Skip to main content
woman dining by water at sunset

Search Rentals

Search Real Estate

Dine at the Top Waterfront Restaurants in Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island vacation rentals offer all the comforts of home and provide the perfect getaway for any vacationer. Whether you’re here for a romantic getaway, a family-friendly escape, or a large family gathering, there is an Anna Maria Island beach rental for you.  

Anna Maria Island is seven miles long and home to the cities of Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach. It has become a top vacation destination for people worldwide because of its beautiful beaches, incredible restaurants, and other various activities for the whole family. With all of the things to do on Anna Maria Island, it will be hard to choose what to do first! 

Whether you’re checking out one of the burger restaurants on Anna Maria Island, or going fishing, kayaking, or boating, you won’t be disappointed. Take a Segway tour of one of the cities, or set yourself up on one of the white, sandy beaches and enjoy the view.

No matter what you choose to do, you’ll never be too far away from one of  Anna Maria Island’s waterfront restaurants. 

The Rod and Reel Pier

Located on the north end of Anna Maria Island, The Rod and Reel Pier has been serving up a little bit of Old Florida since 1947. With traditional fare, local favorites, and fish specials every day, this is the casual dining spot you’ve been looking for. 

The newly renovated two-story building gives you a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Mexico. They serve a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and beer and wine by the glass. You can watch the sunrise over breakfast or catch the picture-perfect sunset during dinner. For a small fee, you can fish right off its docks and walkways! They are open Mon-Sun from 9 am-8 pm. Don’t feel like dining in? Takeout options are now available.  

Couple eating seafood at waterfront restaurant
Photo from Shutterstock

The Waterfront Restaurant

The Waterfront Restaurant was one of the original homes built on the island in 1922. It’s been many things over the years, an art gallery and an ice cream parlor, until the Suzor family turned it into the Waterfront Restaurant that it is today. 

There’s a lot of history here, from the wood-paneled walls recovered from an old ship to the original fireplace inside. The Suzor family would like to invite you to come to experience a tropical, laid-back Florida the way it used to be. 

They now offer premier, casual dining with craft beer selections and an elegant microbrew and wine bar. The open-air patio looks out over Tampa Bay, where you can listen to the sounds of the ocean while you eat. Enjoy the mouthwatering dinner menu, extensive children’s menu, and a refreshing cocktail while you wait. 

They use only the freshest natural flavors, like picatta, pesto, and mojo, and they prepare their special menu using rare seasonal items captured by local watermen. Experience the beautiful Florida sunset while walking on the white sand beaches after dinner. The Waterfront restaurant is open Sun-Thurs from 11 am-9 pm and Fri and Sat from 11 am-10 pm. No reservation is necessary.

Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier

The Anna Maria Oyster Bar boasts four locations: Landside, Cortez, Ellenton, and The Pier. Each one is a little different, but they all guarantee the best Florida dining experience for the whole family. Their coastal-inspired menu features traditional favorites like seafood, lobster, crab, steaks, pasta, chicken, and more. 

The owners, John and Amanda Horne, are dedicated to the community and passionate about education. They’ve dedicated 25 years to providing vacationers and locals alike with a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. All four locations are open Sun-Thurs from 11 am-9 pm and Saturday from 11 am-10 pm. Check out their website to see varying times and what each location offers.

Plan Your Visit

The team at Beach Rentals.Mobi is passionate about helping guests find their perfect Anna Maria Island vacation rental, so contact us today! Anna Maria Island is waiting for you!

Gulf Drive Café

Established in 1981, the Gulf Drive Cafe is located in Bradenton and sits on white, sandy beaches in the south end, with views of the Gulf of Mexico. The property sits on two acres of beach property and is the casual beachfront dining experience you’ve been looking for. This family-friendly restaurant is dedicated to giving you the best service around and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

They were also voted Best Breakfasts in Florida by Southern Living Magazine. Not only do they offer delicious meals but also refreshing cocktails, excellent service, and live music. They’re also an eco-friendly restaurant focused on ensuring the turtle population in the area stays safe. Sharing space with the Gulf Drive Cafe is The Sunset by Gulf Drive Cafe, their popular event space, and Kokonut Hut, an expanded full-service bar where dogs are welcomed and dancing in the sand is encouraged. Come on down and enjoy fresh Florida seafood, cocktails, and specials every day. 

Are you looking for a fine dining experience right on the beach? Then make a reservation at The Beach Bistro, located on Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach. They’re open seven days a week from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. and ready to give you the best dining experience that Florida has to offer. 

The Beach Bistro

The Beach Bistro earned the highest Zagat rating for “Best food on the Gulf Coast.” They offer fresh Gulf seafood, prime American beef, and tender domestic lamb with the best view of the Gulf of Mexico. Make a reservation for the Bistro Experience Menu, a five-course meal with cocktails and optional wine pairings, for this award-winning surfside dining. Open for 37 years, the dedicated staff at The Beach Bistro is ready to give you an unforgettable beachside dining experience. Call to reserve your spot today!

Woman eating at beachfront restaurant
Photo from Shutterstock

The Sandbar Restaurant

Dine with your feet in the sand at the Sandbar Restaurant this vacation. Get an exceptional beachside dining experience while looking out over the Gulf of Mexico. With extensive lunch and dinner menus full of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, an impressive wine list, and a decadent dessert menu, this destination is fun for the whole family. 

You can show up, no reservation is required, when the restaurant is open Sun-Thurs from 11:30 am-9 pm or Fri-Sat from 11:30 am-10 pm. The Chiles family has a long history of protecting the environment in Florida, and they put that hard work into their restaurant by using only sustainable and locally sourced creations. Ed Chiles, the owner, is a member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization and is one of only a few restaurant members of the Blue Community Consortium. They work hard to protect oceans, coastal habitats, and the marine environment in Florida.

When you choose to book an Anna Maria Island rental with Beach Rentals.Mobi, you won’t have far to travel to any of these fabulous dining options. You’ll also have a relaxing and comfortable place to call home while you’re on vacation. You’ll have all the amenities you could ask for, like incredible views of the Gulf of Mexico, a full kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances, convenient parking, access to laundry facilities, and high-speed internet, and you’ll be close to all the local attractions. Anna Maria Island beach rentals are the only way to vacation. Call to book a room today!