Pictured: A vibrant pairing at Fins at Sharkys Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Visit Sarasota County

The iconic Savor Sarasota returns June 1 for its 21st edition, transforming the summer dining scene into a 14-day culinary festival. Over 55 restaurants serve up $45 three-course dinners and $25 two-course lunches. But this year’s standout? Pairings. Nearly every kitchen is elevating the standard prix-fixe format with crafted beverage matches.

At Duval’s, the menu marries beloved staples and fresh takes, aiming “to bring new life and excitement to our offerings each year,” says Sous Chef Patrick Scalabba. A rich three-cheese and Old Bay crab dip finds its counterpart in a crisp Hampton Water Rosé. On the South Trail, Tripletail fittingly serves tripletail—citrusy sweet—suggested alongside a Crystal Cosmo with white cranberry and elderflower.

In Nokomis, Pop’s Sunset Grill embraces the season with a Baked Lobster Couscous piled with sweet corn, green peas and shitakes, which Chef Marcos Vasquez designed “to feel refined and comforting without being overly heavy.” To accompany: a vibrant Blood Orange Aperol Spritz starring Shark Tooth vodka, distilled in neighboring Venice.

At Mimi’s Brasserie, a guajillo-braised pork shank meets the Ernestly Tiki— a complex coconut oil-washed rum cocktail laced with pistachio-lemongrass falernum and apricot liqueur. Meanwhile, at AMOB, Chef Will Parard’s warming shrimp and pollock gumbo gets a paw-paw citrus twist on the classic Purdy’s Florida Old Fashioned.

Not every pairing involves a potential hangover. Michael’s on East offers a stellar zero-proof collection—complementing Savor dishes like Galician Braised Octopus, featuring chorizo, fennel and a kick of chipotle. Arts & Central pairs its orange-chive crab cocktail with a Broadbent Chardonnay, but don’t bypass their innovative zero-proof drinks.

Even hotel lounges are bringing the heat. At Bridges, inside Embassy Suites, a seared scallop sits next to a Burgans Albariño—“bright, citrusy and kissed with ocean minerality,” says Elizabeth Dimitrova, Director of Food, Beverage and Catering. Wink Wink, at Sarasota Modern, delivers Brussels sprouts studded with bacon, goat cheese and candied pecans alongside a Grapefruit Paloma with a smoky mezcal finish.

Savor Sarasota, June 1-14, 2026, 55+ participating restaurants, Sarasota County, SavorSarasota.com

Pictured: A vibrant pairing at Fins at Sharkys Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Visit Sarasota County