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 locals' top spots.
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Top Doctors Directory

Top Dentists Directory

Best of Sarasota 2025
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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Bread Winner

Savor Sarasota Brought in More Than $1 Million in Restaurant Revenue This Year

Diners noshed on a 25,466 prix fixe lunches and dinners across 68 Sarasota County restaurants.
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

The Environment

Business

In Their Own Words
We're No. 1!

CNN Names Sarasota Its 'Best Town to Visit' for 2026

We're kind of a big deal.
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.
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

Music

Performing Arts

Television & Film

Visual Arts
Review

FST's Production of the New Comedy 'Dog Mom' Mixes Laughs With Heart

Elizabeth Hanyok’s play reminds us of how we humans can benefit, not only from being with a dog, but from learning from them
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

Road Trips
Heat Wave

It's Hot and Getting Hotter. Here's How to Stay Safe This Summer.

A trauma nurse shares her top tips for staying safe outside.
Magazine
Magazine

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 - June 2026
How to Stay Fit for the Long Run
Our annual lists of Top Doctors and Top Dentists.

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Real Estate

Top Sales

Siesta Key Beachfront Parcel and Longboat Key’s New Aria are the Latest Mega-Sales

The latest high-end residential real estate news.

05/19/2016 By Ilene Denton

Home Builders

Neal Communities Named Among Top 100 Home Builders

The Sarasota home builder was honored by Builder Magazine.

05/17/2016 By staff

Real estate

Nokomis Parcel Purchased for Possible Retail, Self-Storage Development

The Osprey-based company Laurel Road Storage, LLC recently purchased a 4-acre parcel of land located at 3500 Laurel Road, Nokomis, from Knights Associates, LLLP, for $1.5 million.

05/16/2016 Research by staff

Design

Sarasota Architect Launches New Firm

Joe Kelly recently launched Hive Architects, a firm that specializes in residential architecture, interior design and private commercial projects, with a focus on regional modernism.

05/16/2016 Research by staff

Construction

Downtown Farmers' Market Asks City for Backup Plan During Construction Projects

The Sarasota Farmers Market announced Sunday that it is asking the City of Sarasota to look at a plan to relocate vendors on Lemon and State Streets, due to pending construction in the area.

05/16/2016 Research by staff

Housing

Manatee Planning Commission Approves Land-Use Change for Affordable Housing Proposal

The move is intended to allow a Bradenton Knights Inn hotel property to become an affordable housing complex.

05/12/2016 Research by staff

Real estate

This Week's Big Deals

$1.25 million for an industrial building, $775,000 for retail and warehouse space and more recent transactions.

05/12/2016 Research by staff

Real estate

Florida Realtors Reports Positive First Quarter Housing Numbers

Median prices and new listings are up in the first quarter.

05/11/2016 By staff

Real estate

Local Real Estate Inventory Up

For single family homes in Sarasota County, inventory is up 5.6 percent from last March.

05/10/2016 Research by staff

Construction

Builder Confidence in 55-Plus Market Dips, But Still High

Builder confidence in the single-family 55-plus housing market remained in positive territory for the first quarter of 2016, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

05/06/2016 Research by staff

Honors

Realtor Earns New Home and Residential Construction Certifications

Realtor Lisa Bouck recently earned the Certified New Home Specialist and Residential Construction Certified designations.

05/06/2016 Research by staff

Real estate

This Week's Big Deals

$5.9 million for vacant commercial land in Bradenton and $1.3 million for a Sarasota apartment complex.

05/05/2016 Research by staff

Perfect Match

Deb Knowles and Larry Kabinoff's GulfStar Homes Takes Off

Deb Knowles and Larry Kabinoff met online, married and created a fast-growing residential real estate business in North Port.

05/05/2016 By Kim Hackett Photography by Fred Lopez

Real estate

Developer Purchases 21-Unit Hotel, Plans Upgrades

Developer and entrepreneur Henry Rodriguez purchased the Elephant Ears Suites for $1.9 million on Monday.

05/04/2016 Research by staff

Home Tour

Step Inside the Hillview Street Home of Artist Frank Colson

Colson's Hillview Street home and studio, which are on the National Register of Historic Places, are currently for sale.

05/03/2016 By Bob Plunket

Real estate

Players Theater Moving to Lakewood Ranch

The Players Centre for Performing Arts is set to open in three years.

05/03/2016 Research by staff

Money Talks

What $1.5 Million Buys in Sarasota

Here's what $1.5 million will get you in Sarasota real estate.

05/02/2016 By Robert Plunket

Real estate

Freddie Mac Newsletter Examines Impact of Rising Sea Levels

'Between $66 billion and $160 billion worth of real estate is expected to be below sea level by 2050,' the report states.

04/29/2016 Research by staff

Real estate

This Week's Big Deals

Deals include $16.7 million for an apartment complex, $495,000 for industrial space and $342,000 for a future daycare.

04/28/2016 Research by staff

Real estate

Local Home Price Gains at Almost 34 Percent

The housing and property data research firm RealtyTrac last week released its American home sales report for March and the first quarter of 2016.

04/25/2016 Research by staff

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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