Southside Village
West of the Trail
A posh retail hub packed with boutiques and salons; a gourmet dining district replete with cafés, pubs, and markets; an eclectic, adjacent neighborhood lined with tree canopies; and an eco-friendly, upscale lifestyle that appeals to millennials, young families, and retirees alike. This is Southside Village, where the bohemian bungalows intermingle with the sleekest, greenest, most contemporary mansions.
There are street fairs and fundraisers along the main drag of Hill-view Street and, during the holidays, the blocks are illuminated and wonderfully festive. Only a short drive south of the Village is Siesta Beach, the top-ranked beach in the nation, with its powdered-sugar sands and Sunday night drum circle. To the north is downtown Sarasota, home of the renowned Sarasota Farmers’ Market and its locally grown goods.
Southside Village is Southwest Florida perfection, and it has something for everyone who is passionate about the Edible lifestyle. Hip yet historic, delicious and decadent, Southside Village reels in regulars (and residents) from all walks of life who appreciate elevated tastes and simple joys.
Why We Like It
Southside Village’s location, which includes the high-end shopping/ dining district along and around Hillview Street, provides the ultimate pleasures for fans of the Edible lifestyle. Tranquil and lively, and dedicated to preserving its historic homes and natural environment, the Village offers easy access off Siesta Drive to Siesta Beach, the downtown farmers’ market, area wineries, the Suncoast’s famed Forks & Corks food festival, the Suncoast Food & Wine Festival, and more than 25 local farmers and growers that cultivate the region’s freshest meats and produce. In the Village, residents, locals, and even international visitors celebrate the varied architecture, the lush foliage and the abundance of entertainment options. Shoppers can browse apparel at clothing boutiques or vintage ensembles at refined consignment stores. Gourmands can stock up on grocery items at the market and fill a basket for a beach picnic. And, though most of Sarasota’s best attractions are just a brief car ride away, there is no need to leave the pedestrian-friendly Village at all.
The Charm Factor
Southside Village—with its historic and tropical charm, its real estate choices for every preference and budget, and its proximity to several other Sarasota cultural districts—is perfect for those of us who want a little bit of everything. Near the top beach in the world, this stunning haven begs you to spend the day shopping/dining on Hillview Street. Then, take a drive over to downtown and the surrounding areas for visits to the farmers’ market, organic farms, museums and award-winning restaurants.
The Edible Life
Morton’s Gourmet Market is at the edible heart of Southside Village, as it provides everything for sophisticated grocery shoppers—from coveted wines to fresh prepared foods to gourmet cheeses. The Village is so close to the Sarasota Farmers’ Market that, if shoppers want added variety, they can find even more seasonal fruits, vegetables, olive oils, and organic grass-fed beef at the downtown booths. Nearby Siesta Beach has Siesta Key Village, with its martini bars, ice cream parlors and local haunts. But Southside Village is equally stocked with its own wealth of hotspots for cocktails, coffees, and cuisine. It is a walker’s paradise, where visitors can park once and play indefinitely. Favorite locales include Libby’s Café + Bar (home of the L-Bar, with its craft cocktails and nightlife vibe), Southside Deli for house-made sandwiches and soups, Legends Sports Pub, Fandango Café for Mediterranean fare, Pacific Rim for Japanese-Thai fusion, and Gecko’s Grill & Pub for gourmet pub food. Get a haircut at Southside Village Barbershop before or after a day of retail therapy and culinary indulging. And sit and sip at Perq Coffee Bar, which has enough specialty brews and social events for both the connoisseur and the reveler.
Real Estate
Whether it’s an ultra-modern home, a grandiose mansion, or a cozy bungalow you crave, Southside Village offers real estate options for every lifestyle.
