Your Anna Maria Island vacation should be about resting and relaxing, but you also want to take some time to explore what’s great about your chosen destination. When you book a stay in one of our convenient Anna Maria Island vacation rentals, be sure to learn some about the island and take advantage of the many great dining opportunities here! Not only do you have the chance to taste some delicious local seafood, but you can also experience some truly incredible views with your meal. Here are a few of our favorite spots for outdoor dining in Anna Maria Island!
Different Dining with a View Options on AMI
When it comes to “dining with a view,” this phrase can mean something different for everyone. You might be thinking about Anna Maria Island restaurants on the beach, or you might want a dining experience close to the water but not necessarily on the beach. Both beachfront and waterfront are great options here! You can also get a “dining with a view” experience from casual and laid-back to upscale and elegant. The choice is truly up to you, and since there are so many different Anna Maria Island restaurants with great views, you have the opportunity to try out all kinds of views during your trip!
Casual Dining with a View
If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Anna Maria Island to experience a casual meal with an incredible view, you can’t miss a trip to Rod & Reel Pier. This destination in the city of Anna Maria not only offers up mouthwatering food for every meal, but you can enjoy that meal while looking out over the restaurant’s namesake pier! Enjoy fresh local seafood or a delicious cocktail while you watch the waves roll in. Then after you’re done eating, walk down to the pier for a closer look at the water or to cast a line for yourself!
Anna Maria Island Beach Café is another excellent casual dining option, this time located in Holmes Beach. This eatery is situated right on the beach and serves some of the most delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the island. Start your day with a Belgian waffle or biscuits and gravy, grab a light lunch like a chicken sandwich or wrap, or end the evening with some fish and chips or a huge shrimp platter. It all comes with a family-friendly atmosphere and an unmatched view of the water. Be sure to enjoy a specialty drink to keep cool on those hot days!
If you find yourself at the southern end of the island staying in one of our Bradenton Beach rentals, be sure to stop in for a meal at the Anna Maria Oyster Bar. AMOB is located on the Historic Bridge Street Pier; you can’t get much closer to the water than this! They also have a convenient second location on Cortez Road, which is easy to reach from AMI and Bradenton and has a great water view! Either way, you can enjoy local seafood favorites like oysters, shrimp, grouper, salmon, and more. The kids even have a huge menu to choose from!
Gulf Drive Café has been considered one of the best options for Anna Maria Island dining since it opened in 1981. This beautiful restaurant covers over 450 square feet of waterfront and is a utterly picturesque place to spend your afternoon or evening. Head down to Bradenton Beach in the evening to sample their sauteed sea scallops, Hawaiian Island chicken, shrimp diablo pasta, and more! If you do find that you’re in Bradenton Beach in the morning, it’s worth stopping here then as well, since Gulf Drive Café has been named among the “Best Breakfasts in Florida” by Southern Living Magazine!
Finally, if you’re in the mood for some delicious global cuisine, look no further than Wicked Cantina. Here, you’ll find a twist on classic Mexican favorites, along with some mouthwatering American classics as well. From nachos and tacos to enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas, and more, they’ve got any Mexican dish you could ask for. The Bradenton Beach location has an amazing situation right on the shoreline for a great view with your meal! It’s also worth mentioning that Wicked Cantina also has a location in Sarasota with a vegan and gluten-free menu if anyone in your group has dietary restrictions.
Stay with Island Vacation Properties
We’ve covered tons of waterfront restaurants in Anna Maria Island here in this article, but this list is still not all-inclusive! We haven’t gotten to tell you about many other excellent restaurants on the island yet. Why don’t you come to discover them all for yourself by staying with us at Island Vacation Properties? We are proud to offer a wide range of Anna Maria Island rentals for every group, so we can help you find the ideal property no matter how many people you have or how long you want to stay—interested in learning more and planning your ultimate getaway to the shores of Anna Maria Island? Contact us today to get started!
Upscale Dining with a View
What if you’re looking for some waterfront Anna Maria Island dining but want something a bit more elegant? Your first option is Beach Bistro, an award-winning eatery located in Holmes Beach. Come in for dinner to experience an upscale atmosphere perfect for a romantic date night with your sweetheart! You’ll enjoy an elegant meal with a picturesque backdrop of the beach. Menu options may change according to the seasons, but recent favorites have included Lobstercargots, Grouper Floribbean, and Bistro Bouillabaisse.
Beach House Waterfront Restaurant in Bradenton Beach is the place to go if you want a meal that is not only carefully prepared and served with a fantastic view but is also sustainably and responsibly made. Their commitment to using the freshest local ingredients is evidenced in delicious dishes like the oysters Rockefeller, fish tacos, bourbon salmon, seafood gumbo, etc. They also offer an extensive wine list, so you’re sure to find the perfect drink to complement your meal.
On the north end of the island in the city of Anna Maria, dine at The SandBar Restaurant. This eatery also puts a focus on sustainable meals with unparalleled flavor, but thanks to its location on the island’s north end, you get a totally different (but equally beautiful!) view compared to the south side. On the menu here, guests can enjoy sumptuous dishes like oysters on the half shell, stuffed shrimp, vegan burgers, whole fried pompano, and more.
Finally, visit The Waterfront Restaurant in Anna Maria if you’re looking for a dining experience that balances elegance and quaintness. You’ll enjoy your meal in a lovely cottage with a fantastic view of the Bay, or if you don’t want to sit in the dining room, there is also an expansive open-air patio. Menu options change seasonally to utilize the freshest ingredients all year long, but recently, guests have been enjoying the shrimp and grits, pasta primavera, wasabi-crusted tuna, and others.
