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

Top Dentists
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

The Environment

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

Music

Performing Arts

Television & Film

Visual Arts
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

Road Trips
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.
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 - May 2026
Only the Locals Know
Secrets, shortcuts and off-the-radar spots.

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Saving Old Florida
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Travel & Outdoors

Full Fall

Our Big List of Fun Fall Happenings

From Oktoberfest to harvest celebrations, Halloween carnivals, spooky tours and more, our local calendar is packed with autumn-themed events. Please check that all events are still happening before venturing out.

10/28/2024 By Lauren Jackson

Sand-tastic!

Some Sarasota Beaches Will Reopen This Weekend

Siesta, Nokomis, North and South Brohard and Maxine Barrit beaches will reopen on Saturday, Oct. 26.

10/24/2024 By Lauren Jackson

Hurricane Season

Do You Know Your Evacuation Zone?

Use Sarasota and Manatee counties' interactive tools to find evacuation levels and routes, shelters and more.

09/24/2024 By Megan McDonald

Head Above Water

Miracle Swimming Focuses on Mindfulness, Comfort and Confidence to Teach Adults How to Swim

“I was born to teach people how to swim,” says Miracle Swimming owner Melon Dash.

09/01/2024 By Lauren Jackson

Beach Bound

Siesta Key Beach, Anna Maria Island Named Best Beaches in Florida by U.S. News & World Report

Both spots were recognized for their soft sand and overall beauty.

07/17/2024 By Megan McDonald

Preserving Paradise

The Environmental Conservancy of North Port Secures Land to Keep It Wild

"It's disturbing how much nature we’re losing by the year," says Barbara Lockhart, the nonprofit's volunteer president.

07/02/2024 By Matthew Gutierrez

Only in Sarasota

Beat the Summer Heat at Lido Beach

John Pirman sketches the colorful umbrella and powdery white sand.

07/01/2024 Illustrations by John Pirman

Swim Safe

What to Do If You're Caught in a Rip Current

A local off-duty lifeguard recently saved nine swimmers caught in a rip current. Here's what to do if you find yourself in a similar situation.

06/28/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Wild Things

Southwest Florida Is Home to a Surprising Array of Exotic Animals

Get ready for a walk on the wild side.

06/26/2024 By Kim Doleatto Photography by Hannah Phillips

Take a Dip

The Ultimate Guide to Our Area's Sandbars

A deep dive into shallow water.

06/24/2024 By Hannah Wallace Photography by Everett Dennison

In Bloom

The Queen of the Night Cactus Will Bloom Tonight at Selby Gardens

The plant blooms one single night each year—and you're invited to watch it.

06/06/2024 By Staff

Snake Hunter

Dusty Crum’s Mission Is to Save the Everglades, One Python at a Time

Between 87 and 99 percent of the Everglades’ mammal populations have disappeared because of the invasive snakes, which now number nearly 300,000 in southern Florida

05/30/2024 By Isaac Eger

What Lies Beneath

Something Is Blooming on the Suncoast, and It's Not Pretty

If it's not red tide, what's that awful smell? The answer is dapis pleousa, another type of algae.

05/29/2024 By Emma Moneuse

Hot Host

If You See Birds or Other Wildlife in Your Pool, Let Them Use It

It's hot outside, and your chlorinated pool water is safe for wildlife who are at risk of becoming dehydrated.

05/22/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Beachy Keen

Kids' Summer Beach Runs Return Next Month

Kids and their families can participate in one-mile runs at Siesta and North Brohard beaches. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

05/20/2024 By Staff

DIY

These Local Farms Offer You-Pick Opportunities

Pick your own fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers.

05/13/2024 By Samantha Lane

Best of Sarasota

The Best of Sarasota 2024: Readers' Poll

We polled our readers about their favorite shops, services and more. Here’s what you had to say.

05/01/2024

Best of Sarasota

The Best of Sarasota 2024: Editors' Picks

Here are our favorite new finds from a year full of them.

05/01/2024 By The Editors

Just Keep Swimming

The First Sea Turtle Nests of 2024 Have Arrived

The first documented nest was laid by a loggerhead sea turtle, a threatened species protected under federal law.

04/29/2024 By Staff

Taking Root

Arbor Day Reminds Us of Majestic Beauty and Vital Role of Trees

Writer Stephanie Churn Lubow pays homage to her three favorite trees in Sarasota.

04/26/2024 By Stephanie Churn Lubow

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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