7 Spots locals love in Sarasota, Florida

I´ve lived in Sarasota full-time for seven years now, and I still love discovering new spots. I love the beaches, restaurants, the art-galleries and the farmers markets.

I´ve also found my tried and true places for different things like practicing yoga, getting my hair and nails done, or simply buying a book.

Here are seven places I love and go to often (daily, in the case of the yoga studio), and that I hope you enjoy if you come down to visit Sarasota from another part of the country or even the world!

7 Spots locals love in Sarasota, Florida
We also have great beaches where I sometimes practice yoga (photo: Phillippe Diederich)

Peperonata Pasta

My first encounter with the fabulous food made at Peperonata Pasta was right before our beach wedding in 2014.

I tasted the Argentinian empanadas that had been popular for years at local Farmer´s Markets and we were hooked.

We ordered them by the boxful for our wedding day, and they did not disappoint!

Aside from that, you can also purchase the fresh pasta made daily by this family of Italian immigrants from Argentina.

You will feel welcome when you sit and taste their food over a beverage and conversation at their tables or you can purchase the food and enjoy it with the family at home.

7 Spots locals love in Sarasota, Florida
Browsing at the Architectural Salvage with my sister and stepson. (photo: Lorraine C. Ladish)

Architectural Salvage

My family and I can spend long stretches of time in this beautiful warehouse that houses architectural salvage, vintage item and, increasingly, unique recycled furniture and home decor.

Whether you´re looking for a small unusual gift or for something to decorate your backyard or the interior of your home, this is the place to go.

We´ve purchased our holiday gifts for extended family here several years in a row. It´s also one of the favorite places for me to bring my sister when she visits.

7 Spots locals love in Sarasota, Florida
Jumpsuit by Aerial Clothing SRQ – Hair by SpaHollywood, manicure by Oriental nails by Kim. Photo: Phillippe Diederich

Aerial Clothing SRQ

I must own at least six pieces of clothing designed and sewn by Mara Chanin, a local artist and yogini who I happened to meet as my yoga teacher at CircuSoul.

She gets her inspiration from different fabrics and textures, and the desire to create clothes that are unique and also comfortable to wear. Each one of her designs is one of a kind.

You can check out her jumpsuits, dresses, palazzo pants and more online or drop in at her STUDIO, located at 6591 Superior Ave. Sarasota, FL, in the GulfGate area.

If you want to stand out and take back with you something truly special, that you won´t find anywhere else, it´s worth visiting her shop to try on her lovely creations.

Oriental Nails by Kim

I´ve been doing my acrylic nails and pedicures here for a few years now, and Kim, the owner is always happy to accomodate me, even when I don´t have an appointment.

That said, you´ll get in and out much faster if you call ahead of time. I always bring my sister for a mani-pedi when she visits me from California, and my kids and my husband are also clients.

I´m the only one who comes in once a month.

I find the services to be reasonably priced (you will be pleasantly surprised by the spa pedicure price if you come from out of town!), extremely clean, efficient and friendly.

Also Read: Sarasota, Florida: More than just a beach town

7 Spots locals love in Sarasota, Florida
Yoga learned at CircuSoul, Hair done at SpaHollywood – Photo: Phillippe Diederich

CircuSoul Yoga

I´ve been a client of this yoga studio for two and a half years now, and I can´t recommend it enough!

It´s right beside Peperonata Pasta, above, so you can easily combine a visit to both venues!

If you´re just visiting, try out the hot and warm $5 Vinyasa Yoga classes! You can drop in or check in and purchase your class online.

Bring your own mat or rent one for $2. You can also get a weekly or seasonal pass if you prefer.

Hatha, restorative, Yin, and aerial, are just some of the other options you can try at the studio.

Instruction is high caliber and it caters to all ages, from children to seniors, and everything in between.

Yogis visiting from other cities, even NYC, have shared with me how impressed they are with the quality of classes at CircuSoul!

Spa Hollywood

My girls and I all have our hair done here. All their stylists are extremely professional and offer fabulous results.

I´m a really hard client to please because I love my long hair and dislike it when it´s cut too short if I asked for only a trim.

Well, over the course of a few years I´ve never walked out disappointed!

Stylists will listen to you and discuss what  you want and even work with you to keep the service within your budget while delivering fantastic results.

Whether you want just a trim or full-out color, a cut and a blow-out, I can almost guarantee you will be thrilled.

7 Spots locals love in Sarasota, Florida
Presenting my book Your Best Age by HarperCollins at BookStore1 – Photo: Phillippe Diederich

BookStore 1

This is an independently owned bookstore where you can sign up for author readings, book clubs, presentations and so much more.

Both my husband Phillippe Diederich and I have presented books there.

The entire staff is friendly and helpful, and always ready to discuss your needs and wants. I honestly love supporting local businesses that build community.

That is one thing Georgia Court and her team do very well: they know how to bring together a diverse crowd and create events that cater to different groups of people.

Come in and get a good beach read or snag some nice cards to send to your friends and family.

BookStore 1 is conveniently located on Palm Avenue, right smack downtown, where you can walk different places, from Selby Library to a number of great restaurants.

There are many more great places to go in Sarasota, these are just the first that come to mind when someone asks me where to go for certain things!

I´ve lived in Sarasota full-time for seven years now, and I still love discovering new spots. I love the beaches, restaurants, the art-galleries and the farmers markets. I´ve also found my tried and true places for different things like practicing yoga, getting my hair and nails done, or simply buying a book.  I hope you love these seven spots as much as I do. #travel #florida #sarasota #traveltips
Lorraine C. Ladish

Bilingual and bicultural Spanish-American editor, writer, speaker, influencer, yoga teacher (RYT500) wife and mom. Founder of Viva Fifty! Published author of 18 books. Her most recent book Your Best Age was released by HarperCollins in September of 2017.

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