Restaurants near Downtown

“I have dined in, and had take-out from this establishment and in short, "This is the best Asian restaurant within 20 miles!!! Regardless of price!!" Try the steamed dumplings, if nothing else! The flavor and textures are exquisite. It's definitely a treat!!”

“Chef Tony is bringing a remarkable Carribean menu to Venice! We shared the Classic Cuban, and Chicken Curry with sweet plantains as the garnish. The Cuban did not disappoint, from the Roasted Pulled Pork, ham, swiss cheese, pickles ,mustard on the perfect Cuban Roll. Every bite delightful.The Chicken Curry over rice, combined with the sweet plantains brought an array of boastful flavors, heat, and a most welcome feeling of thankfulness to the Chef.”

“On the advice of my gastroenterologist I went to Tikka ,this place has authentic Indian cuisine,top shelf,reasonably priced excellent service the list goes on and on my personal choice was lamb curry which blew me away I highly recommend this place not to disappoint ✊”

“Pancakes are HUGE! Grits are nice and creamy. $3. for a good-sized cup. Used to go to Skillets but they reduced the amount to EXACTLY 6 oz (said the manager when I asked). 6 oz for $5,95. I sent them back and Watched her throw them away. I told my waitress "Tomorrow I will order the LARGE SIZE. For more money. And send them back. And watch them throw them away. LOL (not really, but my waitress laughed and said "Do it!" Nope. Not going back. Max's Table for me!”

“So rare to find owners who actually have heart and soul in their business. After having coffee here I would NEVER go to another large chain or franchise. Support your locals and get the real deal. Oh ya.....great coffee and great vibes to! Get a coffee and go sit out back. There's a family of Manatees that live in the basin behind the coffee shop. ???”

“We visited in early February. Ryan was a good server. Thanks for having our favorite local Florida beer, Zoté. Buffalo shrimp were good as well as the Grouper Reuben. My wife had the Sunset Chicken Sandwich which she was was okay. Come for the views and the crowds and enjoy some decent food. If I could give half stars I’d rate 4.5.Parking: Very limited parking in lot and don’t park on nearby street. Get here early or plan to circle the lot for awhile. Better yet Über or bicycle here.Kid-friendliness: Kids might like the view but more of an adult vibe. Find a sitter or them them with grandparents.”

“Excellent establishment. I decided to come in for a quick lunch today and I am glad I did. The Açaí Bowl Took a little bit of time to make which assured me all ingredients were fresh and made with care. Multiple items to choose from so I look forward to trying something new every time I come in. The Açaí Bowl will keep you full. Plus.. this is 100X healthier than any fast food lunch breaks you may take!”

“I just ate the best sandwich I've ever ever had! 9 ounces of meat on a 9 inch chunk of Cuban bread, nice and crispy on the outside, the cheese was melted, the meat was hot, and.....I just can't believe how incredibly good this Cuban sandwich was.I also had one of their little potato torpedo looking things, papas rellenas, I believe. Crunchy on the outside, inside is mashed potato that is wrapped around some spicy beef filling. It was a very cool snack, for sure! I'll probably never get back this way, as I am from the midwest, but if I do, for darn sure I'll be stopping back in here.I did read the reviews that said it was in a convenience store/gas station, but in my head I thought it meant that it was in the building of former convenience store/gas station, but it really IS inside a gas station store. You walk in the door and the food area is to the right. Ring the bell if the wonderful owner is not in view. It's a simple menu, very fast service, and just spaced on two things I had, I imagine everything else is incredibly good.There is a seating little area outside in the back, but otherwise it's take it with you.Absolutely worth the detour off the highway!!”

“I'm a big fan of Paya Thai restaurant, where I can indulge in authentic Thai cuisine. The staff is always warm and welcoming, and the dishes are consistently flavorful and fresh. I usually opt for the tofu pad thai, which is expertly prepared and strikes a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. The portion is generous and satisfying. I also enjoy their papaya salad, which is crunchy and refreshing. The restaurant's cozy atmosphere, adorned with Thai artifacts, adds to the pleasant dining experience. I highly recommend Paya Thai to anyone who appreciates Thai cuisine or is looking to try something new.”

“Food was fantastic and our server Abbey was wonderful. Very attentive and gave us great suggestions. We had the lobster appetizer, followed by soup and salad. For entree my husband had the Steak Diane and I had the crispy duck. We finished with chocolate mousse for dessert. So decadent! We will definitely keep it on the list for special occasions. A little too pricey for every weekend option.”

“The owner, Casey, is without a doubt the best bartender of all time. And that includes Sam Malone (Cheers), Moe (The Simpsons), and all the Hooters girls combined.The complimentary popcorn will have your taste buds dancing for a sip of cold beer like the sugar-plum fairy.Walking into Bike and Brew feels like you’re entering your coolest cousins garage. And coming from a guy with 40 first cousins, I guarantee Casey is cooler than all your cousins.Jon Taffer would never shut this place down. In fact he might even learn a thing or two from Bike and Brew.A must stop if you’re looking for a couple pints for a good price. Can’t wait to return.P.S. Would recommend the Florida Black and Tan. Cheers.”

“Great place to have lunch on a Sunday. Pet friendly and attentive staff. Justin was on top of our needs and checked on us constantly. Seafood linguine was wonderful, and the oysters were huge. Definitely deserves to be a return trip.”

“We love Bay Leaf. We usually split three dishes for four people unless I want to take home a leftover, which I often do! We continue to try new things. Have not gone wrong yet. Favorites: chicken Korma and coconut mango curry but you can’t go wrong! Their pashwari naan is to die for!”

“Excellent Thai Food. Thai 2 Go is absolutely my favorite!! The curries, noodles, and soups taste wonderful with delicious flavor!! Ask for Thai Hot if you like spicy. I love it!”

“I came here with the intention of ordering a burger. They had gotten good reviews and I wanted to try them out.Our server greeted us pleasantly and then made up a table of my wife's choosing. As we were being seated, our server let us know about the grouper specials. My wife and I both decided to have the grouper Reuben sandwich with tater tots. The sandwiches were delicious and I recommend them if you are in the area.When it was time to go, my wife asked for something other than styrofoam for the doggie bag and once again the server was very accommodating. Overall a very good experience.”

“Just had Valentines dinner tonight...delicious!! Quail appetizer and Veal meatballs were terrific..although my husband was hoping for Nonna's lol. My Veal and his fettuccine also melt in your mouth! We will be back!!”

“Beyond the tasty ice cream, the excellent location and the fantasitcally nice and accomodating staff, this place is allergy-friendly! Our daughter has an egg and peanut allergy that makes casually dipping into a local ice cream shop (or any restaurant for that matter) a near impossiblity. However, the staff and management at Venice Avenue Creamery walked us through all their ingredients (all ice cream is made in-house, and is EGG FREE), and even brought out boxes for us to read the ingredients. Even further, when we orded for our daughter with allergies, they went into the back and scooped from the uncontaminated/unopened ice cream containers with a new, unused ice cream scoop. Eliminating the remote possibility of cross-contamination.To be able to drop into an ice cream shop as a family of five is something extremely rare and special. And thanks to the fine folks at Venice Avenue Creamery, we were able to make it a special part of our vacation ... more than once!”

“Absolutely wonderful pizza and cannoli!. We will go back as it was an instant best for us. Pizza was laughter and very fresh with wonderful ingredients. Give this one a try!.”

“Such a cute and delicious breakfast spot! We split the quiche Lorraine and the bachamel croissant sandwich. She had a vanilla latte and I had a mocha. Both meals came out with a small side of fresh fruit which included raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, julienned apples soaked in a fresh and sweet fruit juice. The quiche was one of the best we’ve had anywhere, and the croissant sandwich was delicious and didn’t seem heavy, which we anticipated.We want to return soon to try their beautiful assortment of baked goods and treats.”

“stopped in for a something quick and more healthy than a burger. Had a wrap and you can tell everything was very fresh and made to order. The couple working behind the counter were very outgoing and friendly. A lot of choices for such a small place. I was there about 15-20 minutes and saw a bunch of people come through the door in my time there. They seem very popular in the the area.”

“I got the double chocolate muffin, it was good, people were nice, environment was goodKid-friendliness: There are good basic things on the menu that the kids love”

“We were a group of six, sat outside. The ambiance was not the greatest but the service, wine and appys were great. The appy tray was wonderful and the brie was second to none. We had received a gift cert to go here and took a few friends to try it. No one was disappointed. When we return to Florida next year we will definitely schedule another visit. Something different and fun if you are a wine drinker. The cost I considered very reasonable and the wine flights were a lot of fun. I recommend you give it a try and don't let the location in a strip mall chase you away.”

“If I didn't have to return to Indiana from vacation, I'd be here EVERY day!!! Ordered a bottle of champagne, brought out a bucket of ice & served it to us! The options of smoothies and drinks are unbelievable!!! The atmosphere of this little "shacky spot" is peaceful, inviting & simply beautiful! Thank you girls! Counting the days until we return to you!!! What an unforgettable brunch! ? ? ? ? ? ?”

“It is always our first choice for breakfast or lunch! The General Manager, Patricia, is so very kind, attentive, and friendly! She makes us feel welcome and appreciated on each visit! This restaurant is always clean, the food is excellent, and the bathrooms are spotless!!”

“Cute little boutique bakery with the absolute BEST key lime pie and coconut cream pie EVER !!! Nicholas thank you so much for offering to wait for us when we couldn’t make it before store closing. You have gained a customer for life !!!”

“Great ice cream. The rolling method is cool and creates almost flaky ice cream at first. Great presentation! The kids were thrilled with the toppings of goodies and so was I. So good! Reasonably priced for the rolls.”

“Adana Kabob was terrific. The hostess worked hard to find us a table to our liking, the waiter was informative and attentive and the wall art was interesting and for sale. Ezme was a tasty appetizer and the entrees were excellent. Highly recommended!Parking: Busy location.”

“I came for a surprise visit to visit momIn Venice Fla ! Mom raved about LOlive to me many times on the phone .. so wanted to take her back ..From the moment we stepped inside the door we felt like we were at home ! greeted with a wave and a smile ! The service was more than attentive when needed and never rushed ! We had red sangria which was refreshing and tasty ! A shared Greek salad , generous portions of hummus and babaganoush appetizers … The lamb chops cooked and seasoned to perfection, Bronzino crispy and moist .. we loved the entire meal ! While we had more than our fill .. with leftovers for lunch tomorrow, we always make room for dessert! The chocolate Baklava .. amazing !I absolutely loved everything about our LOlive experience! Especially having dinner with my mom !”

“This place has quickly become one of my favorites. The food is always good, I'm a creature of habit and always get the Eggs Benedict. Hearty portions and a coffee mug that's always full. The staff here is always welcoming and kind. Would definitely recommend stopping in for breakfast!”

“Decide at the last minute to stop here to avoid some traffic and parking downtown. Wasn't sure if we wanted to stay because of the limited menu. We all had the quiche Lorraine which was amazing! So glad we stayed! It was fluffy and creamy and was an unexpected delight. It is a cute little French cafe. I really wanted to have a cappuccino and forgot to order it when we left so I will need to come back! A nice surprise.”