Ophelia's on the Bay, nestled along the shoreline of little Sarasota Bay, has been a gathering place for the visitors and locals of Sarasota for over 22 years. Established in 1988 by Stanley Ferro and his family after owning the very successful Cape Playhouse Restaurant in Massachusetts on Cape Cod, Ophelia's on the Bay has become a people's choice winner, year after year, in the categories of best seafood restaurant, best waterfront restaurant and most romantic restaurant. The name Ophelia's comes from Stanley's great Aunt Ophelia, a former restauranteur, who is eighty-six years old and has lived in Sarasota for the last forty years.

Our best achievements have been the rewarding community service we have enjoyed being a part of since our inception. Among the numerous charities and educational foundations that we have supported, our most heartfelt donations have been our Make-A- Wish Dinner, F.A.C.E. dinner, the March of Dimes Chef''s Auction, Taste of the Nation-Share Our Strength fund raiser to feed the hungry, and University of South Florida's Brunch on the Bay.

The view at Ophelia's is perhaps the best reason to visit. It is among the most beautiful in all of Florida. The restaurant overlooks mangrove islands that are a bird sanctuary for many types of tropical birds. On any given day, you can watch as dolphins swim lazily by the restaurant while the blue herons lounge on the dock. With beautiful flowering gardens, our patrons can enjoy dining al fresco on our outdoor patio. Located at Marker 48, our guests may also arrive by boat, with plenty of dockage space available.