Updated: May 2026
Crispy, golden, and just the right mix of tender and flavorful, calamari is one of those appetizers that shows up everywhere on Anna Maria Island and somehow never gets old. Whether it’s lightly breaded with classic marinara, tossed in garlic butter and parmesan, or finished with Thai chili and fresh herbs, local restaurants put genuine thought into this coastal staple.
From casual beachfront eateries to lively waterfront grills, here is your guide to the best calamari on Anna Maria Island and the surrounding area.
Beachfront & Waterfront
The classic island calamari experience where the view is just as good as the plate. For more waterfront dining inspiration, see my Ultimate Guide to Waterfront Dining on Anna Maria Island.
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
Dusted with the restaurant’s signature house seasoning, fried to a crispy golden finish, and served with house-made marinara. A reliable and satisfying starter. Arriving by boat? AMOB is one of the best boat-accessible stops on the island. See my Ultimate Guide to Boat Accessible Restaurants on Anna Maria Island.
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
Lightly fried and paired with banana peppers, coriander lime aioli, and fresh lemon. Bright, zesty, and perfectly beachside.
Gulf Drive Cafe & Kokonut Hut
- 900 Gulf Drive North · Bradenton Beach
- 941-778-1919
- Cafe · Open · Sunday – Thursday · 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Cafe · Open · Friday & 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
Lightly breaded deep-water squid fried to a crisp, topped with parmesan and fresh parsley, served with garlic aioli and house-made marinara. Classic done right, with live music every evening. For the full live music lineup across the island, see my Ultimate Guide to Live Music on Anna Maria Island.
Mar Vista
- 760 Broadway Street · Longboat Key
- 941-383-2391
- Daily · 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Cuisine · locally sourced, southern‑style seafood
Crispy calamari served with tangy pickled vegetables and a zesty chili-coconut sauce. Bold, island-inspired, and a great reason to make the drive to Longboat Key.
Sandbar Seafood and Spirits
- 100 Spring Avenue · Anna Maria
- 941-778-0444
- Daily · 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Domestically sourced squid lightly fried and served with zesty marinara and fresh lemon. Simple, fresh, and best enjoyed with a Gulf view. One of the great toes-in-the-sand dining experiences on the island. See my Ultimate Guide to the Best Toes-in-the-Sand Dining on Anna Maria Island.
The Shore
- 800 Broadway Street · Longboat Key
- 941-259-4600
- Daily · 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Happy Hour · Daily · 3:00 to 6:00 PM
Kung Pao Calamari tossed with napa cabbage, red pepper, and toasted peanuts, finished with black sesame, fresh basil, mint, and cilantro. Vibrant, crunchy, and beautifully balanced. Arriving by boat makes it even better. See my Ultimate Guide to Boat Accessible Restaurants on Anna Maria Island.
The Waterfront Restaurant
- 111 Bay Boulevard South · Anna Maria
- 941-778-1515
- Sunday – Thursday · 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday · 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Kung Pao Calamari Curls, flash-fried to golden perfection and finished with onion, feta, and banana peppers. Served with Thai sweet chili sauce. A bold and flavorful twist on a classic.
Casual Island Favorites
The fun, social spots where calamari shows up alongside cold drinks, live music, and a stay-awhile atmosphere. For the best happy hour timing across the island, see my Ultimate Guide to Happy Hour Spots on Anna Maria Island.
Cortez Kitchen
- 4528 119th Street · Cortez
- 941-900-1506
- Sunday through Thursday · 12:00 to 9:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday · 12:00 to 10:00 PM
- Live Music · Friday through Sunday evenings
Crispy rings and tentacles tossed with banana peppers and served with spicy mayo. Bold, fresh, and a great reason to spend time in Cortez. For everything the neighborhood has to offer, see my Ultimate Guide to the Historic Cortez Fishing Village.
Daiquiri Deck
- 107 Bridge Street · Bradenton Beach
- 941-253-3300
- Sunday – Thursday · 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday & 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 Parmesan Calamari is lightly breaded, fried to a golden crisp, tossed in garlic butter with parmesan and cherry peppers, and served with zesty lemon aioli. Crunchy, savory, and bright. Order it at happy hour on Bridge Street and you are doing it right.
Harry’s Grill
- 9903 Gulf Drive · Anna Maria
- 941-567-5999
- Monday – Saturday · 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM
- Sunday · 1:00 to 9:30 PM
- Sunday · Harry’s Hallelujah Brunch · 10:00 to 11:30 AM
- Live Music · Daily · 6:00 to 8:30 PM
- Happy Hour · Monday through Friday · 3:00 to 5:00 PM
Classic fried calamari, lightly breaded and golden, served with your choice of tangy marinara or Harry’s signature sauce. A reliable crowd-pleaser with live music every evening.
Kiwi Style Fish and Chips
- 3608 East Bay Drive · Holmes Beach
- 941-704-5040
- Monday – Saturday · 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Golden, crispy rings coated in breadcrumbs and served with a signature tartar sauce infused with sweet chili, finished with fresh lemon. A fun and casual option in Holmes Beach.
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
Tender squid lightly fried to a golden crisp and served with classic marinara. No fuss, just freshness. As old school as it gets and exactly the point.
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
Flash-fried rings and tentacles tossed with cabbage, fresh mint, cilantro, and green onions, finished with Thai chili sauce and sesame seeds. Bright, herbaceous, and a little spicy. A great waterfront option in Cortez.
The Ugly Grouper
- 5704 Marina Drive · Holmes Beach
- 941-896-8033
- Daily · 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Live Music · Daily · 5:00 to 8:00 PM
- Live Music · Saturday and Sunday · 12:00 to 3:00 PM
Colossal Calamari lightly breaded, fried to golden perfection, and served with the house-made Dyno sauce. A generous portion and a perfect starter before working through the rest of the menu.
Elevated & Creative Takes
These kitchens go beyond the standard breaded ring and deliver calamari worth talking about.
Bamboo Island Bar
- 119 Bridge Street · Bradenton Beach
- 941-803-6416
- Monday – Thursday · 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM
- Friday & Saturday · 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM
The Bali features tender calamari sautéed with garlic and olive oil. Simple, light, and beautifully executed. A welcome departure from the standard fried preparation.
The Chateau Anna Maria
- 5325 Marina Drive · Holmes Beach
- 941-238-6264
- Tuesday – Thursday · 3:00 to 10:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday · 1:00 to 11:00 PM
- Sunday · 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Happy Hour · 3:00 to 5:00 PM
Graham Cracker Calamari coated in graham cracker crumbs, paired with baby arugula and anchovy-lemon aioli, finished with a drizzle of sriracha. Creative, elegant, and genuinely memorable.
Mademoiselle Paris French Restaurant
- 9906 Gulf Drive · Anna Maria
- 941-226-0708
- Monday & Tuesday · 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Wednesday – Sunday · 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Lightly fried to a golden crisp and served with a rich, creamy garlic sauce. Elegant and full of flavor, it’s the perfect start to a relaxed island meal with a French twist.
The Porch
- 9707 Gulf Drive · Anna Maria
- 941-782-8683
- Daily · Lunch · 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Daily · Dinner · 4:00 to 9:00 PM
Coastal Calamari paired with tangy pickled peppers and drizzled with sweet chili sauce. A vibrant and satisfying appetizer that captures the island’s relaxed coastal vibe perfectly.
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 Calamari Salad features tender calamari with peppery arugula, crisp red cabbage, and a zingy wasabi ginger vinaigrette, finished with Thai chili pepper. Light, vibrant, and one of the most creative preparations on this list.
Final Bite
Calamari on Anna Maria Island has range. From a simple golden ring with marinara dockside in Cortez to graham cracker crusted with anchovy aioli at The Chateau, every spot on this list brings something worth trying. Start with whatever sounds best and work your way through. For more of the island’s best dining, visit my Anna Maria Island Restaurant Guide and Ultimate Guide to Must-Try Dishes on Anna Maria Island.
Until next time…
· izzy