About
Our Name
DaRuMa Restaurant is named after Bodhidharma, the founder and first patriarch of Zen.
In the sixth century DaRuMa traveled from India to China preaching Buddhism. Known as the father of Zen, DaRuMa spent the entire last nine years of his life in meditation. Famous words attributed to the man were: “seven times fall down, eight times get up again.”
Daruma dolls such as the one shown here are hollow and round Japanese wish dolls with no arms or legs, modeled after Bodhidharma. The doll has a face with a mustache and beard, but its eyes only contain the color white. Using black ink, one fills in a single circular eye while thinking of a wish. Should the wish later come true, the second eye is filled in. It is traditional to fill in the right eye first; the left eye is left blank until the wish is fulfilled.
Enjoy superb Japanese cuisine that is fun, fascinating and delicious. Choose either our traditional service or Teppan-style cooking at your table by wonderfully dexterous and expertly trained chefs. Select from our classic Japanese favorites and innovative combinations such as teriyaki steak, filet mignon, chicken, seafood, tempura and much more. Dine in our sushi lounge with freshly made selections prepared to your order. Savor marvelous Japanese delights like sashimi, sushi and makimono. Visit DaRuMa for a delightful dining experience and relax with cocktails or enjoy an after-dinner specialty drink in our friendly cocktail lounge.
The Best of the Best
We are extremely proud that for 20 years running, our restaurant has been voted “The Best of The Best” by Sarasota Magazine and also the “Readers Choice” award by the Sarasota Herald Tribune!
Join DaRuMa's Birthday Club!
Our Birthday Club offers fantastic DaRuMa features, including dinner & drink specials, invitations to special events and advanced holiday reservation privileges.