Golden on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with fresh local flavor, crab cakes on Anna Maria Island are more than just a menu item, they’re a coastal tradition. From waterfront restaurants to hidden local favorites, the island serves up crab cakes worth slowing down for, each with its own twist on this classic Gulf Coast favorite.
Contents
- Beach House Waterfront Restaurant
- Bridge Street Bistro
- Bridge Tender Inn Dockside & Tiki Bar
- The Chateau Anna Maria
- Daiquiri Deck
- Gulf Drive Cafe & Kokonut Hut
- Hurricane Hanks
- The Lazy Lobster
- Mar Vista
- Salt Bar & Table
- Sandbar Seafood and Spirits
- The Shore
- Star Fish Company
- Swordfish Grill
- The Waterfront Restaurant
- Wrap Up
Beach House Waterfront Restaurant
- 200 Gulf Drive · Bradenton Beach
- 941-779-2222
- Daily · 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Happy Hour · Daily · 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM · inside bar only
Beach House Waterfront Restaurant serves two jumbo lump crab cakes, golden and tender, topped with a flavorful garlic herb mayo and set over a rich red pepper remoulade.
Bridge Street Bistro
- 111 Gulf Drive · Bradenton Beach
- 941-782-1122
- Sunday through Thursday · 12:00 to 9:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday · 12:00 to 10:00 PM
- Happy Hour · Daily · 12:00 to 4:00 PM
At Bridge Street Bistro, the crab cake is finished with a spicy remoulade and served with your choice of roasted corn and bacon risotto or mashed potatoes with seasonal vegetables.
Bridge Tender Inn Dockside & Tiki Bar
- 135 Bridge Street · Bradenton Beach
- 941-778-4849
- Daily · 11:00 AM to 11:30 PM
- Live Music · Daily · afternoon and evening
The B.T.I. Crab Cake at Bridge Tender Inn is sautéed golden brown and served with garlic toast and a classic mustard sauce, making it a simple yet satisfying coastal favorite.
The Chateau Anna Maria
- 5325 Marina Drive · Holmes Beach
- 941-238-6264
- Tuesday through Thursday · 3:00 to 10:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday · 1:00 to 11:00 PM
- Sunday · 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Happy Hour · 3:00 to 5:00 PM
At The Chateau Anna Maria, the Caribbean-style crab cake brings island vibes to the plate, topped with fresh mango salsa and finished with a creamy avocado aioli.
Daiquiri Deck
- 107 Bridge Street · Bradenton Beach
- 941-253-3300
- Sunday through Thursday · 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday · 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Happy Hour · Daily · 3:00 to 7:00 PM · 8:00 PM to close
- Live Music · Friday, Saturday, and Sunday · call for times
The Crab Cake BLT at Daiquiri Deck features a homemade lump crab cake layered with applewood bacon, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and tangy lemon aioli. Served on a buttered and toasted roll, it’s a flavorful twist on a classic sandwich perfect for seafood lovers.
Gulf Drive Cafe & Kokonut Hut
- 900 Gulf Drive North · Bradenton Beach
- 941-778-1919
- Cafe · Open · Sunday through Thursday · 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Cafe · Open · Friday and Saturday · 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM
- Hut · Open · Daily · 7:00 AM to Midnight
- Live Music · Daily · 6:00 to 9:00 PM
At Gulf Drive Cafe & Kokonut Hut, you’ll find mini crab cakes served four to a plate, finished with a garlic aioli drizzle, sweet plum sauce, and a bright mango papaya salsa for a tropical twist.
Hurricane Hanks
- 5346 Gulf Drive · Holmes Beach
- 941-778-5788
- Food · Sunday through Thursday · 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Food · Friday and Saturday · 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
- Bar · Daily · 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Hurricane Hanks serves Maryland-style lump Blue crab cakes drizzled with a zesty Cajun remoulade, perfect for both lunch and dinner.
The Lazy Lobster
- 5350 Gulf of Mexico Drive · Longboat Key
- 941-383-0440
- Monday through Friday · 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday · 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM
The Crab Cake Salad at The Lazy Lobster features pan-seared crab cakes atop fresh mixed greens with cucumbers, tomatoes, strawberries, and pecans, all tossed in their house vinaigrette for a bright and flavorful meal.
Mar Vista
- 760 Broadway Street · Longboat Key
- 941-383-2391
- Monday through Friday · 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday · 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM
At Mar Vista, dive into the deliciousness of their house-made crab cake layered with arugula, pickled onion, and creamy remoulade on a perfectly toasted bun. And yes, every bite comes with a side of crispy, golden chips!
Salt Bar & Table
- 2519 Gulf Drive · Bradenton Beach
- 941-896-9897
- Daily · 3:30 to 10:00 PM
- Live Music · Friday & Saturday · 6:00 to 9:00 PM
- Happy Hour · Daily · 3:30 to 5:00 PM
The Crab Cakes at Salt Bar & Table are served with a vibrant red pepper reduction and creamy avocado crema, offering a flavorful and visually stunning seafood dish.
Sandbar Seafood and Spirits
- 100 Spring Avenue · Anna Maria
- 941-778-0444
- Daily · 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Indulge in the Jumbo Crab Cake at Sandbar Seafood and Spirits—golden, tender, and packed with fresh lump crab flavor in every bite. Paired with bright citrus notes and unbeatable beachside views, it’s the kind of dish that instantly upgrades your day by the water.
The Shore
- 800 Broadway Street
- 941-259-4600
- Daily · 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Happy Hour · Daily · 3:00 to 6:00 PM
The 100% Jumbo Lump Crab Cake at The Shore is a decadent, gluten-free treat that showcases the sweet, delicate flavor of fresh crab. Served with crisp watermelon radish fennel slaw and a zesty miso ginger aioli, it’s a perfectly balanced dish bursting with flavor.
Star Fish Company
- 12306 46th Avenue West · Cortez
- 941-794-1243
- Tuesday through Saturday · 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM
- Sunday and Monday · 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM
The crab cakes at Star Fish Company are made fresh daily, offering a perfectly tender, flavorful bite that highlights the sweet taste of local Blue crab.
Swordfish Grill
- 4628 119th Street West · Cortez
- 941-798-2035
- Daily · 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Happy Hour · Monday through Saturday · 4:00 to 6:00 PM
- Live Music · Daily · evenings · Saturday and Sunday additionally in afternoon
The Florida Crab Cake at Swordfish Grill is a thick, flavorful Blue crab cake served with zesty remoulade, making it a true standout for seafood lovers.
The Waterfront Restaurant
- 111 Bay Boulevard South · Anna Maria
- 941-778-1515
- Sunday through Thursday · 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday · 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
The Grouper Cakes at The Waterfront Restaurant aren’t technically crab cakes, but they deliver the same golden, crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside experience. Topped with creole mustard and a squeeze of lemon, and served with house potatoes and a seasonal vegetable, they’re a must-try for anyone craving a savory island-style cake.
Wrap Up
Anna Maria Island’s crab cakes are more than just a menu item—they’re part of the island’s coastal charm. Whether enjoyed with a waterfront view or at a laid-back local favorite, each one captures the fresh flavors and relaxed pace that define dining here.
For the best experience, plan your visit during the island’s most comfortable seasons using The Climate of Anna Maria Island: What You Need to Know, and consider pairing your meal with a night out from my Live Music Vibe on Anna Maria Island guide. When you’re ready to discover even more standout dining spots, explore my Anna Maria Island Restaurant Guide to keep your island food adventure going.
Until next time…
· izzy