You’ll always have access to plenty of diverse restaurant choices while vacationing on Longboat Key. However, staying in and cooking can be one of the best ways to enjoy fresh local produce from nearby Longboat Key farmers markets and grocery stores.
These markets offer some of the region’s freshest seafood, organic meat, fruits and vegetables, homemade jams, sauces, and jellies, coffee, pasta, spices and many other unique local ingredients to cook with.
Below are some of the best Longboat Key grocery stores and nearby farmers markets along with some background information, their location and hours, directions from Casa Del Mar, and info on what you can purchase there.
Sarasota Farmers Market
Location: Lemon Ave and State Street
Distance from Casa Del Mar: 20-minute drive
Hours: Saturdays 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Sarasota Farmers Market has been around since 1979 and offers one of the largest selections of produce and a wide range of other goods from many local vendors. You’ll find fresh herbs, local organic produce, prepared food, artistic items, baked goods, coffee, and much more at this large farmers market.
Directions from Casa Del Mar: Turn right out of Casa Del Mar to head southeast in Gulf of Mexico Drive. Travel 7.3 miles to the St Armand’s traffic circle and take the 4th exit onto John Ringling Blvd. After 2.2 miles turn left onto North Tamiami Trail, then turn right onto 2nd street. In just under half a mile you will arrive at the farmers market.
Siesta Key Farmers Market
Location: 5124 Ocean Boulevard
Distance from Casa Del Mar: 35-minute drive
Hours: Sundays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Siesta Key Farmers Market is held every Sunday on beautiful Siesta Beach. It is a smaller market but one of the best places to purchase local art, produce, health and beauty items and also to enjoy some great live music. Visit Siesta Village for breakfast and then pick up raw organic produce, fresh fruit, home baked bread, fresh cut flowers, specialty cheeses, soap, jellies, and seafood here.
Directions from Casa Del Mar: Turn right out of Casa Del Mar to head southeast in Gulf of Mexico Drive. Travel 7.3 miles to the St Armand’s traffic circle and take the 4th exit onto John Ringling Blvd. After 2.2 miles turn right onto Bayfront Drive. In just under a mile turn right onto South Orange Ave. After 1.3 miles turn right onto South Osprey Ave. After just over half a mile turn right onto Siesta Drive. Continue for 2.3 miles to stay on Higel Ave, then turn right onto Ocean Boulevard. Stay straight for a mile to arrive at the farmers market.
Longboat Key Grocery Stores:
When you can’t make it to one of the farmers’ markets, the grocery stores on and near Longboat Key are nearby and will suffice and offer a great selection of fresh produce, ingredients and other foods to cook with.
Publix
Location: Avenue of the Flowers Town Plaza, Longboat Key, FL
Distance from Casa Del Mar: 6-minute drive
Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Directions from Casa Del Mar: Head southeast on Gulf of Mexico drive, in 2.5 miles turn left onto Bay Isles road. Stay right on Bay Isles Road to arrive at the Avenue of the Flowers Town Plaza.
Walmart Super Center
Location: 5315 Cortez Rd. W., Bradenton, FL
Distance from Casa Del Mar: 22-minute drive
Hours: 24 hours
Directions from Casa Del Mar: Head northwest on Gulf of Mexico drive for 5.8 miles to the traffic circle. Continue straight on the traffic circle onto Gulf Drive South. Turn right onto Cortez Road west and travel for 5.2 miles before arriving at the Walmart.
Whole Foods
Location: 1451 1st St., Sarasota, FL
Distance from Casa Del Mar: 22-minute drive
Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Directions from Casa Del Mar: Head southeast on Gulf of Mexico and drive for 7.3 miles before arriving at the traffic circle. Take the 4th exit onto John Ringling Boulevard. In 2.2 miles turn left onto North Tamiami trail. Turn right on 1st street and travel just under half a mile before arriving at Whole Foods.
