Sarasota Food News
The latest restaurant openings, closings, development, permits and industry updates in Sarasota and across Florida.
Paragon Festivals Announces 2027 Seafood and Music Festival Schedule Across Florida’s Gulf Coast
Explore Paragon Festivals’ 2027 Florida seafood and music festival schedule, including events in Sarasota, Bradenton, Punta Gorda, Fort Myers and St. Petersburg
Why it matters: Seafood festival season is already taking shape for 2027, with several events planned close to home. Sarasota kicks off Paragon Festivals’ Gulf Coast schedule January 8–10, followed by nearby stops at Coquina Beach, Englewood, and Bradenton, giving local food lovers plenty of opportunities to combine fresh seafood, live music, and a day outdoors.
Source: Suncoast Post • Read full story →
Florida’s Most Iconic Foods and Where to Find Them
From stone crab and grouper sandwiches to Cuban sandwiches and key lime pie, these 5 dishes tell the story of the Sunshine State.
Why it matters: Florida has a food identity all its own, and Michelin’s look at the state’s iconic dishes offers a tasty roadmap for exploring it. From seafood and Cuban influences to regional specialties, it’s a reminder that understanding Florida’s dining scene means looking beyond individual restaurants to the foods and traditions that helped shape it.
Source: Michelin Guide • Read full story →
The Long Road Behind Cousin Vinny’s Overnight Success
Within two years, Cousin Vinny’s earned a Michelin Guide recommendation, appeared on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and began expanding across Tampa Bay. The road there was far messier than the success suggests.
Why it matters: Every "overnight success" has a backstory. Cousin Vinny's rapid rise from ghost kitchen to Michelin-recommended restaurant with multiple locations in the works shows how quality, consistency, and a distinctive concept can still break through in Florida's competitive restaurant industry, offering inspiration for independent restaurateurs throughout the state.
Source: Tampa Bay Business & Wealth • Read full story →
The Best Fish Sandwiches on Florida’s West Coast – Ranked by Locals
There are plenty of foods that feel like Florida, but few spark as much local debate as the fish sandwich. On the Gulf Coast, that usually means grouper: grilled, blackened, fried, stacked on a bun, tucked into rye, or dressed up with slaw, tartar sauce, remoulade, or a tropical twist.
Why it matters: Great fish sandwiches are part of Florida's dining identity, and this roundup highlights several standout stops in the Sarasota area. Whether you're a longtime local or planning your next waterfront meal, it's a handy guide to some of the Gulf Coast's most talked-about seafood sandwiches and a reminder that some of the state's best are right here in our backyard.
Source: The Suncoast Post • Read full story →