Restaurants:
Anna Maria Island
"The Sandbar, great food and outdoor patio. Sunset contests every night. Great date night.."
"Sand Bar Restaurant for lunch...location, whitest sand, music, lots of happy people, good food...crab cakes!!"
"Beach Bistro, hands down!"
"... Beach House for date night."
" Mahi tacos at the Ugly Grouper! Yummm"
" Sandbar, Beach House, Bridge Tender, Hurricane Hanks"
" Waterfront best restaurant on island and takes reservations"
" Duffy's for a great burger, bean soup and colddddddd beer" Note: Cash Only
"" Waterfront is by far my favorite restaurant. Sandbar has amazing view, but food is average to slightly above. Great for drinks and appetizers. Enjoy your trip!"
" Bridge Tender Inn for lunch and the Sandbar for dinner. Both have stunning views"
" Vista Restaurant, Swordfish Grill & Tiki Bar, Beach House Restaurant"
"... Skinny’s Place is an Anna Maria original. Great burgers and cold beers" Note: Cash Only
" The Rod and Reel for the fun and novelty of it and The Waterfront or Beach house for date night."
"Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe has an all-you-can eat pancake breakfast on the beach."
"My all time fave is The Blue Marlin,,,when we were there in September they had a crusted red snapper that was out of this world! Plus I just love the atmosphere there!"
"Skinny’s place, Tide Tables, Eat Here, Anna Maria Oyster Bar are our favorites. Beach House or Sandbar for date nights."
"'Eat here' is a great restaurant!"
"We love The Feast and the Blue Marlin."
"We would get donuts from Donut Experiment and then watch the sunrise over the city pier. Sunset at Bean Point."
For a real casual night, go to the cafe at the Manatee Public beach...great sunsets, drinks, casual food.
"Mr. Bones BBQ I wished we'd gone sooner! We had ribs and cole slaw, it was delicious. We went back the next night and tried the burgers, delicious! Definitely a place I'll always remember!"
"Hometown Desserts for key lime cake"
"Vinny and Cheryls for great Italian take out."
"Two Scoops for ice cream"
"Smalltown Creamery in Holmes Beach - GREAT ice cream and they have cool toys and craft kits
"The Doctors Office for grown up cocktails."
"I really like Smoqe House for lunch but take the trolley because parking is difficult.
"Scott's Deli for amazing lunch and breakfast sandwiches. Also free delivery anywhere on Anna Maria even right to your chair on the beach"
"Minnie's Beach Cafe is always the first place we go to for breakfast."
Seafood Shack for shrimp special, Sign of Mermaid for shrimp and grits breakfast and red snapper dinner, Bridge Tenders for nachos and indoor or outdoor seating, Island Gourmet for pizza, Rod and Reel for old Florida feel, Starfish and Tide Tables for casual on the water seating
Poppo's for great Mexican!
"Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus in Holmes Beach. The place is amazing... The wiener schnitzel was on point, the potato pancakes were amazing.. The beer came in properly cleaned and sanitized "beer ready" glasses, perfect pour..amazing taste!"
Bradenton/Cortez
"Our date night is Swordfish Grill and Tiki Bar off of Cortez. Awesome food, music, drinks on the deck and atmosphere!"
Starfish Company for stone crab claws" Note: Cash Only
"Fire and Stone if you have teens for the pizza buffet" Note: Cash Only
"O'Shucks, on Cortez Rd... best Grouper I've ever had!"
"Tide Tables is great, Starfish for stone crabs (cash only) Waterfront for date night."
"Tide Tables and Starfish Company, both in Cortez, for the best fresh seafood and fantastic atmosphere!"
"Tide Tables has excellent food too and the happy hour at the Bridge Street Bistro is a good bargain."
Clam Factory for hogfish"
"Cody's in Bradenton for steaks"
"I love Thai and Thai Palace on Corez! I've eaten there multiple times and it never disappoints."
Sarasota and Longboat Key
"Take the drive to Longboat Key Lazy Lobster it is outstanding and very fair prices..delish!!"
"The Columbia at St. Armand's Circle in Sarasota."
"Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant on Longboat Key"
Things to Do:
Anna Maria Island
"Bridge St hopping for a night of fun!"
" Coquina beach market weds & Sunday"
" Bean Point if you want an amazing beach experience"
" Get on the Anna Maria Trolley and take a ride and see the whole island"
"White Egret & Ginnie & Jane E's for shopping"
" You have to do the Jetski tour at Bradenton Beach Marina!"
Adventure Away for various water and land activities. Or book sunset or wildlife cruises with Paradise Tours."
Bradenton/Cortez
"Beachhorses.com for horseback riding on the beach"
Sarasota and Longboat Key
"Durante Park on Longboat Key is pretty cool to walk around"
"Paradise Boat Tours for Dolphin watching"
"If the weather is not the greatest take a ride to St. Armands Circle and enjoy a little shopping"