Either you are more of a mountain person or an island person, there’s no way between. So if you are an island person, we have one of the best suggestions for you. Anna Maria Island is a barrier island just an hour away from the south of Tampa. The island might look small, but it actually consists of 3 cities. There are three major beaches on Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach at the southern end, Holmes Beach at the center, and Anna Maria at the northern part of the Island.
Gulf Drive is the main road on Anna Maria Island and caters to numerous famous restaurants for sushi and other lips smacking dishes, and another great place for restaurants is Bridge Street.
So let’s have a look at some of the best restaurants on Anna Maria Island.
Restaurants on Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island is one of the most popular and beautiful islands in the United States, which is why the entire island is filled with endless amazing restaurants and cafés. So let’s get started with listing the best restaurants on Anna Maria Island:
Restaurants in Bradenton Beach
1. The Kokonut Hut
The very first we have on our list is The Kokonut Hut, the restaurant is located at the beach itself which means you are served remarkable food right at the waterfront which is quite similar to Hawaii resorts.
The restaurant has an open-air bar where you can eat, sit and relax with a drink, or book a table at the back patio while enjoying the stunning Gulf of Mexico.
The Kokonut Hut also has a small gift shop filled with traditional items of the country.
- Location- 900 Gulf Drive N, Bradenton Beach, FL 34127.
- Contact- 941-778-1919
2. Sharky’s Seagrill Restaurant
If you want to try the authentic taste of the island, this is the best restaurant for you. Sharky’s Seagrill is known for serving the best seafood on Anna Maria Island. The restaurant is located at the northern end of Bradenton beach.
Their menu is specialized in prime rib, seafood, and fish. The restaurant buys most of their seafood locally, this means you get the best and fresh seafood here.
- Location- 2519 Gulf Drive North, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
- Contact- 941-779-9151
3. Wicked Cantina
Another best restaurant for trying the traditional food of Mexico is Wicked Cantina. Their specialty is they have a great happy hour when they serve unlimited Margaritas. Their Wicked Cantina Margarita is a must-try. The restaurant specializes in serving the best enchiladas, quesadillas, tacos, burritos, and nachos.
The restaurant is located right at the front of the beach, so you can grab a seat at the patio and enjoy your meal or drinks with an astonishing view of the beach. The restaurant also organizes occasional live events for a fun time and entertainment. This amazing beachfront restaurant on Anna Maria Island is a must-visit.
- Location- 101 7th street N, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
- Contact- 941-281-2990
4. Anna Maria Oyster Bar
The Anna Maria Oyster Bar is right at the beachfront, which makes it one of the best places to dine in. The restaurant has 4 locations in total, but amongst all 4, the one that is considered the most is the one in Cortez. As the name says, the oysters of Anna Maria Oyster Bar are the best.
This Oyster bar is best known for its casual atmosphere and freshest seafood on the island. You’ll find a variety of seafood on the menu here like oysters, fish, chips, king crab legs, fresh calamari, and fried oysters too. Well, not just seafood, the restaurant specializes in plenty of land food too like back ribs, Caesar salad, and classic burgers.
- Location- 200 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
- Contact- 941-778-2662
Restaurants in Holmes Beach
5. Hurricane Hanks
Hurricane Hanks is one of the most famous restaurants on the entire Anna Maria Island. The restaurant is known for its indifferent food options. Initially, one might consider Hurricane Hanks to be a pricey place, but the prices are just like any other restaurant in the area. Most dishes on the menu are between $10-$20 per plate.
Some of their must-try dishes are peel and eat shrimp and crab cakes. Hurricane Hanks is the best place for craft beers and some other cocktails. Visitors also say that they have a great selection of wine, making it a perfect place for having a nice mellow dinner with the family as well as with your loved ones.
In fact, they have delivery service too for the food and liquor both. So if you don’t want to wait for a table or want to enjoy your food at some pleasant, much-secluded place, this is the right pick for you.
- Location- 5346 Gulf Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
- Contact- 941-778-5788
6. Anna Maria Beach Café
If you are looking for a place where you can enjoy your food while you are on the beach itself, Anna Maria Beach Café is the perfect place for you. Enjoy your lunch or dinner here while digging your feet in the warm sand and having the cool breeze of water on your face.
Well, not just lunch and dinner, Anna Maria Beach Café serves some best breakfast options too like omelets, pancakes, and waffles. For lunch on Anna Maria, you can have sandwiches, wraps, salads, coleslaw, and a kids’ menu.
The restaurant organizes live events occasionally that would give you an exceptional experience.
- Location- 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
- Contact- 941-778-4757
7. The Feast Restaurant
If you are looking for a place that is filled with seafood options, The Feast Restaurant is the perfect stop for you. They have a variety of seafood options available, and they ramble about it too. Well, not just the food is delicious, the service here is remarkable as well. If you happen to be having some allergies, the staff will fully cooperate with you to make sure that you have the best experience of your life here.
It’s not only the seafood they are specialized in, but the salads and pizzas here are mouth-watering too. In fact, you can create your own pizza from the 20 different toppings available. Some must-try dishes here are-coconut shrimps, hogfish sanibel, and lobster risotto.
- Location- 5406, Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
- Contact- 941-778-5092
8. The Ugly Grouper
The name might say ‘Ugly’ but don’t let it dissuade you, the place will automatically catch your attention with its offbeat vibe and a 3000-pound metal fish statue that is made from recycled metal parts. We all know that starting with ‘Grouper’ is going to be an outstanding place, and the Grouper taco is one of their best starters.
Plus, if you are looking for Gluten-free options, they aren’t going to disappoint you, and the place is pretty huge, which means you will have plenty of options for choosing a table.
They organize live entertainment events too and have a small yet amazing Grouper Gift shop. Sometimes, you might see the place filled with too much crowd, but don’t let it daunt you because you can also order your food from and enjoy it somewhere else.
- Location- 5704 Marina Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
- Contact- 941-778- 4402
9. Mr. Bones BBQ
In the entire Anna Maria Island, the best BBQ Dinner is served by Mr. Bones BBQ. They are specialized in BBQ chicken, BBQ ribs, pulled pork, and other homemade dishes. Well, not just BBQs, they also serve a variety of food items like rice plates, subs, wings, Tex Mex, and salads.
They offer a variety of vegan options too for all the non-meat eaters, along with many gluten-free options.
- Location- 3007, Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
- Contact- 941-778- 6614
10. Beach Bistro
Beach Bistro is well-known for its sweet and romantic vibe and is one of the most-visited restaurants for a beautiful waterfront view. Be sure to make reservations before dining in, it is advised to make reservations by the evening so that you can enjoy your meal with the astonishing sunset over the beach.
Every detail of Beach Bistro is worth paying attention to, the graceful decor, the perfect selection of wine, the lovely plates. You can also dine outside the restaurant, on the beach. The unique events here will surely make your visit worth it. Their menu includes lobster, scallop pan roast, and many other seafood items too.
Moreover, have a look at our detailed guide on overwater bungalows in Caribbean to enjoy the sunny days and astonishing sunsets in the evening.
Restaurants in Anna Maria Beach
11. Road and Reel Pier
In your entire trip to Anna Maria Island, it is advised that the Road and Reel Pier restaurant should be visited once at least. You might see many restaurants on the waterfront, but have you ever seen the one on the water itself? Well, this is your chance. The restaurant is located at the end of a historic pier on Anna Maria Island that has been around that area since 1947.
Talking about the food, the freshness of the food can be checked here as you can actually see their staff fishing for seafood at the end of the pier. You can head for any meal of the day as the restaurant is open from 9 am to 8 pm.
The most exciting and the best part about this restaurant is that you can enjoy your meal while walking on the end of the pier that is on the water.
- Location- 875, North Shore Drive, Anna Maria, FL 34217
- Contact- 941-778-1885
12. The Waterfront Restaurant
Well, the name says it all, The Waterfront Restaurant comes with the best view. Here, you can enjoy your meal with a stunning view of the water, skyway bridge at some distance, and the pier. One of the best restaurants with a view on Anna Maria Island is The Waterfront Restaurant, just like Rod and Reel Pier, you wouldn’t want to miss a chance to visit The Waterfront Restaurant which is quite similar to the beaches resorts in Florida.
The thing to keep in mind before visiting The Waterfront Restaurant is that dining here might be a little steeper than any other restaurant on the island, but the food is utterly delicious and all the money will be worth it. The food and drinks will cost here from $50 to $100 per person, but not a single penny will go to waste there because of their premium service and extraordinary food. Talking about the food, they have a menu filled with both traditional and modern varieties. Some of their best options are wasabi-crusted tuna, chicken Parmesan, and fried shrimp. Their menu also includes many items for gluten-free eaters as well.
- Location- 111 S Bay Blvd, Anna Maria Beach, FL 34217
- Contact- 941-778-1515
13. The Sandbar Restaurant
Another best restaurant for seafood on Anna Maria Island is The Sandbar Restaurant. The best and the most attractive feature of this restaurant is that it’s located directly at the beach. They also organize live events, plus they let you plan your personal event on the beach too. Hence, if you are planning for a beach wedding, birthday party, or a reunion, The Sandbar Restaurant could be the right match for you.
There’s not much variety on the menu, but the ones that are available are appetizing and include gluten-free and vegan dishes too. If you plan your visit accordingly, you can also enjoy a warm dinner with the breathtaking sunset from the beach.
- Location- 100 Spring Avenue, Anna Maria Beach, FL 34217
- Contact- 941-778- 0444
Anna Maria Island is home to some amazing seafood and waterfront restaurants on the Florida Gulf Coast. There’s something unique and attractive in each and every restaurant and café on Anna Maria Island, no matter which one you choose, you are going to get the best service with the most incredible food of your life.
