There is no shortage of great restaurants on Anna Maria Island. And it seems each year a new establishment opens up that offers even more yummy food options for us locals and visitors to enjoy. So picking our top restaurants was quite a challenge. Check out our favorite Island restaurants, and let us know how our list compares to yours!
Beach Bistro
For a fine dining experience, Beach Bistro is the place to go. It is the only fine dining restaurant on the entire Island and is open for dinner. The restaurant has a romantic setting and sits right on the beach. Highly recommend for a date night. Just be mindful that meals here are pricier than other Island restaurants, but well worth it.
The Waterfront
Located on the North end of AMI, The Waterfront is a popular restaurant that is open for lunch & dinner. This restaurant has a great outdoor patio seating area, as well as a lovely inside dining room that has a very intimate setting. The Waterfront also offers to “cook your catch”. If you’re planning a charter with Anna Maria Charters, head over here after with your fresh catch and they will cook it up perfectly for you to enjoy.
Blue Marlin
Blue Marlin is located on Historic Bridge Street and offers fresh and locally caught seafood for dinner. If you enjoy live music, then you will love their “Trap Yard”, an outdoor courtyard where they feature live music on the weekends.
Sandbar Restaurant
Aside from Beach Bistro, this is the only other beach front restaurant on the list. Sandbar is great for those visiting and are not used to seeing the Gulf of Mexico. Dine with your toes in the sand and the water right in front of you. The Sandbar is open for lunch & dinner as well as a Sunday brunch.
The Feast
The Feast is another restaurant located in the heart of Holmes Beach. This popular establishment serves gourmet pizza, seafood, pasta dishes, and more! Open everyday for lunch & dinner.
Island Time Bar & Grill
This is a fun establishment you can find on Historic Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. Open for lunch & dinner, Island Time Bar & Grill is an open-air bar and patio that offers cocktails, food, and live music.
Rod and Reel Pier
Located on the Northern end of Anna Maria Island is Rod & Reel Pier Restaurant. This is one of three restaurants on the island that are out on a pier over the water. Truly a must visit while staying the Island. Rod and Reel is open for breakfast, lunch, & dinner. Enjoy a laid back environment with tasty food, cold beer, and a view you can’t beat! You have a very good chance of seeing dolphins, sting rays, and more marine life here.
Slims Place
Slims Place in Anna Maria City has some darn good burgers. Being the Island’s #1 Sports Bar, Slims is quite popular. The service is great, and the food is even better. Great place for good bar food (nachos, burgers, tacos, etc.). Open for lunch & dinner (opens at 3pm on Mondays and Tuesdays).
Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB on the Pier)
Anna Maria Oyster Bar (also known as AMOB) is a very popular seafood restaurant establishment that has four locations in the local area, with one being on Anna Maria Island. AMOB on the Pier is located at the end of Historic Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. Overlooking the Intercoastal, this restaurant provides awesome water views. The AMOB restaurants are VERY popular with locals and visitors and is a nice casual restaurant. Dine here for lunch or dinner.
Freckled Fin
The Freckled Fin Irish Pub in Holmes Beach is a fun place to go for lunch or dinner. Here you will find items on the menu like tacos, sandwiches, wings, and more yummy bar food. Freckled Fin is extra fun on the weekends when they have live music and close late (2AM). Don’t let the “Irish Pub” part scare you, this is actually a family-friendly establishment.
Ocean Star
The Island’s only sushi place would be Ocean Star in Anna Maria City. Ocean Star is only open for dinner, and offers sushi, hibachi, and Japanese cuisine. The food is always delicious! Plus, it is on the water, so you have a lovely water view. So if you are in the mood for sushi or hibachi this is the place to go!
Bridge Tender Inn
Bridge Tender Inn is located on Historic Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. Open since 1989, this restaurant is pet friendly and a great place to go to watch the game and get some grub. With 18 TV Screens in the bar/lounge, your game is guaranteed to be playing. A great aspect to the Bridge Tender Inn is their fantastic dockside bar. Here you will really feel like your living the Island life, with a boozy beverage in hand and a view of the water and boats cruising by. Open for lunch and dinner.
Duffy’s
For some delicious burgers, check out Duffy’s in Holmes Beach. This family owned and operated restaurant has been on open for 40 years, and is a laid-back, casual spot to grab a cold beer, one of their specialty burgers, and more. Highly suggest the Brie and Caramelized Onion Burger (it is out of this world).
Learn More about Carol Bernard, Sales Support Expert at Island Real Estate in our Marina Drive office. Carol has been with the company since 1994 and has worked in early every department across our company – from rentals & reservations to sales support & more!
During her off hours, you’ll find her nose buried in a stack of reading, likely with one of her three cats curled up on her lap. She’s an avid local sports fan, often donning Buccaneer, Tampa Bay Rays, or Lightning gear when out of the office.
