Plan Your Culinary Getaway: A Food-Lover’s Weekend in Sarasota

If you live to eat, you came to the right place. Sarasota County’s dining scene appeals to foodies and adventurous eaters from across the globe. But you can’t spend your entire time here wining and dining. We’ve taken the liberty of helping you plan an itinerary that puts food first while letting you experience more of our area – and perhaps burning off some of those calories you’ll consume during lunch and dinner.

Each day of the three-day weekend includes activities and lunch and dinner at a participating Savor Sarasota restaurant. From June 1-20, 2025, Savor Sarasota restaurants offer fixed-price multicourse menus. Lunches are $25 for two courses and dinners are $45 for three courses.

Friday

Start your day at a beach in Venice. Swim, watch for dolphins or play volleyball on Venice Beach. Search for shark teeth on Venice Beach or take the dog to Brohard Beach Paw Park.

Replenish your energy with a two-course lunch at the Crow’s Nest Restaurant, Tavern & Marina. The waterfront restaurant has served fresh tourists and residents alike since 1976. Ask for a table on the second-floor porch for a marina view.

After your meal, meander through historic downtown Venice. The charming century-old district has locally owned boutiques, colorful murals, vintage architecture and Centennial Park, perfect for people-watching and enjoying the Florida sunshine.

Drive north to Siesta Key Village for more souvenir shopping along Ocean Boulevard, where you can pick up mementos like T-shirts and keychains or a new outfit for a night on the town.

Unwind with a three-course dinner at Café Gabbiano, an Italian restaurant with an extensive wine list and an Italian-born head chef.

Finish off your day where it started – on the beach. Take a stroll on the powdery-white sand of Siesta Beach.

Saturday

Get out on the water this morning. The Bay, an aptly named park along Sarasota Bay, has kayaks and paddle boards available for rent or you can bring your own. An ADA-accessible paddle launch gives you direct access to the bayou and the bay.

After exerting yourself, treat yourself to a two-course lunch at Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie or Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar. Libby’s has an upscale but comfortable atmosphere, while Lefty’s features coastal seafood with a rustic ambience.

Spend the afternoon admiring art. Wander through the three-floor Sarasota Art Museum, featuring rotating exhibits of modern works in a variety of mediums.

If you’ve been inspired to buy a piece of your own or you simply have a craving for seeing more art, head north to Palm Avenue. The petite street is packed with galleries for every taste, from avant-garde to Impressionistic.

Stay in downtown Sarasota for your three-course dinner. Choose from Duval’s. Fresh. Local. Seafood, European bistro Marcel, Offshore Tapas and Wine Bar, fondue restaurant The Melting Pot and Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse. Or take a short drive to EVOQ in the Westin, the Ritz-Carlton’s Rufa or local legend Michael’s on East.

Sunday

On your final day in Sarasota, plan to spend a few hours at the Ringling Museum. The complex encompasses an expansive art museum, a circus museum filled with historical artifacts and a miniature circus display and the bayfront residence of John and Mable Ringling.

If you get hungry before you’ve explored the entire museum, nourish yourself at The Ringling Grillroom on the grounds. Alternatively, The Reserve by Chef Antonio is nearby.

Now that you’ve absorbed local culture, shift gears and go on a shopping spree. The Mall at UTC has department stores, Florida favorites like Lilly Pulitzer and Southern Tide, and an array of other shops to please the whole family.

Wrap up your visit with a three-course dinner at New American restaurant Kona Grill or Selva, serving Latin fusion cuisine.

We hope you leave feeling fully satisfied with your dining choices and your varied adventures – from water sports to museums.