Big Dip

Saucy! By KFC Is Bringing Its Sauce-Obsessed Chicken Concept to Lakewood Ranch

The new Manatee County restaurant opens today, Monday, May 4, in a former PDQ space on Lena Road.

05/04/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Sushi Empire

Kurō Sushi Is the Latest Addition to Lakewood Ranch’s Bustling Main Street

You'll find small plates, grilled skewers, sushi and even a multi-course omakase experience.

04/01/2026 By Lauren Jackson

Best Restaurants 2026

Giuseppe Del Sole Leads Osteria 500 With a Smile, a Lot of Pasta and Inspiration From His Mother’s Home Cooking

“My mother is 87 and still cooking. She gave me a gift, this love for food.”

02/03/2026 By Lauren Jackson

Simply the Best

The Best Restaurants in Sarasota

Our list of the 33 most fabulous restaurants in Sarasota and Manatee.

02/03/2026 By Lauren Jackson

Sprawl Surge

Sarasota County’s Master-Planned Giants Keep Dominating National Rankings

RLCO's 2025 list again places Lakewood Ranch and Wellen Park in the top 10, with more than 3,000 combined new-home sales and a regional growth footprint that now rivals small cities.

01/11/2026 By Kim Doleatto

The Other Downtowns

Looking for New Downtown Districts to Explore? Try These Five Nearby City Centers

Within an hour of Sarasota’s Main Street, we found five downtowns, each with its own rhythm and its own kind of welcome.

01/04/2026 By Lauren Jackson, Susan Burns, and Kim Doleatto

Merry and Bright

Nine Stunning Local Christmas Trees to Go See This Holiday Season

Need a break from the blue light of your computer or phone screen as we head into the holidays? Try these lights instead.

12/19/2025 By Megan McDonald Photography by Damon Powers

Soccer

Sarasota Paradise Soccer Club Announces 2026 Schedule

The season includes a 34-game season as the club prepares for its USL League One season.

12/16/2025 By Staff

Eat Your Veggies

The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch Was Just Recognized as the Best Farmers Market in the U.S.

American Farmland Trust's annual Farmers Market Celebration honors markets across the country. This year, Lakewood Ranch took the top spot.

10/03/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Raw Ambition

Kurō Sushi Will Open on Lakewood Ranch's Main Street on Saturday, Nov. 1

The new restaurant will be the fourth in owner Daniel Dokko’s portfolio.

10/03/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Well Done!

Allswell, a New Gastropub, Has Opened at Waterside Place

It's run by Darren Shore and Tory Delaney, who also own Malt House, which has two locations in NYC.

07/31/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Welcome to the Neighborhood

Flower Child, a New Fast Casual Restaurant, Raises the Bar on Healthy, Fast-Casual Cuisine

The Arizona-based chain is owned by 11-time James Beard Award-nominee Sam Fox. It opened in Lakewood Ranch this week.

05/15/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Paradise City

Sarasota’s Pro Soccer Team Is Leveling Up

“My dream,” says Sarasota Paradise founder Marcus Walfridson, “is that the community all hangs out at the games, throwing scarves up in the air and chanting, ‘We are Paradise!’”

05/05/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Power Up

The 25 Most Powerful People in Sarasota

From business leaders to activists, elected officials and philanthropists, these are the people shaping Sarasota’s future.

04/02/2025 By Kim Doleatto, Lauren Jackson, Cooper Levey-Baker, and Megan McDonald

Jump!

Sarasota Native Michael Tucci Has Opened an Adrenaline-Fueled Playground in Lakewood Ranch

Tucci—a drummer, tennis pro, EMT and serial entrepreneur—opened the nation’s largest Urban Air Adventure Park this weekend.

03/13/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Flower Power

Flower Child, a Healthy Restaurant Concept, Is Coming to Lakewood Ranch

Flower Child is opening its first Florida restaurant on University Parkway.

03/05/2025 By Lauren Jackson

In All Directions

Lakewood Ranch Is About to Break Ground on a Huge Expansion

Spanning 2,200 acres, with the ability to build up to 5,000 units, construction on Lakewood Ranch Southeast will begin later this year.

02/04/2025 By Kim Doleatto

🧧 Happy New Year! 🧧

Celebrate the Lunar New Year With a Festival at Waterside Place

Korê's owner Daniel Dokko is spearheading the celebration, which will include a lion dance, tents showcasing Wagyu beef from Japan, and Dokko's version of "Squid Games."

01/15/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Love Where You Live!

11 Local Neighborhoods Where Everything Is Changing

Our region has grown like crazy in recent years, but growth can look very different depending on your neighborhood.

01/13/2025 By Kim Doleatto, Lauren Jackson, Megan McDonald, and Cooper Levey-Baker

Hole-y Moly!

Duck Donuts Is Open at Waterside Place

With more than 100 stores throughout the country, Duck Donuts has finally arrived in Lakewood Ranch.

01/10/2025 By Lauren Jackson