Anna Maria Island is home to a wide selection of local restaurants. So how are you supposed to choose where to eat during your stay? That’s where I come in. I have been visiting Anna Maria Island for over 15 years. I have compiled a list of the best places to eat on Anna Maria Island; from budget friendly places to their finest dining on the Island!
When eating seafood in Florida many people believe that you can eat anywhere and it will be fresh. This isn’t necessarily true anymore, many companies try to play off Mahi Mahi or Cod as Grouper or other white fish. In order to get good, fresh seafood in Florida expect to pay a little extra and the seafood here is a must try!
Best Places to Eat on Anna Maria Island
Breakfast & Brunch on AMI
Ginny’s & Jane E’s Cafe and Gift Store
This cafe is located in the Historical District of AMI and provides a giant gift shop to explore when waiting for your food. With a walk up window to order from they provide breakfast, brunch and lunch options but are famous for their cinnamon rolls!
Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe
This casual beachfront restaurant is located just over the Manatee Ave Bridge and is a perfect place to start your beach vacation. Located on the public beach it can get a little crowded at times but is fully worth it for the all you can eat pancake breakfast. This is a perfect budget friendly location with an all you can eat breakfast allowing you to fill up and not have to stop again for food anytime soon!
The Donut Experience
The Donut Experience located on the northern end of the island is a perfect place to start your day with fresh, made to order donuts. They have over 6 different glazes to choose from and 15 different toppings. The combinations are endless and nevertheless still pretty budget friendly!
North shore cafe
The North Shore Cafe is the pricier of choices here but it would still be a struggle to find anything on this menu over $10. This cafe provides seating in the back on the waterfront and is probably the most popular coffee shop on the island due to their specialty beverages. The acai and smoothie bowls here are delicious!
Lunch and Dinner
Casual Dining
Rod & Reel Pier
Rod & Reel Pier is a two story restaurant that allows you to dine over the Gulf of Mexico, they recently renovated the pier. The main courses at Rod and Reel can be a little on the pricey end but the sandwiches and shrimp are the perfect budget-friendly option!
Anna maria oyster bar
There are 4 Anna Maria Oyster Bar locations throughout Bradenton, the AMI location being on the Bridge Street Pier. This is an awesome kid-friendly, casual dining option. With oysters and hush puppies that are the perfect way to end your day at the beach!
Wicked Cantina
If you’re looking for something besides seafood one night the Wicked Cantina is the way to go. This Mexican restaurant is an amazing happy hour spot everyday from 12-5 with all you can eat chips and salsa! If you opt for more than just chips and margs the shrimp ceviche tostadas are delicious!
The ugly grouper
The Ugly Grouper is a seafood and burger joint located near Holmes Beach. This restaurant plays great live music most nights! Being known for obviously their grouper, they will cook it grilled or fried and it is to die for.
Tide tables
This restaurant is my personal favorite but is located off the island just before the Cortez Bridge to AMI. With a large outdoor seating area and smaller inside area you get a great view of the intercoastal and Anna Maria Island. Their peel and eat shrimp and grouper sandwich makes my mouth water just thinking about it!
Fine Dining
The waterfront restaurant
The best meal of my trip last summer in AMI was at the Waterfront Restaurant. This restaurant is the perfect spot when your visiting the city pier as it’s just a short walk down the mainstreet. The menu rotates seasonally and tends to be cheaper during lunch hours. The Baked Brie and Kung Pao Calamari is a must try!
The sandbar
The Sandbar is one of the most pricey restaurants on the island but this is because it’s also the most famous with an incredible menu and a chance of catching the sunset during dinner. It’s a must try! Their menu has all the classics you could ask for but also items unique to them such as their grouper reuben!
Beach Bistro
The Beach Bistro is perfect for that special occasion or just a night you feel like getting dolled up! The Bistro being one of the more formal restaurants on the island allows you to either dine on the beach with a view of the sunset or inside their art-adorned interior! The Beach Bistro Experience is perfect for that special occasion dinner!
Dessert & Ice Cream
small town creamery
This “small town” ice cream parlor has a huge selection of rotating ice cream flavors and fresh waffle cones. The homemade fudge is also a must try!
Two Scoops
Two scoops
This classic ice cream parlor usually has a line wrapped around the building but is totally worth it with over 32 homemade flavors and a monthly special. There are also sugar free options that are suspiciously delicious!
The donut experience
As I mentioned previously, the donut experience is really an amazing experience that you must try if you are on the island!
Anna Maria Island is home to a ton of amazing restaurants but because of it’s location isn’t always the cheapest for budget travelers. If your traveling under a budget, I recommend eating breakfast at Ginny and Jane E’s Cafe or Anna Maria Island Beach cafe as they are sure to fill you up for the majority of the day. There is also a local farmers market on the Island and a Publix that are perfect to stop at to cook a few of your own meals. Another way to save a few bucks is eating a out more for breakfast and lunch. When I was in Anna Maria last we went to the Waterfront Restaurant for lunch and the menu was definitely a little more affordable for my college friend and I.
