If there was ever a time to dine out in Sarasota, that time would be now. As our culinary scene continues to grow, restaurant choices are more diverse than ever. From Salvadoran to Korean and Indian to Italian, we can travel the globe right in our own back yard. We’ve scoured Sarasota and Manatee counties for the very best restaurants—the ones that reflect how we want to eat in 2026. These are our favorites.
Downtown
239 S. Links Ave., Sarasota, (941) 706-4740, indigenoussarasota.com
James Beard Award-nominated chef Steve Phelps is always on our list. He knows a thing or two about seafood and has been advocating for sustainable aquaculture for years. Since 2011, he’s been serving the best—and most responsibly-sourced—fish he can get his hands on inside his quaint downtown Sarasota restaurant. He also makes the most delicious mushroom bisque you’ve ever had. In it, a variety of wild mushrooms are caramelized with aromatics and puréed with just the right amount of cream to keep you craving more.
Jack Dusty
1111 Ritz Carlton Drive, Sarasota, (941) 309-2266, ritzcarlton.com…