Our USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Dining and Entertainment Team recently published a story about 12 of the best dining destinations that debuted during 2024 across the Sunshine State.
The list of a dozen highly recommended new Florida restaurants includes places in big cities like Jacksonville and Tallahassee, as well as popular tourist destinations such as Naples and West Palm Beach.
The selections showcase a variety of culinary experiences, from fine-dining destinations serving aged steaks and fresh seafood to casual spots offering excellent sandwiches for the perfect lunchtime visit.
One of those restaurants serves lunch and dinner right here in Sarasota, while another is located just up the road in Bradenton. Both were among my picks for the six best restaurants in Sarasota and Manatee counties that opened in 2024, published earlier this month.
6 best restaurants in Sarasota area, from fancy to casual, that opened in 2024
What’s the best restaurant near me? 12 USA TODAY favorites in Florida that opened in 2024
Ticket Newsletter: Sign up to receive restaurant news and reviews plus info on things to do every Friday
Adeline and Little A | Sarasota
The raw scallop with cream, chive, and basil at Adeline restaurant in Sarasota, photographed on Nov. 26, 2024.
Details: 1920 Hillview St., Sarasota; 941-444-7692; adelinesrq.com
The charming Southside Village, a shopping and dining district just 1.5 miles south of downtown Sarasota, showcases Chef Drew Adams’ striking culinary creativity. Formerly known as Meliora, the reimagined dining duo of Little A and Adeline share the same roof while offering distinct yet equally exciting experiences. Little A shines at lunch, serving comfort food classics with elevated sandwiches like lamb or jerk chicken, complemented by sesame seed buns and hand-cut fries or chips.
By dinner, the space transforms into Adeline, offering inventive dishes such as raw scallop with cream and basil, perfectly paired with Japanese milk bread slathered in cultured butter. Debuting earlier in 2024, these sibling spots are a testament to refined flavors and quality, making them standout destinations that invite repeated visits.
35 new restaurants to try in Sarasota, Bradenton, and Venice that opened in 2024
enRich Bistro | Bradenton
Dry-aged 12-ounce USDA Prime New York Strip with warm Mediterranean couscous at enRich Bistro in Bradenton, photographed on Nov. 16, 2024.
Details: 5239 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton; 941-289-1299; enrichbistro.com
After closing in 2020, enRich Bistro has reemerged in Bradenton, bigger and better than ever. Chef and owner Rich Knowles, alongside executive chef Larry Lane, has revived favorites like the calamari salad with wasabi vinaigrette and buttermilk fried chicken with honey truffle butter, while also introducing exceptional new dishes. Among the standouts are the pan-seared quail with mole negro, black bean purée, and street corn — a must-try for adventurous diners — and the New York strip, dry-aged in-house for 28 days to achieve its remarkable umami flavor.
For lunch, don’t miss Larry’s Hot Pastrami sandwich, featuring Black Angus brisket, fermented mustard seed aioli, and caraway kraut on sour rye. Yes, enRich has reclaimed its place as a premier dining and drinking destination in The Friendly City.
67-year-old restaurant closes and 15 more Sarasota eateries we lost in 2024
Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram and X. He can be reached by email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota restaurant ranked among Florida’s 12 best new dining spots
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(740x346:742x348)/Valerie-Bertinelli-message-122724-tout-5b84f343939f4a24ba24b6ac0e93e9d5.jpg "‘Forget Your Past … and Begin Again’")
