Fall Food Guide at UTC Sarasota
It’s not fall without pumpkin spice treats. With the season in full swing, there are…
Read MoreAs the summer heats up, so does the dining and shopping scene at University Town Center! We’re excited to welcome more than 10 highly-anticipated new restaurants and retail stores coming soon to UTC.
Among the newest hotspots coming soon is Yard House, a modern American restaurant and bar with the world’s largest selection of beers on tap. In addition to this, their menu offers more than 100 items made from scratch daily, inspired by their California roots – Yard House is expected to open in early 2023 on the corner of University Parkway and Cattlemen Rd, and will be open daily for lunch, dinner, happy hour and late-night dining.
A little further south on Cattlemen in the West District at UTC, work is well underway on Rocco’s Tacos and Tequila Bar, a popular spot around Florida for authentic Mexican fare in a vibrant setting. Get ready to enjoy a wide range of margaritas, made-to-order guacamole, tacos and more when Rocco’s opens this 4,500-square-foot restaurant with inviting indoor and outdoor seating this November.
Other new additions to the West District at UTC include 3Natives Acai and Juicery, a fast, fresh and healthy food spot for cold-pressed juices, smoothies, acai bowls, salads and wraps that is scheduled to open in late summer, and Al Forno De Libano, a Lebanese-inspired concept featuring made-to-order bowls and pita bread sandwiches filled with your choice of shawarma, kebab and falafel opening later this year.
In the Square at UTC, a local favorite and a New England institution are coming soon. Restaurateur John Horne is expanding his group of four Anna Maria Oyster Bar restaurants with a new 4,700-square-foot location on the endcap opposite of Oak & Stone. The casual dining spot for fresh seafood is scheduled to open in early 2023. Just steps away, Kelly’s Roast Beef, a Boston-area staple for more than 70 years, will debut its first Florida location this November. While it’s best known for the roast beef sandwich, the restaurant will also offer fried clams, fish and chips, a lobster roll that is wicked good, and much more.
Over at the Shoppes at UTC, the owner of the popular Apollonia Grill is introducing a new concept, called Post Kitchen & Bar. Opening this summer in a 4,400-square-foot space across from Apollonia, the modern American bistro will feature an extensive wine and craft cocktail list, large raw bar, fresh seafood, steaks and salads. Another Shoppes hotspot, Tandoor Fine Indian Cuisine, is moving a couple of doors down from its current location to have a bigger space to serve its big, bold flavors.
On the retail front, Christmas Tree Shops is opening a 48,000-square-foot store in the West District at UTC, between Golf Galaxy and DSW. The home goods and seasonal decor destination is scheduled to open later this year. Across the street on the south side of Desoto Rd. will be Paradise Grills, the go-to spot for luxury outdoor kitchens, fire features, grills and patio furniture, and Perspire Sauna Studio, an infrared and red light therapy studio. Both spots are slated to open this summer. The locally-owned book and gift boutique for conscious living, Elysian Fields, is also coming to UTC in the Shoppes.
A number of new places have already opened in the UTC District over the last few months. The latest include gourmet cookie company Crumbl Cookies; Tiger Wood’s golf and dining experience PopStroke; locally-owned eateries Five-O Donut Co and Jersey Girl Bagels; gift and stationery store Gifts & More at The Paper Store; creative studio Board & Brush; and outdoor apparel store 5.11 Tactical.