Experiencing Savor Sarasota 2025
Delicious eats and experiences in the popular beach destination.
Full disclosure: I was invited and hosted to dine around Sarasota by Visit Sarasota County for Savor Sarasota. Opinions and commentary are fully my own.
SARASOTA, FL – I headed down south to Sarasota County this past week to experience the 20th annual Savor Sarasota, a restaurant month that features dozens of restaurants throughout the area with a focus on showcasing local restaurants and quality food that is a staple of the area.
Pop’s Sunset Grill: The visit stated with a lunch visit to Pop’s Sunset Grill on the water. This was my first time visiting Nokomis Beach, I hardly travel that far south when I am in Sarasota County, and I am glad i did. Their Savor Sarasota menu was incredible delicious from their shrimp rangoons to the burrata salad, this food is not what you expect for a tiki beach bar and the awards on the wall when you enter the restaurant supports that. I loved the water and the wildlife including a number of birds we saw while sitting on the deck. The seating is well-shaded and air-conditioned, so you are still comfortable even when sitting outdoors. I would definitely return here for food in the future and to watch the sunsets. The cocktails were also great without being too sweet or filled with too much juice. After our meal we headed to Nokomis Beach across the bridge nearby and it was a sight to see. Just what you image when you think of a vacation in Florida. 112 Circuit Rd, Nokomis, FL 34275.
Offshore Tapas and Wine Bar: We stopped here for happy hour at voco Sarasota, by IHG, which is also the hotel we were staying at during our visit. We tried the Dragonfruit Jam Tapas from the Savor with a paired orange bourbon libation and it was great. The head bartender said he came out of retirement after decades in the food industry to run the bar and he was a pleasure to converse with. The hotel was recently renovated so there were not many people, but if you are staying in the property, I would recommend it. 1223 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236.
Michael’s On East: I have dined at Michael’s On East since I was a young food writer in college and it hasn’t changed too much as a fine dining establishment. The menu is still serving gourmet eats and has a busy restaurant and bar with top-tier servers who offer world-class service and an eclectic menu with food from around the world. The Savor Sarasota menu is more than a deal at $45 per person before gratuity/tax, we loved the short ribs and the chicken schnitzel (that even had spaetzle and cabbage). Michael is still taking guests around the world and a server shared that his recent obsession is Maine, which inspired a blueberry ice cream dessert we had at the end of our meal. I recommend Michael’s On East to anyone enjoying a special time whether it’s a date, anniversary, or a gathering with good friends. It’s a special experience that locals and visitors have enjoyed for over 30 years. 1212 S East Ave, Sarasota, FL 34239.
Bistro – Sarasota Art Museum: I have heard about this bistro from PR folks over the last few years, but have been unable to attend. I was not sure what to expect really. It was after my visit that I learned the backstory of this restaurant, surviving opening during the pandemic and run by Tampa native Chef Kaytlin Dangaran, which is impressive on its own. Think a Panera but make it local. They offered a tartine and chocolate mousse for Savor Sarasota, both were good and had interesting flavors with a fresh taste, but their salmon sandwich we tried was actually the star of the show when we visited. I’d be interested in trying their soups in the future and other goods. 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236.
With dozens of dining options, there is plenty more to see and experience in Sarasota County and I had a blast dining and trying both new and old restaurants alike. Programming like Savor Sarasota is great to get people to experience new things at an approachable price and one thing that was clear was that chef’s and owners still put everything they have into the restaurant month regardless. I recommend it.
About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am an award-winning writer and journalist with over 15 years of experience. I write the food and travel blog Carlos Eats (https://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines on numerous topics.