Restaurants open on Christmas Day?

Question

Wondering if any nice restaurants are open for Christmas Dinner. Downtown area preferred.

Answer

Good question. Unfortunately, finding a *nice downtown* Sarasota restaurant that’s reliably open on Christmas Day is a bit tricky—many of the more tourist-friendly or upscale downtown places remain closed. Based on local listings and restaurant guides, here are some places that *are* open or likely to be open, plus a few tips.

Here are some restaurants in the Sarasota / nearby area that are reported to be open on Christmas Day:

The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota (Jack Dusty): The Ritz-Carlton has a special Christmas menu. Their Grand Ballroom brunch runs earlier in the day, and Jack Dusty offers seasonal dinner hours per their holiday schedule.
Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar: Located a little south of downtown, this seafood spot is open on Christmas Day, serving a full menu.
Columbia Restaurant (St. Armands Circle): This historic Spanish/Cuban restaurant has a location on St. Armands Circle (just a bit off downtown) and is open on Christmas Day, with a special holiday menu.
Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie: According to Sarasota Magazine, Libby’s (Sarasota location) will be open on Christmas Day with both their regular menu and a holiday menu.
Rosemary & Thyme: In the Rosemary District, this restaurant offers a holiday menu on Christmas Day with upscale dishes like beef short ribs, seafood pasta, and more.

Important Tips & Considerations:

Make reservations as early as possible—Christmas Day dining is limited and these spots may fill up.
Double-check the restaurant’s website or call ahead to confirm holiday hours, as holiday schedules can change.
If “downtown” is a must but you’re okay with venturing a little, St. Armands Circle (where Columbia is located) is fairly close and very walkable if you don’t mind a short drive or ride.
Hotel restaurants (like The Ritz) are often a reliable choice on holidays, and they usually have festive menus.

In summary: while downtown Sarasota doesn’t have a huge number of high-end places open on Christmas, there *are* some solid options — especially if you're willing to go just slightly off the downtown core to places like St. Armands Circle or nearby waterfront restaurants. Rosemary & Thyme and Jack Dusty (Ritz) are probably your best bets for a “nice” Christmas dinner.