Blue Dolphin Cafe
470 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL, 34236
Blue Dolphin Cafe Menu
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Address :
470 John Ringling Blvd
Sarasota, FL, 34236 - Phone (941) 388-3566
- Website https://www.bluedolphincafe.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 3:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Jeffrey S.
Great place. Not over priced, & fun servers.
(5)Richard L.
Great food will return!!! The service was outstanding on a hot Sunday morning. There is a reason why they have been in business there a long time!! We highly recommend the Blue Dolphin to all of our friends. You won't be disappointed!!!!!!!
(5)Stephanie L.
I don't usually think "fresh" when I think diner, but this place uses eggs from Sarasota. pretty neat. Ordered the 2 eggs, 2 pieces of toast, and fruit for $5.99. Good price and just the right amount of food. Service was prompt and food tasted great. -1 star because decor was lacking and the pictures were not inviting.
(4)Melissa Z.
This is a cute little diner in St Armand's square. There are precious few options on this key for breakfast but they serve a good breakfast although service can be shotty. I've been here twice now for breakfast- both times I ordered a Benedict (different styles). I ordered the crab Benedict this latest time. I am a Benedict fiend so I have the good the bad and the ugly. This was good, nothing to write home about because although there was a HUGE and generous portion of fresh lump crab, it was flavorless. It was like the crab was just laid on the muffin right out of the fridge. I was expecting some old bay seasoning or something. My boyfriend ordered a skillet and was just "meh" about it. No foodie bells were being set off for my boyfriend or me so That's why I'm going with 3 stars. it's a good option if you want a break from resort food but don't come out of your way to eat here if you're on another key.
(3)Vanessa K.
This was one of those times Yelp led us astray. It wasn't a bad place per say, but the reviews had us expecting something more than just standard dinner food. It was ok. Nothing bad, but nothing really wowed us. If I'd have just walked in off the street it would have probably met my expectations. It looks like a dinner and that's what we got. Just wasn't our thing. They did have good service and the place was clean. If dinners are your thing, you may dig it.
(3)Terri G.
Great service, awesome food - almost too much and great presentation. Enjoyed the blueberry pancakes (short stack) filled the entire plate. My husband enjoyed his corn beef hash, etc. Will definitely be back to give the Huveos Ranchero.
(4)Beth E.
We thought the long line outside waiting for a seat meant this place was going to be great. After waiting 25 minutes, we were seated in a booth and promptly provided coffee. The menu is extensive, with many good choices. Maybe the three of us chose wrong by ordering omelettes, because we were all disappointed. Although they are very large, they are tasteless. I had a western, and there was very little onion and pepper. The Swiss cheese was bland, but the ham was fine. I also had a grilled biscuit, which was over grilled, and therefore very dry. My fellow diners had toast and it was the same way, crumbling everywhere. Service was good, just hoping we ordered the wrong items and that others are better choices.
(3)Lea T.
Blue Dolphin is surely a more affordable breakfast spot on St. Armand's Circle. The atmosphere and food, however, is very reminiscent of a diner. Maybe it's what you are looking for, but I prefer some outdoor seating options and a more updated decor. On the menu here you can find all your breakfast and lunch classics, the selection is decent and they are flexible with changes or substitutions. Being on St. Armand's Circle you must beware the crowds and keep in mind that this restaurant is very tiny inside. Don't mind this spot, but I think there are better breakfast and lunch options for similar pricing... Sage Biscuit Cafe, Currents at The Hyatt and The Toasted Mango Cafe to name a few.
(3)Jane A.
This is one of the few breakfast places in the immediate area. There's a bit of a wait but not enough that you'd walk away. It was 5 of us. The place is cramped and no frills but the portions are huge and the food is decent. I had an omelet and added all sorts of meat, it was delicious!
(4)Lindsay L.
It's okay for breakfast. Lunch was god awful. Frozen food, not even seasoned. Much better spots in Sarasota
(2)Anna M.
The Blue Dolphin is another restaurant that is on my "moral imperative must dine here" list when I visit Lido Beach! During season and weekends, there will be a wait. It is a very small diner with limited seating. The food and service are definitely well worth the wait. The staff is very friendly, attentive, and quick! Brandon, our server was hilarious and we bonded over our traumatic visits to the coffee store that was located next door. We ordered the Blue-Fin Crab Eggs Benedict and the Corned Beef Hash. To die for! The fruit was fresh and the home fries and bacon were fried to the perfection. The cornbread was also very tasty and a huge portion. When visiting the area, I would highly recommend stopping in for a bite.
(5)Michael S.
Came here for lunch today, as I'm in town for a conference. It is a divey mom and pop type cafe/diner located in the circle with lots of shops and restaurants. There is plenty of free parking. The service was very friendly and fast. Most everything on the lunch menu is $10 or less and the portions are good. There were many good looking items on the menu and it was hard to choose what to order. I ordered the Ruben sandwich with the Thousand Island on the side as I prefer to put deli mustard on my Ruben instead. The sandwich comes with a side and a pickle spear. I got the fries as my side. The Ruben was excellent, with the corned beef being very flavorful. The fries were crispy on the outside, but soft on the inside and well seasoned. I would definitely come back if I find myself in the area again.
(5)S C.
This was my favorite meal all week! I got the trio salad (egg, chicken, tuna) Delicious!!! What wasn't phenomenal at this place???
(5)Chris N.
Solid breakfast joint w nice waitstaff and good chow. Go early or be prepared to wait quite a while.
(4)Tanya C.
Really great breakfast! The waffles were so delicious, don't let the fact that it's small throw you off. Staff was very friendly and even seemed to know several people walking in. I highly recommend it!
(5)Thomas G.
As far as location goes this is the best breakfast place on the barrier islands. Reminds me of NYC diners in a good way.
(5)Kelly G.
Down and dirty breakfast! Loved it. No frills. Quick service. Yummy food. Great portion size. Bigger groups may have to wait. It's tiny inside. 5 of us squeezed into a booth.
(5)Greg E.
Sadly, there are too few options for breakfast on Lido Key. Based on our experience dining there with friends recently, this can be the only reason for the long wait for seating. The restaurant is very small and the service below average. Orders were wrong, the food was mediocre (my was dry and tasteless. The prices were high given the quantity and quality. Of the four of us, only one person was happy with their meal.
(2)Gaetano E.
Great breakfast place! I had the seafood omelette. So good! My date had the crab Benedict which was also great! A must try
(5)Matt L.
Lunch with family. Affordable and good. Had a mix of lunch and breakfast. Very solid place. Nothing amazing but also nothing bad. Safe and affordable and solid. Enjoy Also great friendly service
(4)Sam C.
Ordered the Surfer Burger with fries. Medium rare cook was perfect but lacked seasoning. Bun holds together to the end, but tomato sliced too thick. Shoe string fries were perfect and plentiful. Service was great. A good, reasonable place to have lunch at Ringling circle.
(3)conor b.
Long wait. Good but not great. Very friendly staff and always busy. Nothing remarkable given the prices, but it's in a great area and worth having breakfast there if you are spending the morning in the area.
(3)Teresa A.
Simply AMAZING!!!! The service is excellent. Best breakfast we ever had. My family loved it. Highly recommend this little gem.
(5)Barbara L.
Super excited after seeing reviews. We were not impressed. We came for lunch and ordered a salad, sandwiches and a burger. It was so so. Staff was friendly, which helped. This wouldn't be a first choice for me to eat in St Armand's.
(2)Jordann W.
Excellent spot for breakfast! They have great coffee and the best home fries I've ever had! The service was great! We will definitely go back!
(5)Gigi H.
This will be short and sweet. Delicious breakfast selections. (I've never had lunch here.) Generous portions -- good if you're looking to share a main and sides. Prompt and friendly service. Go. Eat. Enjoy. Then leave! They're popular and it'd be nice to let them turn the tables and get to everyone waiting for a spot.
(5)Joel W.
Fabulous diner breakfast. The textures and are amazing. Way beyond just 'breakfast' food. They take regular breakfast food and make it better. They actually boil the breakfast potatoes before deep frying so you get this incredible crunch on the outside and a melt in your mouth, soft potato on the inside. Amazing paradox. You HAVE to have breakfast here.
(5)Billy S.
My wife and I had breakfast here. She had the fruit and waffles as well as the hash and I had the blueberry pancakes. The waffles weren't bad but my pancakes were just plain and didn't have much flavor. I'm not a big corn beef and hash fan but I guess it was ok. The thing that really bothered me was watching one of the servers repeatedly handle prepared food with his bare hands. Clean a little and handle more food without washing his hands. The worse part was him picking up paper off the restroom floor and then going right back to serving without...you guessed it...washing his hands. My first trip here will certainly be my last.
(2)Tareq A.
Breakfast was so good. Blue dolphin omelet was deliciousness. Huevos rancheros were different than the traditional HR but so tasty. A five stars overall for sure.
(5)F P.
My wife and I had the corned beef Ruben and Rachel. Both were excellent with a very generous portion of lean corned beef. Staff was very friendly and efficient with quick service. Prices are very reasonable. Would definitely recommend breakfast or lunch here!
(5)Carlos M.
A Sarasota st Armand's institution. During season it can be a long wait with snowbirds lining up out the door. When things slow down the atmosphere changes to a local everyone knows each other eating place. Like Cheers for breakfast. Wait staff guys are excellent and familiar. Food is good and reasonably priced for the area.
(4)C K.
A nice slice of real life on St Armands. Good standard diner breakfast mixed with local and fancier choices like seafood omlet and crab eggs b.
(4)Alex A.
Stopped by this quaint cafe for a breakfast while leaving in vacation. I found the service to be excellent and food was very good. I lived their pancakes and found portions well sized. I do have to make a special mention on how much I enjoyed the overall service. There was never an issue with anything requested and we were a rather large party. Thank you!! The only negative drawback was that the A/C was a bit inadequate for the location as we were all complaining how uncomfortable it was at the front. The rear of restaurant seemed cooler.
(4)Elizabeth B.
Had a very good eggs Benedict also had the waffles which I enjoyed. The service was great. Didn't give it a better rating because I ordered the crab Benedict and I got the regular one with Canadian ham. Enjoyed it all the same and they where nice enough to take it off my bill.
(3)Nina T.
Good. Would need to try again to get wowed like others. Eggs benedict: next time would ask to toast muffin twice. Sauce is different as twangy/lil sour. Prob wouldnt order again as husbands omelet looked more special. Salmon omelet: huge. Full of salmon.
(3)Christine K.
Narrow diner with average to very good food. Don't come with a group more than 4 b/c you will not be able to sit together at the same table. Homemade corned beef hash is finely chopped with a slight sweetness from the bell peppers. Home fries are big chunks of potato but deep fried so very crispy. My 4 yr old noted the Mickey Mouse pancake looked more like a bunny but he happily ate it. The breakfast burrito with the vegetarian chili was blah. Seasoned well but no moisture in it since it was mostly egg. The belgian waffle with fresh fruit looked like a magazine picture and was good.
(4)David A.
Fantastic food, good service need to expand! Sitting tight
(3)Jill T.
Fantastic breakfast! Large portions, and quick service. Must try muffins - and ask to have them grilled. Amazing!
(5)James C.
Good breakfast! I got the make your own omlate with home fries. the omlate was bigger than expected and tasted great. The meal was only $10 which is an awesome value considering the location.
(5)Roger K.
It's standard to have to wait to be seated at the Blue Dolphin since it is so popular. We thought by arriving before 10 AM we would have been OK. But an Art Show on the circle was drawing many people with the same idea as us. We were told the wait would be at least 45 minutes for our party of two, even though we were willing to sit at the counter if space opened there before a table became available. There estimate was quite good. We were seated by 11 AM. The workers here are quite accustomed to a packed house and moved quickly to wait on customers and get their orders filled. One clever idea that I've never seen before, and I think every other restaurant should adopt, is to use different color coffee cups for regular and decaf. They poured the high octane java into white cups, and the decaf into black cups. There was no mistaking who was drinking what when they came around with refills. GREAT IDEA! Another sign of an efficiently run business is that the prices seemed odd, e.g., the coffee was $2.69. But I think there was a method to their madness. Once the State tax was added to our bill it came to an even $25. No coins to worry about and slow down the cashier. To get to that even $25 we each ordered the Blue Dolphin Special ($8.99 each) - Two eggs your way, two pancakes, two strips of bacon, and home fries. All of it was expertly prepared. Eggs came exactly as ordered, pancakes were nice and light and large, bacon was just the right crispness. Service was courteous, efficient, and friendly. A great place for breakfast all day (they close at 2 pm).
(4)Jason K.
Some work friends and I were down in Sarasota to visit some Target stores and we were staying near the Blue Dolphin. I had read reviews on Yelp and this seemed like a great spot for a great breakfast. It is fairly small inside, probably seats about 75 inside. We got there early for the area, about 7:30. We took up two booths and I ordered a Diet Coke, which was refilled multiple times. Plus! I ordered off the special menu, a blue crab omelet, which came with wonderful rye toast out of a slew of options and I asked to substitute grits, which was no problem. (Love the grits when I am in the south, since you really don't see them in Minnesota too often. I added the Blue Dolphin hot pepper sauce to them and they were fantastic! They had about 5 different Blue Dolphin sauces you could pick from just sitting on the table.) Yummy, just the right amount of kick to their hot sauce! The service was fantastic, always attentive and the food was brought out quickly. The servings were huge, but my only complaint and the reason that it didn't get 5 stars, is that I could barely tell there was blue crab in there. I am sure it isn't cheap, but if I knew it would be pretty sparse, i would have gone with the "Everything" omelet. They actually asked if I wanted butter on my toast, which I did not, and they complied. Awesome! Everyone on the team loved their stuff, my buddy ordered the Belgium Waffle and he was very pleased with how much fruit came out on it. He commented that there were like 2 full bananas even cut up for it, as well as a ton of other fruit. The prices were reasonable and my only other complaint is that they didn't take American Express, which is our corporate credit card, so it is just an extra hassle when we get back to the office to take care of expenses. Overall, for a tourist trap area of the city, we all loved this place!
(4)Jill G.
Diner, diner, here ya'all! When you catch Blue Dolphin for breakfast, you have caught a prize winner! My breakfast was delicious! Served by friendly, efficient servers who are each waiting on a multitude of diners, but they still manage to knock it out of the park. Crisp, thin bacon that you don't feel guilty for eating, fresh squeezed orange juice, eggs and grits were perfect. Good coffee, and if you need an expresso or even a glass of wine, they have that too. Fruited up waffles, pancakes, and blitzes were flying past me and disappearing faster than Edward Snowden. Get there early because everyone else is headed there too. If you have to wait, grab a mug of coffee and enjoy the scenic view outside. If I lived here, this would be one of my regular spots.
(5)Amanda P.
Came for breakfast this morning. Had to wait about ten minutes. Waiter was really nice and the food was good. I had the short stack and they were much better than most pancakes I've had. My husband had the corn beef hash and it was pretty good! It was a little pricey at $23 for two at breakfast but I guess for the touristy area you pay.
(4)April M.
This is a great place for breakfast. There's a bit if a long wait because it's so small inside but worth it. My husband and I got the same meal and both liked it. The biscuits are not very good but everything else was. My daughter got the Mickey Mouse pancake meal and loved it! She was so excited that it was Mickey that she didn't want to ruin his "face"! It was really cute and she eventually ate his "ears":) It was huge for a 2 year old but all of their meals are huge! When we're back in town we will return.
(4)Rick T.
Really great! I went to Sarasota with my wife on a day trip, and we read some good reviews about this place, so we decided to try it. The wait was about 20 minutes, but the service was good and the food was excellent. We got two specials - the Chunky Monkey Waffle and the Country Benedict. It's typical breakfast fare, but very well done. All of the ingredients are perfectly balanced in terms of lightness and sweetness, and the Country Benedict had some of the best sausage gravy and the best homemade biscuit I've personally ever had. I'd recommend the specials because the other dishes we saw on the other tables looked like normal breakfast food, nothing special, and for a restaurant, I think most diners are looking for something they can't easily make by themselves. Five stars! We'll definitely be back when we're in the area.
(5)Ashley N.
Wish we lived closer to Sarasota cause I'd make this my regular breakfast spot! Fast, friendly service and great food!
(5)JEREMY G.
A lido key breakfast staple. I've been here more times than my yelp counts. Each time the breakfast is able to cure my hungry ills. Every day brings a fresh array of specials, and the staffs always so polite. The only things keeping the dolphin from the 5th star is the fact that it is so small and the wait times and waiting area are not the best. Especially on a hot summer day, being stuck outside is not the most elegant of a wait area. Beyond that everything else is awesome!
(4)Lisa O.
Wonderful breakfast eggs benedict and banana foster waffles was delicious. A must go when you are in lido beach....
(5)Roy M.
Decent food, but I was largely underwhelmed. Having read many review of this place, perhaps my expectations were a tad too high. In addition, I'd intended to come here the last two times I flew down to spend some time at Longboat Key. I finally got around to it. I went a little later in the day for brunch. Had to wait 45 minutes for a table, but that was no issue; killed some time in the circle. Plus, I can't complain about that- I knew from reading the reviews that going at that time, I'd have to wait. They served us coffee outside while we waited though, I thought that was a nice touch. When we finally sat down, I found the place a little bit messy. Yes, it was after the morning rush occurred, but still there's no reason the table should be sorta sticky. The place just looked like it hadn't been clean properly in a few days. It was a little off-putting. I ordered an open-faced egg sandwich with ham and cheese on it. It really was nothing special at all. The biggest disappointment of the meal by far was the hot sauces. There were several sauces on the table, but not a single one was worth it one bit. They were all just sour and terrible, with absolutely no kick to them at all. Even the Blue Dolphin Habanero sauce was barely hotter than Tabasco sauce. It was such a shame since Pepper Palace is just a few steps away. I seriously considered walking over there mid-meal. Would I go back? Probably not. I've had better breakfast in other places around Sarasota. Try it if you must, be be wary of all the great reviews. I've had better food for cheaper elsewhere.
(2)T D.
So the day after our not so pleasant visit to the Toasted Mango... we tried out the Blue Dolphin. I'm happy to say that everything was fantastic! Food, small town cafe atmosphere (without the oh god.. not more tourists attitude we received at the Toasted Mango )... and spot on service! We will definitely make it one of our regular breakfast spots!
(5)Nadia L.
Went here for a quick lunch. Had the eggs benedict. Great food, fast service.
(4)Adrian M.
Lives up to the reviews. 20 min wait on a Monday at 10 am, but quick and pleasant once we were in. Great friendly service. Cute little place. Very very popular. I had an omelette, which as folks say, is huge. And good, with good fresh ingredients. Pumpkin pancakes were outstanding! Good granola and fruit also. I appreciated the nice selection of hot sauces on the table. Hamburger with fries was solid. Thai vegetable stir fry wrap was very good. We can see why it is an institution.
(4)Frank U.
Yes, you pay for eating at the circle, but a $14 omelet? Staff was in a big hurry and not friendly to visitors even when business was slow. Buy a carton of eggs for $4 and toss in some cheese. Coffee is NOT tasty. Better off skipping their beans and grabbing hot coffee across the street.
(2)Jessica P.
Excellent food. I ordered the blue dolphin special which consisted of eggs, bacon, pancakes and home fries. Everything was delicious and the servers were on point all the time. They were always cleaning up and making sure everything was perfect for everyone in the restaurant. Our food came quickly and everything was hot and fresh. The prices are very reasonable, the food is definitely worth the price. The only downside is that it's always crowded, but for perfectly good reason!
(4)Emily S.
We ate breakfast here twice on our vacation. Both times I had the blue Dolphin Special, and it was really good. My husband had the fruit-topped waffle which was really tasty. I highly recommend this place for breakfast.
(4)Janis A.
Good place. Tried the corned beef hash. It was good, but not great. Sis had the 3cheese omelet with ham it was good too, but big. Could easily have shared. The hash was better at the toasted mango
(4)Freddy A.
Loved it! Came for breakfast today. Great food, quick friendly service. 1/2 size portions for kids.
(5)Susan W.
I'm not a morning or a breakfast person, but this place has given me pause to reconsider. When planning a recent trip to Sarasota, friends recommended we try the Blue Dolphin Café. Given that it's located in rather posh St. Armand's Circle, I was worried it would be too upscale and my husband was concerned that it would be expensive. Our fears were for naught. Blue Dolphin Café has a casual, friendly atmosphere and value prices. The café serves both breakfast and lunch. We only had the opportunity to eat there for breakfast. Their breakfast is absolutely delicious! The food is high quality and fresh. I ordered the Fruit Topped Waffle; a Belgian waffle topped with fresh strawberries, blueberries and bananas, then generously crowned with whipped cream. It was a taste of heaven on a plate, truly. When I did the Yelp check-in on my phone, it displayed a message that I would receive a free beverage just for checking in. However, when I mentioned this to my server, he had no idea what I was talking about. You should have seen the look on his face when I told him that I'd just become the "Yelp Duchess of the Blue Dolphin Cafe." Anyway, he spoke with the manager and they straightened everything out. Despite that tiny mishap, the Blue Dolphin Café is absolutely our favorite breakfast place in Sarasota.
(5)robert s.
Huge portions. If you get an omelette, you can split it. Fruit as side was delicious. Had blue dolphin special, yummy! Recommended for breakfast. Their muffins are a bit high priced though.
(4)JJ B.
Where do I start? Place is horrible, from the staff, to the food. People working there think they made it at life. They may want to think about that a little more before they celebrate. The food is horrible, anyone that thinks this is good breakfast food, obviously lives in Sarasota and doesn't leave much. I wouldn't go back if it was free! Check out the pic with the coffee cup, it's a Gooden...
(1)Lydia L.
GO EARLY, the line for this place start at 9ish! Totally worth it, right on the circle, fresh ingredients, GREAT coffee! If you show up and there is a line, put your name in, go walk around the circle once or twice, come back and be ready to eat and enjoy!
(5)Jim F.
Easy place to recommend. We arrived with a big group, and they were very friendly in accommodating us. Tasty breakfast, good coffee, and friendly service. All good.
(4)Joe B.
They do not wear gloves when handling food and it is blatant. Even the person handling the money, who is slow as you can be. Incompetent is an overstatement for the cashier. Spent 5 min punching our order into the computer when she could've made you two bagels already. They should just keep milk and half and half by the coffee setup. Not a fan
(1)Christopher S.
I was going to the St Armond's Circle Crafts Festival, so I decided to go here based on the reviews posted.Thanks to all for the spot on reviews. I got my name on the list and was given a 20 minute wait. It went by fast and inside the guesstimated time. I had an omelette with spinach, ham, mushrooms, and jack cheese at $8.95. Deelish. The home fries were good and not typically over paprika'ed. :) Side note: I found a lil tub of Smuckers Blackberry Jam in the jelly holder among the standard orange, grape, and strawberry selections. What a nice surprise. Yes, I believe it's a bit pricey but look at the neighborhood.I know I'll eat breakfast here again as it's conveniently located in THE target rich shopping area of St Armond's Circle. :)
(3)Cindy L.
I read the reviews so decided to try it. I was craving bacon and eggs. I asked for it to be slightly crispy, ordered wheat toast and obviously wanted coffee. Bacon was almost burned, toast were burned and cold, coffee was horrible and yes, they charge almost $3.00 for coffee! Wow, coffee that's been sitting there for hours plus they charge you for it! The plate was very unappealing as though it had only been rinsed. Only regular sugar or no calorie, nothing more. Heck, you go for breakfast in Montreal and get double everything with delicious potatoes, thin pancakes with pure maple syrup, fresh fruit, sausage, ham, bacon, fresh coffee for this price and it's always delicious. Very very disappointed in this place. Plus, it's a disgrace to St Armands Circle which has a good reputation. $11.00 for two eggs, three small slices of bacon and old coffee, no thanks.
(1)Frank M.
Simple and to the point... if u r in town and u like to enjoy the best breakfast of ur life... this is the place
(5)Andrew H.
Located in St.Armand's Circle, Blue Dolphin Cafe, without an abundance of seating, will almost always have long wait times and lines out the door. That being said, once you are seated, the food and service is very prompt and attentive. The menu is not as unique as Toasted Mango or Sun Garden Cafe, but it is still quite good. The menu has your egg options, omelettes, and then pancakes/waffles. I had the fruit-topped waffle which is exactly what it sounds like. A Belgian waffle with fresh strawberries, blueberries, bananas, and whipped cream. Their biscuits are unique -- shaped in squares, they are certainly homemade and a cross between a biscuit and toast. If the wait wasn't so long every time, I'd probably rate it 4 stars. But I just don't see anything that special to justify waiting in line for so long instead of going to numerous other breakfast spots in Sarasota that are just as good with more unique menus.
(3)Sam K.
Great place for a quick breakfast! The seating is limited, but they move parties in and out quickly, without making you feel like they're kicking you out! If you get there before 9am the wait is usually under ten minutes. Arrive later and you could wait over forty minutes! The omelets are MASSIVE and delicious!!! I have a pretty big appetite and I still have a hard time finishing my plate! The home fries are average, so I usually get fruit instead. Other favorites are the banana granola pancakes, crab benedict and french toast! They did have a check-in offer, but like another yelper I got a very strange look when I mentioned it. They did honor it, however. Cash, MC or Visa -- American Express is not accepted! I also have to mention that we almost always get great, friendly service!
(4)CC D.
A friend and I discovered this place on our way to lido beach. We couldn't find anything around that sounded good and this gem just popped up in front of us. We both had the chicken fajita wrap and boy was it delicious! Seriously amazing. Just make sure you ask for the sour cream on the side because if you get it to go they just plop it in the box and it melted all over... Def would recommend and will take others next time we're up there. Oh and Staff guy who helped us was really nice and helpful.
(5)Shellie E.
Wow! Omelet was wonderful - probably the best I have ever had. Slight wait but it was worth it. Great service, fun little place to hit before the beach :)
(4)Billy B.
if you love lots of snowbirds with bad manners, then this is for you. the most despicable customers on earth just inches from your face as you eat.. its like feeding time at the zoo from 7 am to 4 pm during season. long lines with people trying to bribe their way in...you can pass out in the street before you get seated at a counter......the place to go besides them which was above cha cha coconuts closed.....it had excellent breakfast served fast no lines great view...dolphin serves large portions for the demanding obese snowbirds... st armands is a tourist joint rip off period no matter where you eat.......go to the pancake house,,,
(3)Jessika M.
I was told this place was one of the best in the area for breakfast, and it's true! The menu isn't extensive, but what they do offer is solid.
(4)Ab To The G.
Delicious food, HUGE portions, good price, fast and friendly service! We both ordered the seafood omelet which was delicious, enormous and each table has its own set of sauces to add onto whatever you order.
(5)Catherine P.
We actually ended up eating here twice during our brief Sarasota visit. Breakfast was good, hearty, American fare. The Eggs Benedict was my favorite of all the dishes I tried. The waffle was also very good. The cafe is popular so we had a bit of a wait but it was worth it.
(4)Richard C.
I agree with everyone, this place is great. I had the eggs Benedict, delicious! Came with a side of fruit. I also tried the pancakes which were good. Service is quick and courteous. 2 orange juice, 1 traditional breakfast, 1 eggs benedict came to $29.
(5)Carey Y.
I loooooove a good breakfast. I met my dad at Blue Dolphin and was charmed to find out what a 'regular' he is there. Everyone knows his name and treated us both really well. It has the feel of the NY diners I miss so much, and a menu with tons of great choices at fair prices. I ordered a 2 egg omelette (they are usually 3 eggs but 2 was plenty for me) with broccoli, tomatoes, mushrooms and half the amount of swiss they'd normally use. It came with fresh, thick, rye toast and a fruit salad and it totally hit the spot. Everything was cooked perfectly, exactly the way I would do it myself- except probably a bit prettier if I'm being honest about my omelette cooking skills.
(3)Damon T.
Best breakfast I've had in a long time. Great food. Excellent service. Worth the wait!
(5)Amy L.
This crowded little basic spot in St. Armand's Circle isn't much for ambience, really, or space. It's like sharing a large closet with 25 strangers. That aside, the food was terrific. Someone mentioned before me that if you think this is great food, you must not get out of Sarasota much. Politely, I will disagree. I've had Crab Eggs Benedict in some of the very best restaurants in Los Angeles, including the restaurant at the Getty, and the Crab Benedict at the humble Blue Dolphin Cafe was as good, or better. Service was decent, as it seemed they were exceptionally busy for a Sunday brunch shift. Everything considered, when I return to Sarasota in the future, Blue Dolphin is on my list.
(4)Lynne S.
Not only is Blue Dolphin one of the cutest places I've ever been in, it has amazingly friendly service and incredible food. I ordered the Spinach and feta omelet, which was not only enormous, but absolutely delicious. It had lots of fresh leaf spinach and huge chunks of fresh feta cheese. They also allowed me to substitute home fries or grits for a nice bowl of juicy, fresh fruit. It also had a side of toast or an english muffin as well. The omelet was so big, I was only able to eat half - and so I took half home for breakfast the next day! It was well worth the $8.95. I would come back here in a heartbeat!
(5)Debra H.
Lunch at the Blu' Island Bistro was excellent! (My niece, a long time veteran of the restaurant business, was extremely impressed.) We (three of us) can't say enough about our experience. The service was wonderful and prices incredibly reasonable for such amazing food! This is one of the best restaurants in the area!
(5)J H.
Cute diner ambiance, attentive service on a slow late Friday morning. Home fries were nice and crispy. My Crab Benedict had perfectly poached eggs and tasty, fresh crabmeat. Can't speak for a weekend experience, but for a leisurely weekday, a sure win.
(4)Lisa S.
Always love going to the Blue Dolphin for breakfast. My favorite has to be the apple cinnamon pancakes but everything I've ever tried has been delicious! The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is that the wait time is always so long. Really wish they'd consider expanding or moving to a bigger place in order to accommodate more guests.
(4)Steve S.
We were walking through Sarasota looking for a breakfast place. it took some discipline to keep walking by the tourist traps with barkers and no customers to stand in line at the dolphin for a crowded seat. It was well worth it. Omlette was very good. Nice start to the day.
(4)Darien K.
Despite a reasonable wait during a busy Sunday, we had the friendliest, cordial service imaginable along with ultra speedy service from a traditional breakfast and lunch menu. The food was delicious and the portions appropriate. Highly recommended!
(5)adam a.
My wife and I stayed on longboat key and as we walked the circle of downtown we noticed about 20 people waiting outside an inconspicuous little blue awning. Interest piqued, I checked inside and found that despot the relative size of the small diner-esqe interior the wait was only 20 minutes. That may be a put off for some, but for those of you that frequent extremely popular breakfast nooks you know the waits can be far longer than that. I went again Sunday morning and again at 9am the wait was 20 min for 2 ppl. The service is fast and prices are average for the meals but you're getting a good portion size for your dollar. I had eggs Benedict and was extremely satisfied, my wife had thier 2 eggs and bacon and couldn't finish it as she was stuffed. The omelettes looked ginormous. The only point of contention some might have would be the slight cramped feeling and the loudness attendant to such close quarters. Overall, the feeling is of a damn good, quick & friendly family owned diner. Keep a look out for this place if you're ever around!
(5)Pamela M.
Best Breakfast place in Sarasota County! Yes, there is a wait, but well worth it. I love the diner/cafe' and everyone there is awesome! Never had a bad meal and the portions are huge. Everyone I've ever gone with raves about it and always introduces new people they know to the experience. If you haven't had a blueberry muffin there...you've not experienced the best in the world. Try it and also toast with a mimosa! You've just been to the best little breakfast place in SRQ!
(5)Julaine N.
There is certainly a line here on the weekends, but that is a product of return customers and tourists coming for their delicious breakfast. The omelets are great with a variety of styles including a california omelet with avocado. They also have some healthier options on the menu such as fruit and yogurt, but the home fries are well done and worth a taste at least! I am eager to return here to try their other breakfast options.
(4)Ashley B.
Outstanding service and great breakfast! I will be back!
(5)Richard S.
Food is great but staff is rude. Sharp and pointed. It is not an experience I expected.
(1)Randy S.
Excellent food and service. Especially off-season in the Summer, one can get prompt service with no lines. Good selection on the menu.
(5)Debra H.
I am picky when it comes to breakfast but this place was perfect! Excellent frittatas and my daughter loved the grits. Yummy cappuccino too! We were there on a weekday morning and there were plenty of tables.
(5)Johnny A.
Best breakfast I have had in a while. It's a cute little hole in the wall cafe tuck in between a hair salon place and a beach store. I had the western omelette which lacked salt and pepper, but once I put it on, it was fantastic. In fact, if there was an option for 4.9 stars, this place would get it. W had to wait 10 minutes for a table but it was definitely worth the wait. My little brother had pancakes with were to die for. M dad had the vegetarian chili which was really good, and my mom had the healthy start omelette or whatever which she said was amazing. Her meal was the only one I didn't try. Also, my omelette was only $9 and it was gigantic. It must have had at least 6 eggs in it. It came with 4 slices of toast, and whopping side of breakfast potatoes. I would definitely come back!
(4)Taz S.
Best Breakfast in the area. Very good service and killer omelets.
(5)Eduardo O.
Worth the wait if you go on a crowded wknd. Best breakfast in town. The burgers are also very good.
(5)Yi Y.
Excellent brunch place. Portions are huge and taste is great. We had pancakes (banana and apple cinnamon), blue dolphin omelet and California omelet. All great entries that I would recommend. Price is very reasonable in a tourist place like that. It was reasonably crowded, which shows how popular it is as we are vacationing at a very slow late October season.
(5)D. Q.
Fabulous breakfast and super friendly people!! Great location on St. Armands Circle!!!
(5)Peter S.
great place to have breakfast. very fresh ingredients,friendly staff and great coffee what else can I ask for in breakfast,beside a delicious and creamy crab benedict (WOW FACTOR) try it ,you will love it
(5)Jan S.
Wait can be long, but the breakfast is delicious. I had the works omelette and could hardly finish it. Staff is very friendly.
(4)Eve A.
Good food, nothing fancy, but satisfying and well prepared. Merchants on St. Armand's Key told me this was the best place for breakfast, and I'm inclined to believe them.
(4)D D.
Very good food! Very good service! One of the best breakfast places in the Sarasota area! Highly recommended! You should know that it is pretty small so if you don't want to wait, make sure you get there early!
(5)Lee P.
Home of the $2.88cup of coffee tax and Refils are included. The cost of a cup of coffee seems to rise here with the cost of a gallon of gas. Prices for everything else are also out of sight, yet there is a line outside the door almost every morning after 8:00AM. Swishy service is the norm from a waitstaff that is condesending to do you the favor of serving. It's cheaper to drive over to the mainland where there are more breakfast choices at 1/2 the price and plenty of parking.
(1)Zac C.
Wished I had as good of a time as everyone else. They were busy when I went with my family (not a problem, busy typically means good), but we waited and waited, then we were seated, then we waited some more. Finally we got served, but it took a long time to get any drinks, and the food even longer - which seemed like it was defrosted prepacked hashbrowns, lukewarm buffet scrambled eggs, and microwaved bacon. Wouldn't come back here unless someone forced me to.
(2)Jo R.
great food ! not a lot of seating. The food was great. A seafood omelet & raspberry french toast but different, made of croissants! Our waitress wasn't in the best mood with the short blond hair... get here early!
(4)Ingrid G.
The best place for breakfast on the circle--even worth a special trip in from the mainland if you are tired of the first watch scene.
(4)