The Best Spots in Englewood, Florida

Florida’s

Hidden Gem

DO: Plan a trip here if you’re looking for a relaxing getaway from it all!

DON’T: Expect crazy nightlife or crowded places.


In this post you will find:

  • Our favorite places in Olde Englewood & Deerborn Street

  • Information on the Manasota Key Beach Area

  • The best places to eat & drink

  • Parks & Places to Hike & Explore the outdoors!


A few years ago, my parents made the best decision ever– to buy house in Englewood, Florida! We have been so extremely lucky to be able to take many trips to this tranquil town that I almost didn’t want to write about because I want to keep it all to ourselves. If you have a teenager, they may recognize the location because it is home to Youtube sensation Danny Duncan. On our adventures, as a couple, a family, and now with baby Graham, we have discovered some really great spots! We love the sleepy-town vibe for relaxing by the pool and hitting our favorite places by foot or bike.

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Dearborn Street-Olde Englewood

Englewoods on Dearborn

The owner, Tony, will make you feel right at home. This great restaurant with an Austrian Cuisine twist (think Schnitzel with a side of Clam Chowder) has a focus on live Jazz music and good times! They have a great outside patio and bar! 

Comradres

On every trip, we HAVE to get a burrito and Marg from here! Ask for the sour cream sauce, trust us!

Mangos

If you’re needing a healthy or lite breakfast/brunch, this is the place! Their menu is full of smoothies, wraps and foods that will get your day started right!

The Blue Pineapple

A newer restaurant that is fully outside! This is a fun place to grab drinks for happy hour or catch live music!

Bobarino’s Pizza

If you’re in the mood for great Italian or a pizza with some wine, this is a great spot!

Coffee

Culture Coffee & Joe Mac’s are two great spots for a warm cup of coffee and a light breakfast in the center of the town.

The Englewood Farmer’s Market 

“The Best Guacamole in the World”, Fresh Ceviche, Cheeses and Breads to complete your best charcuterie board, Live Music, Art and more at one of the largest Farmer’s Markets we’ve ever been to! This is held every Thursday right in the heart of town.

Vino Loco Wine Bar

A perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine and some tapas right in the heart of Olde Englewood. They have a large patio and some inside seating. Don’t hesitate to ask the waitresses for a recommendation-they are great at pairing you with the perfect botte. They also have a great nightly wine special!

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Manasota Key BeachArea

 Manasota Key has multiple beaches (Manasota Beach, Blind Pass Beach, Englewood Beach & Stump Pass Beach) all along the coast. On the other side, there is the intercoastal. It’s a fun trip out to the key from Olde Englewood to take (a quick 5-minute ride in the car or 10-15 minutes by bike!)

Lock & Key

This is a more upscale restaurant by the beach. It was just renovated in 2022 and has a great seafood menu! 

White Elephant

right on the intercoastal, this place is a great casual spot to get a shrimp dish and pina colada after a day at the beach. A great place to watch live music! 

The Sandbar

A sports bar with outdoor swings and fun games! They have big outdoor TVs and live music every day! We recommend the fried avocado appetizer & any of the fried seafood dishes! Fish tacos are also great!

Check out the top Manasota Key Hotels!

Our Favorite Restaurants outside of Olde Englewood: 

Farlow’s on the Water:

This is some of the best seafood we’ve ever had. There’s an amazing ambiance and it’s right by the water. The owner is from St. Croix so it has a great Caribbean fusion. Our favorites are their fun drinks and the coconut risotto. This is a great place for a special occasion. We recommend getting reservations! 

Ken & Barbs

A place to grab some upscale pub food and drinks, overlooking a lagoon. The appetizers are amazing & they have a lot of unique casual seafood dishes. 

The Wine Bistro

this is a great little spot right on the intercoastal before you hit the Manasota Key Beach area. There is a cute gift shop and outdoor seating. They offer a more upscale dining experience in a casual setting! This is where we usually rent a boat to go out on the intercoastal as well (see more below!)

Lighthouse Grill at Stump Pass

A fun place to eat on the water. This restaurant has good seafood & fun drinks. There is usually live music as well! A reservation can easily be made on Open Table!

Lighthouse Grill at Stump Pass

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Outdoor Activities Parks & Hiking

There are many spots to get outdoors & kayak, hike or just have a picnic in nature. These are some of our favorites!

The Florida Intercoastal & Sand Bar:

Another great activity is to rent a boat and take it out on the Intercoastal for the day! You can park at the Wine Bistro & rent from Beach Road Water Sports. About an hour by boat, there is an amazing sand bar to relax in the crystal clear water. We have never not seen a dolphin on this trip! They also offer sunset dolphin cruises! This is a great way to see the beauty of the water and also check out some of the amazing houses in the area. 

Places to Eat & Drink by Boat:

  • The Rum Bar (only accessible by boat)

  • Lighthouse At Stump Pass (This is also accessible by car!)

Some other great parks in the area:

  • Lemon Bay Park & Environmental Center

  • Indian Mound Park

  • Myakka River State Park-Although we haven’t been here, it’s on our list! This is a great place to see some gators!

For the Sports Lover:

  • The Atlanta Braves Spring Training Stadium

We just love Englewood! We can truly relax & unwind when we visit this location & just keep going back for more! This would be the perfect location to pair with other areas of Florida, or to just take a whole week or two to relax. Its location offers great day trips to Boca Grande, Tampa, Ft. Myers, Sanibel, or even Florida’s National Parks. 

Getting There: You can fly into Tampa (TPA), Clearwater/St. Pete (PIE), Sarasota (SRQ), Punta Gorda (PGD) Or Fort Myers (RSW)


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Our Englewood Adventures


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