The Sarasota Manatee Originals Food Trolley Tour is Back

Who are The Sarasota-Manatee Originals?

The Sarasota-Manatee Originals (formally referred to as just “The Originals”) is a member’s only network of restaurants, established over 20 years ago in an effort to support and bolster the local dining scene, while also serving to promote the Suncoast as a noteworthy culinary destination.

Member-Supporting Events

One of primary ways The Originals support their members is by hosting various events throughout the year, sharing a ‘taste’ of each restaurant with potential new patrons in an effort to maximize their visibility and help them gain recurring diners. The top events each year include: The Culinary Trolley Tours, Forks & Corks and Set The Bar.

Culinary Trolley Tours

The Sarasota-Manatee Originals also hosts the Culinary Trolley Tours, a ride-along food and wine crawl of sorts, curating unforgettable pairings from various member restaurants. 2 Unique tours are offered on a single date: Anna Maria Island/Longboat Key (August 10th, 2026) and Siesta Key (September 10th, 2026), each featuring top kitchens along their respective routes.

Plan to make an evening of it, because the tours run from 5:00-8:30pm and regularly priced tickets start at $155 each. According to the ticket reservation page, you can expect the following for each tour:

• Five tasting dishes + wine pairings
• Trolley transportation between all stops
• A $20 wine credit to use towards featured wines at the end of the tour
• Tips + gratuities covered
• Lots of flavor. Zero fuss. 

Forks & Corks

Some of these events have gained so much popularity over the years that they’ve become festivals-of-sorts, drawing huge crowds. Forks & Corks is likely regarded as the most popular, and always sells out quickly. It’s held at the gorgeous and expansive Ringling Museum, adding a beautiful backdrop, plus the much needed space to host the masses.

Set The Bar

Set The Bar touts a similar format to Forks & Corks, but with member restaurant vendors focusing on their best cocktails and accompanying bar bites. While Forks & Corks is held at the Ringling Museum, Set The Bar is held at Ed Smith Stadium every year.

2027’s event date has yet to be announced, but follow their event page to ensure you don’t miss the updates.

Learn More or Get Involved

For more information on how to reserve tickets any upcoming Sarasota-Manatee Originals events, or learn more about member perks for your restaurant, visit https://eatlikealocal.com/.