Martha’s guidebook to Paradise

Martha
Martha’s guidebook to Paradise

Food scene

Perfect for breakfast, lunch, gourmet coffee, and even simple dinner. Vegetarian options! Don't leave without trying the Mango Iced Tea.
49 locals recommend
Mango Bistro
301 W Dearborn St.
49 locals recommend
Perfect for breakfast, lunch, gourmet coffee, and even simple dinner. Vegetarian options! Don't leave without trying the Mango Iced Tea.
Tiki bar downstairs and full restaurant upstairs with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the beach. Mostly seafood!
70 locals recommend
The Waverly Restaurant & Bar
2095 N Beach Rd
70 locals recommend
Tiki bar downstairs and full restaurant upstairs with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the beach. Mostly seafood!
Locally owned casual restaurant - simple good food!
14 locals recommend
Howards Restaurant
70 N Indiana Ave
14 locals recommend
Locally owned casual restaurant - simple good food!
Locally owned Mexican restaurant, simple and delicious.
11 locals recommend
Comadres
498 W Dearborn St.
11 locals recommend
Locally owned Mexican restaurant, simple and delicious.
Right across from the beach, this pub is right on the water. Open air seating, and sometimes live music!
58 locals recommend
White Elephant Pub
1855 Gulf Blvd
58 locals recommend
Right across from the beach, this pub is right on the water. Open air seating, and sometimes live music!
Think late-night drinking, live music, and "lawn" games played in the sand.
159 locals recommend
SandBar Tiki & Grille
1975 Beach Rd
159 locals recommend
Think late-night drinking, live music, and "lawn" games played in the sand.
Okay - so it's just a grocery store, but also my favorite grocery store chain. Order a sub at the deli, grab a half-gallon of fresh iced tea, pack up the cooler, and head to the beach!
34 locals recommend
Publix Super Market at Merchants Crossing
1500 Placida Rd
34 locals recommend
Okay - so it's just a grocery store, but also my favorite grocery store chain. Order a sub at the deli, grab a half-gallon of fresh iced tea, pack up the cooler, and head to the beach!

Sightseeing

Amazing natural hot springs are eternally 87 degrees F, and only an 18 min drive away! perfect day trip for something unique to explore
60 locals recommend
Warm Mineral Springs
60 locals recommend
Amazing natural hot springs are eternally 87 degrees F, and only an 18 min drive away! perfect day trip for something unique to explore
a 25-min drive and pay-toll over the bridge will get you to Boca Grande, a wealthy, beautiful island. Stroll the shoppes downtown, grab a bite, and walk down Banyon Street before heading to the lighthouse for amazing Gulf views. WARNING do not recommend swimming at this lighthouse due to strong rip tides!
167 locals recommend
Boca Grande
167 locals recommend
a 25-min drive and pay-toll over the bridge will get you to Boca Grande, a wealthy, beautiful island. Stroll the shoppes downtown, grab a bite, and walk down Banyon Street before heading to the lighthouse for amazing Gulf views. WARNING do not recommend swimming at this lighthouse due to strong rip tides!
Simply the best beach ever. This is a local favorite and used to be a well kept secret, but that time has passed! Get there early for parking. Please don't take too many shells or sharks' teeth - it erodes the beach!
74 locals recommend
Blind Pass Beach
6725 Manasota Key Rd
74 locals recommend
Simply the best beach ever. This is a local favorite and used to be a well kept secret, but that time has passed! Get there early for parking. Please don't take too many shells or sharks' teeth - it erodes the beach!
Another beautiful, white-sand beach. Walk to the south end if you dare. Watch out for sea turtle nests -please do not disturb!
151 locals recommend
Stump Pass Beach State Park
900 Gulf Blvd
151 locals recommend
Another beautiful, white-sand beach. Walk to the south end if you dare. Watch out for sea turtle nests -please do not disturb!
Boca Grande Bike path is a 6-mile flat, paved trail that ends at the lighthouse. Definitely recommend if you like biking! Pay the toll to get onto Boca Grande Island and plan to spend the day there!
Boca Grande Bike Path
Boca Grande Bike Path
Boca Grande Bike path is a 6-mile flat, paved trail that ends at the lighthouse. Definitely recommend if you like biking! Pay the toll to get onto Boca Grande Island and plan to spend the day there!
Awesome rail-trail from Venice to Sarasota, 20+ miles of paved pathway. Google it to find your preferred start point and have fun!
15 locals recommend
Legacy Trail (Sarasota to Venice Rail-Trail)
Legacy Trail
15 locals recommend
Awesome rail-trail from Venice to Sarasota, 20+ miles of paved pathway. Google it to find your preferred start point and have fun!
Captain Van Hubbard is a local legend- a highly knowledgeable fishing guide in our area. We recently went on a trip and caught all we could eat! He is great with kids and adults- our 9 year old and 70 year old were equally entertained and delighted. Would not fish with anyone else!!
6 locals recommend
Fishing Charters with Captain Van Hubbard
260 Maryland Ave
6 locals recommend
Captain Van Hubbard is a local legend- a highly knowledgeable fishing guide in our area. We recently went on a trip and caught all we could eat! He is great with kids and adults- our 9 year old and 70 year old were equally entertained and delighted. Would not fish with anyone else!!