Anna Maria Island isn't a huge island, but it packs in a surprising amount of good food. Here's where we ate on our latest trip - and what to order when you get there.
The Porch
This was, hands down, the best food we ate on the island. Reservations are only held for about 25% of tables, so if you don't have one, just walk up. We had the grouper special, which was fresh and flavorful, while the kiddo went with a burger. Bottom line: seafood is the thing to order here.
Ginnie's
Our go-to coffee spot, mainly because they open earlier than most other options on the island. It's also popular for breakfast and lunch. Their claim to fame is the cinnamon rolls - don't skip them - and the breakfast sandwiches are good too. I also enjoyed their iced coffees in the mornings!
Mademoiselle Paris
A small, cute French bistro serving coffee and pastries by day. The almond croissant was excellent. For dinner, make a reservation if you possibly can - it's a tiny space.
The fish of the day comes as a choice of salmon or grouper, served with vegetables and hollandaise sauce, and it was very fresh. Bread comes in the form of crostinis with pesto and olive oil, which were tasty, and we also enjoyed the tomato and mozzarella appetizer. And the burger? My son rated it the best burger on the island.
Sandbar
Super popular, and for good reason - it's right on the beach. Make a dinner reservation, especially if you're aiming for sunset. The grouper tacos were pretty good with fresh fish, and the crab cake was very good. Grab a Hugo Spritz to sip as the sun goes down.
Our server recommended the hogfish and polenta, and it was excellent - take the recommendation. The burger here was good too, though it landed a close second to the one at Mademoiselle Paris.
Pizza Social
We ordered this as takeout, and it held up well! You can customize your pie or pick one of their signature combinations, and the dough bites and salads were both good add-ons for a low-key dinner in.
Sushi Ramen
This is an unassuming little spot tucked into a shopping center, but the offerings were very unique. They serve sushi and a variety of Thai dishes, but the real standout here is the ramen! No reservations, but if you go early you can avoid the crowds, and they have takeout too.
Anna Maria Island Creamery and Bakery
There's also a solid, no-frills ice cream shop on the island worth a stop - basic menu, but the scoops are good and the staff were genuinely friendly. You can also grab ice cream at the AMI Beach Hut or at the gift shop inside Sandbar.
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