Restaurant · Sarasota, Florida
The Old Salty Dog (City Island)
How to book: walk-in — no reservations; just show up. The play: an easy open-air lunch/dinner over the water (pair it with a Mote Marine visit nearby), expect a casual wait at peak.
Best meal: Lunch or an early waterfront dinner — the beer-battered Salty Dog, grouper sandwich, or fish & chips with a beer on the dock. Confirm the current menu on site.
Who it’s NOT for: fine-dining seekers anyone wanting a quiet or upscale dinner (it's a lively open-air shack) reservation-wanting diners (walk-in only) diners who dislike casual counter/pub fare
$-$$Research-based
Part of Sarasota, FL, Decided.
Common questions
Is The Old Salty Dog (City Island) worth it?
A laid-back open-air waterfront pub/seafood shack on City Island — the easy, kid-friendly, walk-in counterpoint (pair with Mote Marine next door), not a dinner to dress up for.
Who is The Old Salty Dog (City Island) for?
The Old Salty Dog (City Island) is for beach family siesta, arts culture couple, and upscale quiet couple.
Who is The Old Salty Dog (City Island) not for?
The Old Salty Dog (City Island) is not for fine-dining seekers anyone wanting a quiet or upscale dinner (it's a lively open-air shack) reservation-wanting diners (walk-in only) diners who dislike casual counter/pub fare.
Do you need a reservation at The Old Salty Dog (City Island)?
walk-in — no reservations; just show up. The play: an easy open-air lunch/dinner over the water (pair it with a Mote Marine visit nearby), expect a casual wait at peak.
How expensive is The Old Salty Dog (City Island)?
The Old Salty Dog (City Island) is in the $-$$ range. Meravella shows prices as bands and never publishes exact figures it hasn't verified.
How we know: basis research · last verified Thu Jul 30 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time). We never rank by commission.