DON’T MISS THESE SARASOTA-MANATEE ORIGINALS EXPERIENCES

🎟 Dining Certificate Sales

Purchase discounted dining certificates to participating local restaurants and discover why these popular sales consistently sell out.

🍷 Originals Culinary Tours

Enjoy a progressive dining experience featuring multiple locally owned restaurants, chef-selected dishes, wine pairings, and transportation included.

🍽 Taste of the Bay

October 25, 2026

🍾 Forks & Corks

January 21–25, 2027

🍸 Set the Bar

April 18, 2027

Get alerts, tickets, and event updates at EatLikeALocal.com

Ask a local where to eat, and you’ll quickly discover that the best dining experiences on Florida’s Suncoast aren’t found in national chains—they’re found in locally owned restaurants run by passionate chefs, restaurateurs, and hospitality professionals who help make our community unique.

Representing more than 75 locally owned and operated restaurants throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties, Sarasota-Manatee Originals has spent more than two decades connecting diners with the people and places that make our region one of Florida’s premier culinary destinations.

Whether you’re looking for your next great meal, a unique night out, or a new favorite restaurant, here are 15 ways to eat like a local.

1. Save Money With Dining Certificates

If you know, you know.

The Sarasota-Manatee Originals Dining Certificate Program has become one of the area’s most anticipated dining promotions. Several times each year, diners can purchase certificates at a discount and redeem them at participating member restaurants throughout the region.

Not only do guests save money while supporting local restaurants, but they often discover new favorites along the way. In fact, diners spend an average of 32% more than the value of their certificates, creating a win-win for both restaurants and guests.

Pro tip: Dining Certificate Sales are popular, and many restaurants sell out quickly. Sign up for alerts at EatLikeALocal.com to be among the first to know when sales launch.

2. Take an Originals Culinary Tour

Want to experience several local restaurants in one evening?

The Originals Culinary Tour offers guests a guided trolley experience featuring multiple restaurant stops, chef-selected dishes, curated wine pairings, and behind-the-scenes stories from the owners and chefs who make each destination special.

From Sarasota and Siesta Key to Bradenton and beyond, each tour showcases a different side of the local dining scene while making it easy to explore new restaurants without worrying about transportation.

3. Mark Your Calendar for Taste of the Bay

Every fall, Taste of the Bay brings together local restaurants, food lovers, and community supporters for an afternoon celebrating the region’s vibrant culinary scene.

Guests have the opportunity to sample dishes from participating restaurants while discovering new flavors, meeting local chefs, and supporting the local hospitality industry.

October 25, 2026

4. Experience the 20th Anniversary of Forks & Corks

For wine lovers and food enthusiasts, Forks & Corks is one of Florida’s premier culinary events.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2027, the festival features wine dinners, educational master classes, world-class wineries, acclaimed winemakers, and the Grand Tasting, where hundreds of wines are paired with dishes from Sarasota-Manatee Originals member restaurants.

January 21–25, 2027

5. Raise a Glass at Set the Bar

Part cocktail competition, part culinary showcase, Set the Bar highlights the creativity of local bartenders and chefs through handcrafted cocktails, inventive bar bites, and spirited competition.

It’s one of the most enjoyable ways to discover new restaurants, new spirits, and the talented professionals behind the bar.

6. Enjoy Dinner With a Waterfront View

From Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key to Sarasota Bay and Venice, waterfront dining is one of the great pleasures of life on the Gulf Coast.

Enjoy fresh seafood, tropical cocktails, and unforgettable sunsets at locally owned restaurants that showcase the area’s natural beauty.

7. Explore Anna Maria Island

Some of the area’s most iconic restaurants call Anna Maria Island home.

Whether you’re looking for Gulf-front dining, fresh seafood, or a casual island atmosphere, this charming beach community offers countless opportunities to dine like a local.

8. Discover Bradenton’s Growing Food Scene

Bradenton continues to earn recognition for its diverse culinary offerings.

Restaurants such as Mean Deans Local Kitchen, Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen, Mattison’s Riverwalk, and Taverna Toscana showcase the creativity and hospitality that define the local dining community.

9. Spend a Day Dining Around Siesta Key

The beach may attract visitors, but the restaurants keep them coming back.

From upscale dining and international cuisine to casual island favorites, Siesta Key offers something for every appetite.

10. Explore Venice and Nokomis

South County is home to many beloved local favorites that have built loyal followings over the years.

Whether you’re seeking waterfront views, fresh seafood, or family-owned charm, Venice and Nokomis are worth the drive.

11. Plan a Date Night

Looking for a memorable evening out?

The Sarasota-Manatee Originals community includes intimate bistros, wine-focused restaurants, chef-driven kitchens, and special occasion destinations perfect for celebrating life’s milestones.

12. Make Brunch a Weekend Tradition

Locals know brunch is more than a meal—it’s a social event.

Gather friends and family to enjoy creative menus, outdoor patios, handcrafted cocktails, and leisurely weekends at locally owned restaurants throughout the region.

13. Taste the World Without Leaving the Suncoast

One of the best parts of dining locally is the incredible variety.

Enjoy Italian, French, Mediterranean, Japanese, Latin American, Asian-inspired, Mexican, and contemporary American cuisine all within a short drive.

14. Support Family-Owned Restaurants

Many Sarasota-Manatee Originals members are family-owned businesses that have served the community for decades.

Every meal supports local jobs, local families, and local entrepreneurs who continue to invest in the places we call home.

15. Explore More Than 75 Locally Owned Restaurants

No matter what you’re craving, there’s a Sarasota-Manatee Originals restaurant ready to welcome you.

From waterfront seafood restaurants and neighborhood cafés to fine dining destinations, brunch spots, bakeries, wine bars, steakhouses, and international cuisine, Sarasota-Manatee Originals members represent the very best of Florida’s Suncoast dining scene.

Ready to Eat Like a Local?

Visit EatLikeALocal.com to:

• Explore 75+ locally owned restaurants
• Sign up for Dining Certificate sale alerts
• Purchase tickets to upcoming Culinary Tours
• Learn about Taste of the Bay, Forks & Corks, and Set the Bar
• Discover your next favorite local restaurant

Because every great meal has a story—and the best stories are local.