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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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.
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Best Restaurants

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Sarasota Confidential

The Locals' Guide to Sarasota

Whether you’re visiting, new to town or just need a refresher on the joys of living here, explore our only-the-locals-know guide to our region.
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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In Their Own Words
Sarasota Confidential

The Locals' Guide to Sarasota

Whether you’re visiting, new to town or just need a refresher on the joys of living here, explore our only-the-locals-know guide to our region.
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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Things to Do

What to Do in Sarasota and Manatee Counties This Week

This week: Free Comic Book Day, Cinco de Mayo, the Kentucky Derby, a "bio blitz" at the Elling O. Eide Center, Jerry Seinfeld at the Van Wezel and more.
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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Sarasota Confidential

The Locals' Guide to Sarasota

Whether you’re visiting, new to town or just need a refresher on the joys of living here, explore our only-the-locals-know guide to our region.
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Browse current and past print issues, explore our digital flipbooks, and dive deeper into the stories that define our award-winning publication.
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Current Issue - May 2026
Only the Locals Know
Secrets, shortcuts and off-the-radar spots.

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School Style

Architect M. Leo Elliott Designed Four Iconic Sarasota Schools in 1926 and 1927

Elliott was a well-known Tampa architect.

11/03/2025 By Jeff LaHurd

Well Platted

The Birth of Venice

Even before the land boom hit Sarasota, world-renowned orthopedic surgeon Fred Albee saw the potential for development in Nokomis and Venice.

11/03/2025 By Jeff LaHurd

As Above, So Below

With Help From Sarasota’s Eternal Reefs, Astronaut Mary Cleave Was Laid to Rest in the Gulf of Mexico This Spring

Since Eternal Reefs’ founding in 1998, the company has laid to rest the remains of more than 3,000 people, 1,000 of whom are at a burial site named Silvertooth near Big Pass.

06/01/2025 By Lauren Jackson

From the Archives

Conversation With Syd

Kurt Vonnegut and Syd Solomon on art and the worms of discontent.

04/12/2023 By Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Ballyhoo Days

The Unsettling World of Circus Freakshows Once Flourished in Sarasota

Who were these people who were once our neighbors? What sorts of lives did they live?

03/01/2022 By Robert Plunket

Rocktogenerians

The Rockstars Who Live in Sarasota Right Now

These golden oldies have taken up at least part-time residence in the region.

10/07/2021 By Isaac Eger

Curtain Up

Florida Studio Theatre Announces 2021-22 Season

The coming season offers music, comedy and thought-provoking dialogue.

09/14/2021 By Kay Kipling

The Elephant Polka

The Strange, Spectacular, Sad Story of The Ringling Bros.' Elephant Polka

In 1942, the Ringling Bros. circus convinced Balanchine and Stravinsky to produce a ballet—for elephants.

12/30/2020 By Robert Plunket

If These Walls Could Talk

The Secrets and Scandals Inside Sarasota's Famous Mansions

Let’s take a look at seven homes, each with a special place in the story of our town.

12/01/2020 By Robert Plunket

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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