These picks are AI-curated from local knowledge of Anna Maria Island — real spots that locals love, no chains allowed. Updated regularly with the best the Gulf Coast has to offer.
Top Picks
The Sandbar Restaurant
This waterfront institution has been serving Anna Maria Island since 1952, and their grouper sandwich is legendary among locals. Grab a seat on the deck overlooking the bay and watch manatees swim by while you sip their famous rum runner.
Gulf Drive Cafe
Hidden behind lush tropical landscaping, this cozy breakfast spot is where locals fuel up before beach days. Their stuffed French toast is impossibly decadent, and the outdoor patio feels like dining in a secret garden.
Beach Bistro
Chef Sean Murphy's award-winning restaurant sits right on the sand and serves some of the most inventive seafood on the island. The sunset views are spectacular, but locals know to come for the off-menu specials that showcase whatever came off the boats that day.
Skinny's Place
This tiny dive bar doesn't look like much from the outside, but locals swear by their massive fish sandwiches and ice-cold beer. The owner knows everyone's name, and the walls are covered with decades of patron photos and local memorabilia.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar
The Jarvis family has been running this no-frills seafood joint since 1978, and they still serve the island's best grouper fingers. Locals love the screened-in porch and the fact that you can still get a great meal without breaking the bank.
Rod & Reel Pier Restaurant
Built on the historic Rod & Reel Pier, this old-school fish house serves up fresh catches with stunning bay views. The key lime pie is made daily, and locals know to time their visit with the pelican feeding at sunset.
Eat Here
Chef John Horne's casual spot serves elevated comfort food that changes daily based on what's fresh and in season. The open kitchen lets you watch the magic happen, and locals rave about the creative takes on Southern classics.
Poppo's Taqueria
This colorful Mexican joint serves authentic street tacos and killer margaritas that locals crave after long beach days. The fish tacos made with locally caught grouper are a perfect fusion of island and Mexican flavors.
Minnie's Beach Cafe
Tucked into a tiny strip mall, this breakfast and lunch spot is easy to miss but beloved by locals for generous portions and reasonable prices. Their biscuits and gravy will fuel you for hours, and the staff treats everyone like family.
Euphemia Haye
This upscale restaurant in nearby Longboat Key is technically off-island but considered a must-visit by Anna Maria locals for special occasions. The dessert room upstairs is legendary, and Chef Raymond Arpke has been creating culinary magic here for decades.