9 Best Waterfront Restaurants on Anna Maria Island

Photo Credit: Samuel Crank

• 135 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, FL
• bridgetenderinn.rocks
• $$
• Lively, pet-friendly with live music
• No reservations accepted

The Bridge Tender Inn and Dockside Bar has been an island favorite since 1989, offering a lively atmosphere with live music, outdoor seating, and dockside views. Did we mention the pet-friendly policy? If you’re traveling with Fido, be sure to bring him along! They even have a doggy menu.

The human menu consists of upscale pub fare - we really love the Blackened Fish Tacos! The outdoor patio overlooks the marina, where it's not uncommon to see dolphins playing in the water. With its welcoming vibe, it’s a great place to unwind after a day on the beach.

2. Beach House Waterfront Restaurant

Photo Credit: Amy Farías Sanabria

• 200 Gulf Drive N, Bradenton Beach, FL
• beachhousedining.com
• $$
• Casual, beachfront dining with panoramic Gulf views
• Accepts reservations

Looking for a different vibe? Beach House Waterfront Restaurant combines great food with a truly unbeatable beach setting. The climate-friendly outdoor deck offers spectacular views, with the iconic AMI sunset as the star of the show each evening. The menu showcases fresh, high-quality ingredients sourced from different farms and orchards in neighboring towns, as well as locally sourced seafood and meat.

Try the Seafood Roll for a tasty sandwich. A seafood salad with lobster, crab, shrimp, celery, shallot, and fennel comes together on a toasted hoagie roll for a sandwich you’ll be thinking about for days afterward.

3. The Waterfront Restaurant

Photo Credit: Mia Dee

• 111 S Bay Blvd, Anna Maria, FL
• thewaterfrontrestaurant.net
• $$$
• Charming, classic American dining with an innovative twist
• Reservations on Holidays Only

The Waterfront Restaurant is hands-down the most popular option for a classic date night or anniversary celebration. Old world charm combines with a fresh, innovative cooking style to produce delicious takes on classic dishes.

The restaurant offers a standard seasonal menu that changes a few times a year, a daily dinner menu that showcases ‘rare seasonal items’ based on what’s available from the local fishermen and farmers, and a craft bar. Bob’s Lobster Bisque is a great way to kick off your meal. We religiously follow it up with the Frutti di Mare over fresh linguine!

4. Rod and Reel Pier

Photo Credit: Mana

• 875 N Shore Drive, Anna Maria, FL
• rodreelpier.com
• $
• Old Florida, casual, laid-back
• No reservations accepted

Looking for a no-frills eatery with high-quality menu items? Check out Rod and Reel Pier on the northern side of the island. Although the menu may seem basic, the quality is top-notch! Try the Garlic Grouper or the Blackened Sea Scallop Dinner.

Want to make a day (or evening) of it? Bring your fishing rod! You can cast a line directly off the pier before or after your meal for a truly Floridian experience. Fishing isn’t for you? Then, grab a spot on the outdoor deck and watch the local fishermen reel in their catches while enjoying a cold drink and a bite to eat.

5. Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier

Photo Credit: Kathleen Axelrod

• 200 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, FL
• oysterbar.net
• $$
• Casual, family-friendly, waterfront dining
• Accepts reservations

Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB) on the Bridge Street Pier is another local favorite waterfront restaurant on Anna Maria Island. With its lively atmosphere, attentive service, and delicious food, it’s the perfect dining option for a relaxed meal with views of the water.

We’d be remiss to recommend something besides oysters as your appetizer! Try them raw, roasted, or customize your own plate! For an entree, why not try something a bit different? The Open Blue Cobia with Chimichurri and Pickled Red Onions is a new dish, and definitely worth a try!

6. Beach Bistro

Photo Credit: Tra Hitt

• 6600 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, FL
• beachbistro.com
• $$$
• Upscale, romantic, beachfront
• Reservations recommended

For a truly luxe experience right on the beach, you’ve got to try Beach Bistro. This upscale establishment boasts white linen tables, impeccable service, and a few different options for trying their gourmet dishes. You can order a la carte or opt for the four course chef’s tasting menu - which we highly recommend!

The menu frequently changes based on seasonality and availability of high-quality ingredients and takes a rather innovative approach to some classic dishes. The ambiance here can’t be beat - imagine the pinnacle of fine dining while you wiggle your toes in the sand! It’s great for a date night or special occasion.

7. Sandbar Seafood and Spirits

Photo Credit: Evelyn “frankandby” B

• 100 Spring Avenue, Anna Maria, FL
• sandbardining.com
• $$
• Toes-in-the-sand, casual, family-friendly
• No reservations accepted

Since 1979, Sandbar Seafood and Spirits has been a must-visit waterfront restaurant on Anna Maria Island, drawing in diners with its beloved toes-in-the-sand experience. Located directly on the beach, this restaurant offers a relaxed and family-friendly vibe where you can enjoy stunning Gulf sunsets while enjoying fresh, sustainable seafood.

Slightly more casual than Beach Bistro, it’s a great option if you’ve got kids in tow or are looking for something a bit more relaxed. We are all about the fried calamari appetizer and the Chargrilled Octopus with Aji Verde as a main course.

8. Bridge Street Bistro

Photo Credit: Jessica Sexton

• 111 Gulf Drive S, Bradenton Beach, FL
• bridgestreetbistroonline.com
• $$
• Elegant, with breathtaking Gulf views
• Accepts reservations

A popular option for both special occasions and casual dining, Bridge Street Bistro is an iconic local establishment with spectacular views of the beach and Gulf of Mexico. One of the island’s premier waterfront dining experiences, this restaurant on historic Bridge Street should be added to your AMI bucket list.

We are crazy about the Pecan Crusted Mahi Mahi or the classic Surf’n Turf with Petite Filet and Lobster Tail. A relatively extensive kids’ menu ensures that everyone at your table has something they’ll love! Plus, they offer a daily Happy Hour from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm featuring small plates and discounted drinks.

9. Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe

Photo Credit: Michael Farkas

• 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, FL
• amibeachcafe.com
• $$
• Relaxed, toes-in-the-sand dining
• No reservations accepted

Directly on Holmes Beach, AMI Beach Cafe is one of the most popular laid-back waterfront dining experiences on Anna Maria Island. Another local favorite that offers that coveted ‘toes-in-the-sand’ ambiance, you can come here for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

If you come for breakfast, this place is famous for their All You Can Eat Pancakes. But if you’re visiting for lunch or dinner, we’ve got to recommend the Island Catch Platter. It’s also worth noting that you can play beach volleyball or rent your beach equipment here as well!

Stay and Dine in Waterfront Style in AMI

Anna Maria Island is a paradise for food lovers, offering a range of waterfront dining options to suit every taste and occasion. Whether you’re looking for upscale beachfront dining or casual spots with toes-in-the-sand vibes, each restaurant offers a unique experience that captures the essence of our island.

Visiting AMI soon? Book your stay with Anna Maria Island Condo Rentals and plan your culinary journey on this beautiful island!