17 Best Restaurants on Anna Maria Island, Florida

Looking for where to eat while in Anna Maria? This article will show you all the best restaurants on Anna Maria Island to choose from!

A trip to Anna Maria Island usually involves gorgeous white sand beaches, spectacular waterfront sunset, endless outdoor adventures, and a tour of historic sites.

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While you can never run out of things to do on Anna Maria Island, the island’s culinary scene is just as adventurous, with an assortment of restaurant options serving everything from fresh seafood to authentic Italian and Mexican cuisines.

These restaurants on Anna Maria Island go from casual beachside eats to high-end dining, rustic flair, and eclectic bistros.

To help you decide where to go, we have combed for the best places to eat on Anna Maria Island. So whatever you are craving, these spots burst with culinary prowess and inventiveness.

Best Restaurants on Anna Maria Island

Here is a list of our favorite Anna Maria Island restaurants that will please your taste buds if you work out an appetite.

1. Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe

First on this list of Anna Maria restaurants is Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe which is famous for being a beachfront cafe serving delicious American grubs accompanied by stunning views.

Situated in one of the most spectacular locations on Manatee public beach, this cafe offers panoramic vistas of the Gulf with tables right directly on the white powder sand, and the cuisine doesn’t take a back seat.

The menu features omelets, salads, wraps, their famous all-you-can-eat pancakes, and fish platters all of which you can enjoy with live entertainment if you visit in the evening hours.

You can also enjoy tropical cocktails and specialty drinks from the tiki bar and if you feel like ice cream, Edy’s Ice Cream will satisfy your craving.

Snag a seat on the patio or on the white sand for spectacular water and sunset views, and check out their gift shop before leaving to pick up a few souvenirs.

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, this is indeed one of the best restaurants on Anna Maria Island Fl.

Location: 4000 Gulf Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217.

Contact: +1 941-778-0784

2. Sandbar Seafood and Spirits

If you’re dreaming of dining on one of the beaches of Anna Maria Island, then head to Sandbar Seafood and Spirits.

With a soothing atmosphere of salty air, pleasant breeze, spectacular sunsets, and your toes in the sand as you watch the Gulf of Mexico in all its glory, a meal at this Anna Maria restaurant will be one you won’t forget.

Here, you can enjoy fresh and locally-sourced seafood out on the sand or in their indoor dining room, but regardless of what you choose, you can be assured of an amazing time.

Don’t leave without trying the fried shrimp platter — a Sandbar’s classic, and make sure to accompany them with one of their classic cocktails.

What sets Sandbar Seafood and Spirits apart from other restaurants on Anna Maria Island is that they take environmental sustainability very seriously right from the types of fish they serve to using cookware and other gear that are also environmentally sustainable.

Location: 100 Spring Ave, Anna Maria, FL 34216.

Contact: +1 941-778-0444

Related Post: Best Airports Close to Anna Maria Island

3. The Waterfront Restaurant

What could be better than a panoramic ocean view beyond the line of sight?

Pair that with some of the best meals on the Island, and you have The Waterfront Restaurant which has maintained its stature as one of of the best restaurants on Anna Maria Island over the years.

Savor seasonally-inspired seafood, steak plus craft beer, and wine in this upscale spot with tables that overlook the beach.

This wood-paneled building is nested in history, having first seen the light of day in 1922, making it one of the oldest houses on the island.

Since then, it has changed roles from an art gallery to an ice cream parlor until it became the restaurant it is today in 1999.

While its stunning views and rich history are hard to ignore, the food is equally attention-grabbing.

Make sure to start your dinner with their delicious baked brie or Steamer Bowls and later choose from its extensive list of mains from Scottish Salmon, Fresh Catch Entree to many others.

Location: 111 S Bay Blvd, Anna Maria, FL 34216.

Contact: +1 941-778-1515

4. Tide Tables Restaurant and Marina

The location of Tide Tables Restaurant and Marina is dockside perfection with pet-friendly picnic tables perched a few steps away from the water and offering scenic vistas of the Intracoastal Waterway.

The menu is dominated by delicious seafood, but the fish tacos served in a soft flour tortilla topped with coleslaw, cheddar jack cheese, and sesame ginger sauce keep drawing attention.

They also offer one of the best grouper dinners on the Island. Linger at their tiki bar on the dock for appetizing local and craft beers and ciders to complete your meal.

Location: 12507 Cortez Rd W, Bradenton, FL 34210.

Contact: +1 941-567-6206

5. The Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar

The Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar’s enviable oceanfront spot combined with its charming Wisconsin sports-themed interior, occasional live music, and of course, an alluring menu of tasty meals make it one of the most visited restaurants on Anna Maria Island.

First opened in 1989, perfectly-prepared seafood grace the menu with the Grouper Reuben worthy of mention.

But the biggest attraction here is the BTI dockside bar just a few steps from the main restaurant which has become one of the best bars on Anna Maria Island.

The laid-back setting is fitted with 18 TVs to watch sports events and has an unrivaled cocktail game.

With an amalgamation of good food in a casual but warm environment, live music, bingo games, and sports, there is no place to go when looking for where to eat on Anna Maria Island.

Location: 135 Bridge St, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217.

Contact: +1 941-778-4849

6. Rod and Reel Pier

Dining at Rod and Reel Pier means enjoying scenic ocean views and occasionally watching dolphins playing in the water as you savor every single bite of the delicious meals served.

Long a favored spot for its old Florida flair and impeccable water views, this picturesque two-story restaurant has been running since 1947 and is among the best Anna Maria restaurants serving fish specials that you have to try.

Enjoy crispy fish and chips or a nice Mexican grouper and have a draft beer in the downstairs bar where you can take in the full splendor of the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay.

Located right at the end of the pier, this is one of the best Anna Maria Island Florida restaurants.

And on top of lunch and dinner, it also serves breakfast making it one of the best breakfast places on Anna Maria Island.

Location: 875 N Shore Dr, Anna Maria, FL 34216.

Contact: +1 941-778-1885

7. Harry’s Grill

Harry’s Grill won the “Best Bar & Grill” in 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 for their burgers on Anna Maria, so you know that the meals and drinks here are outstanding.

Bring the family and the dogs to enjoy a fun, flavorful coastal menu at the shaded outdoor patio with occasional live music in the evening.

This award-winning laid-back restaurant serves perfectly-grilled bacon-wrapped shrimp loaded with flavor and Mahi Mahi tacos served with Harry’s sauce.

Their burgers are also a worthy mention and their local craft beers complement the many dishes served.

Location: 9903 Gulf Dr, Anna Maria, FL 34216.

Contact: +1 941-567-5999

8. Beach Bistro

Fresh, flavorful, and innovative plates await you at Beach Bistro which offers expansive views of the Gulf of Mexico and stunning sunsets.

The only high-end dining restaurant on Anna Maria Island, the chefs here whip up memorable and carefully-thought out Floridian fare with vegan options from Escargots and Lamb to Cioppino.

Upon reservation, you can enjoy the exquisite five-course tasting menu that will show you why this restaurant received ZAGAT’s “Top Restaurants in America” award.

The bar also offers one of the best wines and craft beers on the Island and beyond.

With its location right on the sand, intimate art-adorned setting, impeccable service, terrace with sweeping ocean views, and spectacular dishes, this bistro is perfect for special occasions if you’re looking for upscale Anna Maria Island dining.

And unlike other waterfront restaurants on Anna Maria Island, Beach Bistro is only open for dinner and and they don’t accept walk-ins, so you’ll need to make a reservation in advance.

Location: 6600 Gulf Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217.

Contact: +1 941-778-6444

9. The Feast Restaurant

One of the best Anna Maria Island restaurants that serve gourmet lunch, dinner, and drinks is The Feast Restaurant.

Their menu features everything from globally-inspired seafood platters to hand-tossed gourmet pizza, steaks, salads, daily specials, and more.

An impressive beverage list accompanies the excellent cuisine, with wines from all over the globe, craft beers, and microbrews.

Visitors with dietary preferences will appreciate the vegetarian-friendly options available.

You will want to start with the fried green tomato before delving into their famous lobster bisque soup and finishing with their key lime pie.

Location: 5406 Marina Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217.

Contact: +1 941-778-5092

10. City Pier Grill

For unparalleled views of Tampa Bay and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, City Pier Grill located right on Anna Maria City Pier is the haven for you.

But it is not just the coastal atmosphere that keeps visitors returning! It is the delicious handhelds and refreshing craft brews.

City Pier Grill has a wide variety on the menu. We are talking delicious Mahi sandwiches, hotdogs with vegetarian options, fish tacos, and daily specials. These meals pair well with all of their refreshing beverages.

With occasional live music and dolphin visits, unbeatable views from outdoor seating, and delicious food, you can’t go wrong with this Anna Maria Island restaurant on the beach.

And if you want to fish on the pier, there is also a bait and tackle area to buy anything you might need.

Location: 100 N Bay Blvd, Anna Maria, FL 34216.

Contact: +1 941-254-4219

11. Skinny’s Place

A true emblem of old Florida, Skinny’s Place has been a favorite restaurant in Anna Maria Island for decades since opening in 1952.

Located close to Manatee publich beach, the burgers here are as spectacular as the views, and the frosted mugs are just the perfect accompaniment.

While the burgers regularly pull visitors to this rustic spot, you will also find chicken pieces, hotdogs, sandwiches, and Boca burgers for vegetarians on the menu.

The beverage menu doesn’t disappoint too with wines and cold beers available for your enjoyment. Please keep in mind that only cash is accepted at this establishment.

Location: 3901 Gulf Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217.

Contact: +1 941-778-7769

12. The Porch Restaurant

Steeped in history, the building in which The Porch Restaurant strives was one of the first homes ever built on the Island with floors dating back more than a century ago.

It has a menu that is as tantalizing as it is varied, with everything from seasonally-updated entrées to perfectly-cooked steak, salad with several dressing choices, and daily specials, all while offering vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options.

The beverages are not left out! Order from their rich list of local draft beers, wine, and specialty drinks.

Location: 9707 Gulf Dr, Anna Maria, FL 34216.

Contact: +1 941-782-8683

13. The Ugly Grouper

Only the freshest seafood passes through The Ugly Grouper’s kitchen and onto your plate.

Its signature grouper tacos are a top pick, but the restaurant’s burgers and sandwiches are also worth a bite.

With its solid menu, refreshing beverages, and TVs for optimal viewing, this family-friendly spot is a great place to catch your favorite team’s games.

But if sports is not your forte, you can come around for the live music and many on-site games.

However, your experience here isn’t complete if you don’t take pictures with the ugly grouper statue standing 14 feet tall and weighing over 3000 pounds.

Arrive in time to get a table as this spot has become one of the famous restaurants on Anna Maria Island with many patrons.

Location: 5704 Marina Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217.

Contact: +1 941-896-8033

14. Vinny’s Italian Kitchen

Come and dine with Chef Vincenzo at Vinny’s Italian Kitchen as he experiments with the endless flavors of Italy.

This casual Anna Maria Island restaurant has devoted visitors who love the rustic Italian meals made with fresh ingredients.

On the menu are delectable paninis, pizzas, Italian bread, and specialties like Eggplant Parmesan and baked ziti with gluten-free options that can be enjoyed with quality chef-picked Italian wines.

While leaving, make sure to peruse the bakery and purchase fresh baked goods for the road.

So, if you’re tired of seafood and American dishes served in the many Anna Maria restaurants on the water, make your way to this Italian delight.

Location: 5337 Gulf Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217.

Contact: +1 941-896-9754

15. Hurricane Hanks

Hurricane Hanks has food, drinks, and an ambiance that will knock your socks off.

Beer-battered fish, scallops, burgers, and sandwiches are all featured on the menu, and the service pub offers excellent wine, fantastic margaritas, daily drink specials, and nightly happy hours in their liquor bar.

While this funky Anna Maria restaurant may be known for its decadent foods and incredible drinks, the sports atmosphere is undoubtedly noteworthy too.

Get your game face on and watch your favorite teams from the TVs available.

Location: 5346 Gulf Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217.

Contact: +1 941-778-5788

16. Poppo’s Taqueria

It takes only one bite into Poppo’s Taqueria San Francisco-styled tacos to make you want to return to this Mexican restaurant on Anna Maria Island.

This spot prioritizes flavor and freshness and offers innovative takes on traditional tacos.

The tacos are customizable and made with only organic and locally sourced ingredients. Take a bite into that crispy and juicy signature Poppo’s Taco, topped generously with your ingredients of choice. It is seriously drool-worthy.

While the tacos are always a hit, the burritos and bowls are also as flavorful with gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly options available.

Poppo isn’t slacking in the beverages department either with natural sodas, locally brewed beer, and kombucha on the menu.

Location: 212C Pine Ave, Anna Maria, FL 34216.

Contact: +1 941-254-7941

17. Wicked Cantina

A trip to Wicked Cantina in Bradenton Beach means delicious food and a memorable dining experience, thanks to the unrivaled Gulf views from the patio and a great menu.

With everything from seafood to tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, and salads gracing the decadent menu, their excellent fusion of Austin-style Tex-Mex and American classics has consistently attracted long queues.

Try out the handcrafted margaritas they are famous for as you soak in the tropical breeze and captivating sunset.

The ambiance at Wicked Cantina is divine, whether you are seated inside or on the patio, making it one of the best waterfront restaurants on Anna Maria Island.

Location: 101 7th St N, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217.

Contact: +1 941-281-2990

Final Thoughts on the Best Anna Maria Island Restaurants

Dining at these restaurants on Anna Maria Island is like slipping into a marvelous world of culinary masterpieces.

These spots allow you to truly unwind — some with breathtaking water views — while still effortlessly exciting your taste buds.

Anna Maria Island firmly stands on its own gastronomic reputation, so the next time you visit this coastal destination, tick one or more of these restaurants off your bucket list.

But before you go, consider sharing these best Anna Maria Island restaurants if you found the helpful!

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