FAQ

Yes, please purchase your tickets online. Look for the “Book Now” button and click it! This takes you to a secure server where you will find days and times for available tours. It’s an easy payment process and your reservation will be secured. We suggest purchasing tickets early to guarantee your desired tour, date, and time. Give us a call at 941-893-4664 if you would like personalized help with booking your reservation.

Due to the nature of the tours, advance reservations are required.

Since all tours are by advance reservation we do not provide a waiting list.

YES!  Key Culinary Tour gift certificates make a perfect gift for the foodie on your holiday/birthday/special occasion list.  Just click on the “Gift Certificates” option on our homepage or call 941-893-4664 for more information.  You do not need to select a tour, only the amount which can be applied to any of our tour offerings.

Tickets are nonrefundable once purchased unless you have also purchased “Safety Net Protection” at time of booking. This tour insurance allows you to cancel your tour with at least 24 hours notice, and we will reimburse you for your full tour ticket price (minus ticketing fee and insurance fee).

All purchased tickets can be used at a later date, subject to availability if our office is notified 48 hrs prior to tour start time.

Tickets are transferable and can be used by anyone, as long as notification is given prior to tour start time. Tours go out rain or shine (unless impacted by severe weather conditions).

In the event of a tour cancellation by Key Culinary/Sarasota Suncoast Tours our guests will always have the option of rescheduling to another tour or receiving a full refund upon contacting our office.
If the cancellation is due to the minimum number of guests for scheduled tours not being met, guests may also be offered the option of converting their booking to a private tour for a $25 fee. Some tours will not have this additional option.

No-shows will be charged the full price.

Gift certificates are nonrefundable and valid for 1 year once purchased.

Not at this time. Our Sarasota food tours are a special and personalized experience for all of our guests.

Tours run rain or shine. Ticket-holders will be allowed to reschedule tickets, subject to availability if a tour is cancelled in the event of severe or unsafe weather conditions. We never put our guests or ourselves at risk under severe conditions.

Yes, parking spaces are located near all our tour start spots and everything is within easy walking distance so you should never have to walk very far. Please read and follow all signs when using street parking to avoid getting ticketed. You will be longer than three hours, so it is best to find a non-restricted parking space. For the St. Armands Circle tours and Downtown Sarasota tours, we suggest utilizing the parking garages.

Dress code in Florida is casual; generally shorts, pants, or a sundress.  You’ll want to dress weather-appropriate. Comfortable shoes are highly recommended. If planning a beach visit before or after, please wear a swimsuit cover-up during the tour. And we always recommend hats and sun protection.

The tour guides are professionally trained, experienced Sarasota area residents waiting to share their love of all things Sarasota (history, culinary, and otherwise) with you. They swap Sarasota stories and restaurant tales as you walk, talk, eat, and shop on your touring adventure.

Tips for the guides are always appreciated. The amount of gratuity is up to you, the general rule of thumb is 20 percent. It’s okay to show the guides some love!

Culinary tours are approximately three hours. The private/corporate sightseeing trolley tours are 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 hrs. Other walking tours are 1+ hours.

The tours are all right around one mile over flat and easy-to-maneuver surfaces. Opportunities to sit and relax will be plentiful on the restaurant tasting stops.  Should you or someone in your party need special accommodations, please let us know in advance so we can make arrangements.

Each establishment on the tour has bathrooms available. While there are no public restrooms on the Circle, we have ample opportunity given our number of stops.  Restrooms are also available on the sightseeing trolley tours.

Our food tours visit four restaurants and some include additional specialty shops.

Let’s put it this way: We don’t think you will be hungry at the end of the tour! You receive amazing foodie delights at each of the four to six locations. The restaurants are determined to enchant you so you’ll plan to return for future enjoyment.

Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at most of our restaurants during the culinary tours. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on our walking or sightseeing trolley tours.

Our tours can easily accommodate 10 people. Private tours, which are arranged in advance, can accommodate a larger number of people.

Water is provided at the restaurants, but you are welcome to bring a water bottle.

We find that because the culinary tours are rich in history and three hours in length, they’re not truly geared towards children. You are always welcome to book a private tour for your family and we can accommodate the children. Better yet…book the Venice Sharks Teeth Adventure Tour which is designed to be a family experience!

The tour ends at or near the beginning gathering place and guests are welcome to stay and enjoy themselves at the last restaurant. Our guides will always give you directions on how to get back to your car if needed.

At this time, only trained service dogs are accepted and please let us know in the reservation to expect him/her.

On most tours, we can provide food substitutions if noted at the time of reservation. Please let us know if you have food restrictions when you book your tour so that we can plan accordingly with our restaurant partners.

We have some multi-lingual tour guides. Email us at info@keycullinarytours.com to discuss your specific needs.

These are walking tours (other than the private/corporate sightseeing tours) but all of our food tours are accessible to wheelchair or walker use. Please note in your reservation if you will be using a wheelchair or scooter on the tour.

Of course! Enjoy Sarasota history, explore new places to see and be seen, and find new restaurants and watering holes. Be a STAR for your friends and out-of-town guests by signing everyone up for a Key Culinary Tour. One of our food and history tours also makes a great gift!