For many, the Sandbar restaurant is a must visit while staying on the island. Its charming atmosphere and unique outdoor dining options right by the surf make it a standout choice. The most sought-after time to dine at the Sandbar is just before sunset, when guests can enjoy the breathtaking views while savoring their meal.
The Sandbar Restaurant combines excellent cuisine with breathtaking views. Preferred seating is available for large groups, but if you plan to dine outdoors about an hour before sunset, be prepared for a wait of over an hour. Outdoor seating options include a few tables directly on the sand, while most are on a wooden deck under an open air cathedral tin roof. Inside, there are 3 to 4 rows of seating, with one row along the West wall offering direct Gulf Front views. The restaurant also features a full bar with a smaller seating area and somewhat limited views of the Gulf.
Sandbar Restaurant Anna Maria City Menu
At the Sandbar, you’ll find a menu highlighting fresh, local, sustainable seafood, alongside salads, hamburgers, and a variety of children’s meals like chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese, pasta, and seafood dishes. Personally, I’ve enjoyed their seafood salad, stuffed flounder, salmon, and specialty salad—all of which were delicious. Their Key Lime pie and Calamari are standout favorites, though I’d recommend opting for a half portion of Calamari unless you have a larger group; the full order is quite generous and could easily serve two to three people as a meal.
One local favorite thing to do is to walk the beach to the Sandbar and grab a drink or meal. There is nothing like working off your meal by walking the Gulf of Mexico. The restaurant features an outdoor entry area, but remember to wear a shirt when entering. The walk from Peppertree or White Avenue in Anna Maria City takes about 20 minutes, while it’s approximately a 35-minute stroll from La Casa Costeria on 73rd Street.
Phone: (941) 778-0444
Website: Sandbar RestaurantAccepts Reservations? No
Meet Larry Chatt. Larry is the Broker/Owner of Island Real Estate – and has owned Anna Maria Island investment property while residing in New England, Ohio, Colorado, Iowa and across Europe. He and his family have been on the island for decades and Larry has served his community in various roles with the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce
Since we discovered the Sand Bar 5 summers ago, it was always a favorite of my husband’s and me. No matter how many times we might eat there during a Florida stay, we always made dinner at the Sand Bar our last night dining spot before our return to Illinois.
This past December we were informed that my husband had terminal lung cancer. As time passed we began discussing my husbands final wishes. His wish was to be cremated and have his ashes scattered on the beach at the Sand Bar and then for family members to have dinner and a few drinks at the Sand Bar in his memory.
He died on August 2 and my sons and I will be taking his remains to Florida in Oct. Since his death, I have discovered that to disperse his remains, we need to be at least 3 miles out in the Gulf. So instead of scattering his remains on the beach, we are taking a sunset cruise and will then follow his wishes with dinner at the Sand Bar. I know he will be smiling down on us.
Linda, wow, what a great way to celebrate his life. My family will be heading to AMI the first week of August should the oil not make it there first. We have never been to the island before. I would be honored to dine at the Sandbar and have a drink in memory of your husband. 😉
We were just there a week ago. It was beautiful. It was our saecond year. No oil there. love the sunsets from the sandbar! The conch fritters are awsome!
Love the place, we have been coming for years, and the celebration of the 4th of July was awesome, thanks for the good time….Marge Russo
Just got back from sandbar what a disappointment it was our last eve in sarsota so we decided to go out to see sunset and have a meal. We waited for an hour and got s nice table inside after watching sunset as the waitress took our order her attention wAs diverted by something on the floor as we looked down my son noticed it was a rather large cockroache!! We made a comment and she stamped on it and said oh that’s killed it! We were all horrified and said we would be leaving she wAs not suprised we left the table and heard her telling the manager and he said oh I know a lot of people are mentioning them!!!! How disgusting it is not cheap too eat there but you would not expect nor accept cockroaches running across the floor of macdonalds!!! Such a shame as it is a lovely location but the restaurant needs to look at it’s hygiene etc.!!
Love the Sandbar, Anytime you have outdoor seating in Florida you will be near some kind of bugs. The Palmeto roaches are everywhere in Florida, It just can’t be helped. I think the Sandbar is clean and has good food. I’ll eat there everytime I visit Anna Maria Island. The view is to die for.
Juanita –
We couldn’t agree with you more the Sandbar Restaurant is a fantastic place to have lunch or dinner right on the beach. Thank you for your comment!