Amore Restaurant
Welcome to Amore Restaurant for Portuguese and Italian Cuisine and great entertainment at their new location, 180 N. Lime Avenue, Sarasota, FL.
Owners Tito & Liana Vitorino purchased Amore Restaurant from Howard Rooks in 2019. Prior to purchasing it, they opened Amore in Longboat Key in November 2014 and were the managers of Amore before relocating the restaurant to Burns Court.
Tito Vitorino started his restaurant adventure at the age of 16 in the South of Portugal (Algarve, Vale do Lobo, Hotel Dona Filipa) and has been a Sarasota resident since 1991. Prior to Amore, he was a previous manager for 14 years of the famous The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort Restaurants.
His vast knowledge of the restaurant business was built from hard work, but mostly the passion for the business itself. Tito Vitorino says, “Make sure you love the restaurant business. This business is hard work, and you must love it to be successful. Also, you must have passion and vision for the concept you create with your restaurant. Anyone can copy another restaurant concept. It happens all the time, but your passion and culture are what set you apart from your customers and will make you successful.”
Liana Vitorino (Tito’s High School Sweetheart) arrived in Sarasota in 2003 and was introduced to the restaurant business in 2005 at Bella Roma Italian Restaurant (now: Flavio’s Brick-Oven & Pizza in Siesta Key Village). She learned the restaurant business through Tito’s knowledge and dedication. It is Liana’s warmth, and her vivacious personality that greets customers to the restaurant. She is gifted with making her patrons feel at home and treats them as good friends.
This dynamic couple’s sole mission is to make Amore Restaurant one of the most unique and pleasant restaurants in Sarasota.
The owners Tito and Liana Vitorino are looking forward to welcoming old as well as new customers to Amore Restaurant!
Customer Reviews:
“We had such a lovely evening at Amore Restaurant. It’s a true gem in Sarasota! The food, the atmosphere, the live piano music – everything was just perfect. We had a 3-course meal: I had a Caesar salad, Bolognese pasta, and Tiramisu – all super delicious!!! My husband had the soup of the day, a cod dish, and Pastel de Nata – as good as the ones we had in Portugal.
Beautiful place, warm service, and authentic flavors of both Italy and Portugal. Highly recommend for a cozy, elegant night out.” – Paulina Myles
“What a wonderful surprise to find both authentic Portuguese and Italian Cuisine tucked away in a small shopping center in Sarasota!!!! We had heard Eddie Tobian play piano before and wanted to hear him again as well as trying out Amore, where he plays several nights a week. Not only was the music great but our dinner was fantastic!!!! (maybe the best we have had in Sarasota area). Great selection of dishes both Italian and Portuguese. Everything is made from scratch in house from the bread to the desserts and all prepared to perfection! This husband and wife team work beautifully together to run this small quaint restaurant where the service and food will bring you back again as a top place to dine in the area!!!!!” – Patti Powell
“Absolutely delicious Portuguese food at Amore! We recently celebrated our wedding anniversary there and everything was amazing from the moment we walked in. The greeting at the door, the warm service, and the incredible food made us feel like we were eating with friends and family. The beautiful live music made the night even more special. Such a hidden gem and true hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Highly recommend! ❤️” – Maria Cisneros Martinez
“A Truly Unforgettable Dining Experience at Amore Restaurant
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Some restaurants earn a place in your regular rotation, and Amore Restaurant in Sarasota has absolutely earned mine. Every visit to town now comes with a standing reservation here, and this latest trip reminded me exactly why.
The evening was set perfectly by the incredible Eddie Tobin, whose live entertainment is nothing short of extraordinary — quite possibly the best performer I’ve encountered anywhere. His talent creates an atmosphere that elevates the entire experience before the first bite even arrives.
And what bites they were. We started with the Cod Fritters, a dependable favorite that delivered exactly the satisfying, savory flavor I’ve come to expect. But the true showstopper of the night was the Red Snapper Livornese, a special that I can say without hesitation was the finest piece of fish I have ever tasted in my life. Bold words — but completely earned.
My girlfriend ordered the Octopus from the Portuguese menu, and she was absolutely blown away. She described it as the most tender and delicious octopus she has ever had — high praise from someone who knows her seafood.
We finished on a perfect note with a silky Crème Brûlée and a delicate Egg Custard — two desserts that closed out the meal with just the right touch of sweetness.
Amore isn’t just a great restaurant — it’s a destination. An absolute gem in Sarasota that continues to outdo itself. We will be back without question.” – Kofi Baah
Address:
180 N. Lime Ave,
Sarasota FL 34237
941-383-1111
Website:
Amore Restaurant LBK Facebook Page
Amore Restaurant Instagram