Updated: May 2026
Golden on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with fresh Gulf flavor. Crab cakes on Anna Maria Island are part of the island’s coastal identity. From waterfront restaurants with sunset views to tucked-away local favorites in Cortez and Longboat Key, each spot puts its own spin on this classic seafood staple. Some go traditional Maryland-style, others lean tropical with mango salsa or creative aiolis, but all lean into one thing: fresh, simple, coastal cooking done right.
Here is your curated guide to the best crab cakes across Anna Maria Island and the surrounding villages.
Beachfront & Waterfront Favorites
These are the classic island crab cake spots where the view is just as important as the plate. Expect Gulf sunsets, casual coastal service, and straightforward preparations that let the seafood shine. For more waterfront dining inspiration, see tmy Ultimate Guide to Waterfront Dining on Anna Maria Island.
Beach House Waterfront Restaurant
- 200 Gulf Drive · Bradenton Beach
- 941-779-2222
- 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Happy Hour: Daily · 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM · inside bar only
Two jumbo lump crab cakes, golden and tender, served with garlic herb mayo over red pepper remoulade. A classic beachfront plate best enjoyed at sunset.
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 · Open · Daily · 7:00 AM to Midnight
- Live Music: Daily · 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Mini crab cakes served with tropical sauces like mango papaya salsa. Laid-back, beachy, and family-friendly 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.
Sandbar Seafood and Spirits
- 100 Spring Avenue · Anna Maria
- 941-778-0444
- Daily · 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Jumbo crab cake served beachside with bright citrus notes and full Gulf views. Simple, fresh, and unmistakably island. One of the best toes-in-the-sand dining experiences on AMI. See my Ultimate Guide to the Best Toes-in-the-Sand Dining on Anna Maria Island for more.
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
Known here for grouper cakes rather than traditional crab, this is one of the most iconic waterfront dining spots on the island. A perfect pairing of atmosphere and coastal flavors.
Elevated & Creative Takes
These kitchens lean a little more chef-driven, with crab cakes that come dressed up. Think tropical flavors, refined sauces, and plated dishes that feel a step above casual beach dining.
Bridge Street Bistro
- 111 Gulf Drive · 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
Crab cake finished with spicy remoulade and paired with elevated sides like corn and bacon risotto or seasonal vegetables. A more refined island dining experience on Bridge Street, one of the most walkable and charming streets on the island.
The Chateau Anna Maria
- 5325 Marina Drive · Holmes Beach
- 941-238-6264
- Tuesday – Thursday · 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday · 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday · 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Happy Hour: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Caribbean-style crab cake topped with mango salsa and avocado aioli. Bright, tropical, and a standout for flavor creativity. One of the more unique takes on the list.
Casual Island Favorites
The fun, social spots where crab cakes show up alongside live music, cocktails, and a relaxed stay-awhile atmosphere. For the best happy hour timing across the island, see my Ultimate Guide to Happy Hour Spots on Anna Maria Island.
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
The Crab Cake BLT with bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, and lemon aioli on a toasted roll. Fun, casual, and perfect for a lively night out.
Hurricane Hanks
- 5346 Gulf Drive · Holmes Beach
- 941-778-5788
- Sunday – Thursday · 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday · 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Maryland-style lump blue crab cakes drizzled with zesty Cajun remoulade. Simple, flavorful, and a reliable pick for both lunch and dinner.
Salt Bar & Table
- 2519 Gulf Drive · Bradenton Beach
- 941-896-9897
- 3:30 PM – 10:00 PM
- Live Music: Friday & Saturday · 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Happy Hour: Daily · 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Crab cakes served with a vibrant red pepper reduction and creamy avocado crema. Visually stunning and genuinely delicious. Time your visit for happy hour and you are doing it right.
Cortez Fishing Village
The most authentic seafood corner of the region. Dockside markets, fishing boats nearby, and crab cakes that focus on freshness over fuss. For everything the neighborhood has to offer, see my Ultimate Guide to the Historic Cortez Fishing Village.
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
Fresh daily crab cakes made simply, letting the sweet Gulf crab speak for itself. No fuss, just freshness. As old school as it gets and exactly the point.
Swordfish Grill
- 4628 119th Street West · Cortez
- 941-798-2035
- 11:00 AM-o 5:00 PM
- Happy Hour: Monday – Saturday · 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Live Music: Daily · evenings · Saturday & Sunday additionally in afternoon
Florida-style crab cake served with zesty remoulade alongside live music and waterfront tiki vibes. A great reason to spend an afternoon in Cortez.
Longboat Key
Just over the bridge, these spots offer a quieter, slightly more polished dining experience with lighter and often more modern takes on crab cakes.
The Lazy Lobster
- 5350 Gulf of Mexico Drive · Longboat Key
- 941-383-0440
- Monday – Friday · 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday · 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Crab cake salad with strawberries, pecans, cucumbers, and house vinaigrette. Light, fresh, and unexpected. One of the more creative presentations on this list.
Mar Vista
- 760 Broadway Street · Longboat Key
- 941-383-2391
- Monday – Friday · 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM
- Saturday & Sunday · 11:00 AM – 8:30 PM
House-made crab cake sandwich with arugula, pickled onion, and remoulade on toasted bread. Classic coastal comfort done well.
The Shore
- 800 Broadway Street
- 941-259-4600
- 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Happy Hour: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
100% jumbo lump crab cake served with watermelon radish slaw and miso ginger aioli. Clean, modern, and beautifully plated. The most refined option on this list. Arriving by boat makes it even better. See my Ultimate Guide to Boat Accessible Restaurants on Anna Maria Island for more dockside dining options across the island.
Final Bite
Whether you prefer yours traditional, tropical, or somewhere in between, Anna Maria Island and the surrounding villages deliver on every front. For more of the island’s best dining, visit my Anna Maria Island Restaurant Guide.
Until next time…
· izzy