Taste of Downtown Sarasota : Local Food, History & Culture Tour

4.7 (231 reviews) Sarasota, USA
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Duration3h - 4h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Group sizeUp to 10 travelers

Overview

Experience Sarasota as the locals do! Taste of Downtown Sarasota offers insight, meet & greets w/ some locals, perhaps a surprise visit with Sarasota's tiniest residents, and other gems that only the locals know! Guided by a local expert, you will walk and learn fascinating facts, folklore, culture, famous founders and current residents, the food scene & speakeasy spots.

Sarasota offers the charm of bygone days, with incredible architecture from the early 1900s. with a vibrant downtown comprised of small, locally-owned restaurants, boutiques and art galleries. This tour offers comfortable seated tastings w/ generous portions, that allow guests to connect & chat. Guests often exchange numbers and hugs at the end of the tour.

Winner of Best of Florida and SRQ Local Readers contests, this is a memorable experience that even the locals enjoy. It's a fantastic way to support several local Sarasota businesses. Sunset Food Tours was founded in Sarasota over half a decade ago.

Options

Sunday Stroll-Food & History

Duration: 3 hours: This is a shorter version of the Taste of Downtown Sarasota Immersive Experience with 2 seated samplings & a sweet treat
3 stops at local places: Breakfast-style foods & a gelato (includes one drink)
Same as Taste of Downtown : Moderately-paced perimeter route of downtown with history, landmarks, art, folklore and surprise visits along the way

Taste of Downtown Sarasota

Professional tour guide: Guided walking tour led by an area expert who brings his/her own personality to the experience. This is not a scripted tour.
Duration: 3 hours: tours last 3-3.5 hours, depending on size of group, and pace of walking
tastings from restaurants: light bites/water (server gratuity/sales tax included). Sodas/tea/coffee/alcoholic beverages can be purchased by guests
downtown Sarasota: Generally a perimeter tour through several blocks of downtown w/ stops for talking points & food samplers. Around 1.5-2 miles

What's included

  • History of the city, landmarks, popular spots & art/culture
  • Personal Tour Guide
  • Scenic Walk
  • Sampler plates/tax/server gratuity at each stop
  • Private tours available-inquire
  • Helpful insight into the lifestyle of this unique city, things to do, a relaxed and fun time!
  • Gratuities for your tour guide (recommend 15%-25% of purchase price). Will be added to private tours
  • Beverages not included (water IS)
  • Parking fees or transportation-pls arrange for a ride if drinking alcohol

What to expect

  1. Pass by
    This tour is for you if you are looking for a unique culinary experience, a romantic night out, or to just have fun socializing with friends and family. Our 3.5-hour walking tour of Downtown Sarasota is a combination of food, fun and folklore that intertwines local history, art, and culture, along with a few diverse sampler plates, creating a culinary journey to remember! Some treasures along the way: Miramar, 1st train depot, speakeasys, Orange Blossom Hotel, 1st skyscraper, & surprise stops along the route. Sunset Food Tours won the Silver Award in the 2026 Best of SRQ and was the Regional Winner for Guided Tour Services in the 2025 Best of Florida contests. This tour is an immersive experience into the Sarasota lifestyle-both historically and current. Seated food stops in air-conditioned restaurants loved by locals, is what sets us apart from food tours that provide quick bites while walking.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Meet at the State Street Garage entrance next to Comida, on the sidewalk. Parking will need to be paid when you park either through the QR code, or through the ParkMobile app, (recommended). We are not affiliated with the parking garage or ParkMobile. Parking should cost $5-$8.

End point

We will end at the meeting point. We do a perimeter around historical downtown Sarasota.

Additional information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please consult with your medical advisor-this is a walking tour
  • No smoking or vaping is allowed during a tour-some guests may have allergies, asthma, autoimmune conditions

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.7 (231)
From
$105.00 per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • Instant confirmation
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
Operated by Sunset Food Tours · Booked through Viator
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