Sixteen Sarasota and Manatee restaurants have earned spots on Wine Spectator’s 2026 Restaurant Awards.
The annual awards honor the world’s best restaurants for wine.
This year, 4,012 restaurants around the globe earned recognition.
“The restaurant industry is rapidly transforming as diners become more selective about when, how and what they drink. As wine drinkers grow more mindful, restaurants are adapting with creative wine programs,” Wine Spectator Chairman and CEO Marvin R. Shanken said in a press release.
“Congratulations to the 4,012 restaurants that earned a Restaurant Award and continue to elevate the wine experience for guests around the world. We raise a glass to your success.”
Here are the restaurants recognized in Sarasota County:
Here are the restaurants recognized in Manatee County:
For nearly all of these restaurants, this is not their first time on this list, with some making appearances for years. Seasons 52 at the University Town Center is the area’s longest recipient of this distinction, having received the award every year since 2015.
This year marks the first appearance for CW Prime and the Bradenton location of Seasons 52.
On top of making the list, restaurants are also eligible for further honors across three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award.
This year, Marcello’s Ristorante Italiano, Michael’s on East, The Capital Grille and CW Prime received the Best of Award of Excellence, a designation awarded to 1,830 restaurants on this year’s list.
The remaining restaurants in Sarasota and Manatee counties all received the Award of Excellence, awarded to 2,083 restaurants on the 2026 list.
Michaela Galligan is an intern covering a variety of topics for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. She can be reached at MGalligan@usatodayco.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 16 Sarasota area restaurants named among world’s best for wine
Reporting by Michaela Galligan, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Michaela Galligan, Sarasota Herald-Tribune | USA TODAY Network
