Updated: June 2026
When the Gulf breeze turns a little cooler and you’re craving something warm and hearty, Anna Maria Island answers the call with bowl after bowl of incredible chowder, and a few standout gumbos too. From classic New England clam chowder to spice-kissed Cajun-style gumbo, island restaurants put their own spin on comfort food, often using Gulf seafood caught just offshore.
This guide breaks down where to find the best chowder and gumbo by neighborhood, so whether you’re staying in Bradenton Beach, Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, or hopping down to Cortez or Longboat Key, you’ll know exactly where to stop for a bowl.
For everything beyond a warm bowl, my Dining on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide is your complete resource.
Anna Maria
Harry’s Grill
- 9903 Gulf Drive · Anna Maria
- 941-567-5999
- Monday – Saturday · 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM
- Sunday · 1:00 PM to 9:30 PM
- Sunday · Harry’s Hallelujah Brunch · 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
- Happy Hour · Monday through Friday · 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Live Music · Daily · 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Billie’s Gumbo is a family legacy dish over rice, built on a classic wheat-flour roux and a fish stock made from shellfish and lobster, filled with onions, garlic, fresh fish, shrimp, okra, and andouille sausage.
Sandbar Seafood and Spirits
- 100 Spring Avenue · Anna Maria
- 941-778-0444
- Daily · 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
The Clam Chowder is a classic New England style favorite, rich, creamy, and comforting.
Slim’s Place
- 9701 Gulf Drive · Anna Maria
- 941-567-4056
- Tuesday – Sunday · 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
- Monday · 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Happy Hour · Monday through Friday · 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
The Jersey Shore Crab Soup is a comforting, flavor-packed classic, available by the cup or bowl.
Holmes Beach
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
The New England clam chowder is rich, creamy, and satisfying.
Island Fresh Market
- 5604 Marina Drive Suite A · Holmes Beach
- 941-567-6130
- Monday – Friday · 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Saturday · 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
House-made daily: Clam Chowder, Manhattan Clam Chowder, Blue Crab & Corn Chowder, and Seafood Gumbo. Want to take the ingredients home and make your own pot? Purchasing Fresh Seafood on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide is your go-to for stocking up.
Blue Crab & Corn Chowder · A rich blue crab and corn chowder made with sweet blue crab, corn, onions, butter, flour, whole milk, cream, crab base, Worcestershire sauce, Marsala wine, pepper, and natural spices.
Clam Chowder · A creamy clam chowder simmered with diced clams, ocean clam juice, potatoes, butter, onions, flour, milk, cream, and subtle natural spices for rich, coastal flavor.
Manhattan Clam Chowder · A hearty Manhattan clam chowder packed with clams, celery, onion, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, garlic, parsley, thyme, olive oil, and a savory blend of spices.
Seafood Gumbo · A hearty seafood gumbo loaded with shrimp, blue crab, and andouille sausage, simmered with green pepper, onion, okra, tomatoes, clam juice, flour, and bold Cajun spices.
The Toasted Mango Cafe
- 3240 East Bay Drive ·Holmes Beach
- 941-213-9948
- Daily · 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM
The New England Clam Chowder is loaded with tender clams, hand-chopped celery, hearty potatoes, sweet onion, and a touch of bacon.
The Ugly Grouper
- 5704 Marina Drive · Holmes Beach
- 941-896-8033
- Daily 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Live Music · Daily · 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Live Music · Saturday & Sunday · 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
The Coastal Clam Chowder features tender ocean clams, potatoes, parsley, and a house blend of spices.
Bradenton Beach
Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier
- 200 Bridge Street · Bradenton Beach
- 941-778-2662
- Sunday – Thursday · 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday · 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Warm up with a bold Spicy Seafood Gumbo, packed with rich flavor and just the right kick, available by the cup or bowl. If you’re craving something classic, the New England Clam Chowder is creamy and comforting.
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
The Clam Chowder here is a Gulf Coast favorite, made with tender clams, hearty potatoes, and smoky bacon, the perfect bowl for a breezy island day. Eating with a view in mind? Waterfront Dining on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide has more spots like this one.
Blue Marlin Seafood Restaurant
- 121 Bridge Street · Bradenton Beach
- 941-896-9737
- Friday & Saturday · 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Tuesday – Thursday · 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Live Music · Friday and Saturday · 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
The Cortez Seafood Chowder features tender grouper and shrimp simmered in a house-made seafood broth with leeks, potatoes, and okra, served with toast. The Clam Chowder is a creamy, house-made white chowder with local littlenecks, also served with toast.
Bridge Street Bistro
- 111 Gulf Drive · Bradenton Beach
- 941-782-1122
- Sunday – Thursday · 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday · 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Happy Hour · Daily · 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
The Seafood Chowder is loaded with salmon, grouper, shrimp, and clams in a thick, creamy broth with bacon, potatoes, celery, carrots, and onions.
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 New England clam chowder is loaded with tender clams, potatoes, and smoky bacon in a creamy base. Strolling Bridge Street for the day? Bridge Street on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide covers food, bars, shops, and activities alongside Bridge Street.
Gulf Drive Cafe & Kokonut Hut
- 900 Gulf Drive North · Bradenton Beach
- 941-778-1919
- Cafe · Sunday – Thursday · 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Cafe · Friday & Saturday · 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM
- Hut · Daily · 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Live Music · Daily · 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
he clam chowder features tender clams and potatoes in a creamy broth with house seasonings.
Island Time Bar & Grill
- 111 Gulf Drive South · Bradenton Beach
- 941-782-1122
- Wednesday – Saturday · 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday – Tuesday · 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Happy Hour · Monday – Friday · 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Live Music · Daily · 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
The Seafood Chowder is rich and comforting, loaded with seafood in a thick, creamy broth with bacon, and potatoes.
Longboat Key
The Lazy Lobster
- 5350 Gulf of Mexico Drive · Longboat Key
- 941-383-0440
- Monday – Friday · 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday · 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM
The New England clam chowder is creamy, filled with tender clams and savory seasonings.
Mar Vista
- 760 Broadway Street · Longboat Key
- 941-383-2391
- Monday – Friday · 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM
- Saturday & Sunday · 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Mar Vista serves a rich Gulf Coast Chowder loaded with gulf shrimp, clams, smoky bacon, potatoes, corn, and cream.
Cortez
Star Fish Company
- 12306 46th Avenue West · Cortez
- 941-794-1243
- Tuesday – Saturday · 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM
- Sunday & Monday · 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM
The Cortez Fish Chowder is a hearty, tomato-based delight; stone crab chowder when in season.
Swordfish Grill
- 4628 119th Street West · Cortez
- 941-798-2035
- Daily · 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Happy Hour · Monday – Saturday · 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Live Music · Daily · evenings · Saturday and Sunday additionally in afternoon
The Clam Chowder is a creamy New England style classic, served with crackers.
Tide Tables Restaurant
- 12507 Cortez Road West · Cortez
- 941-567-6206
- Daily · 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM
The Chicken & Sausage Gumbo is served by the cup or bowl. Cortez has a story behind every dock. The Historic Cortez Fishing Village: My Insider Guide covers dockside dining, fresh seafood markets, or a glimpse into local history, Cortez is a hidden gem that feels worlds away from the typical beach town.
Coastal Close
Chowder and gumbo on Anna Maria Island are all about comfort, character, and a little Gulf Coast flair, whether that means tender clams in a creamy New England base or a smoky andouille-and-okra gumbo over rice. Every spot on this list puts its own spin on the bowl.
If you’re planning where to eat next, my Anna Maria Island Restaurant Guide has a full breakdown of the island’s best spots.
— izzy