4-Day Foodie Itinerary to Explore Sarasota, Longboat Key, and Tampa Bay, FL

  • Day 1: Sarasota
    30 minutes (9.4 miles) from Longboat Key

    Start your foodie journey by exploring Sarasota's vibrant food culture with a visit to The Rosemary, known for their farm-to-table cuisine, and Owen's Fish Camp for their delicious seafood dishes. Followed by an evening walk along the Lido Beach while enjoying the sunset.

  • Day 2: Longboat Key
    18 minutes (8.9 miles) from Tampa Bay

    Begin the day by indulging in a hearty breakfast at Harry's Continental Kitchens. Explore the beautiful Longboat Key Beach and soak in the warm Florida sun. In the evening, savor the succulent steak at Euphemia Haye and end the day with a glass of wine at The Haye Loft.

  • Day 3: Tampa Bay
    1 hour (56.4 miles) from Sarasota

    Start the day relishing flavors of Cuban cuisine with some flavorful sandwiches from Columbia Restaurant Ybor City. Later, witness some of the best cigar-making at King Corona Cigars Cafe. Explore the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in the evening.

  • Day 4: Tampa Bay
    25 minutes (12.6 miles) from Ybor City

    Visit the Armature Works to experience the hip food scene of Tampa Bay. Savor the delicious BBQ at The Heights Market, try out some fried chicken at Gangchu Chicken, and finish the day off with mouth-watering desserts at Doughnut Plant.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • The Rosemary (1 hour, $30)
  • Owen's Fish Camp (1.5 hours, $40)
  • Lido Beach (2 hours, Free)
  • Harry's Continental Kitchens (1 hour, $25)
  • Longboat Key Beach (2 hours, Free)
  • Euphemia Haye and The Haye Loft (2 hours, $70)
  • Columbia Restaurant Ybor City (1 hour, $20)
  • King Corona Cigars Cafe (1 hour, Free)
  • Straz Center for the Performing Arts (2 hours, $50)
  • The Heights Market (1 hour, $25)
  • Gangchu Chicken (1 hour, $15)
  • Doughnut Plant (1 hour, $20)
  • Total Estimated Costs (12 hours, $335)

Transportation

Consider renting a car to easily explore each destination. Estimated transportation costs for 5 days by car can range between $150-$200.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider taking a day trip to Siesta Key or St. Pete Beach. For a cultural experience, visit the Ringling Museum in Sarasota or the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg. If you have less time, consider skipping Tampa Bay and spending more time in Sarasota or Longboat Key, or trimming the itinerary to a 3-day or 2-day trip.

Airports

The primary airport in the Sarasota/Bradenton area is the Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), located 3 miles from Sarasota and 11 miles from Longboat Key. Tampa Bay is served by the Tampa International Airport (TPA), located 9 miles from downtown Tampa and 25 miles from Ybor City.

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