A Taste of Florida
Your Guide to the Food and Drink Tours of Florida
There are few better ways to get to know a culture and community than to experience it through authentic food and drink. Consider touring some of Florida’s most iconic moments by way of their culinary experiences; like small-batch whiskey in St. Augustine or an evening at Marco Island’s “Best Kept Secret.” Follow your nose to these Florida hot spots!
Savor St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach
St. Augustine Distillery and Ice Plant
staugustinedistillery.com
iceplantbar.com
The St. Augustine Distillery was founded with an idea of creating community that can enjoy drinks together, utilizing local ingredients and genius recycling concepts to come up with incredible spirits and cocktail mixes. During a tour of the distillery, you will learn a bit of history and a lot about how craft spirits are made. During the tour you will also get to experience a tasting of the distillery’s specially crafted cocktails, and afterwards you can sample spirits before choosing which to purchase and bring home for keeps! We highly recommend the Florida Double Cask Bourbon. Head upstairs for cocktails and a romantic dinner at their restaurant, The Ice House. Be sure to try a cocktail mixed with the very rum that’s just been made downstairs - we recommend the Old Fashioned, made with the distillery’s own bourbon and finished off with a refreshing orange zest.
San Sebastian Winery
sansebastianwinery.com
A great time can be had by one and all at the San Sebastian Winery, which is within walking distance of the aforementioned distillery. The winery offers a combination onsite/virtual tour and offers a surprisingly educational look into the wine-making process. Afterwards, enjoy a group tasting - and learn to taste wine the way the professionals do! Take home a few bottles for your collection at home. We recommend the Cream Sherry for an after-dinner delight!
The Tasting Tours
thetastingtours.com
Taste the difference with The Tasting Tours. Aptly named, The Tasting Tours will take you on a sweet and savoy tour of St. Augustine. They offer several different tours tuned to different palates, from Corks & Forks to Brunch & Bubbles or even Taco Tuesday. All of their tours include at least three hours of incredible food and win pairings, tastes of different downtown menus, and the chance to get to know this amazing city.
St. Augustine Beach Bed & Breakfast
beachfrontbandb.com
St. Augustine Beach offers many oceanfront accommodations for you to choose from, but the St. Augustine Beach Bed & Breakfast offers good suites AND good sweets (and savories, and drinks). This eco-friendly hotel occupies a property originally developed in 1927, and is exclusively for adults, creating a romantic getaway on the white sand shores and catering to honeymooners and those celebrating an anniversary. The B&B offers private rooms in a beach house as well as a cottage, and in addition to unparalleled views of the ocean, each room offers deluxe furnishings and stellar amenities like a palm-lined swimming pool and Jacuzzi, and of course a gourmet breakfast in the beach house dining room each morning.
Explore Your Preferences in Sarasota
Siesta Key Rum
siestakeyrum.com
At the heart of this rum maker is infusions: from Toasted Coconut, Coffee, and Spiced rums to special release aged rums. You can learn exactly how this is done on a guided tour of the distillery. The tour is free and takes about 45 to 55 minutes depending on the number of questions. You’ll learn a short history of the company, its numerous awards, and an explanation of what they do to make those rums taste so yummy! At the end of the tour, head to the Tasting Room to sample different rums and even pick up a bottle (or two) for yourself. We highly recommend the Toasted Coconut, which was rated "Best flavored rum EVER!” by Rum Connection.
Big Top Brewing Company
bigtopbrewing.com
Born out of a need for craft breweries in the area and fathered by Brewmaster Josh Wilson, Big Top Brewing Company debuted on the Sarasota scene. Founders wanted to compliment Sarasota’s historical associations with The Ringling Circus, performing arts, great architecture, the best art and design schools - as well as world renowned tourism. With their flagship location in Sarasota, they have also opened two others in Pensacola and Gainesville. Relax at their Sarasota location with a cold pint and some great food from the Sunshine Grill.
Linger Lodge Resort and Restaurant
lingerlodge.com
For a true taste of Old Florida cooking, visit Linger Lodge Resort and Restaurant. The restaurant menu features Southern specialties like fried frog legs, gator bites, Grouper sandwiches, and a mud pie that’s worth saving room for. The rustic charm of the restaurant has recently undergone renovations, along with the rest of the resort, and the unique yet beautiful space is perfect for an evening out - there is also space for a wedding venue on the back porch area, with resplendent views of the trees and river in the background. The resort is also pet friendly, so be sure to bring your pooch along! The updated resort is the perfect place to spend some time, with complete RV hookups, private shower rooms, a store, event hall, workout room, and zero entry pool.
Sunset Food Tours
sunsetfoodtours.com
When you really want to get to know the flavor that represents Sarasota and its neighboring communities, take a trip with Sunset Food Tours. They offer specialized tours of Downtown Sarasota, St. Armand’s Circle (adjacent to downtown and to Lido Beach) and even more directly specialized tours like Twilight Tours and Sarasota Deserts for those with a particularly sweet tooth. Sunset’s goal is to share their passion for the culinary experience with guests; as culinary enthusiasts, their goal is to create an intimate experience for guests by offering a non-touristy, food-centered tour. Inspired by world travels of team members, Sunset Food Tours is focused on bringing out a global culinary experience all in one city. And don’t forget - tours are also available in St. Petersburg, Tampa, and soon to be in Orlando!
Satisfy Your Cravings on the Paradise Coast
Note: Despite sustaining some damage from Hurricane Ian last season, these tasting sites are proud to reopen to eager visitors.
Bar Tulia - Mercato
bartulia.com
With its hip yet intimate tavern style atmosphere, Bar Tulia - Mercato in Naples welcomes wine enthusiasts, beer drinkers and foodies alike. This iteration of Bar Tulia pays homage to hidden gems from small wineries and craft breweries, both locally and abroad, while offering an all evening food menu in the coolest surroundings, and is open until after midnight almost every day.
HobNob Kitchen & Bar
hobnobnaples.com
Named on OpenTable’s “Top 100 Hottest Restaurants in America” list, HobNob Kitchen & Bar serves up sexy hand crafted cocktails in a trendy, eclectic atmosphere. Their specialty cocktails (named “Nobtails”) are a treat for the senses, like the invigorating “Patio Crusher” made of St. George green chile vodka, cointreau, and raspberry liquor or the delightful “Lavender-Thyme Bee’s Knees” with Bloom gin, lavender, thyme, and lemon. Pair any of these with HobNob’s tasty menu items, made from locally sourced ingredients.
Naples Princess
naplesprincesscruises.com
One of the most perfect pairings is the waters of the Paradise Coast and the incredible dishes and drinks aboard the Naples Princess. Explore the waters aboard an elegant yacht, the Naples Princess, and enjoy dining and dancing under the stars. This 105' air-conditioned luxury yacht cruises by magnificent sights like spectacular homes, natural beauty, wildlife, and more around the waters of Naples Bay and Port Royal. Enjoy the beverage of your choice from either of their full service bars, or join them for a dinner, hors d'oeuvres or lunch cruise for chef-prepared meals right on the boat! Don’t miss out on their special event dinners, including Easter Dinner, Mother’s Day, and more.
Feast for All in Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach
List Distillery
listdistillery.com
List Distillery is a family owned and operated craft spirit distillery founded in 2015 and located in Fort Myers. It is the first small batch craft distillery in Fort Myers and is home to Mr. Tom's Spirits, a line of one of a kind, naturally infused products. Their vast product range includes Vodka, Gin, Rum, Bourbon, Whiskey, and Cream Liqueurs. This diverse portfolio also includes the United States’ first certified 100% Sugar-Free and Gluten-Free Vodka, as well as the World's only certified 100% Sugar-Free and Gluten-Free Gin. In addition to these specialty flavors, they also offer specialty bottles; get your company name or wedding date engraved on personalized bottles.
Fort Myers Brewing Company
fmbrew.com
San Diego native Rob Whyte began as as brewer on the fiercely competitive Southern California craft scene. Rob and his wife relocated to Fort Myers in 2011 and intended to fill the needed niche of a craft brewery in this South Florida location. Fort Myers Brewing Company’s combination tasting room and brewery serves as a popular gathering place for hopheads across Southwest Florida. On any given night here you’re likely to find live music, food trucks, and an ever present sense of community. With eight flagship beers and a rotating selection of seasonal and small batch brews, any enthusiast will find something they love. Don’t miss out on their consistently fun events (see their calendar).
Point Ybel Brewing Company
pointybelbrew.com
What began as a modest family endeavor in a Sanibel Island kitchen has expanded into one of the area’s quickest burgeoning breweries. Named after the location of the Gulf Coast’s first lighthouse, Point Ybel Brewing draws ingredient inspiration from The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. Owners Captain Walt and his wife Amy consider themselves the local authorities on pale ales and IPAs. Stop by their tasting room on San Carlos Boulevard Tuesday through Sunday to enjoy live music, great company, and a constantly changing selection of small batch pale ales.
