The Best Places to Eat on Anna Maria Island
There are the most wonderful places to eat near our luxury Anna Maria Island villas, from 5-star restaurants, with the most breathtaking views, the best breakfast and burger joints, to the most unique and utterly delightful cafes. Here is our selection of some of the best;
The City Pier Restaurant
If you love good food and you love jewellery you will find The City Pier restaurant the place for you. Located at the end of the City Pier some 750ft out to sea, you will find the owner Bill, literally ‘Sittin’ on the dock of the bay’ making jewellery from beautiful and unusual stones, in the 4 x 4ft manufacturing plant that sits alongside the restaurant. Whilst you enjoy a meal, or just a refreshing pint, you can even have your own special piece made, from a rock, fossil, shell or even sharks tooth that you may have found. The City restaurant is truly a unique gem!
Rod & Reel Restaurant
Recommended as a ‘no nonsense’ restaurant, The Rod and Reel offer the best seafood omelette you are very likely to taste with views to match. The restaurant is located at the end of the historic Rod & Reel Pier at the North end of Anna Maria Island. With a bar area on the first floor, the restaurant upstairs is served by a superb chef, where you can enjoy delicious food and catch the glorious see breeze, whilst watching the manatees and dolphins meander past, or see what the fisherman bring in from the end of the pier.
Feeling Swell Surf Bar
The name says is all! Simple, yet charming, the Feeling Swell Surf Bar, offers delicious light bites throughout the day, with the largest selection of paddleboards in the area for rent or purchase for dessert. They promise to have you in the water in no time! www.feelingswellsurfbar.com
The Sandbar Restaurant
With a colourful history and owned by a well-known Anna Maria Islander Ed Chiles, the Sandbar Restaurant, located at the north end of the island, has for decades been a favourite for locals and visitors alike, Once the Victoria Bath House, it now serves delicious native fresh seafood andhas a casual atmosphere which makes this restaurant so inviting. Add that to its romantic and idyllic beach setting, where you can actually sit at your table with your feet in the sand, and it’s no wonder the Sandbar has been recognised by some 25,000 newlyweds as the best wedding venue in Florida, playing host to more than 150 weddings each year. The Sandbar has been voted the No.1 wedding reception site three years in a row by the Knot’s Best of the Best. www.sandbar-restaurant.com
The Beach House
The Beach House restaurant can be found in Bradenton Beach at the west end of Cortez Road. Great for families, its location means that children can play safely on the beach under your watchful eye, while you can enjoy great food and an array of delicious tropical drinks. And, it is also recognised by Knots for being one of the best ceremony and reception site for weddings or even rehearsal dinners, due to its fine food and stunning views where you can watch the magnificent sunsets that Anna Maria Island has to offer. www.beachhouse-restaurant.com
MarVista
For a real taste of Old Florida, Mar Vista offers a quaint setting overlooking Sarasota Bay. Seeped in history, the restaurant dates back as early as 1912 and is considered one of the twelve oldest surviving structures on Longboat Key. Take a boat trip and moor up or simply come on foot! The owners are so confident you will want to come back, after you have enjoyed a delicious meal with fabulous service, you are encouraged to leave a dollar bill on the wall and a ‘little bit of your heart’ to find on your return visit. There is no place quite like the MarVista. www.marvista-restaurant.com
Ginny & Jane E’s
Is a delightful, rainbow-coloured and one of the most unique cafes in the world, where, say Ginny and Jane E, you can ‘feed your soul’. Enjoy a morning glory muffins or an amazing crème brulee French toast, and add a ‘Mork and Mindy’ (chocolate and mint) to any iced tea or coffee. Relax on one of the unusual sofas or chairs and enjoy the beautiful and original art and artefacts. And, when you’ve finished you can even buy the sofa you sat on or the unusual shell chandelier that you were looking at! Everything in Ginny and Jane E’s is for sale, although they promise not to whip your seat out from under you whilst you eat! Also famous throughout the island for their fresh bread and chicken salad, Ginny and Jane E’s is a must visit. www.annamariacafe.com
Skinny’s Place
Recognised as part of old Florida history, Skinny’s Place is a true reminder of yesteryear. Built in 1952 by Skinny and his wife Janice Freeman, this open air restaurant is still run by Janice, with the help of her daughter Jan and three grandchildren. Known for its great burgers and draft beer in frosted mugs, this charming rustic restaurant is a little piece of history in its own right.
Waterfront
‘Hoping to share their little corner of paradise with you and yours’ hosts Jason and Leah Suzor at the Waterfront restaurant combine fine food with a little bit of Anna Maria History. The restaurant was once a cottage; one of the original homes on the island. Built in 1922 it was only converted to commercial use in 1970, first as an art gallery and then restaurant and ice cream parlour which became famous for its in-house piano player! Many of the original features, including wood panelling which came from the inside of an old ship, were destroyed by fire in 2004. However, after 19 months of re-development the Waterfront restaurant was re-opened, constructed in a manner to best resemble the original cottage and salvaging the original fireplace and back building. Now, with an elegant micro-brew and wine bar, and expansive open air patio views of the emerald green waters of Tampa bay it provides the perfect atmosphere for enjoying the island charm. The Waterfront is also the perfect setting for weddings, and other special events. The lush foliage and brick laid patio makes outdoor parties particularly popular. It is romantic and brings the true feeling of ‘real Florida’ for parties with up to 40 guests. www.thewaterfrontrestaurant.net
Minnie’s Beach Cafe
Like a scene from "Cheers" Minnie’s Beach Cafe is one of the breakfast/lunch places in Florida, where everybody knows your name. The owners (Kathy, Linda and Chef) cook and serve you and with a big community table in the corner, visitors can meet with the locals and get great tips on best things to do on the island. And the specials are terrific and creative. Just a great, cool place to do breakfast!
Rotten Ralph’s
Yes, there is a Rotten Ralph! Nicknamed by a local chapter of The Lions Club in Ontario Canada, for collecting all of the outstanding dues, when he was named as Treasurer of the Club. After a history of pizzeria’s in Toronto, Ralph fell in love with Anna Maria Island after vacationing there, and opened Rotten Ralph’s soon after. Their invitation to ‘Come as you are’ is indicative of the laid back attitude of the island. With 2 locations, Rotten Ralph’s offers dining on an open air deck on South Bay Boulevard, where you can sample their very own creation of crab cake Benedict for breakfast, a sandwich of the islands famous Grouper fish ($11.99) and an extensive and delicious fish men, including an authentic plate of British Fish ‘n’ Chips, finished off with Mama D’s Peanut Butter Pie if you can manage it. www.rottenralphs.com
Hurricane Hanks
Highly regarded by past diners through Trip Advisor Hurricane Hanks is quoted as serving the best grouper sandwich on the Island. With exceptional staff, delicious food, including their beer-cheese soup and live Sport, it seems island visitors, go back again and again.
Beach Bistro
Declared as ‘the best little restaurant in Florida’ fine, waterfront dining at Beach Bistro, holds a host of accolades to support its claim. Boasting the highest Zagat rating for food and service in Florida and included in Zagat’s ‘Top Restaurants in America it is lauded by the guide for the ‘best food on the Florida Gulf Coast’. The Bistro has also won seven Golden Spoons, which is awarded to the Top 20 restaurants in the US, and is now enthroned in the Gold Spoon Hall of Fame. The restaurant also has a wine list of over 300 that has earned selection by the Wine Spectator as one of the top wine restaurants in the world. A visit to the Beach Bistro is an absolute must. www.beachbistro.com
Two Scoops
For ice cream lovers, this wonderful ice cream palour can be found opposite the Anna Maria Pier. With an array of flavours , a choice of cones, chocolate dipped cones and all types of sprinkles and sauces, Two Scoops is an adults and child’s ice cream heaven enjoyed at any time of day!