3 Sarasota County Restaurants to Know Before They Open

We found the permits and listings, called the owners, got the scoop.

Now, you get the full rundown. Before they open.

Here are three new restaurants worth knowing about before the doors even open – all in Sarasota.

JavaCone — Sarasota

Address: 5537 Palmer Crossing Circle, Sarasota, FL 34233

Status: Mid-July opening, depending on county permitting.

What to expect: A locally owned, family-run coffee, pastry, lunch and ice cream shop in Palmer Crossing Shopping Center. The fast-casual setup will include counter ordering and a modern interior with sofas, armchairs, tables and booth-style seating.

Menu highlights: Espresso drinks, cappuccinos, lattes, cold brew, refresher-style drinks, pastries, croissants, chocolate croissants, breakfast sandwiches, beet salad, vegetarian and vegan options, and scratch-made frittatas called Cloud 9. Dessert will include premium ice cream and scratch-made skillet cookies topped with ice cream, sauces, chocolate and caramel.

Hours: Planned daily hours are about 7 a.m.–8 p.m.

Who’s behind it: Stephen and Jemma Vrondran, along with their children Kayden and Stephi. The family previously operated Kayden’s Candy Factory and Stephi Cocktails and Cuisine before moving to Sarasota from Pensacola.

Read our full article.

Salty Neighbor Bar & Grill — Venice

Address: 4187 S Tamiami Trl, Venice, FL 34293

Status: Targeting an Oct. 1 opening, with the timeline currently landing around late September or early October.

What to expect: A veteran-owned neighborhood sports bar planned for the former Rib City space in Venice Village Shops. The restaurant will feature 65-inch TVs throughout for NFL Ticket and other sports packages, plus 144 indoor seats, a 30-seat bar and 20 outdoor seats.

Menu highlights: American bar food with Cuban influence, including Cuban sandwiches, handmade gourmet burgers made with brisket and ground beef, salads, wraps, kids meals, cheesecakes and Cuban flan. Wings, chicken chunks and pork chunks will be sold by the pound, with sauce options including garlic Parmesan, hot, mild, barbecue and teriyaki.

Hours: Planned daily hours are 11 a.m.–midnight.

Who’s behind it: Owner Edwin Morales, a retired U.S. Navy veteran. Morales is also a partial owner of two Marco’s Pizza locations in Fort Myers and Cape Coral, and he plans to offer 10% off for veterans and first responders.

Read our full article.

Agave Bandido — Venice

Address: 19830 West Villages Parkway, Venice, FL 34293

Status: Targeting a September 1, 2026 opening.

What to expect: A full-service Mexican restaurant bringing Agave Bandido’s energetic, design-forward concept to Venice. The location will seat just over 100 guests inside, with about 70 more seats in a covered outdoor area, plus eight-foot nano windows that can open for an indoor-outdoor feel.

Menu highlights: Tacos, burritos, quesadillas, table-side guacamole, house-made steak empanadas, 48-hour marinated churrasco, ribeye with tajin butter and panko-crusted mahi. The restaurant will also include Maya, the brand’s hidden “speakeasy-tiki” concept accessed through a concealed entrance.

Hours: Planned daily opening time is 11 a.m. Closing is expected at 10 p.m. Sunday–Wednesday, 11 p.m. Thursday, and midnight Friday–Saturday.

Who’s behind it: Owner Matthew Baum and partner Matthew Faul, chief operating officer. This will be Agave Bandido’s fifth location, following the brand’s first opening in Pembroke Pines in 2020.

Read our full article.