Floridians might seem laid-back about most things, but when it comes to finding the perfect waterfront table or the freshest grouper sandwich, we turn deadly serious. If you’re going to make the drive over that bridge, it better be worth it. You want a view that steals your breath and a key lime pie so tart it makes your eyes water. Here’s where to find both—and everything in between.
Cool Beans A.M.I.
$ | (941) 896-4293 | WEBSITE
Can a coffee shop also do a great breakfast sandwich? The answer is yes. And the best thing about Cool Beans A.M.I. is that it’s located right near the waterfront and Anna Maria pier, so you can probably find it to suit the scenic requirements of your morning routine. They also like to keep things simple here—they offer a unique waffle breakfast sandwich and tasty avocado toast. But this is a great coffee shop, so you can bet they do it well.
The Waterfront Restaurant
$$ | (941) 778-1515 | WEBSITE
The Waterfront Restaurant is a breezy Anna Maria spot that serves a truly memorable meal that’s entirely worth braving the wait for on a breezy day. The baked Brie is our go-to, thanks to its creamy richness and warmth that is the perfect match to the fresh scallops and generous portion of shrimp and grits.
Every evening, the two-parts stunning, one-part kid-friendly dining room is filled with families merrily coloring with crayons, locals catching up over mac and cheese with BBQ pork, and at least three delighted kids you’ll see happily munching on items from the kids menu.
Harry’s Grill
$$ | (941) 567-5999 | WEBSITE
This is the best Sunday brunch we’ve ever experienced—yes, we’re including our grandmother’s in that. The Halleluah breakfast at Harry’s Grill is the sharing meal to go for. The centerpiece of delicious food is best enjoyed between alternating bites of onion rings and chips with avocado sauce and salsa. Plus the cold catch of the day comes with a preparation that the restaurant should serve by the platter. The setting is charming, overlooking the garden area among plants, orchids, and trees.
Inside it’s all cozy outdoor seating and happy families ordering escargot and mozzarella sticks, before the inevitable appreciation for the last bite before the word of God and music.
The Donut Experiment
$ | (941) 896-3172 | WEBSITE
The Donut Experiment in Anna Maria is one of the best sweet spots on the island, so it shouldn’t come as a massive surprise that its customizable donuts are up there too. They offer a wide selection of options, where your base is the standard choice of glazes, and sometimes even toppings. Our move is to come with a few people, order a dozen fresh ones, and definitely opt for the double shot espresso iced coffee.
When you’re done, watch the kids enjoy the fun as the donuts are made right in front of them.
Dips Ice Cream
$$ | (941) 778-1706 | WEBSITE
Dips Ice Cream on Anna Maria Island is the Willy Wonka of ice cream shops—a bit unassuming from the street, but pure magic inside. The magic comes in the form of a bustling counter up front, run by a team of genuinely friendly locals. The ice cream is exceptional—there are classics to savor, like rich vanilla and deep chocolate—but also creative flavors like salted caramel praline and peanut butter cookie dough for adventure.
The portions are generous, with two scoops feeling like a proper feast, and the nostalgic candy section adds a sweet touch of memory lane. It’s the perfect spot for a late-night treat or a sunny afternoon indulgence, with that authentic, decades-old charm that makes every visit feel special.
DBTB juice bar & bakery
$ | (941) 713-4375 | WEBSITE
Stepping into DBTB’s cozy bakery space is a delightful experience. Pair that with one of their salted chocolate chip cookies and, well, you’re in bliss. You won’t find any elaborate entrees on the menu, but this Anna Maria gem is a morning favorite with the kind of offerings that guarantee a satisfied smile and quiet appreciation.
Expect to see some kind of exceptional baked goods on display—a perfect sourdough loaf, or a batch of freshly made cookies—alongside simple matcha drinks or other beverage options.
AMI Beach Hut
$ | (941) 281-2124 | WEBSITE
AMI Beach Hut feels like the most cheerful beach spot you’ve ever wandered into, and it has some of the best ice cream on Anna Maria Island. The triple peanut butter flavor is so good it could turn a casual visitor into the kind of obsessed regular who’d start chatting with a total stranger just to tell them about the Cookie Monster here. The Cookie Monster is delicious, but the classics are the main draw.
Go with the whole family and get the mint chocolate chip to share, along with several scoops. When it’s in full swing, this place is hard to beat on a sunny afternoon.
Mademoiselle Paris French Restaurant & Bakery
$ | (941) 226-0708 | WEBSITE
Mademoiselle Paris’s dinner menu hums with quiet assurance and, if you time your visit right with the staff who glide between tables bearing generous white ceramic bowls of sauces, Burgundy. There’s no snail versus soup debate here. Instead, they commit fully to their rich, dark Beef Burgundy that arrives with rustic crocks of sides that will make ‘Risotto’ start to sound like a perfectly reasonable name for your pet.
It’s a lavish parade of buttery onion soup with savory broth, earthy snails, perfectly al dente risotto, and those silky leeks whispering cream. We’d expect nothing less from Anna Maria’s leading oasis of pastry hype and tropical patio wine sessions.
Island Ocean Star
$$ | (941) 251-6940 | WEBSITE
Island Ocean Star, tucked near the marina in Anna Maria, is the kind of spot that makes you want to linger. It’s a solid neighbourhood seafood and sushi joint, pulling fresh catches daily and mixing up vibrant cocktails in the airy main room. Perfectly crisp tuna rolls or flaky, grilled snapper with a golden crust are offered, with seaweed salad, jade-green edamame steamed just right, and tangy sauces complementing the main plates. There’s a vegan sushi platter option too.
Ginny’s & Jane E’s Cafe and Gift Store
$ | (941) 778-3170 | WEBSITE
The breakfasts at Ginny’s & Jane E’s are legendary. The giant sticky bun or cinnamon roll come served with all their morning glory in one big glorious pile, drizzled with icing and topped with a crispy edge. There’s a great selection of smoothies, particularly the kale and mango ones, and the atmosphere is as pure beachy bohemian as they come.
It gets busy, so arrive early as possible, and don’t forget to browse the gift shop filled with metal art from a pirate to a zebra while you wait for your food.