If you’re going to be on Anna Maria Island for Thanksgiving, there are plenty of fun activities for the whole family. It’s the same great vacation with fewer crowds! There’s no doubt that a vacation can make the holiday season memorable for all the right reasons.
But here’s the best part, you won’t have to cook on vacation if you want a Thanksgiving meal! Plenty of Anna Maria restaurants will be open on Thanksgiving Day. For a full list of places to get a holiday meal, keep reading.
Also if you’re interested in a restaurant before or after Thanksgiving, we suggest these 5 Anna Maria Island restaurants that locals recommend.
Groceries
Say you do want to cook. Head down to the Anna Maria General Store on 530 Pine Ave. and grab what you need. Gather the family in the kitchen of your beautiful vacation rental and enjoy cooking together this year. There’s nothing better than talking and food prepping in a cozy home at the beach.
Morning Energy
Paradise Bagel Café
When you wake up on Thanksgiving Day, we suggest grabbing coffee and bagels at Paradise Bagel Café where you can start the day off right. Eat at the café or get your ham, cheese, egg bagel to go and take it with you to the beach. Is there any better view with your breakfast?
Address: 3210 East Bay Dr, Holmes Beach
Open: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Call: 941 – 779 – 1212
Island Coffee Haus
Island Coffee Haus is a local favorite that serves more than coffee, so everyone in the family can find a treat. With pastries, quiches, breakfast sandwiches, teas, chais, hot and cold beverages of all kinds, the Island Coffee Haus makes the perfect spot to step in for a quick energy boost or grab something to go. It’s a cozy spot decorated in mermaids and hand-created art on display.
Address: 5350 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach
Open: 7 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Call: 941 – 896 – 4870
Or visit their brand new location on Pine Avenue!
Address: 317 Pine Avenue., Anna Maria
Open: 7am – 12 p.m.
Call: 941 – 778 – 0040
Gulf Drive Café & Tiki Hut
This beachfront restaurant on Anna Maria Island serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but Southern Living Magazine named it one of the best Florida breakfasts. It serves a variety of tapas, sandwiches, salads, cocktails and more. Yet another amazing spot for sunset gazing, you should stop by the Gulf Drive Café one, two or maybe three times to enjoy all it has to offer.
Address: 900 Gulf Dr., Bradenton Beach
Open: 7 a.m. -7 p.m.
Call: 941 – 778 – 1919
Lunch and Dinner
AMI Beach Café
This makes a great option for any time of day to grab a meal. Located directly on Holmes Beach, it is a famous spot for “All You Can Eat” menu items such as pancakes and fried fish. Hey, Thanksgiving is all about eating as much food as possible, right? The kids can play in the sand, and you can enjoy the view from the gulf-front patio. It’s also a great spot to watch the sunset.
Address: 4000 Gulf Dr., Holmes Beach
Open: 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Call: 941-778-0784
Bridge Street Bistro
This is a perfect suggestion for Anna Maria Island’s fine dining experience. With filet mignon, seafood aurora, lobster tails, and duckling, this is no ordinary turkey and dressing Thanksgiving dinner. It is one of the most highly-rated restaurants in the Sarasota area and is worth getting dressed up for a special evening out while on vacation.
Address: 111 Gulf Dr. S., Bradenton Beach
Open: 11:30 – 9 p.m.
Call: 941 – 782 – 1122
Island Time Grill
Located on the Bridge Street circle, the Island Time Bar and Grill is below the Bridge Street Bistro. Think of it like the fun-filled cousin next door to the fine-dining restaurant. They serve a mix of traditional grill menu items with seafood flair like Ahi tuna, Mahi Mahi tacos, and Lobster mac ‘n cheese. This is a family-friendly version, with live music in the evenings and “come as you are” attitude.
Address: 111 Gulf Dr. S., Bradenton Beach
Open: 11:30 a.m. till close
Call: 941 – 782 – 1122
Bridge Tender Inn
Voted #1 bar and grill for 3 years in a row overlooking the waterfront, Bridge Tender Inn serves delicious surf and turf. Grab a giant burger topped with fried onions, Cajun grouper or a Crab Cake sandwich. This is also a pet-friendly option, so you can order the Doggie Burger “for our canine friends.” There promises to be live entertainment daily, so you can enjoy live music with your food and drinks.
Address: 135 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach
Open: 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m .
Call: 941 – 778 – 4849
Dcoy Ducks
Welcome to Anna Maria Island’s Favorite Hangout. With events like Texas hold ‘em Poker Night, 2 for 1 Happy Hour, and Sunday NFL Football festivities, this is a place to have a good time. They have live music every Friday and Saturday, a massive outdoor space with games and a pool.
Address: 5410 Marina Dr., Holmes Beach
Open: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Call: 941 – 778 – 5888
Harry’s Grill
Get your chili cheese fries, BBQ, and Smokehouse Bacon Burger for pick-up, or stay and hang out for live music and daily happy hour specials. It’s a fun restaurant with great food and an even better backstory!
The owners, Jan and Mark, lived out of their RV for years with Harry, a rescued Coatimundi (an exotic member of the raccoon family from South America). Once they decided to settle down in Anna Maria Island and open a restaurant, they wanted to draw attention to the dangerous exotic pet trade. Sadly, beloved Harry passed away just weeks before the restaurant opening, but his memory lives on as Harry’s Bar and Grill logo.
Address: 9903 Gulf Dr., Anna Maria
Open: 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Call: 941 – 567 – 5999
Roser Memorial Community Church
In the spirit of the holiday season, Roser Memorial is providing Thanksgiving meals. It’s a charming, white-steepled church in the heart of Anna Maria Island. Their goal is to bring everyone together to celebrate, whether you’re a millionaire island resident or a vacationing visitor. It might not be the first place you would think to spend Thanksgiving, but everyone is welcome!
Address: 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria
Open: 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Dinner
Call: 941 – 778 – 0414