Dining at Sheraton Resort on Sand Key — Rusty's Bistro, Mainstay Tavern, Turtle Bar and more
Sheraton Resort on Sand Key offers several on-site dining venues: Rusty's Bistro for beachfront American/seafood breakfasts and dinners, Mainstay Tavern for gastropub-style lunch, dinner and late-night drinks, plus Slo Joe's Turtle Bar and the Poolside Café for poolside cocktails and quick bites. Rusty's accepts reservations; the other casual outlets are walk-in friendly.
In this guide
- Rusty's Bistro — beachfront breakfast and dinner
- Mainstay Tavern — gastropub and late-night drinks
- Slo Joe's Turtle Bar — poolside tropical drinks
- Poolside Café & Beach Bites — quick snacks and family-friendly options
- In-room dining and special dining notes
- Practical tips — reservations, hours and what to ask the concierge
Rusty's Bistro — beachfront breakfast and dinner
Rusty's Bistro is the resort's signature beachfront restaurant, focused on American and seafood dishes that highlight Florida seafood, local ingredients and handmade pasta. It serves breakfast and dinner and follows a Casual / Resort Casual dress code.
Hours vary by day: Monday–Friday Rusty's serves 6:30 AM–11:30 AM and 6:00 PM–9:30 PM; Saturday–Sunday the breakfast service starts at 7:00 AM with the same dinner window. Rusty's accepts reservations (OpenTable) or direct calls to the restaurant.
Rusty's has received recognition locally and is noted in the resort's materials for consistent dining quality.
- Cuisine: American / Seafood with Gulf Coast influences
- Typical services: Breakfast and Dinner
- Reservations: Accepted (OpenTable or restaurant phone)
| Service | Typical Hours |
|---|---|
| Breakfast (Mon–Fri) | 6:30 AM – 11:30 AM |
| Breakfast (Sat–Sun) | 7:00 AM – 11:30 AM |
| Dinner (daily) | 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM |
Mainstay Tavern — gastropub and late-night drinks
Mainstay Tavern is the resort's American gastropub and sports-bar option, suitable for casual lunches, dinners and late-night drinks. The menu focuses on gastropub-style plates and an extensive bar list including local craft beers.
Reservations are not required at Mainstay Tavern, making it a convenient spot for walk-up meals or watching a game. Exact kitchen and bar hours vary by day; the concierge can confirm current hours during your stay.
- Cuisine: American gastropub
- Service: Lunch, Dinner and late-night drinks
- Reservations: Not required
| Service | Notes |
|---|---|
| Lunch & Dinner | Casual dining, gastropub menu |
| Late-night drinks | Bar often open later than kitchen hours — check with concierge |
| Reservations | Walk-ins accepted |
Slo Joe's Turtle Bar — poolside tropical drinks
Slo Joe's (also called Slo Joe's Turtle Bar) is a poolside/beachside bar serving tropical cocktails and cold drinks with easy access from the pool and beach. It is designed for casual, sun-oriented service rather than formal dining.
Hours for the Turtle Bar are daytime-focused; one dining guide lists 11:00 AM–6:00 PM and other listings show up to 7:00 PM. No reservations are needed — it's a walk-up poolside bar.
- Type: Poolside / beachside bar
- Typical hours: Daytime service (roughly late morning to early evening)
- Reservations: Not needed
| Item | Typical Availability |
|---|---|
| Tropical cocktails | Poolside daytime hours |
| Walk-up service | Yes — no reservations |
| Access | Pool and beach area |
Poolside Café & Beach Bites — quick snacks and family-friendly options
The Poolside Café (also marketed as Beachside Bites / Beach Bites Food Truck in some materials) offers quick-service American items like pizza, nachos, wraps and cold drinks beside the pool. It's intended for easy pool breaks and casual snacking.
This venue is walk-up, casual and family-friendly. Typical posted hours for the Poolside Café are mid-day (about 11:30 AM–5:30 PM) though some listings show a shorter midday window for beachside food trucks.
- Offerings: Pizza, nachos, wraps, sandwiches and cold beverages
- Service style: Grab-and-go / walk-up
- Typical hours: Midday to mid-afternoon (check concierge for today's schedule)
| Venue | Typical Hours |
|---|---|
| Poolside Café | 11:30 AM – 5:30 PM (as listed by Marriott) |
| Beach Bites Food Truck | Midday service (some listings show 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM) |
In-room dining and special dining notes
Sheraton Resort on Sand Key offers in-room dining (room service) with a range that can include late-night snacks, breakfast and multi-course dinners; confirm current menu and hours with the hotel. In-room dining gives an alternative when you prefer to eat in your Room, Room, Balcony or other room type.
The resort's dining options are casual and family-friendly; children are welcome at on-site restaurants. Rusty's Bistro maintains a resort-casual dress code while the other outlets are casual pool/beach attire.
- In-room dining: Available — check current menu and hours at front desk
- Dress codes: Rusty's — Resort Casual; other outlets — casual
- Family-friendly: Children are welcome at dining venues
| Dining Option | Reservation Needed? |
|---|---|
| Rusty's Bistro | Yes — accepts reservations |
| Mainstay Tavern | No — walk-ins OK |
| Slo Joe's Turtle Bar & Poolside Café | No — walk-up service |
Practical tips — reservations, hours and what to ask the concierge
Rusty's Bistro accepts reservations (OpenTable) and is a good choice for an evening or sit-down breakfast; Mainstay Tavern, Slo Joe's Turtle Bar and the Poolside Café are walk-in-friendly. Ask the concierge for current hours, today's poolside service schedule, and the restaurant phone if you prefer to call ahead.
If you plan an event (rehearsal dinner, small wedding meal or a private function), Rusty's Bistro and the Sand Key Meeting Room are listed as possible smaller venues — speak to the catering/banquet team for availability and menus.
- Confirm hours on arrival — seasonal or event changes possible
- Call Rusty's Bistro reservations or the front desk for last-minute bookings
- Ask about children's menu items, vegetarian/organic choices, and in-room dining options
| Question to Ask | Why |
|---|---|
| Today's hours for Turtle Bar / Poolside Café | Poolside service hours can vary by day or event |
| Reserve at Rusty's | Secure a table for dinner or weekend breakfast |
| In-room dining menu and delivery hours | Plan meals for late arrivals or in-room family dining |
