Best of Sarasota
Best of Sarasota

Our annual celebration of the people, places and businesses that make Sarasota exceptional—voted on by our readers. From dining and shopping to services and experiences, this is the definitive guide to local's favorites.
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Top Doctors

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Eat & Drink
Eat & Drink

Your insider's guide to Sarasota’s food and drink scene, from standout restaurants and buzzy new openings to chefs, cocktails, and dining trends shaping the way we eat and gather.
Sip, Savor, Repeat

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Best Restaurants

Editors' Picks

Wine, Beer & Cocktails

Food News

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Last Call

Two Local Breweries Are Shuttering

It's been a tough few months for the local craft beer scene.
Home & Real Estate
Home & Real Estate

A curated look at how Sarasota lives, including real estate news, exceptional homes, design inspiration and the professionals redefining luxury and livability in our region.
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On the Market

Real Estate News

Architecture & Design
The Hot New Neighborhood

The Limelight District Is the Next Cool Place to Live

This gritty up-and-coming neighborhood is filled with manufacturers, secondhand stores and affordable housing. Bob Plunket takes us on a tour.
News & City Life
News & City Life

Local news, profiles, and lifestyle features that capture the pulse of our community and the people shaping it.
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Politics

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Business

In Their Own Words
Suncoast Searchlight

Developers Push Massive Data Center Complex in DeSoto County Amid Backlash

Florida-based DCIP Group has already secured rezoning approval for an initial 34-acre site at a decommissioned power plant near Arcadia, but company executives say the project could eventually expand to roughly 1,300 acres.
Arts & Entertainment
Arts & Entertainment

A front-row seat to Sarasota’s vibrant cultural scene. We cover theater, visual arts, music, festivals and the creative forces that make our city a cultural destination.
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Books & Talks

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Things to Do

What to Do in Sarasota and Manatee Counties This Week

Summer gets an early start this weekend with live jazz, reggae, roller derby, a Pride Month kickoff concert, outdoor art, family pool parties and a few quieter ways to spend the day, from birding to handmade cards and Florida-inspired art.
Travel & Outdoors
Travel & Outdoors

Explore the places and experiences locals love most. From hidden gems and outdoor adventures to weekend getaways, celebrate Sarasota’s natural beauty and sense of discovery.
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Editor's Picks

Outdoor Activities

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Tourism Update

Sarasota Tourism Rose in March. Visitor Spending Didn’t.

More travelers came to Sarasota County during peak season, but shorter stays and softer restaurant and entertainment spending kept March’s economic impact nearly flat.
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Current Issue - May 2026
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Secrets, shortcuts and off-the-radar spots.

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Arts & Entertainment

Review

Westcoast Black Theatre Faces the Past—and Its Own Future—with Caroline, or Change

The musical, set in the 1960s in the South, is a complex and compelling work.

01/12/2020 By Kay Kipling

Review

Asolo Rep's Murder on the Orient Express Takes a Comedic Turn

In Ken Ludwig's adaptation, laughs are the bill of fare over mystery.

01/11/2020 By Kay Kipling

Let's start the bidding!

Circus Auction Includes Vintage Posters, Rare Costumes and Much-Sought-After Photos

Valuable items from more than 100 different circuses will be up for sale this Saturday.

01/09/2020 By Rachel Suwak

Review

The Book of Mormon: Still Funny After All These Years

The Trey Parker-Robert Lopez-Matt Stone musical is in town with a rousing production at the Van Wezel.

01/09/2020 By Kay Kipling

Art

Embracing Our Differences 2020 Exhibit Opens Jan. 18

The organization received 16,118 entries from 127 countries and 50 states in submissions for the 17th annual outdoor art exhibit celebrating diversity.

01/09/2020 By Staff

Baseball

Orioles Spring Training Tickets Go On Sale Jan. 11

It's the team's 10th anniversary in Sarasota.

01/08/2020 By Staff

Film

Women's Film Festival Will Take Place March 6-8

This year's festival will be produced as a stand-alone event and incorporate International Women's Day into its programming.

01/07/2020 By Staff

Earth Day

Enter Our Earth Day Photo Contest!

In honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Sarasota Magazine is inviting amateur and professional photographers to showcase the beauty of our natural environment.

01/07/2020

Philanthropy

Local Author Donates Proceeds From First Book to Area Nonprofits

Mitchell Epstein's book was inspired by his time mentoring homeless youth.

01/06/2020 By Staff

Limelight

Sarasota Ballet Gala 2020

This year's gala honored Margaret Barbieri, assistant director of the ballet and longtime prima ballerina at The Royal Ballet.

01/06/2020 Photography by Lori Sax

Flashback

Flashback: Pavarotti at the Van Wezel, 1978

Pavarotti sang at the hall in 1978 and again in 1980.

01/03/2020 By Ilene Denton

Ain't No Stopping Them Now

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Celebrates the Past and the Future

The company celebrates its 20th anniversary in a newly renovated and expanded theater.

01/03/2020 By Kay Kipling

Review

FSU/Asolo Conservatory Explores Pain and Love in Gruesome Playground Injuries

Rajiv Joseph's two-hander is a funny-sad look at the wounds people suffer.

01/03/2020 By Kay Kipling

Jeweler to the Stars

Downton Abbey Jewelry Designer Talks History, Jewelry and Maggie Smith

Andrew Prince comes to town this month as part of New College's New Topics Lecture Series.

01/02/2020 By Kay Kipling

Weekend Planner

Your Top 5 Things to Do: Jan. 2-8

Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, Itzhak Perlman at the Opera House, The Book of Mormon at the Van Wezel and more.

01/02/2020 By Ilene Denton

Best of the Year

Our 10 Most Popular Stories of 2019

MTV's Siesta Key, red tide, the new Sarasota Art Museum and more topped the list this year.

12/30/2019 By Megan McDonald

Football

Billy Huthman Named Head Football Coach at North Port High School

Huthman was the North Port Bobcats; assistant football coach during the 2019-20 season and was responsible for quarterbacks and special teams.

12/27/2019 By Staff

Happy New Year!

Your Guide to Celebrating New Year's Eve in Sarasota

The best spots for fireworks, Champagne toasts and midnight smooches.

12/26/2019 By Sarafina Murphy-Gibson

Weekend Planner

Your Top 6 Things to Do: Dec. 26-Jan. 1

Sailor Circus holiday shows, the New Year’s Eve Pineapple Drop party and more.

12/26/2019 By Ilene Denton

Limelight

Debutante Ball 2019

This season, 28 new debs, their escorts and their families graced the annual event at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium.

12/26/2019 Photography by Lori Sax

At Sarasota Magazine, we celebrate Sarasota’s vibrant culture, rich history, and bright future with award-winning, high-quality content that captures the spirit of our community.

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