Tag: coffee

Best coffee shops on Anna Maria Island!

coffee on Anna Maria Island

One of the beautiful things about Anna Maria Island is the escape from the norm. You won’t find many of your run of the mill coffee places, you will discover something better! As a fellow coffee connoisseur I may have a few suggestions on where one might find the perfect cup on the island. This list is in no particular order, consider it a map.

If your vacation rental is near Bradenton Beach then you will more than likely visit the fabulous staff at Back Alley Treasures on multiple occasions, sometimes twice in the same day. To start with…great coffee, locally roasted and fresh ground. Add to that the fresh baked goodies and a great little wine selection and you have the makings of a perfect little pit stop! You can also order online if you are on a mission to be the first footsteps on the beach.

If you chose a Holmes Beach Vacation rental then you will more likely find yourself getting your caffeine fix at the Island Coffee Haus. This little coffee house has everything you need to kick start your morning, from rich espresso to full leaf teas and cold pressed green juice. They also have a wonderful medley of pastries and little breakfast sandwiches.

If you opted to stay at The Blue Bayou in Anna Maria City you have a great option that is probably within walking distance, or at least biking distance! Aptly named the North Shore Café, this is a great new addition to the northern coast of the island. This coffee shop is located directly at the end of a canal on Pine Ave with a spectacular backyard with tables, chairs and even cornhole. Great smoothies, homemade granola and some expert baristas make this a must stop. The café does not have a website yet but I will add a link as soon as they do.

I would wager that most of the Anna Maria Island rentals have a coffee maker, but you are on vacation after all. Sometimes it is just nice to pamper yourself and let someone else do the brewing for you. The best days always start with coffee on the beach. Enjoy!

coffee on the beach
This is where I want to be!

Back Alley Treasures – Coffee, Wine, Craft Beer, and Funky Treasures

Get yourself a cup of coffee or an ice cold beer while you shop for local art and unique gifts to bring back home. Back Alley Treasures is a really cool bar and store located on Bridge Street (across the street from the Fish Hole)

Really, this place is super funky and fun. Find art by local artists, jewelry, clothing, stained glass, etc. Everything in this place is colorful and fun. Even if you don’t buy anything, It’s a great place to get a drink and hangout.

Speaking of drinks, they have tons to choose from. There are coffee drinks, smoothies, frozen lemonade, beer, and wine. Plus, you can make any of their smoothies or lemonades boozy, or ask for your coffee drink to be spiked. On one of our hot summer days, a frozen lemonade with a little (or a lot) of alcohol sounds pretty nice if you ask me.

Back Alley Treasures is open Monday – Saturday from 9AM – 8PM, and open Sunday from 9AM – 5PM.

Address:
108 Historic, Bridge St
Bradenton Beach, 34217

Breakfast on Anna Maria Island – The Donut Experiment

The Donut Experiment is an amazing spot for donuts and coffee! When choosing breakfast on Anna Maria Island there is definitely no shortage of options. But there is only one place where gourmet donuts are baked fresh daily and topped with your choice of crushed M&M’s, Fruity Pebbles, Oreos and so much more.

The Donut Experiment

Located at 210 Pine Avenue, The Donuts Experiment is a staple of the breakfast community coming out with new and more creative recipes every day.

scavenger hunt donuts

AMI Donuts is the brain child of Shawn and Cecilia Wompola. Shawn formerly a police officer and Cecilia, a retail buyer for QVC, vacationed to Anna Maria. They dreamed of one day making it their home. Their only complaint while vacationing here was the lack of good doughnuts on the island. What could be more obvious? Now, a year and a half later, you can stroll down Pine Avenue and be lured by that tantalizing smell of fresh, tasty doughnuts. The Wompolas will welcome you in the door of Anna Maria Doughnuts with a big smile and such a creative array of sumptuous treats like the Golden Grahams S’more donut or the all new the sriracha donut.

So next time you find yourself in need of a delicious pick me up, stop in and try some of the one of a kind recipes like Key Lime or the Cinnamon Sugar (personal favorites of Shawn and Celia) or the Maple Bacon (my

favorite) I can assure you won’t be disappointed.

The BEST Little Coffee Haus in Anna Maria

Holmes Beach – I have found it!!!!  Found what you ask?  Only the BEST iced mocha on Anna Maria Island!

Let me take you back to the beginning… well not that far back!  My coffee addiction began slowly about three years.  A cappuccino here or a quick cup of coffee from the Keurig at my parent’s house, but now I cannot go a day without my java fix.  I’m not ashamed to admit that I even indulge multiple times throughout the day now!  One of my favorites has now become the iced mocha especially this time of year when hot coffee just won’t work.

Well enough about me let me tell you about the amazing Island Coffee Haus on Holmes Beach.  To be honest I hadn’t even gone in until recently because I thought it would be super expensive and I have become a bit of a Starbucks snob L  I decided today was the day to step outside my comfort zone!

As I walked in the first thing I noticed was how light and bright the shop is which is very different from Starbucks.  Personally I love bright colors and do not need dim lighting and muted décor to enjoy my caffeine.  It’s also very beachy, but cozy at the same time.

Right as you walk in the pastry case calls to your taste buds, and then the rich aroma of the coffee tickles your nose.   I was now drooling, and I only had one foot in the door!  Next I hear a very cheery “Hello… what can we get started for you?”  This really warmed my heart because that is exactly what they say when you walk in to any local Starbucks.  I hadn’t even looked at their menu, but let me just say they had me at hello.

If you know anything about me you know I do not make changes easily, and I do not like to go to new places because it makes me uncomfortable.  I am an efficient person, so when I walk in somewhere I have a plan and know exactly what I’m getting so I don’t look stupid.  I am so glad they had their menu spelled out on a large chalkboard hanging right above the counter to make it easy for me to see quickly what I wanted.  I zeroed right in on my favorite…the iced mocha.  Oh but then they gave me a choice of dark OR white chocolate, and I didn’t hesitate for a second and chose dark.  It just seems to complement espresso so well.  Now I waited to see if they would be making it using a mix or fresh ingredients.  To my pleasure the entire drink was from scratch!  They even make their owner whipped cream which of course I had to have on top.

Now they are making my drink, so I take the time to look at their pastries because I was on my lunch break after all, and I needed to eat something.  I saw bagels, scones, large cinnamon rolls and muffins.  Most of these are made in house, but she did admit they purchase the bagels and scones.  They are fresh though from that morning.  I decided on a blueberry scone, and let me just tell you I couldn’t tell it wasn’t homemade.  They also have light meals including salads, breakfast sandwiches and regular sandwiches like their cranberry chicken salad… I will definitely try that next! You can get fresh fruit yogurt parfaits or oatmeal if you are looking for something on the lighter side.

Not a coffee drinker, like I used to be? Well then you are in luck because they have things for you as well.  They have made to order smoothies as well as different teas and bottled drinks.

When you all come to Anna Maria Island make sure you take time to check out Island Coffee Haus located in the plaza with Hurricane Hanks.  Even if you only have a few minutes I promise you will not be disappointed.  Make sure to let me know what you all think as well!

Island Coffee Haus, LLC

5350 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach

(941)896-4870

Monday through Saturday 7:00 am – 3:00 pm

Sunday 7:00 am – 1:00 pm.