Outdoor Dining Anna Maria Island – Dine and Drink El Fresco!

Outdoor Dining Anna Maria Island is the quintessential way to hang out in beautiful tropical climate! There’s nothing better than when going out to grab a bite to eat or drinks, having the warm island breeze surrounding you. Some of the wonderful restaurants I’ve listed below have beautiful water views of either the crystal clear Gulf or Bay, or an open-air setting directly across the street from the beach.

The fresh air of AMI always makes your food taste that much better and your drinks that much tastier, bringing you relaxing vibes that will be sure to lift your spirit. I have suggested different places from smaller and more quant spots, to casual any-time spots, to romantic night spots.

Outdoor Dining Anna Maria Island

Sandbar – 100 Spring Ave, Anna Maria

Direct Gulf front

The Waterfront – 111 South Bay Blvd, Anna Maria
Bay views

Anna Maria Pier – 100 South Bay Blvd, Anna Maria
Out in the middle of the Tampa Bay

Bridgetender – 135 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach
Direct bay front

Island Time Bar & Grill – 111 Gulf Drive South, Bradenton Beach
Open-air setting, across the street from the Gulf

The Beachhouse – 200 Gulf Drive North, Bradenton Beach
Direct Gulf front

Coquina Café – 2650 Gulf Drive South, Coquina Beach
Direct Gulf front

The Island Branch Library Holmes Beach January Calendar of events

The Island Branch Library Holmes Beach, at 5701 Marina Drive on Holmes Beach, holds a variety of classes, meeting, presentations and seminars throughout the month. Check out our list of their January events below and give them a call at 941-778-6341 for any questions.

January Events

2nd – 2pm Knitting

7th – 10am Storytime

8th – 2pm Turtle Watch & Shorebird Monitoring, 6pm Tween Book Club Ages 8-12; Registration Required

9th – 2pm Gretchen Edgren Former Sr. Editor, Playboy Magazine

10th – 10am Forty Carrots, 2pm Alzheimer’s Caregiver

11th – 10am Origami, 2pm Kindle E-Reader

14th – 10am Storytime, 3pm Changes in Health Care Presentation by Barbara Wagner, M.D.

15th – 2pm Ray Arpke Euphemia Hay Owner & Executive Chef, Mana-Tweens Culture Club Ages 8-12; Registration Required

16th – 10am Friends Book Club Katherine Anna Porter’s “Ship of Fools”, 2pm Knitting

17th – 10am Forty Carrots, 2pm Healthy Vegan Presentation by Jeannie Hudkins

18th – 9:30am Getting into College and paying for it, 2pm iPad E-Reader

21st – 10am Storytime

22nd – 2pm The Story Behind Familiar Inventions, 6pm Home Brewing 101 Presentation by Jarrett Trezzo

23rd – 10am Living Your Strengths Presentation by David Mullen, 2pm Alzheimer’s Memory Screenings Pre-Registration Required

25th – 10am Nook E-Reader, 2pm Friends Lecture Anna Maria Historical Society

28th – 10am Storytime

30th – 10am Quilting

31st – TBA Friends Book Sale Call for more information

Havana Cabana, Anna Maria Island's Cuban restaurant

The Havana Cabana Grill is a Cuban restaurant situated on the Marina Drive, Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island. The restaurant has a large selection of dishes available for people eating in and ordering out. The food served is a mixture between Greek, Italian and Cuban traditional dishes and there are a variety of others. There are dinner specials available and for the adventurous spirits out there the catch of the day will offer a delicious fresh meal. Be sure to ask what it is!! There is a relaxed atmosphere in the restaurant and one immediately feels at home and welcome.

On my visit to the Havana Cabana I had an authentic Cuban sandwich and my aunt had the Sopa del Dia, both of which were extremely good. I would recommend any of the sandwiches that are made with Cuban bread. There is so much to choose from and I will definitely be going back. The restaurant is owned and managed by John Droukas who is also the chef, you can be sure one of the better chefs on the island. The best way in testing the theory is by testing the food. We were served by a kind lady by the name of Michelle Ruiz del Vizo who was very knowledgeable of the state of Florida and its cultural heritage. We learnt from her the meaning behind the term ‘cracker’, used to describe people who are born in Florida. The term derived from the crack of the whip above herds of cattle that were being herded by the first Floridian residents, early pioneers of the region. She is a proud Cuban cracker.

To view what is available you can visit http://www.havanacabana.net/ which is a website containing the menu and contact details.

Now, enough reading for you and time to crack on to the Havana Cabana grill to experience the culinary delight that awaits you.

Havana Cabana Grill
5904 Marina Drive
Holmes Beach, Florida 34217
941-254-4999

Top 5 Ice Cream Places on Anna Maria Island

Hey dudes and dude-ettes!! You’re back with The Island Kid right here on Kids Corner, the best place to get the best news on Anna Maria Island. I’m here today to tell you guys about the absolute best places on the island to get your ice cream fix. Now, here on Anna Maria Island, there are plenty of places you can go if you want a frozen treat to eat. But if you’re unsure of which places are best and which places to rule out. Read on for good info!

Best Places for Ice Cream on Anna Maria Island

1: Two Scoops: This ice cream shop is a small shop nestled between Two Sides of Nature and across from the Anna Maria City Pier. With 32 rotating flavors, some as weird as blueberry pie and as normal as your classic vanilla, your pallet will always be pleased. They also have pastries, assorted lunch foods, and candy bars.

2: Dips: An ice cream shop near Three Island Monkeys and The Loft #5 in Anna Maria, this itty-bitty place packs the punch when it comes to ice cream. With thousands of flavors and topping variations, your experience will never be a bore. Plus the classic candies and toys on the wall are great for a trip down memory lane.

3: Stir it Up: Recently opened on Pine Avenue, this is a frozen yogurt shop with some colorful walls. . . and toppings, too! Pick a flavor or two, or all of them, then add the topping(s) of your choice. This place charges by the ounce, so take as much as you desire. With many revolving flavors and 36 different garnishes, the possibilities are endless! 🙂

4: Joe’s Eats and Sweets: This place is the bomb.com. It’s got everything from chocolate to cotton candy & nerds and more! They also have pie on a stick-yes, on a stick- and various types of milkshakes and malts. This place is big colorful building right near Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach, so climb the steps, and check it out!

5: Holy Cow: No, I’m not shocked, they just have really good ice cream! This place has many different combos of flavors and toppings, plus much more. They include a little mini gift shop inside the shop, plus indoor and outdoor seating. So feel free to enjoy your ice cream while browsing the trinkets.

(Bonus Insider Tip: One more for good measure- Tyler’s Ice Cream is just over the bridge in Cortez Village. Well worth the jaunt to enjoy some delicious gourmet flavors-literally hundreds over the years! They have locally themed, as well as delicious classic flavors…and finding out what their latest is, is always part of the fun. Their ice cream sandwiches are delish! But creating your own flavor of shake just can’t be beat!

Bonus Bonus tip – about 15 minutes off Anna Maria Island is a fantastic custard shop called Sweet Berries. They mix all kinds of goodies in their custard ice cream and call it a concrete. yum!

Whether you’re looking for just one spot or want try them all, these places are the best on the island. So next time you’re visiting, go check ’em out! Let us know what you thought, and check back with us here on Kid’s Corner.

Ocean Star Review. . . For Kids!!! :)

Hey kids! You’ve made your way back to Kids Corner, the #1 island blog written by kids, for kids. I’m here to talk about one of the best Asian food places on the island, Ocean Star. Not only does it have awesome food, but the atmosphere is very realistic and entertaining. Read on if you want to learn more.

Ocean Star is this great sushi and Japanese food restaurant located at the Galati Marina. It has the most yummiest sushi and dumplings you’ve ever tasted. And no matter what you like there’s something on the menu to amuse everyone.

So let’s start with the food. Honestly, I would have to say that sushi is their specialty. My favorite has to be the Hawaiian Role-Tuna and Cream Cheese tempura with eel sauce-soooo good! I mean, the other items I have tried on the menu were fantastic, don’t get me wrong, but I think the thing they spend more time perfecting their sushi than anything else. But if you’re not exactly the sushi type, Ocean Star has plenty of other options for you. They make a variety of tempura dishes (fried veggies and fish – finger food that satisfies even people like my brother). They also serve many different types of rice, dumplings, soups, noodles, and even steak, to satisfy your hunger. So feel free to eat up and enjoy!

Next, the atmosphere. As soon as you walk in the door, it’s as if you’ve entered a whole different world. In short, it’s very different than your everyday mealtime. You can eat at a table, in a booth, at the bar, or in a canopied-in booth with strips of seating area all around the table. To add to the realistic Japanese ambiance, the lights are dim and the chefs are constantly preparing food right in front of you, which adds to the awesome mood.

So, to conclude, Ocean Star is a fun, awesome restaurant that serves great food, has a fantabulous atmosphere, and is a great place to eat whether you have a special event or are just looking for a cool place to eat for dinner or lunch. Well, i gotta go. See ya l8tr. Byeeeee!!!!!!!!

Anna Maria Island Easter Bonnet Contest

Don’t miss you chance to be a part of the 3rd Annual Easter Bonnet Contest March 30th, 2013 on Anna Maria Island. The contest will begin at 10am in the parking lot located at 315 Pine Avenue in the City of Anna Maria. The Easter Bonnet contest will have a 1st place winner for children and a 1st place winner for the adults. 1st place winner in the adults contest will win a 2 night stay at the Anna Maria Guest House on Pine Avenue. 1st place winner in the children’s contest will win a lunch party for 4 at the Sandbar Restaurant. Check out our Easter Egg hunt information page.

For more information call 941-778-8710

Check here for this year’s Easter Worship Services Schedule.

Mary Ann’s Castaway Tavern in Bradenton Beach – Closed

Sorry this event has come and gone however Mary Ann’s Castaway Tavern in Bradenton Beach has events each week. Visit their Facebook page for more accurate information.

Want more information on more musical events on and off Anna Maria Island? Visit our music information page for more ideas of things to do while visiting Anna Maria.

Head down to Bradenton Beach for a Tribute to Rod Stewart with Michael Silbaugh tonight Friday March 1^st , 2013 at Mary Ann’s Castaway Tavern in Bradenton Beach! Mikey hits the stage from 8:00pm – 11:00pm See you there!

Mary Ann’s Castaway Tavern
111 7^th Street North
Bradenton Beach FL 34217

Island Cityfest – A Holmes Beach Founders Day Festival

Island Cityfest 2013 Header — Presented By Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce

Sorry, this festival no longer happens on Anna Maria Island each year as of 2016. Don’t worry, there are plenty of other festivals on Anna Maria Island in the Spring. Visit the Anna Maria Island Information page for details on upcoming events.

For now, here are details of the 2013 Holmes Beach Founders day Festival. Grab your lawn chairs and head to Holmes Beach to celebrate Anna Maria Island history. Island Cityfest 2013 “A Holmes Beach Founders Day Festival “ will be held at the Holmes Beach City Hall Field this Friday & Saturday featuring a classic car show, kids activities, food, drinks, a historical presentation, and live music!

Continue reading Island Cityfest – A Holmes Beach Founders Day Festival

How I Would Spend My Day on Anna Maria Island!

Beach-North End — Bay Front Park in The City of Anna Maria

So here’s what I would do if I wasn’t working today! I would drive past my office in Holmes Beach and head straight to Bay Front Park in Anna Maria, unload my bicycle and go for a ride. As my stomach starts to grumble with hunger I would stop at the Rod N Reel Pier for some breakfast. Remember that breakfast is the most important meal of the day even if you’re eating bacon, eggs, & home fries at your favorite island restaurant.

After breakfast it’s time for a little adventure so I would go see my friends at Yolo Parasail for a relaxing boat ride and sky high view of Anna Maria Island. If you have never been parasailing off the coast of Anna Maria Island you should put it on your to do list!

Beach chair on Holmes Beach — Enjoy Holmes Beach

As the morning comes to an end and the afternoon is just about to begin I would go soak up some rays on Holmes Beach for a couple of hours while looking at the amazing pictures I took from my parasailing adventure. If you are at one of the public beaches you can enjoy some ice cream too.

Now it’s time to go see my good friends at Segs By The Sea in Bradenton Beach for a SEGWAY tour. We start our tour on Bridge Street and head to the beach. Travelling south along the paved beach path through Coquina Beach and up over the Longboat Key Bridge and back. If you have never been on a SEGWAY before don’t worry one of the fabulous tour guides will teach you how to ride, and in about five minutes you will be comfortable and confident on a SEGWAY.

As the Sun is setting on our return trip to Bridge Street the day is almost over but the night is just beginning and now I’m hungry once again. In the mood for good food and live music I head just a couple of doors down to The Blue Marlin where I meet friends and family for diner & drinks. The Blue Marlin is famous for their fresh fish & seafood that they purchase daily from local seafood markets. I’m not the biggest seafood lover but absolutely love the burgers, steak sandwich, and of course ice cold beer outside in the Trap Yard where on the weekends you can enjoy live entertainment from local musicians.

So that’s what I would do if I wasn’t working in paradise today… But I am working today at Island Real Estate on Anna Maria Island and would like to get you here too!

Tell us your story on facebook title it my perfect day on Anna Maria Island and let us know what you did or would do… “Remember life’s better on the beach!”

Christmas on Pine Avenue – Anna Maria Island

Enjoy the merriment of Christmas on Pine Avenue as you stroll down Pine Avenue in the City of Anna Maria looking for last minute gifts and listening to Christmas Carols. On Friday December 14^th the pine avenue shops will have extended hours in honor of the Annual Holiday Walk on Pine Avenue from 5pm – 8pm. Most of the Pine Avenue merchants will be providing snacks and drinks at their location and I heard a little rumor that Santa will be stopping by so bring the kids too!

While this is a post from 2012 the Christmas continues to be a tradition in Anna Maria City. Normally the walk about takes place on the second Friday of December. For example in 2015 the walk about was 12/11/2015. Normally you can find more information on the Island Real Estate Facebook page or read the Anna Maria Sun who normally sponsors the Christmas on Pine Avenue walk about.

Have a safe and Happy Holiday Season from all of us at Island Real Estate!