- June 15, 2025
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Just call it Savor Sota. You've heard of the 12 Days of Christmas, right? Well, for 20 sizzling days in June, your favorite local restaurants will offer $25 lunch specials and $45 dinner specials.
Sponsored by the Sarasota County tourism bureau Visit Sarasota, Savor Sarasota (its full name) Restaurant Week is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. In honor of the milestone, the event has expanded to 20 days.
Originally started as a weeklong event in 2005 to boost restaurant attendance after season ended and the snowbirds went home, Savor Sarasota expanded to two weeks in 2020, to help give eateries a lift after COVID-19 shutdowns earlier that year.
"What started as a way to support our restaurants during the summer has grown into one of the most anticipated food events in the area," said Erin Duggan, president of Visit Sarasota County, in a statement. "Our chefs continue to inspire with their creativity and heart, and this celebratory season is the perfect time to experience everything they bring to the table."
What's new about Savor Sarasota this year, in addition to the longer schedule, is a mobile passport called the Visit Sarasota Flavor Trail that can be downloaded to your phone via text or email. It allows passport holders to check in at participating restaurants. By doing so, they accumulate points to win Savor Sarasota swag. The three diners with the most check-ins will take home exclusive merch.
Don't fret if you don't live in downtown Sarasota. Savor Sarasota is a countywide event that includes eateries on Longboat Key, Siesta Key, Lakewood Ranch, Venice and other areas within Sarasota County's 725 square miles.
Savor Sarasota gives foodies an excuse to get out of their comfort zone. Lakewood Ranch isn't just for the people who live in the premier planned community. Waterside Place has got some great new restaurants worth checking out. Among them are Kore Steakhouse and Agave Bandido, which are both participating in Savor Sarasota.
Yes, it's been hotter than usual lately, but Savor Sarasota provides an incentive to get out of the house and enjoy some cool waterfront breezes. Just scanning names such as Crow's Nest, Farlow's on the Water, Fins at Sharky's and Pop's Sunset Grill makes me feel a couple of degrees cooler already.
Some people hear the names of Sarasota's finest restaurants and are intimidated. "Oh, that's too expensive!" or "What will I wear?" are two thoughts that may come to mind. As they say in New York, "Fuhgeddaboudit!" Lunch during Savor Sarasota is a perfect time to try out that fancy place that you normally wouldn't set foot in.
Many of Sarasota's most beloved restaurants are part of Savor Sarasota, including Michael's on East, Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse, Libby's and Selva Grill Downtown.
Let Savor Sarasota beckon you into restaurants inside hotels and museums that you might not normally think of for your dining experiences. Wink Wink is a hipster nod to Old Florida located within the Sarasota Modern Hotel. Tzeva is a Mediterranean oasis within Art Ovation Hotel, which features the colorful works of local artists in its lobby.
The Grill Room in The Ringling is a hidden gem in Sarasota, with delicious food, attentive service and window tables overlooking the museum's lush, tropical grounds. You don't need to buy a museum admission to dine at the Grill Room, but the Ringling's free Monday admission to its art museum (but not its circus museum) is a nice pairing with dinner or lunch at the Grill Room.
Savor Sarasota diners, we've got one word for you: Reservations! Call your desired restaurant or consult its website to see what online booking service they use, be it OpenTable, Resy or another.
Do not just show up and expect to get the prix fixe special for Savor Sarasota. Many restaurants make limited quantities of their daily specials based on reservations.
If you speak to a maitre d' when you make your reservation, don't be afraid to say that you're coming for the Savor Sarasota special. It's helpful for the kitchen to know.
Don't feel ashamed or cheap that you're there for a special; most restaurants make their money from alcohol. Don't be surprised if your server tries to "upsell" you; their tip depends on the size of the bill, so it's in their interest for the check to to be as hefty as possible.
More Savor Sarasota etiquette: Just because you're getting the special doesn't mean you have to nickel-and-dime your server. In the restaurant industry, it's customary for a diner to tip the full amount of the check when you're "comp"-ed with a freebie.
If you're feeling generous and your bank account allows it, express your gratitude for a prix fixe lunch or dinner to your server. You'll both feel good about the bounty of Savor Sarasota.
