Bradenton Beach is one of three small cities located on beautiful Anna Maria Island on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Occupying the southernmost portion of the island, Bradenton Beach is home to an eclectic population of seasonal and year-round residents in this charming Florida beach town.
Manatee County’s trolley service is a great way to get around, running north & south on Gulf Drive daily. Tourists and locals alike flock to the restaurants, bars and boutiques along Historic Bridge Street where the island’s first bridge to the mainland was once located.
Bradenton Beach is one of three small cities located on beautiful Anna Maria Island on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Occupying the southernmost portion of the island, Bradenton Beach is home to an eclectic population of seasonal and year-round residents in this charming Florida beach town.
Manatee County’s trolley service is a great way to get around, running north & south on Gulf Drive daily. Tourists and locals alike flock to the restaurants, bars and boutiques along Historic Bridge Street where the island’s first bridge to the mainland was once located.
Here are some of our favorite spots to enjoy outdoor dining in Bradenton Beach, Florida.
Blue Marlin
Located in a renovated 1920s cottage on Bradenton Beach’s historic Bridge Street, we love Blue Marlin’s crisp, chic interior featuring local art and vintage nautical decor. But our favorite spot at Blue Marlin is the Trap Yard, where local musicians play great bluegrass, jazz, funk, and more. Patio dining is available with full menu service featuring Blue Marlin’s fantastic local seafood, creatively prepared, like the Stone Crab Mac & Cheese and Cortez Low-Country Boil. You can also opt to order “Street Food” from an outdoor kitchen serving fresh fish tacos and the best burger on Bridge Street.
Island Time Bar & Grill
“Relax… you’re on Island Time” is the motto of this popular bar & grill, and for a good time, look no further! Located on the corner of Bridge Street and Gulf Drive, this casual eatery occupies the ground floor of a two-story facility, with the second and third floors housing its more formal sister establishment, Bridge Street Bistro. Island Time is one of the most popular local hangouts (making it a great people-watching spot) where island musicians perform nearly every night of the week. A number of large-screen TVs mean you can catch the big game while enjoying coconut shrimp, oysters, Thai-style mussels, and more. Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice takes the Grapefruit Crush cocktail to the next level of vacation-mode. Relax and enjoy!
Beach House
The Beach House is one of three sister restaurants in the Chiles Group that also includes The Sandbar Restaurant and Mar Vista. Having recently undergone a multi-million dollar overhaul, this Anna Maria staple since 1993 has a gorgeous interior that lives up to its billion dollar view. The Chiles Group prides itself on sourcing ingredients nearly 100% locally, to the extent that the family purchased and runs its own farm, Gamble Creek Farm in northeast Manatee County. The Beach House is beloved by Bradenton Beach visitors and offers an expansive beachfront dining area and event pavilion. If, like us, you are an avid “locavore,” try the Myakka Wild Boar or Sunray Clams with a glass of LOLA wine (California vineyard with Bradenton roots).
Wicked Cantina
If you’ve been to Austin, Texas, you can attest to the city’s signature style of Tex Mex… and Wicked Cantina is a recently-renovated restaurant that exudes Austin-cool. Anna Maria Islanders are so glad to find outstanding Mexican cuisine and margaritas right on Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach. We are big fans of the
Stingray (jalapeno) Margarita, enchiladas, tacos…basically everything. Listening to music and watching the Florida sunset on the outdoor patio with chips & queso… can’t beat it! PS – they also serve a great breakfast; try the Texas Omelette.
AMOB on the Pier
Anna Maria Oyster Bar is a Bradenton institution that has recently “come home” and reopened a location on Anna Maria Island’s Bridge Street Pier, after operating for years on the Anna Maria Pier over a decade ago. As the name implies, they are famous for their oysters, available raw on the half-shell or cooked in a variety of manners including Garlic Parmesan, Rockefeller, and our favorite: Grandma Georgie’s Chipotle style. This counter-service establishment offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with indoor dining or patio dining, and best of all, an unbeatable view of the Florida Intracoastal Waterway.
Bridge Tender Inn
A local hangout since 1989, the Bridge Tender Inn offers dining as close as you can get to waterfront. Its outdoor tiki bar, one of three full-service bars on site, is located on the banks of the Intracoastal where you can enjoy the best Cuban Sandwich & Black Bean Soup on Anna Maria Island just feet from the docks. Shade from an old oak tree keeps the tiki area naturally cool, but on breezy evenings, patio heaters offer just the right amount of comfort. Visit BTI on a football Sunday to experience a total takeover by Green Bay Packers fans, although live music is entertainment enough any other day of the week.
IF YOU GO
Where to stay: BridgeWalk Resort, Tortuga Inn
Where to shop: Back Alley Treasures, SeaRenity
Where to play: Paradise Boat Tours, Bridge Street Pier, AMI Parasailing
Located less than an hour and a half from Tampa or Clearwater, Bradenton Beach is a great destination for a Florida day-trip or a weekend getaway. When you visit any of these establishments, be sure to tell them Propane Ninja sent you!
For more information on Bradenton propane delivery please visit our homepage!
Read More
400 Beach
Stillwaters Tavern
Parkshore Grille