Best places to eat in Anna Maria Island, Florida

I just returned from a week long trip to peaceful Anna Maria Island, Florida. We have been visiting this idyllic spot for several years now. The first time we went, Trent actually proposed to me (August 2017)!

The reason we keep returning to this same place is because not only is the water clear as can be, but the island is very calming. There aren’t giant high rise hotels and very little souvenir shops. Not touristy at all! Everyone drives around on golf carts and bicycles. It’s like a beach town out of a movie. I highly recommend it!

While Anna Maria Island may only be seven miles long, there is no shortage of amazing food. Trust me when I say I eat well while on vacation haha

This gulf coast beach town is full of different cuisines and restaurants on the white sand. Let’s check it out!

The best places to eat in Anna Maria Island:

• Back Alley Treasures

• Donut Experiment

• Ginny's & Jane E's Café and Gift Store

• Island Creperie

• The Sandbar Restaurant

• The Waterfront Restaurant

• Poppo's Taqueria

• Beach House Restaurant

• Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub

• Skinny’s Place

Read more about what makes each place special and what to know before you go below!

Coffee & Tea

• Back Alley Treasures

  • I seriously go here every morning and get an iced tea and Trent gets a cappuccino. They also have an amazing wine flight for $15 that comes with a little cheese and crackers.

  • Sometimes they have muffins, cookies, and scones available.

Breakfast

• Donut Experiment

  • Get here early or order online because this place gets BUSY! You can fill your time by doing some shopping nearby. I always visit the Pink & Navy boutique.

• Ginny's & Jane E's Café and Gift Store

  • Another place that fills up quick. You order at the counter and can take your breakfast to go or eat there.

• Island Creperie

  • Located on Bridge Street across from Back Alley Treasures, they serve authentic French crepes!

Brunch

• The Sandbar Restaurant

  • This is where we got engaged! They only serve brunch on Sundays, but oh man, you don’t want to miss this. Their lunch and dinner are great but their brunch is so special.

  • Get there a little before they start brunch at 10am to ensure you get a table in the sand!

  • I recently had the sticky buns and breakfast sandwich (eggs and cheese on a fresh baked croissant). Those sticky buns had me dancing in my seat they were so amazing. I HIGHLY SUGGEST THEM.

  • Don’t miss out on their “mimosa me” (bottle of champagne served tableside and a carafe of orange juice). Mimosas on the beach? Yes, please.

Lunch & Dinner

• The Waterfront Restaurant

  • I love a boujee and boozy lunch here. We like to order several dishes while here and share everything because the food is so good and a pretty good size!

  • For lunch, you have to try the cheeseburger and truffle fries with their homemade feta ranch for dipping, turkey and brie on a croissant, truffle mac-and-cheese, or a Caesar salad with chicken added.

  • Their dinner menu changes often and they have nightly specials. I love the bread and oil they serve first. Last time I was there, I tried the espresso rubbed wagyu sirloin and smoked gouda potato soup. Ok, my mouth is watering typing this.

  • Try the vanilla bean crème brûlée and key lime pie. I don’t like key lime pie AT ALL but found myself scrapping the plate if that says anything about their desserts.

  • Best cocktails include their paloma and smoked margarita.

• Poppo's Taqueria

• Family owned, this Mexican “fast served” restaurant is delicious. Their food is fresh and the flavors are powerful. You order at the counter and pick out your ingredients. So so good. Quick, easy, and yummy.

• Beach House Restaurant

  • Get here early for a seat on the sand to watch the sunset.

  • Their NY strip is one of the best I have had. Make sure to get the brussel sprouts as a side! They make you want to eat your vegetables.

• Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub

  • This place is actually located in Longboat Key (about a ten minute drive) but so worth the short trip off the island.

  • A picturesque setting located next to a dock and nestled into the trees lit with string lights.

  • You must get the tator tots (they aren’t your average tot).

Skinny’s Place

• Known for their burgers and frosted mugs of beer, this is an AMI staple.

• I thought this place always had burgers for a dollar but their prices either really increased or I misunderstood.

• They only accept cash and do have an ATM on site.

• We shared a cheese burger, fries, and a mug of beer for $15 (I didn’t bring enough cash for anything else haha)

• This place isn’t on the beach but they have picnic tables in sand surrounded by palm trees.

There are A TON of mouth watering restaurants on the island to choose from and I could go on and on. While there are others worth visiting, make sure you check out each of these for a foodie vacation to remember!