One of the highlights of vacationing is getting to sample some local cuisine. Anna Maria Island lies next to the emerald waters of the Mexican Gulf and delivers an epic, diverse culinary scene. Enjoy everything from seafood to Bavarian delights from numerous restaurants on Anna Maria Island. As you plan your getaway to the sunny South Coast, here are some of Anna Maria Island’s most renowned restaurants worth checking out.
The Ugly Grouper
Located on 5704 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, The Ugly Grouper is one of Anna Maria Island’s household names. This renowned restaurant offers a delightful menu in a picturesque outdoor setting for a serene dining experience. Kick things off with one of the 15 appetizer options, including calamari, crab green tomatoes, chicken chunks, zucchini chips, and coconut shrimp. The soups and salads menu features classic Caesar, ugly clam chowder, island caprese, ugly green salad, and seafood cobb. If you’re a sandwich enthusiast, The Ugly Grouper serves smokehouse patty melt, Caribbean chicken sandwiches, pulled pork sliders, Mahi sandwiches, and turkey Reuben. Entrees include shrimp tacos, coconut shrimp dinner, shrimp and grits, seafood pasta, and fried shrimp dinner. The drinks menu features beer, wines, ciders, and cocktails, while the kids’ menu offers tasty slushies, soda, or tea. Doors open at 11 AM and close at 10 PM daily, with specials on weekdays from 2 PM to 5 PM.
Beach House Waterfront Restaurant
If you’re looking for a relaxing eatery serving some of Anna Maria Island’s best seafood, look no further than Beach House Waterfront Restaurant. This beautiful restaurant sits on 200 Gulf Drive North at Bradenton Beach and opens from 11:30 AM to 10 PM. To kick things off, Beach House Waterfront Restaurant serves nine appetizers, including gazpacho, burrata, cheese & charcuterie, calamari, and peel & eat shrimp. The salad menu features kale, beet & goat cheese, Caesar, and watermelon & feta. Entrees include Caprese sandwiches, fried shrimp bowls, fish & chips, fish tacos, or Beach House Burgers. Enjoy your meal with cucumber cabbage slaw, truffle Parmesan fries, cajun rice with mango salsa, or Gamble Creek Farms vegetable medley. Beach House Waterfront Restaurant also offers custom events where you can plan a party or gathering and choose a menu, layout, and plan. The restaurant’s gorgeous waterfront location and proximity to the beach make it a favorite among vacationers and locals.
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant offers rich American cuisine with delightful seafood and vegan varieties. The all-day menu features starters, including Brussels sprouts, two docks clams, fish dip, peel-and-eat shrimp, and fried green tomatoes. The soups and salads section features favorites such as watermelon gazpacho, Gamble Creek Farms soup, Caesar Salad, and Burrata salad. Savor tasty handhelds, including fried chicken sandwiches, chef’s burgers, brisket tacos, blackjack sandwiches, and Baja fish tacos. Kung Pao avocado, island trio, gulf coast chowder, shrimp scampi, and octopus make up the specialties list, while sides include cheddar grits, smoked garlic aioli, and fingerling potatoes. If you’re vacationing with your little ones, the kid’s menu offers chicken fingers, cheeseburgers, mac & cheese, and fried fish. The wine list has numerous options, which include Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Rose, and white wines. You’ll find Mar Vista on 760 Broadway Street, with business hours from 11 AM to 10 PM, seven days a week.
Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus
Get a taste of the German spirit in the heart of Anna Maria Island at Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus. This beloved restaurant serves authentic German and Austrian dishes with a combination of draft beers and wines imported from Bavaria. Their starters include homemade potato pancakes with apple sauce known as Kartoffelpuffer and Currybratwürste, two brats with sweet seasoned tomato sauce. The four salad options include garden salad, schnitzel salad, and Gemüsestrudel – veggies baked in pastry with herb sauce. Entrees include Fränkische Bratwürste, two Franconian brats with roasted potatoes and sauerkraut, Brauhaus Bier-Gulasch, quality beef brined in dark beer served with red cabbage, and Spaetzle. Extra sides include roasted potatoes, German potato salad, Swabian noodles, and mashed potatoes. For dessert, choose from apple strudel, fluffy shredded pancakes, Black Forest cake, and Germa cream puff with whipped cream. Find Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus at 3246 East Bay, Holmes Beach, with doors opening at 4:30 PM and closing at 9 PM from Tuesday to Sunday.
Secure Your Anna Maria Island Vacation Rental
Anna Maria Island is a one-of-a-kind vacation destination with breathtaking ocean views, pristine beaches, and classy restaurants for the ultimate Sunshine State getaway. Accommodation is a significant part of the vacation experience and determines the overall quality of your holiday. At Anna Maria Life, we offer numerous vacation rentals, including beachfront homes, houses with private pools, pet-friendly rentals, and several duplexes and villas with ample amenities. Contact us today to book your Anna Maria Island rental and choose from our impressive collection of holiday homes.
