The Quay Puts Sarasota’s Best Within Easy Reach

May 30, 2025 | Read Time: 4 minutes

A citywide awards list usually sends readers in every direction. Sarasota Magazine’s 2025 winners tell a different story around The Quay, where restaurants, parks, beaches, hotels, galleries and cultural destinations recognized among the city’s best are concentrated within a relatively compact part of downtown and the bayfront.

Sarasota’s Standouts Are Clustered Close to The Quay

Best New Restaurant – Ocean Prime

Ocean Prime Sarasota sits directly within The Quay, bringing seafood, prime steaks and a polished dining room to the waterfront district. Its location also places one of Sarasota Magazine’s recognized newcomers only steps from the Presentation Gallery for The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota Bay.

Best Hotel – The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

A beacon of impeccable service and coastal sophistication, the flagship hotel stands sentinel to The Quay Harbor and is part of the greatest concentration of Ritz-Carlton branded venues in the world, right here in Sarasota.

Best Beach – Siesta Key Beach

Just a short drive over the John Ringling Causeway, Siesta’s quartz-fine sand—cool even under Florida’s midday sun—has again been lauded as the nation’s finest. Lido Key Beach received runner up honors, and both are accessible by bicycle from The Quay.

Best Library – Selby Library

An architectural landmark in downtown’s arts district, Selby Library offers quiet alcoves, maker studios and rotating cultural exhibits—ideal for leisurely afternoons of discovery.

Best Rooftop Bar – The Westin

Twelve stories above the bayfront, The Westin’s rooftop lounge frames watercolor sunsets with craft cocktails and a gentle Gulf breeze. The Westin was also developed by Kolter Urban, the visionary team behind The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota Bay.

Best Public Park – Bayfront

The Bay Park offers fifty-three acres of revitalized shoreline, winding mangrove boardwalks and event lawns creating an emerald welcome mat at The Quay’s front door.  Second only to the Bayfront Park near Marina Jacks, The Bay Sarasota was recognized for its energetic rhythm of endless activity including morning yoga classes, a pet-friendly trail system and popular open-air concerts.

Best Festival – Chalk Festival

Each autumn, master street artists transform pavement into fleeting masterpieces, turning the city into an open-air gallery that celebrates imagination and community. The Chalk Festival is a local favorite with international appeal.

Best Spa – The Ritz-Carlton

Indulgence becomes ritual at the award-winning spa where Balinese-inspired treatments, eucalyptus steam rooms and a healing saltwater pool rejuvenate body and spirit.

Best Farmers Market – Sarasota Farmers Market

Every Saturday since 1979, more than 80 purveyors gather downtown with heirloom produce, stone-baked breads and artisan cheeses—an epicurean prelude to weekend entertaining.

Best Art Gallery – Palm Avenue Fine Art

Just a short walk from The Quay lies Gallery Row, where a salon of plein-air landscapes and contemporary masterworks, reflect the city’s vibrant collector culture. Congratulations to Palm Avenue Fine Art for its recognition as the best of the best.

Best Cocktail Bar – State Street Eating House & Cocktails

An intimate hideaway where barrel-aged Manhattans and house-infused spirits await discerning aficionados after twilight performances at the nearby theaters.

To explore the magazine’s complete list, click here.

The Neighborhood Adds Context to the Residence

Seen together, Sarasota Magazine’s winners help explain what the location of The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota Bay offers beyond the tower itself. The project is under construction along The Quay waterfront, placing 78 residences within walking distance of dining, public waterfront space and many of the cultural destinations highlighted throughout the article.

Inside the property, residents will also have exclusive access to The Harbor Club, a private 20,000-square-foot collection of fitness, wellness, sports and social spaces connected along the Sarasota Bayfront. Current plans include fitness and wellness centers, plunge pools, an indoor pickleball court, sports lounges, a marina and spaces for both adults and children.

The residential collection includes three- and four-bedroom homes, estates and penthouses ranging from approximately 3,500 to just under 6,000 square feet. Current offerings begin from $4 million, and the project remains on schedule for anticipated Q4 2026 delivery.

See The Quay From the Residential Side

Buyers can review residences and current availability at the Presentation Gallery, now located at 475 Quay Commons in Sarasota, directly across from Ocean Prime. Full-scale interior environments provide a closer look at the kitchens, baths, closets and finish selections planned for the residences.