lunch. They prepare each dish through traditional French cooking methods and use the freshest ingredients to ensure quality flavours.

Their best French speciality dishes are Quiche Lorraine, Croque Madame, and Baked Brie Croissant. You might also enjoy their crepes for lunch. Their kid’s menu offers mac & cheese, pancakes, sausages, and crepes. Be sure to indulge in their dessert waffles or crepes and top them with a scoop of ice cream.

Conclusion

Siesta Key offers plenty of places to eat after a long day at the beach or sightseeing just off the island’s shore. Many of them have a scenic view of the ocean, making them stand out from restaurants you might encounter back home. The best family-friendly destinations should offer engaging atmospheres, great service, and the tastiest food for everyone in your family.

Hopefully, our list of the best Siesta Key restaurants can help you narrow down your top options for taking your family out to eat and discover a new go-to destination whenever you decide on visiting this vacation destination.

Check out these other articles about vacationing in Florida:

• 6 of the Best Siesta Key Resorts for Families
• 14 of the Best White Sand Beaches in Florida for Families
• Revealed: The Best Places to Vacation in Florida with Kids
• Where are the Best Places to See Dolphins in Florida?