St. Armands Circle

So beautiful and I’m so lucky to live so close to this beautiful place! Beautiful beach, lovely spots to eat, super cute shops, and while it can be busy, if you are coming for a trip to Sarasota, you’ve gotta come here for the atmosphere, great food, and cute vibe (plus the great beach as I said!) Just be aware that on the weekends, holidays and during tourist season, it can be difficult to find parking, especially near the beach and on the beach lot, so come early, plan ahead or pay for parking! So many tasty spots like Tommy Bahama, Cafe, & the gelato shops! And shops and galleries like Soma, giving tree & Garden argosy! Come here and enjoy your day!

Fantastic casual waterfront dining! Put your feet in the sand. Watch the children play! Stay all day!! The Sarasota waterfront is charming. We had peel and eat shrimp, Mozarella poppers, wine and a cocktail. Prices are reasonable. We lucked out with beautiful weather on New Year’s Day.

We love this place. Every time we visit Sarasota, we always come here for a walk either during the day or after dinner. We enjoy the boutique shops, the live music from street performers, and the overall atmosphere. It is even more beautiful during holiday season with the Christmas tree, lightings and decorations. Highly recommended if you come visit Sarasota.

The Christmas tree on St. Armands Circle is absolutely beautiful and really adds to the festive atmosphere. It is wonderfully decorated, bright without being overwhelming, and instantly puts you in a holiday mood. The combination of the lights, the surrounding shops, and the general buzz on the circle makes it feel genuinely special. It is one of those places where you just want to stop for a moment, take it in, and maybe snap a photo or two. If you are nearby during the holiday season, it is definitely worth a visit — it captures the spirit of Christmas in a very charming way.

Such a great place to check out if in the area! Lots of shopping, restaurants and also local events. They do a huge Halloween trick or treating that was so fun for the kids and adults! Anything from pumpkin carving, candy and decor to Turkish coffee! Highly recommend checking out and supporting the local!

Beautiful location so many choices at so many beautiful stores! We really enjoyed our walk around the area. Friendly environment definitely recommend people to park and enjoy a walk around the area.

Nice place to walk around with family and just do some for internal tourism and dissociate. Will def come again. Lots stuff to see, places to eat, drink, music. And busking is allowed. This city is amazing. Very friendly people.

Lots of posh boutiques, restaurants and a nice feel throughout the area. However, don’t be surprised by the panhandling and a couple of homeless who do ask for money. Some beach type souvenir shops were also present as well.

Nice little spot. A bunch of stores and more being added. You have a few parking lots to choose from and also can park in the street. It's let friendly and some stores even have water for dogs outside their store.

It is perfect weather here at St Armand's Circle!! Love all of the quaint shops and everyone is always on Island time! Cheers!

St Armand's Circle is still a great place to visit when in Sarasota. It's a big circle with lots of different boutiques, restaurants, and shops. Definitely a tourist spot to enjoy whether you are a tourist or not. They do have tourist prices. The hurricanes that past this past year in 2024 did affect the shops but there's still quite a bit of stores. Unfortunately I did eee many vacant spots as well. It is still open and bustling and people are around enjoying the area. There is meter parking. It says after 8 pm, parking is free. I'm not sure if the parking is temporarily free right now all around. Use Park mobile app to park for easy access. This area is also dog friendly and it's def the best walking at night with the cooler night air. We come back here over and over again!

There was plenty of parking here and we were able to pay on our app. St. Armands Circle began as a dream of the Ringling's circus couple who made Sarasota their winter home in the early 20th century. They envisioned an upscale residential & shopping district that could serve as a commercial hub for the well-heeled visitors & residents of the area. They transported all the building materials for the original planned community via a paddle-wheel steamboat called "Success," then had a bridge built to connect St. Armands Key & Bird Key to Sarasota, in 1926. Circle Park & promenades feature many of the Ringlings' original statues, which were restored in 2008. I love the Circus Ring of Fame honoring over 150 most influential performers & executives who helped produce the Greatest Show on Earth. Identified as a continental marketplace, the Circle is a charming synthesis of the past & present. With over 140 shops, sidewalk cafes & boutiques set in lush tropical gardens - I'm impressed! It's considered the "Jewel of Sarasota," St. Armands Circle is unique in concept, history, and beauty. St. Armands Circle is an international destination. From trinkets to treasures, gourmet snacks to candlelight feasts, it is all on St. Armands Circle. Tommy Bahama, sports memorabilia, Colombia, macarons, gelato, tee shirts, formal wear, jewelry...

We are back again to Sarasota and St. Armand's Circle. It draws us to it. There is so much to do here. Parking is difficult, however. It takes a minute or more to find a spot. We have visited for 4 days in a row now for different reasons. There are so many shops and restaurants to try. Bring comfortable shoes, please. There is something for any age group to do or see.

A shopping Mecca for both foodies and consumers. Clothing stores galore; all price points and plenty of restaurants to choose from. A definite destination point for both locals and visitors. 4.5 stars

St Armands Circle is fabulous minus the store Le Cle Boutique with pushy , over aggressive personnel who try to bully and intimidate customers into the store and to try / buy product. Terrible experience where they target older women calling out their wrinkles to try to sell them $1000s of dollars on their products. Forceful , pushy, cruel , targeted , intense pressure to buy after making the person feel old and ugly. They prey on the older women . Tragic! Do not go in the store for it should be shut down for unscrupulous tactics !!

I definitely recommend visiting St. Armands circle if you are near the Sarasota area. The circle has plenty of shops and restaurants to offer! The shops vary from high end retail to Florida & Beach knickknacks. We were able to find street parking right in the circle for only a few dollars for a couple hours.

It's a nice place for shopping, eating, and people watching. The stores are mostly dog friendly. Parking is rough but you can find free parking on the side streets, off the circle.

After soaking up some sunshine or enjoying the sunset, head on over to St. Armand's Circle. It is almost 100 years old. Originally an island in Sarasota Bay, it was purchased in 1893 by Charles St. Armand's for $21.71 for over 130 acres. Considered the "Jewel of Sarasota. it is one of the top tourist destinations in the USA. The circle is intersected (like slices of a pie) into four quadrants -- purple, aqua, pink, and gold. There's a mix of high-end and boutique shops, a day spa, restaurants, sweet shops, home decor, and art galleries in each quadrant. The island was separated from the mainland, but Ringling financed a bridge to connect Sarasota to St. Armand's. He named it the "John Ringling Causeway" and was the first to drive across it in 1926. It is the site for outdoor performances, a slow stroll with an ice cream cone, or a coveted sidewalk table at one of the legendary restaurants that make up the outer ring of the inner roundabout. The energy at St. Armand's Circle is magical. some restaurants you wanna try: Shore Diner Venezia Italian Restaurant Columbia Restaurant Parking: there is a garage just one block away, its free on Sunday but for the rest of the days- first 2 hours- Free 2-3 Hours- $3 additional Hr- $1

Really nice place near Sarasota. Lots of great shopping, restaurants and candy shops. A majority of the places are really pricey though so be prepared. Many of the candy shops offer free samples which is nice. A lot of chill music live on the streets playing as well.

St. Armand's is a place of nostalgia for me, particularly Kilwins ice cream shop. There are lots of cute little shops and restaurants here. Good places for souvenirs although most places are on the pricier side. Except for Alvin's. There's a parking garage which is nice because street parking is terrible here. It's mostly boutiques but you will find some upscale chains here too.

St Armands, Sarasota, Florida. One of my favorite places on earth. Wonderful eating venues, lively and cosmopolitan. Close to the famous Lido Beach, exquisite place.

All of your shopping and dining needs in one place! IMO, I think the shopping is way better than the dining. There is a mix of well know chain stores and locally owned small businesses. The womens clothing stores and the gift shops are some of the best I have ever enjoyed shopping at. The circle is color coded by "quadrants" and they have several directories available, as it can be confusing to know where certain shops are located. The dining options are primarily sit-down and there are only one or two casual spots to grab a quick salad or sandwich. Most of the restaurants offer outdoor patios, and the people watching is very entertaining. If you drive there, be prepared to have patience with the parking situation. It can be tough to find a spot.

Very pricey.... Be prepared to drop a buck for anything here. The beach water was pristine. We even saw a dolphin jump!

Always a pleasure there!! The food and shopping are the best in the area. I drive 30 miles just to shop there!

I was super excited to visit this area with my friend from out of town and it was interesting to see how some of the various stores there treated customers. One store had at LEAST 6 employees in it and not one of them even bothered to say hello. Needless to say I won't buy anything from there ever. Also the store hours in the area could be more consistent with opening and closing. We went two different times of the day on different days and couldn't get to some of the stores

So much traffic. And so many stores are not open. I will not return any time in the near future.

I'm not really used to review landmarks or public areas but St Armand circle is just something else! This town is magical! St Armand's circle is double , no triple , no 10 times the magic! You walk around it and every street comes out of the circle is full of shops , restaurants and bars! Coffee shops ! Ice cream and dessert! Restaurants! American ! Italian! Greek ! Spanish! Turkish delights store ! Shops ! My favorite place to shop is at Tommy bahama , I like to eat the Ribs at ChaCha and have their special salad! Columbia is also nice! It's beautiful day or night! And every corner of the circle there is usually a musician or performer who is very creative!

Public ADA restrooms are available in North Adams Garage M-F 8am-930pm. Sat 8am-1130pm Sun 1030am-630pm Meter parking in effect Monday-Saturday between 10am-8pm and costs $1/hour. First 2 hrs parking are free otherwise. Sunday and holidays are free parking. Garage parking protects car from heat. Street metered parking is $1.50/hr. Use quick stop button meter for free 10 min stops. I have to admit that the congestion getting off the island and Longboat Key has been manageable. The Tamiami Trail roundabouts are hair-raising to navigate but are almost complete.

This is always a stop every time we visit the Sarasota area. Great shopping. Great restaurants. And overall a great environment to walk around. This is the first time we brought our three little dogs with us and found that there's a large grassy park in the middle of the circle. I don't think I ever realized it was there as I never really was looking for it. The entire circle though is very pet friendly with dog bowls sitting outside of many of the shops.

Fun times! You can spend hours here walking around and checking out the different shops, enjoying the park, and dining or just having a coffee. Some of my favorites being Columbia Restaurant, Kilwins, Giving Tree Gallery, and Stadium Gallery. We were also very surprised that the parking was free on a Saturday.

This restaurant came highly recommended by family that used to live in the area. The restauarnt eas packed for lunch in October, which is their "off season" for the beache nearby. There was only a few minute wait. My husband and I both got the half and half combo, which is half of their cuban sandwich and half of their 1905 salad. The salad is made table side. Everything was delicious and it's no wonder this place stays crowded.

I absolutely LOVE this upscaled shopping and dining destination, adjacent to beautiful Lido Beach! On my last trip to Sarasota, I remember thinking that this was one of the nicest retail strips I've ever been to...and I still feel the same. The place is beautifully manicured, with lush tropical trees and amazing statues/artwork throughout the strip. Not sure how many acres, but there's enough boutique shops and restaurants here at St. Armand's Circle to occupy a full day. One thing about this strip that I don't particularly love is the fact that it's a bit awkward to maneuver around...given the vastness of the circle maybe? Guess it's best to come on a good weather day, wear comfortable shoes, and prepare to walk. The strip also boasts rows of cool restaurants to conquer here as well. We've been to several, like Venezia and Columbia Restaurant...and we've left very happy! There are a few restaurants, like Cafe L'Europe, that's somewhat hard to tag a reservation, so I suggest doing so way in advance. Aside from restaurants, there are plenty of dessert shops, like Kilwin's and Ben and Jerry's, to the finer French pastry shops, like Choulala and Le Macaron. And OH, the Daiquiri Deck is always fun and refreshing!! There are so many juicy boutiques...many truly unique! On my latest excursion, think I did the most damage in Oh My Gauze and Sahara...and there were a few items in Dream Weaver and Binjara Traders that's still calling me. Some highly inspired galleries here, as well as fun, eclectic gift shops. I can literally spend hours here...and have! If you're ever in the Sarasota area, you MUST conquer this amazing strip!

If you like cocktails shopping and eating it's a great place to visit. Columbia restaurant is where the celebs eat and every time I have gone there was one there. Well two of you include me. Lol

The island is named for Frenchman Charles St. Amand, a homesteader who purchased roughly 132 acres of land on the island in 1893 (for the sum of $21.71!), becoming its first resident. However, his name was misspelled as "Armands" on the deed, thus St. Armands Circle was born.Apr 23, 2021 Home to more than 140 upscale boutiques, award-winning restaurants, posh art galleries, and more in an open-air European-inspired setting, St. Armands Circle said to be the in spot of Sarasota. But there's more to this barrier island destination - which sits adjacent to Lido Key and is connected to the mainland by the John Ringling Causeway - than just a sophisticated outdoor dining and shopping experience. More on history of this circle Its rich history tells a story of presidential ties, elephants as building aids, and an intentionally circular layout inspired by that of a circus wagon wheel. The shape and layout were inspired by the circus. Circus magnate John Ringling - whose honorary museum, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, is located just six miles away in northern Sarasota - purchased the island in 1923 with a vision for a spoked wheel-shaped shopping and recreation district and an upscale residential enclave consisting of homes of Mediterranean and Spanish architecture. Elephants Built the Circle's Adjoining Causeway Well, not by themselves, that is. Ringling used his paddle-wheeled steamer, Success, to ferry workers back and forth to the island, but circus elephants were recruited for hauling the timbers used to construct the causeway and bridge. Armand circle Has Presidential Ties At the heart of St. Armands Circle, Ringling developed a community of residences around a circular park, which he named in memory of his friend, Warren G. Harding - the 29th president of the United States. Armand circle Is on the National Register of Historic Places The aforementioned park is now known as the Harding Circle Historic District, which celebrates its 95th anniversary in 2021, and was designated a national historic place for its unique community development and planning in 2001. Sculpture Was a Key Part of Ringling's Vision from the Beginning John Ringling was a voracious collector of art. He indulged his passion on annual scouting trips to Europe for the circus, collecting works from the Old Masters including Rubens and van Dyck. Today, more than 30 sculptures grace the streets of St. Armands Circle - one-third of which belonged to Ringling himself. It Nearly Fell Victim to the Stock Market Crash of 1929 In fact, the circle's commercial and retail district sat virtually empty until the 1940s and '50s, when shops and restaurants finally started filling up storefronts. Today, the district fulfills Ringling's dream of being a premier tourist destination, drawing visitors from all over the world. It Has Its Very Own Version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame Winter home of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey Circus, Sarasota honors its ties to the circus with The Circus Ring of Fame that lives in St. Armands. With a roster of more than 140 inductees from around the world, the award celebrates the highest of achievement in the circus arts, and each inductee is honored with a bronze wagon-wheel and biographical plaque inlaid in the circle's central park.

Lacey was one of our baristas and she made amazing drinks for us and created a whipped cream drink for my brother throwing a tantrum. Both ladies working were so kind!

I love this circle! It's not too big and not too small. The circle is a walking distance of every shop and restaurant. This is also close to Holiday Inn, the hotel we stayed in Lido Beach. Many trees around, so it wasn't that hot when we sat by the bench under the tree. At night there's some solo artist here and there playing some music, not bad actually. Come circling the circle! This is always the best place to hang out during our stay in Lido Beach.

Very cool place, music at night, nice restaurants. I bought some candy at Rivers Sweet Shoppe Best candy ever.

Spend a day here and shop, eat at one of the restaurants, and see the statues. Columbia restaurant has been in business there since 1905. You will find cute shops, with clothing and interesting items. St. Armand is relaxing and a getaway after being at the beach. There is metered parking in the circle and several other lots.

I guess this is the only place in Sarasota area that is pedestrian friendly. Although it is painful to drive to the Circle and find a place to park. So many great places to dine and have a walk either before or after dinner. Definitely, place to visit during your stay in Sarasota.

This restaurant is the answer for what you are looking for when you come to St. Armands. They have a downstairs and up stairs dinning room, along with a nice outside area with large umbrellas. They have a full bar service with all the specialty drinks you can ask for. The service was tremendous from start to finish. Our drink glasses were never empty and we were offered another round several times. We started with the coconut shrimp which was flash fried and crispy. It came with two different sauces, but they were great by themselves. We were a group of three and shared a little of everything we got. The summer salad had fresh fruit, nuts and several types of lettuce. The grouper sandwich was one the biggest pieces of fish I have ever seen between two pieces of bread. It had lettuce and tomato on it and came with a side of fries. The chicken quesadilla was full of chicken, grilled onions and cheese. It came with tortilla chips on the side. Everything was absolutely delicious. There are lots of choices in and around The Circle, Tommy Bahama should always be part of your consideration.

Never been here before but always wanted to come since becoming a member if the Mote aquarium since you drive though this area when visiting the aquarium. We decided to come here after our aquarium visit so it was later in the day. Although parking was street parking and very full. They do have a parking lot available and keep in mind that you only pay for parking during the week. Yep, that's right....weekend parking is free. There are so many shops available as well as restaurants available where you can spend a full day here just browsing and eating. Candy shops, Kilwin's is here, Tervis, and some other nice little shops. Some of the shops are quite pricey but look at the area you're in also!

It's pretty cute. You will enjoy the shops and cafes al fresco!! So many boutiques, ice cream shops, daiquiri joint had great music, shopping for some cute clothes. Well cared for gardens and statues all over. Nice to stroll around even if your alone. I would definitely come back.

Love the Columbia Restaurant! Had the best waitress & love their white sangria! When in that area the Columbia is our go to place! Great atmosphere & the food is fabulous!! I can never leave there without getting something from their beautiful little gift shop!

One of my first stops in Sarasota was St Armand's Circle. It's not all about the statues there are plenty of great food, stores and you could probably literally stay here for hours while walking around. I don't remember how much I walked that early morning but I had a lot of fun going into all these very cute specialty stores. Some were selling women's clothes, swimsuits, beach attire, cigars, gift stores and many other items. It seems like each store is some what family owned and not a big retailer which I totally enjoyed! Prices were really reasonable and your getting a mini workout while walking around the area! There are different areas that will have signs to say where you can park your car and it was free and not at all complicated!

When I bear daily witness to the bungles and screw-ups of modern day urban planners, it just amazes me how way back in 1917 John Ringling envisioned the St. Amand Circle which he materialized in the 1920's, even though he did misspell St. Amand which would be correctly spelled as "St. Armand." It really does constitute the jewel of Sarasota and brings with it the distinction of Sarasota's circus history. If you go here, you can't help but fall in love with all of the wonderful restaurants and shops, 130 of them, that line the area. Though it's beside the point I always hit Cafe L'Europe for something to eat then take my casual time strolling over to the "Allegory of Sarasota:Its Seven Virtues" to see Michelangelo looking with his approving eye the Seven Statutes and what they represent to the City of Sarasota. But don't tell KIng Neptune that I have a thing for his wife, Amphritrite, along with the Sarasota gulf and bays she represents. Then it's off to mosey around the other the other circles and to poke my nose in some of the exclusive but way too pricey for me shops. In all St. Armands Circle is just one heck of a good place to enjoy and to soak in the best of what is the culture and history of Sarasota. Five Stars!!!

Being from Kansas City, I couldn't help compare St. Armands Circle to our beloved Country Club Plaza. Both are filled with unique and upscale shops with a scattering of chain spots. Both are also adorned with European sculpture and courtyards. ST. Armands is unique in that is built around a major traffic circle. The Ringling name and it's circus history is on display also with statuary and plaques paying tribute to the greatest performers of the circus era. A great place to wander around and soak up some art, history and calories.

Love St Armands Circle so during Covid 19 when everything and everyone is on lock up it is nice to venture out and come here! On a recent trip to the West Coast of Florida my travels took me through here several times as it was meant to be. It was very uplifting as all the stores,shops and restaurants were open albeit with mask in tow. Many cities even before Covid 19 struck their areas like this such as Las Olas in Ft. Lauderdale have many businesses closed but not here! It was beautifully planned and kept up in it's nearly 100 years in existence and nice to know this Historic area is preserved unlike my own City where I currently reside. John Ringling you did good something to be proud of. Definitely need to take a closer look at this wonderful City perhaps to make it my next home.

We had so much fun visiting, there is no shortage of fun things to do, excellent shopping, dining, and the beach is perfection, just a short walk from the circle!

Visited one night while we were in Sarasota. We grabbed ice cream from Kilwin's and did a loop around the whole circle. Wanted to try the other local ice cream place there but it was cash only and there was not an ATM that we could find. It was a nice walk though, lots of activity. We luckily found some free street parking, but it was crazy packed. SO many cars trying to drive through the circle so you really have to pay attention when crossing the streets. Very touristy, similar to every touristy spot in most Florida cities I've visited (as far as the shops and restaurants go). It was too dark to enjoy the statues and greenery. But I guess it is a must visit if you are in the area.

Not sure why I haven't reviewed St. Armands Circle as a whole before, as we've been coming here for close to a decade. The circle is an annual stop when we stay at our timeshare just north of here. We like to drive down for the day and enjoy the downtown area as well as the local beaches. St. Armands has quite a few stores that we enjoy, albeit many are pricy, all the same it's fun to poke around. Many of the stores here feature local artisan work which we enjoy. The circle also features a good number of restaurants and snack/ice cream shops. Want to get your drink on?..that's easily done here too. I suggest a sidewalk stop like Cha Cha Coconuts. If you come plan on spending a couple of hours..additional if you eat/drink. Be sure to check out the beaches in the area as well. Cheers!

Bottom Line: Shopping and dining that surrounds a large traffic circle. When life gives you a round barrier island, build a traffic circle and wrap businesses around it. Yep, St. Armand's Circle is in fact a circle and the businesses that surround it are split into four quadrants as divided by the streets that feed into the circle. St. Armand's Circle is a shopping and dining destination. While there are some chain stores at St. Armand's there are also many local stores. It would be easy to spend several hours at this touristy hot spot eating and spending. I understand parking is generally difficult here but we went on a Sunday night and there were plenty of spots and many of the stores were still open!

Beautiful shopping area not far from Lido Beach, if you're staying nearby its doubtful you'll dine anywhere else except St Armand's Circle. This place is a little on the swanky side and the traffic and parking is horrendous but it's worth the effort, you'll eventually find a space. Lot of shopping opportunities and outdoor dining. Bring a fist full of dollars they ain't giving anything away here...

Who came up with the idea to create a circle of shops around a very busy traffic circle? Well, they did it on St Armands and it works well. Yes, the traffic from and to some others keys and Sarasota is busy, but somehow it does not bother you. The circle offers a wide variety of shops and restaurants. Don't expect bog chains in the shopping department, small shops only. That makes it nice to just stroll around and enjoy. There is a Starbucks and a Ben and Jerry's and a wide range of restaurants; from rather cheap to more upscale. The middle of the circle is a little park. Not easy to reach with the traffic though. The 4 side streets and the circle offer plenty of parking spaces.

I love taking family/friends here when they come to visit Sarasota. It's so much fun walking around and stopping in the stores. There are so many restaurant choices & it's walking distance to Lido Beach!

There are a lot of unique shops and restaurants in this area! Watch the internet for local festivals and markets in this area as well. Street parking is very difficult to find, but there is a really nice parking garage near by that is only 50 cents an hour!

Love this little shopping / entertainment section in Sarasota. Easy to find parking, lots of restaurants, shops, cafes, places to hang out. It is clean, nicely laid out, and festive. People working there and visitors seem happy and seem to enjoy the area. From inexpensive cafes and delis to nice upscale seafood restaurants. Great spot to spend a few minutes or a full day.

Walking the circle - the roundabout is a sight to see during the day and at night. This time of the year the Christmas trees are all lit up and beautiful decorations in every store window. You have different restaurants and shops to visit. Shop, eat, and walk off your food.