Shopping in St. Armands Circle

St. Armands is a small island beside Lido Key and a hub for classy shops and restaurants. Unlike the rest of the keys, St. Armands Circle is less known for its outdoor things to do and more for its elegant shops and restaurants. Located just off the coast of mainland Sarasota, this masterfully designed neighborhood is known to have some of the best shopping in Florida.

With hundreds of places to see, including renowned cafes, a mix of both hyper-local and chain stores, and iconic bakeries, St. Armands Circle is great to find souvenirs, chic beach-friendly outfits, and other unique items.

Painting a Picture of St. Armands Circle

The area is a cleverly designed circle, with shops and restaurants lining its circumference. In the center sits a lovely urban park dotted with trees. Here, kids can run around and play, dogs (leashed, of course) are free to sniff, and visitors can sit on one of its many benches to enjoy an ice cream.

St. Armands Circle is divided into four separate quadrants, which, on a local area map, are identified by color: purple, pink, aqua, and gold. They are sectioned off by two main streets that crisscross, meeting in the middle – Boulevard of Presidents runs east and west and John Ringling Boulevard runs north and south.

You can walk down any of the roads to find the main entrance to the purple quadrant, which is home to the majority of the shopping on St. Armands. It is wedged between S. Washington Drive and Ringling Boulevard.

The Four Quadrants

While the main roads on St. Armands are paved and vehicle accessible, the interior of each quadrant is intended for foot traffic only.

In the pink quadrant, you’ll find the famous Daiquiri Deck, with its bowl-sized daiquiris in a variety of wild flavors. In purple, however, you’ll find some excellent art and boutique shops, such as Alicia’s Dream, Sahara, Dream Weaver, and Hatley. If you’re craving something sweet, stop by Le Macaron for a macaroon (or two), or visit the production site of top-tier local olive oil from the Florida Olive Oil Company.

The aqua quadrant is split by a small side street called Fillmore Drive. This quadrant is home to the popular local restaurant the Crab & Fin. The restaurant serves up some of the finest – and freshest – seafood in the area. You can also grab lunch at the health-focused green Zebra Café, or look for the perfect dress at the clothing store Casa Smeralda.

The popular Spanish restaurant, Colombia, is a hot spot in the gold quadrant. After dinner, walk about a block in from the restaurant to stylish Brighton Collectibles to add something new to your wardrobe. Alternatively, stop by the Fudge Factory for an after-dinner dessert.

Other highlights include Crazy Shirts for casual and affordable beachwear, Pepper Palace for one of the most varied hot sauce selections anywhere, and the Little Bo-Tique for funky children’s clothing. It’s no doubt that St. Armands offers some of the most varied shopping in Florida.

All a stone’s throw away from each other, the quadrants of St. Armands boast a mix of restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and shops. There are about 400 locales for you to explore, so make sure you allow a whole afternoon in St. Armands.

Dog-Friendly

Just as some of our Rentals are Pet-Friendly, St. Armands Circle is quite dog-friendly. As long as dogs are leashed and picked up after, they are allowed in the park. Dogs are also permitted on the outdoor walkways and side streets that divide the quadrants.

Some restaurants may allow dogs on the outdoor patio as you dine. Always call ahead at a restaurant to make sure their premises are dog-friendly. Same goes for shops: while some stores do allow dogs to enter, many don’t. Check their signage outside first, or ask an employee if you’re uncertain.