Drift Kitchen & Bar is our signature restaurant concept on the 8th floor of our Palm Building, and one of Sarasota’s buzziest restaurants. The dining room features elevated decor and soaring 180-degree floor-ceiling views of the Gulf of Mexico. Taking inspiration from our view, cuisine features local ingredients with an emphasis on fresh seafood and contemporary American fare.
Jessica Brandgard
This place was great! The sunset views were amazing, staff very knowledgeable, helpful & personable. The food was amazing. We had a group of 6 with not a single complaint. The snapper was the best ive had. We came in from the beach, under dressed & without a reservation and were welcomed, seated immediately & treated like rockstars. I would go back here without hesitation.
… moreLindsay T
We stopped for breakfast one morning during our stay at the Lido Beach Resort. First of all, the styling and decor in this restaurant is fabulous and coastal, which was so charming paired with the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the beach and Lido Key. The breakfast offerings were delicious and served promptly, I highly recommend an omelette with the breakfast potatoes (which have to be some of the best I’ve ever eaten). And finally, the service was top notch, absolutely phenomenal!
… moreOlga Courtnage
Absolutely loved our evening here. The wine at the bar, the dinner spot, food – it all just worked out so nicely. Thank you to the manager fitting us in on a very busy night. The kids (teens) very much enjoyed it
The bread was hard to resist, calamari was perfect, burrata had some magical vegetable touch to it – I would love to go back!!!
… moreJ
The seating was quick and they gave us a great view. Unfortunately the service went down from there. We had a big party but even so we waited close to an hour for food. They said the food was coming soon and it took over 20 more minutes. The fish wasn’t fresh. We got salmon and grouper. We asked about desert but they were so backed up they told us it didn’t make sense. Spoke to the manager and he also didn’t seem to care. Not even a meaningful apology. Would skip.
… moreEdmond Bordelon
Met up with some friends at Drift Kitchen and Bar last night, per their suggestion…and I can see why!
Now of course, it’s hard to miss the best view in Lido Beach being on the 8th floor with floor to ceiling glass! Outstanding sunsets!
The service and the food also matched the amazing view. Joe was our server and he was able to pick up on our palettes pretty quickly.
We started with the Crispy Crab Cakes and the Mama’s Meatballs. Both appetizers were delicious and beautifully presented. The entrees blew everything away! The Pan Seared Grouper with cauliflower purée was perfection with the heirloom tomato sauce. The hand cut 12oz ribeye was cooked to a precise medium rare temperature and the roasted garlic mashed potatoes paired very well. However…the star of the evening had to be the 10-hour Beef Short Rib! The knife was not necessary as it fell apart at the touch of the fork. Moist and flavorful! Rich and savory! Don’t miss it!
Finished the night off with an Amarena Chocolate Cake and one more glass of red wine…wow!
Come for the view, but know that when the sun goes down…the food really shines brightly!
… moreMargaret McCampbell
This a truly elevated dining/drink experience. I was met with live soft piano tunes and a full restaurant yet service was still immaculate. Loved every aspect of our experience here and you just don’t get dining views like this ANYWHERE in sarasota. Kudos!! The gemelli pasta was delectable. This photo is half a portion size as we split it in two.
… moreJane P
Drift Kitchen and Bar has one of the nicest views on Lido Beach. Breakfast with a view is absolutely wonderful, and they do a solid job with it. Lunch and dinner, however, don’t quite measure up to the same standard. That said, the full bar and cozy atmosphere make it a great spot to stop by for drinks and appetizers while soaking in the sunset.
… moreCarla
We had an incredible experience at The Drift, located inside the Lido Beach Resort, while celebrating my twin daughters’ 21st birthday dinner. The food and drinks were absolutely on par — flavorful, well-prepared, and beautifully presented. The views of the ocean were breathtaking, and the atmosphere was just perfect — relaxed, elegant, and welcoming.
It was a truly memorable evening, and we couldn’t have picked a better place to celebrate such a special milestone. Highly recommend Drift for any special occasion or a beautiful night out by the water!
… moreKathy Pedersen
We had reservations and didn’t get seated for 30 minutes later. Ordered my child’s grilled cheese to come out first. It came out last after an over cooked ribeye, a delicious braised short rib & a stone fired pizza, how?!? Then to make matters worse it was burnt. And tasted very very burnt. Thinking we would get some dessert to go the pineapple upside down cake was drier than any corn bread I’ve had. Not worth the money, let alone the claim of best restaurant. If you have young kids I would suggest not even considering.
… moreChandler Major
Absolutely incredible experience. Reservations fill quickly, so book early. We sat at the bar since tables were full, but Danny, the bartender, made it worth it—knowledgeable, personable, and excellent with cocktails. The space is upscale yet welcoming, with Saturday football on and live piano music that set the perfect mood. Candles and a stunning sunset view elevated the atmosphere even more. Highly recommend visiting—and definitely ask for Danny.
… more