Indigenous, the intimate Towles Court restaurant that made responsibly sourced seafood feel like a Sarasota imperative—and taste extraordinarily good—has closed after 15 years.
The restaurant announced the closing on social media accounts Tuesday afternoon.
“After 15 years of serving this community and working with our staff, farmers, fishermen, bakers, producers, and community, we are ready for a change,” the post said. “We are so proud of our accomplishments, accolades, and the love that you so graciously awarded our hearts with.”
No further reason for the closing was given, and the post didn’t say what chef and co-owner Steve Phelps plans to do next.
Indigenous opened in 2011 at 239 S. Links Ave., inside a cottage in the historic Towles Court neighborhood. In a city increasingly crowded with glossy dining rooms and restaurant groups, it remained resolutely personal: small, idiosyncratic and guided by the seasons, the Gulf and the relationships Phelps built with farmers, fishermen, bakers and other producers.
