The Waterfront Restaurant

The Waterfront Restaurant is located on the north end of Anna Maria Island, Florida.  Boasting itself as "Anna Maria Island’s premiere waterfront dining experience", the menu highlights classic seafood preparations as well as compliments local fish that are underutilized.

Blue Marlin

If you like your seafood fresh and your dining experience casual, there's a new place in Bradenton Beach that could fill the bill. In November 2012, Adam Ellis opened the Blue Marlin in the heart of historic Bridge Street where the first bridge to Anna Maria Island was located. You'll know the Blue Marlin by the vibrant blue color of this historic 1920s cottage, and once inside you will feel like you're in a seafood house in coastal Maine. Dedicated to serving only the freshest, local seafood and hearty fare, the Blue Marlin is committed to bringing you the best product the Gulf Coast has to offer.

Travels to Anna Maria Island, Florida

I have been to Anna Maria Island in Florida a couple times before, as my in-laws own a beach condo there.  After my fourth visit, I thought it would be fun to share an overview of my travels there to summarize not only all the good eats, but also some of the fun activities to do.

Just over seven miles long, the western shore of Anna Maria Island is an expanse of white sand beach, gently curving along the unbelievable blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Dips Ice Cream

Dips Ice Cream on Gulf Drive on Anna Maria Island, FL is the perfect spot for ice cream and candy. Dips serves 32 flavors of ice cream, as well as 2 flavors of soft serve, Italian ice, and an amazing selection of candy. This family ice cream shop has been voted #1 ice cream by the Anna Maria Island Sun time and time again.

Moore's Stone Crab Restaurant

As one of the oldest family-owned restaurants in the local area, Moore's Stone Crab Restaurant in Longboat Key, FL is proud to serve locally-caught seafood, including stone crabs. From stone crabs to lobster to grouper, all dinners come with homemade hush puppies and one side dish.

Poppo's Taqueria

Poppo's Taqueria on Anna Maria Island, FL delivers authentic Mission style Mexican food using well sourced ingredients, like organic produce and antibiotic/hormone free meats, at a reasonable price. With a philosophy of "SLOW FOOD, FAST!", this little taqueria is serving some quality ingredients with humble attitude and laid-back beachy style.

Anna Maria Donuts

Anna Maria Donuts is the only donut shop on the island and features fresh cake donuts that are topped to order.  Fill out a paper form with your choices, stand in line to pay and submit your form, then watch as they prepare your order at the 'Donut Bar'.  Fresh roasted, fresh ground and fresh brewed coffee is also available.  Prices are very reasonable.  Stop by to pick up some donuts for breakfast before hitting the beach!

Sign of the Mermaid

Located on Anna Maria Island on Gulf drive, the Sign of the Mermaid restaurant is located in a house renovated to accommodate dining guests. The home was built in 1912 and offers all the wonderful treasures an older home provides. Creaking floors, artwork, and fabulous antiques are just a few of the items that define the decor.  Meals are typically larger portioned and on the “heavier” side. They offer seafood, pasta, chicken, lamb, steaks, and award-winning desserts. Reservations are recommended.

Siesta Key Oyster Bar

Siesta Key Oyster Bar (or as the locals call it "SKOB") is the hangout with the laidback, beachy atmosphere that will get you right into the Island Spirit. When you're at SKOB you feel like you're hanging out with good friends on your back patio (although chances are the ceiling of your patio is not covered in dollar bills). The first time visitor will see typical bar food on their menu - chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, jalapeño poppers, and burgers, but seafood such as raw oysters and crab cakes are also available.

Eat Here

Eat Here is the sidekick to the Beach Bistro, a popular restaurant on Anna Maria Island, Florida. Casual, yet sophisticated, the island-style, gulf coast cookery maintains the same high culinary standards patrons have come to expect from owner Sean Murphy. Preparations are offered in a variety of small plates that are perfect for sharing and moderately priced for everyday dining. Menu selections include port-braised pot roast, lobstercargot, smoked salmon & crème fraiche pizza and New Orleans-style seafood stew. The beer list features owner-operated craft breweries from around the world, while the wine list presents a broad, by-the-glass offering of comfortably-priced varietals.

Island Creperie

Find a little bit of France in the heart of Anna Maria Island with Island Creperie.  Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, specialty items include buckwheat crepes, croissants, and French tartines as well as bouillabaisse and special dinners with wine pairings.  Decorated with purple walls featuring Parisian city prints and damask lamp shades, this charming bistro provides an alternative to the beach scene.

Sandbar Restaurant

The Sandbar, located on the north end of Anna Maria Island, has for decades been a favorite for locals and a great place for out of town guests. With an inside dining room or outside front deck, relax on the Gulf and enjoy your meal before watching a beautiful sunset.  Serving some of the freshest seafood on the Island, the Sandbar is also popular for beach weddings and receptions.

Ginny's and Jane E's Bakery

Located in the Historic City of Anna Maria, a quaint "Old Florida" area on the north end of Anna Maria Island, Ginny's & Jane E's Bakery is a charming bakery and cafe located within a unique Island Coastal antiques shop.  Ginny's & Jane E's offers their own blend of full-bodied French Roast, flavored coffees and rich espresso drinks served hot, over ice or frapped. Fresh fruit smoothies and juices are also Island favorites. Known to Anna Maria locals and travelers alike as a convenient and fun gathering spot just steps from the beach.

Euphemia Haye

Chef owned and operated since 1980, Euphemia Haye Restaurant, is locally thought of as the best restaurant in Sarasota. Located inside a historic, wooden cottage, Euphemia Haye is hidden amongst a scenic “jungle” of tropical greenery where palm trees are studded in twinkly lights and birds of paradise are blooming. Located in the convenient location of Longboat Key, Euphemia Haye is a pleasant and scenic short drive from Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, Sarasota and St. Armand's Circle. If you are visiting Anna Maria Island, this is the most exquisite and intimate dining you will find.

Vinny & Cheryl's Italian Kitchen

Vinny & Cheryl's Italian Kitchen is a small gourmet take-out Italian deli featuring wood burning brick oven pizza, Italian imports and groceries, sandwiches using artisan Italian breads, as well as baked goods and pastries located in the heart of Anna Maria Island, Florida.

Star Fish Company

Star Fish Company, located in Cortez, Florida, strives to serve simple seafood prepared in the simplest of ways. Most items are either fried, grilled, blackened or sauteed. Sides are kept simple, with cole slaw, cheese grits, french fries and hush puppies. The view from Star's dock is incredible. It includes mangrove islands, Jewfish Key, Longboat Key and Bradenton Beach. Add to that the local commercial fishing fleet and you've got one of the most scenic places found on Florida's Gulf coast.

Peach's Restaurant

On our last day on Anna Maria Island, we stopped by this local diner for breakfast before heading back to the airport. Peach's Restaurants has several locations in the Tampa Bay/Bradenton area.  Serving breakfast and lunch, this casual place serves classics as well as healthy alternatives - all with a friendly smile.

Michael John's Restaurant

Chef Michael John Auer's humble food beginnings consisted of cooking with his mother at age six, and ended with he being the successful executive chef and owner of Michael John's in Bradenton, Florida.  This American brasserie serves steak and seafood at unpretentious prices.  Low lit, with piano scene artwork, the brasserie has a medium sized dining area that is split in two.  Christmas music played softly in the background along with a blend of Sinatra and classic blues.  The service was attentive, and one of the few restaurants in town where the entrees really are cooked to order, and brought to you only when you are completely finished with your previous course.

Oma's Pizza and Italian Restaurant

Oma's Pizza and Italian Restaurant is a casual eatery with generous portions on Anna Maria Island, Florida. Serving classic Italian dinners, salads, pizza, and heros, Oma's is a local favorite that also offers catering for special events.  All of the pizzas are handmade to order and can be made with a regular hand tossed crust or a one inch thick Sicilian crust.  When craving casual Italian food on the Island, go to Oma's!

Fulton's Crab House

Last date I was here: 08/13/2009

Restaurant: Fulton’s Crab House (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/downtown-disney/dining/fultons-crab-house/)

Location: Orlando, FL

Total Rating: 4.1
Food: 4, Price: 4 Service: 4,Ambience: 5 Accessibility: 4

Summary: Fulton's Crab House at Downtown Disney Marketplace serves fresh seafood flown in daily from ports worldwide for your lunch and dinner. Set in an authentic riverboat replica docked right on the waterfront, this restaurant features over 50 fresh seafood selections, as well as a variety of non-seafood specialties.

I was in Orlando for a work conference and tried this place for lunch. I went right at 11:30am when they opened, so I was seated right away – though it quickly filled up after me. The atmosphere is just absolutely charming as it is like you are in an actual riverboat. The service was great and I nibbled on crackers with a crab boursin spread and hot fresh sourdough bread while I waited for my meal. The view overlooking the water was fun. I would definitely recommend this place to others who visit Orlando and the Downtown Disney area.

What I ate:

Blue Lump Crab Club Sandwich
Triple stacked, with citrus aioli, crab boursin, field greens, tomatoes and bacon
Served with Old Bay seasoned French Fries.