Our top picks for the best restaurants on Anna Maria Island!
Each year our entire family travels to Holmes Beach on the pristine Anna Maria Island for a family reunion. The soft white sand, clear ocean water, and small-town feel is so inviting and we look forward to it year after year.
Over the years the island has gotten busier and it seems this once hidden gem has been found. This growth has brought some delicious restaurants, new shops, and more things to do on the island, but the tried-and-true favorites still remain. Read on for our top picks for places to eat while visiting Anna Maria Island!
Breakfast Ideas
When on a beach vacation, getting a good cheap breakfast is key. Even better if it is quick so you can start your day early! From donuts to pancakes on the beach, here are the best restaurants to start your day on Anna Maria Island.
The Donut Experiment
At the north end of the island is the Donut Experiment. If you have kids- or a sweet tooth- don’t miss this! So many icings to choose from on a hot made-to-order donut. And the toppings, yum! Everything from bacon and coconut to fruity pebble cereal and rainbow sprinkles.
Tip: Arrive early during summer, the lines can be long (but they move quickly). And pick up a dozen, or two, because they go fast!
Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe
For all you can eat pancakes on the beach (and a bunch of other breakfast goodies) head to the Anna Maria Island Beach Café. Located on the public beach, it is one of only a few places you can have your feet in the sand while you enjoy a tasty meal. It fills up so go early! They also offer lunch and drink options, and live music some nights.
The Best Restaurants on Anna Maria Island for Lunch
When we are on a beach vacation, we want something quick and simple for lunch. It’s no surprise that some of the best restaurants on Anna Maria Island are seafood- it’s local, it cooks fast, and there’s just something about being on an island that evokes the need for a fish taco.
If you aren’t a shrimp and fish lover, don’t fret. We have found tons of other delectable places to check out. Some could be on the Diners Drive-Ins and Dives show, but don’t let the facades fool you- there are some really tasty dishes to be had around the island.
The Rod and Reel Grill
The Rod and Reel Pier is an iconic spot for fishing, strolling, or grabbing a bite to eat at the café. The Rod and Reel Grill claims to be a “Little Bit of Old Florida” and serves traditional island-style food such as fresh fish sandwiches, scallops, shrimp, and key lime pie.
The two-story restaurant looks out over the gulf and offers casual dining with inside seating or an outdoor covered deck. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it is a great spot to get a meal while spending your day fishing, or while watching the sunset.
Hurricane Hanks
Right in the middle of the island tucked away in a shopping plaza is Hurricane Hanks. Like the sign says, great food and cocktails! We love picking up a fresh grouper sandwich and taking them to eat on the beach. Also their chicken strips are amazing, even for adults.
Be sure to cross Gulf Drive and visit Sun and Surf Beach Shop to see all the rescue parrots lined up out front. Some are friendly, others are loud, and the kids love it. But don’t put your fingers in the cage!
Skinny's Place
Another no-frills (but always busy) local spot is Skinny’s Place for a tasty burger and a cold glass of beer. Skinny’s is a great place to grab a quick and cheap lunch and either eat out on the patio or take it to the beach.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar
Down at the historic Bridge Street Pier sits one of four locations of the Anna Maria Oyster Bar, but this one has the best view. The kids love the clam chowder, and the fish and chips is so light and flaky. While you wait for a table you can walk along the pier, looking for pelicans, dolphins, and all sorts of ocean life.
There are plenty of options for seating inside, but grabbing a shaded table along the dock and watching the wildlife is our favorite way to enjoy an afternoon.
Dinner Options on Anna Maria: Quick Bites & To-Go
Pizza Social
Pizza Social is not just a pizza joint. Serving freshly made pizzas with locally-sourced ingredients and from-scratch dough with homemade sauce, these pizzas are phenomenal. There is typically a line to get them around dinner time but it is well worth the wait. Grab a pizza or two and head to the beach for dinner with a sunset view!
Poppo's Taqueria
Directly next to Pizza Social on Pine Avenue is Poppo’s Taqueria, another family-owned establishment serving up authentic tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. Inspired by taquerias in California, the food is antibiotic- and hormone-free and thoughtfully sourced. It’s always fresh and full of flavor!
Capt. Anthony's Seafood Market
If you are renting a house with a kitchen or grill on your family vacation to Anna Maria, be sure to check out Captain Anthony’s Market located near the Sandbar restaurant.
Really just a seafood store, Capt. Anthony’s has fresh local catches like stone crab and snapper that you take home and cook yourself. He also offers offshore fishing experiences to catch your own meal!
Eat-In Restaurants on Anna Maria Island
Sandbar Restaurant
Our go-to spot on AMI is hands down the Sandbar Restaurant. Typically pretty busy, you can expect a wait here if you don’t have reservations but the food and drinks are worth it! The Sandbar is on the more upscale side, but the views are unmatched when you sit outside an watch the sunset.
And they make a really, really good pina colada. The best on the island in our opinion.
Beach House
Another tasty lunch or dinner spot is the Beach House, located oceanside with seating right on the beach. They pride themselves with being eco-conscious, only serving fresh locally-sourced sustainable seafood and farm-to-table vegetables. The calamari is to die for, and the tropical drinks are so refreshing!
Where to Go for Dessert on Anna Maria
What better way to end the perfect beach day then to get some homemade ice cream, or sip on a delicious daquiri while listening to music? Here are our favorite picks for a sweet treat.
Daquiri Deck
Located near the Anna Maria Oyster Bar plan on Bridge Street is the three-story Daiquiri Deck Anna Maria Island. Offering live music, tons of outside seating, and over 30 daiquiris to choose from there is bound to be something you’d love! The Daquiri Deck has four other locations nearby in Siesta Key and Venice, Florida.
Bridge Street and the Bridge Street Pier offer many other dessert options as well including candy stores and ice cream shops. It is a great place to spend time on Anna Maria Island for families with kids of all ages, walking and sipping and exploring.
Two Scoops Ice Cream Parlor
The best way to end an evening on Anna Maria is with a sunset at Bean Point and homemade ice cream from Two Scoops at the north end of the island. Choose from 32 flavors of ice cream, an assortment of candies, and desserts including cookies, muffins, and brownies.
Where else can you get two scoops of really good ice cream for less than $5? Their motto: “If one scoop is good then two scoops is better”. Two Scoops is a family-owned establishment and has been around since 2007, it’s that good.
We hope we have made your mouth water, I know we can’t wait to get back to AMI and eat at our favorite spots! There is just something about heading over the bridge to the island that brings out the need for an ice cold tropical drink with toes in the sand. Cheers!
Looking for more day trip ideas from Central Florida? Check out these posts!
Happy Travels!
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