Updated: October 2026
Waterfront dining on Anna Maria Island comes in several forms. Some tables sit in the sand on the Gulf, some sit on docks where boats tie up for dinner, and a few overlook the bay from a proper dining room.
This guide sorts the waterfront restaurants by type so you can match the meal to your day. Hours, happy hour times, and live music schedules shift with the season, so call ahead if timing matters.
For every place to eat on the island, see my Dining on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide.
Best Waterfront Restaurants
Best toes-in-the-sand · The Sandbar Seafood & Spirits
Beachfront tables on the Gulf with full sunset views.
Best upscale waterfront dining · The Waterfront
A bayfront dining room with Sunshine Skyway views and craft cocktails.
Best dockside seafood experience · Star Fish Company
Fresh seafood at picnic tables beside a working waterfront.
Best unique/other dining · Island Ocean Star
Hibachi and sushi on Bimini Bay.
Toes-in-the-Sand Experience
Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe
- 4000 Gulf Drive · Holmes Beach
- 941-778-0784
- Daily · 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Live Music · 5:30 PM to sunset
- Waterfront · directly on the Gulf
- Reservations · No
This casual beachfront cafe sits right on the Gulf, with tables a few steps from the water. The menu runs from fish and chips to country fried steak and eggs and the “All You Can Eat” pancakes, so it works from breakfast through sunset.
Beach House Waterfront Restaurant
- 200 Gulf Drive North · Bradenton Beach
- 941-779-2222
- Daily · 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Happy Hour · 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM · inside bar only
- Waterfront · directly on the Gulf
- Reservations · Yes
The Beach House has three seating areas: an air-conditioned dining room, an outdoor patio, and a toes-in-the-sand section on the Gulf. Crab cakes and the grouper sandwich are menu favorites, and sunset dinners are popular. For more beachfront tables, see my Best Toes-in-the-Sand Dining on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide.
Coquina Beach Cafe
- 2650 Gulf Drive South · Bradenton Beach
- 941-778-4757
- Daily · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Waterfront · directly on the Gulf
- Reservations · No
Coquina Beach Cafe sits steps from the Gulf at Coquina Beach. Come for breakfast, or stop after a beach day for fish tacos, Hershey’s ice cream, or a Sno Cone. The tiki bar serves beer, wine, and frozen cocktails.
Sandbar Seafood and Spirits
- 100 Spring Avenue · Anna Maria
- 941-778-0444
- Daily · 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Waterfront · directly on the Gulf
- Reservations · Yes
The Sandbar has served beachfront meals on Anna Maria since 1979, with tables in the sand and wide Gulf views. The menu centers on Florida seafood, including fish tacos and clam chowder, with plenty of gluten-free, vegan, and kid-friendly choices. It is also in my Allergy Friendly Restaurants on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide.
The Beachside Bites walk-up window sells breakfast items and smoothies, and Sweet Willy’s Ice Cream Shoppe handles dessert. To read how the restaurant came to be, see Sandbar Seafood & Spirits History on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide.
Upscale Waterfront
Bridge Street Bistro
- 111 Gulf Drive South · Bradenton Beach
- 941-782-1122
- Sunday – Thursday · 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday · 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Happy Hour · Daily · 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Waterfront · panoramic Gulf views
- Reservations · Yes
Bridge Street Bistro occupies the third floor of the building at Gulf Drive and Bridge Street. The upstairs dining room has Gulf views and there is indoor and outdoor seating. Truffle parmesan fries, seafood mac and cheese, and key lime pie are the favorites.
The Chateau Anna Maria
- 5325 Marina Drive · Holmes Beach
- 941-238-6264
- Tuesday – Thursday · 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday · 1:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Sunday · 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Happy Hour · 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Waterfront · bayside waterfront overlooking the Anna Maria Sound
- Reservations · Yes
The Chateau Anna Maria is a European-inspired restaurant inside the Waterline Villas & Marina. The menu focuses on seafood and premium steaks, including the seafood tower from my Best Seafood Feast on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide. Chandeliers, plush seating, and marina views make it a good choice for a special night out, and it also appears in my Most Romantic Restaurants on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide.
Island Ocean Star
- 902 South Bay Boulevard · Anna Maria
- 941-251-6940
- Tuesday – Sunday · 4:00 PM – 9:30 PM
- Waterfront · directly on Bimini Bay with boat parking
- Reservations · Yes
Island Ocean Star serves Japanese food on the edge of Bimini Bay, with hibachi tables alongside a full menu of sushi, sashimi, tempura, teriyaki, and noodle dishes. Sit in the dining room or on the outdoor deck, where sake and cocktails come with bay views. It is also in my Best Sushi on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide.
The Shore
- 800 Broadway Street · Longboat Key
- 941-259-4600
- Daily · 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Happy Hour · Daily · 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Waterfront · directly on Sarasota Bay with boat parking
- Reservations · Yes
The Shore sits on Sarasota Bay with a modern coastal look and indoor-outdoor seating. The menu pairs seafood dishes with American classics, and the bar focuses on creative cocktails. It works for a casual lunch or a relaxed dinner.
The Waterfront Restaurant
- 111 Bay Boulevard South · Anna Maria
- 941-778-1515
- Sunday – Thursday · 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday · 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Waterfront · views of Tampa Bay and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge
- Reservations · By phone for holidays only
This is one of my favorite spots on the island. The New American menu uses seasonal ingredients from local waters and purveyors. The grouper tacos come with blackened fish, jicama slaw, cheddar jack, and pico de gallo, and starters include fried green tomatoes, Kung Pao calamari, and baked brie.
The daily menu rotates through seasonal seafood, and steaks and salads round it out. If you caught fish that day, bring it in and the kitchen will cook it for you.
Dockside & Waterfront Casual
Bridge Tender Inn Dockside & Tiki Bar
- 135 Bridge Street · Bradenton Beach
- 941-778-4849
- Daily · 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Live Music · Daily · afternoon and evening
- Waterfront · directly on the Intracoastal Waterway with boat parking
- Reservations · No
The Bridge Tender Inn has been a local favorite since 1989, with dockside seating, a tiki bar, and regular live music on the Intracoastal Waterway. Menu favorites include Cajun grouper fingers, a classic Cuban, and Fred’s chicken livers. It is dog-friendly, and the dog menu includes a Doggie Burger. For more places that welcome pets, see my Dog Friendly Restaurants on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide.
Cortez Kitchen
- 4528 119th Street · Cortez
- 941-900-1506
- Sunday – Thursday · 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday · 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Live Music · Friday – Sunday evenings
- Waterfront · directly on the Intracoastal Waterway with boat parking
- Reservations · No
Cortez Kitchen is a relaxed waterfront restaurant in the historic fishing village of Cortez. The menu keeps it simple with jumbo shrimp cocktail and grouper sandwiches, and live music often plays on weekend evenings.
Mar Vista
- 760 Broadway Street · Longboat Key
- 941-383-2391
- 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Waterfront · directly on Sarasota Bay with boat parking
- Reservations · No
Mar Vista has a private dock with 14 slips, so boaters can tie up and walk in. Seating is on the covered patio, along the water under shady buttonwood trees, or on a small private beach. The menu covers fresh seafood, burgers, and seasonal specials, with tropical cocktails, wine, and craft beer.
It is in my Best Boat Accessible Restaurants on Anna Maria: My Insider Guide. For the story behind one of the oldest buildings on Longboat Key, read History of Mar Vista Restaurant on Longboat Key: My Insider Guide.
Star Fish Company
- 12306 46th Avenue West · Cortez
- 941-794-1243
- Tuesday – Saturday · 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Sunday & Monday · 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM
- Waterfront · directly on Sarasota Bay with boat parking
- Reservations · No
Star Fish Company is a fish market and no-frills fish shack on the working waterfront in Cortez. Order at the counter, then eat at a picnic table or along the dock. The menu follows the day’s catch, with grouper sandwiches, stone crab claws, conch fritters, and smoked mullet. The smoked fish dip is featured in my Best Fish Dip on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide.
Swordfish Grill
- 4628 119th Street West · Cortez
- 941-798-2035
- Daily · 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Happy Hour · Monday – Saturday · 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Live Music · Daily · evenings · Saturday & Sunday additionally in afternoon
- Waterfront · directly on the Intracoastal Waterway with boat parking
- Reservations · Yes
Swordfish Grill & Tiki has a spacious tiki deck over Sarasota Bay, with seafood, tropical drinks, and live music. Local catches lead the menu, including grouper sandwiches, coconut shrimp, stone crab claws, and scallops. Seating is indoors and outdoors, and boats can tie up.
Tide Tables Restaurant
- 12507 Cortez Road West · Cortez
- 941-567-6206
- Daily · 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Waterfront · directly on the Intracoastal Waterway
- Reservations · No
Tide Tables is a dockside restaurant and bar on the Intracoastal Waterway near the Cortez Bridge. Order grouper sandwiches, fish tacos, or peel-and-eat shrimp, and eat in the open-air seating as boats pass by. It is also in my The Historic Cortez Fishing Village: My Insider Guide.
Beach Bars & Island Hangouts
Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier
- 200 Bridge Street · Bradenton Beach
- 941-778-2662
- Daily · 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Waterfront · directly on the Intracoastal Waterway with boat parking
- Reservations · No
This family-friendly seafood spot has open-air seating, nautical decor, and Intracoastal views, and it is reachable by boat, car, or on foot. The oysters are the draw, including roasted oysters with tequila lime. Lobster bisque and crispy coconut shrimp with apricot horseradish sauce are also on the menu. See my Best Oysters on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide for more.
Daiquiri Deck
- 107 Bridge Street · Bradenton Beach
- 941-253-3300
- Sunday – Thursday · 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday · 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Happy Hour · Daily · 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM · 8:00 PM to close
- Live Music · Friday, Saturday & Sunday · call for times
- Waterfront · Gulf views
- Reservations · No
Daiquiri Deck is a rooftop bar known for frozen daiquiris, including the Banana Slider, Electric Lemonade, and Frosé. Food includes Florida gator bites, and conch fritters. Seating is indoors and outdoors, which suits sunset views, live music, or happy hour.
Gulf Drive Cafe & Kokonut Hut
- 900 Gulf Drive North · Bradenton Beach
- 941-778-1919
- Cafe · Sunday – Thursday · 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Cafe · Friday & Saturday · 7:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Hut · Daily · 7:00 AM to Midnight
- Live Music · Daily · 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Waterfront · directly on the Gulf
- Reservations · No
This beachfront spot has Gulf views, toes-in-the-sand seating, and live music. The cafe serves stuffed French toast, omelets, seafood platters, and island-style tacos, and the Kokonut Hut handles tropical cocktails. It works for breakfast, lunch, or sunset drinks.
Island Time Bar & Grill
- 111 Gulf Drive South · Bradenton Beach
- 941-782-1122
- Wednesday – Saturday · 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Sunday – Tuesday · 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Waterfront · Gulf views
- Reservations · No
Island Time is an open-air restaurant across the street from the Gulf, with colorful patio seating. The menu has seafood tacos, burgers, and tropical drinks. There are no reservations, which keeps it easy for a quick stop after the beach or a casual dinner at sunset.
North Shore Cafe
- 304 Pine Avenue · Anna Maria
- 941-900-2671
- Monday & Wednesday – Friday · 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Saturday & Sunday · 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
- Waterfront · directly on a canal
- Reservations · No
North Shore Cafe serves artisan coffee, specialty teas, whole-fruit smoothies, acai bowls, and light bites. Mimosas and wine are available. The outdoor seating overlooks a canal and includes yard games like cornhole, and the Anna Maria mural is a good photo stop. For more picture-worthy places, see my Best Instagram Spots on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide. A small boutique section sits inside.
Wicked Cantina Bradenton Beach
- 101 7th Street North · Bradenton Beach
- 941-281-2990
- Daily · 7:30 AM – 10:30 PM
- Happy Hour · Monday – Saturday · 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Happy Hour · Sunday · 7:30 AM – 10:00 PM
- Live Music · Daily 6:00 – 9:00 PM · Sunday additionally 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Waterfront · Gulf views
- Reservations · No
Wicked Cantina serves Tex-Mex on a breezy patio near the beach, and it is in my Mexican Restaurants on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide. Order carnitas street tacos, fajitas, grouper tacos, or the signature Wicked Burrito with a classic margarita. Brunch features breakfast burritos, and the menu clearly marks gluten-free options.
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Coastal Close
Waterfront dining on Anna Maria Island ranges from sandy beach tables to dockside picnic benches to bayfront dinners. Pick the setting that fits your day, then plan around sunset.
For more places to eat, including spots away from the water, see my Anna Maria Island Restaurant Guide.
— izzy