Florence & the Spice Boys Continues to Add Flavor to Sarasota’s Dining Scene

Florence & the Spice Boys has become one of Sarasota’s more distinctive casual dining success stories. What began as a roving kitchen in 2019 has grown into a restaurant concept with locations at The Landings and UTC, built around modern Israeli and Middle Eastern flavors with Mediterranean and global influences.

The restaurant stands out because it does not feel like a copy of anything else in town. Its menu leans into bold spices, bright sauces, kebabs, bowls and creative combinations rather than the predictable seafood-and-steak formula that dominates many Florida dining markets. Chef Collin Blakeman, who worked under Thomas Keller at The French Laundry, brings a level of culinary precision to a concept that still feels relaxed and fun.

What makes the restaurant especially Sarasota-friendly is its balance: casual enough for a quick meal, creative enough for food lovers and colorful enough to feel like an experience. In a city with plenty of polished dining rooms, Florence & the Spice Boys shows that personality still matters.