When visiting the area and staying in one of Lizzie Lu’s cozy AMI rentals for two, you may be interested in romantic things to do on Anna Maria Island. We can tell you about some of the best Anna Maria Island restaurants, sunset cruises, and beach picnics. Lizzie Lu’s Island Retreat has Anna Maria Island rentals and all the local information you need.
Anna Maria Island is the perfect destination for a romantic getaway! And we have all the best suggestions.
Romantic Restaurants on AMI
One of the signature romantic things to do on AMI with your significant other is to get a delicious meal together. There are countless great Anna Maria Island restaurants to try during your romantic getaway, but these are some of our favorites.
The Porch
The Porch is a new restaurant on Anna Maria Island, although the building it is in has a lot of history; it was one of the first houses built on Anna Maria Island. Today The Porch Restaurant offers an upscale yet casual, top-quality, memorable dining experience. The Porch features vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options for dining and drinking. There are signature dishes and seasonal offerings. A limited number of online reservations are taken each night to be sure there is plenty of room for walk-in dining. The Porch is open for both lunch and dinner every day. Save room for dessert if you can!
The Beach Bistro
Your table will be set up right on the beach of the Gulf of Mexico at The Beach Bistro. Stroll out on the sand and sit down at a table on the beach for a truly unique dining experience. Five-course meals are offered with different price points on a menu. Vegetarian options are available in addition to seafood, duck, lamb, and beef dishes. Only the finest ingredients are sourced from America’s farms, ranches, and fishermen. Wine and cocktails are also available. The Beach Bistro is open for dinner seven days a week.
Shore
You can find The Shore restaurant a little south of Anna Maria Island on Longboat Key. They have an open-air dining space and cater to parties of four or fewer. You’ll find a cool vibe and delicious eats with creative recipes and local favorites. Dishes such as organic chinois chicken salad, pan-seared local snapper, St Louis “Jenga” ribs, and beluga black lentil ragout will entice you to each order something different and then share a taste of each other’s dinner. The restaurant is right on the bay, with a 300-foot dock in front of it. The Shore is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.
Take A Sunset Cruise
For a romantic evening, consider taking an Anna Maria Island sunset cruise. Watching the sunset as you go through the calm Gulf waters is a relaxing and romantic way to spend the evening and is a wonderful way to transition from day to Anna Maria Island’s nightlife.
The Salty Dolphin
Captain Ben Webb is the owner of Salty Dolphin Cruises. Born and raised on Anna Maria Island, he has the interest, experience, and training to provide you with an amazing evening tour of the waters around Anna Maria Island. You can see the wildlife in a way that is safe for you and for them, and at the end of the tour, you can marvel at the breathtaking sunset over the water as the dolphins swim around you.
You can take a 90-minute cruise or book a private 2-hour cruise for just the two of you on a 27-foot Carolina Skiff that has been customized for Salty Dolphin Cruises. You can bring your own food and drink to enjoy a light dinner and drinks as you cruise, or you can head over to one of the fine restaurants when your cruise is finished. These cruises are available seven days a week.
Plan Your Visit
Contact the team at Lizzie Lu’s Island Retreat to book the perfect romantic getaway! Anna Maria Island is a great place to relax and have fun as a couple or as a family, so browse our rentals and start planning your trip today!
Marina Jack
The Marina Jack ll is docked just behind the Marina Jack restaurant. You can take a sunset dinner cruise around Anna Maria Island and enjoy a fabulous dinner buffet complete with desserts and drinks.
Dishes to enjoy include carved prime rib & grilled salmon with saffron cream sauce along with mixed greens, fresh seasonal vegetables, potato or rice, double-layered chocolate cake, pina colada cake, and key lime pie. You can gaze out at the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico from inside the air-conditioned saloons or out on the patio deck of the boat. On the Marina Jack II, you will find delicious dining, outstanding views, and exceptional service seven days a week. Look into this early because the cruises frequently sell out.
Have A Romantic Picnic On The Beach
Just the two of you, sitting on a blanket or at a table on the beach enjoying a delicious lunch or dinner, talking about everything under the sun while a light breeze flows by. If that’s your idea of romance, a picnic on the beach can definitely be arranged!
Sandy Toes Picnics
Many options are available for a picnic on the beach with Sandy Toes Picnics. They can supply the decor only — parasols, chairs, tables, silverware, etc. — and they will clean up after you. Or they can provide a feast for you — vegetarian, gluten-free, keto, paleo, or any special dietary preferences will be greeted with pleasure.
They can not provide alcoholic beverages because those are not permitted on the beach, but you can bring whatever hydration you like as long as you clean up all beverage items. Lunch, brunch, sunset dinner, late dinner — anytime is fine for your Sandy Toes Picnic. There are also themed picnics, like Christmas, Tropical Christmas, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Seashells by the Seashore, The Captain’s Table, or Beach Birthday. Sandy Toes is open to any and all suggestions from you on how to make your romantic Anna Maria Island beach picnic perfect. With seven generations of local beach experience, Sandy Toes picnics knows all about the area.
Where To Stay
Lizzie Lu’s Island Retreat offers Anna Maria Island rentals for just the two of you or for a larger group. If you are looking for a romantic getaway, there are plenty of 1- and 2-bedroom cottages to choose from. These cottages are complete homes with full private bathrooms and complete kitchens. So you can whip up dinner at home or order takeout in addition to sampling the fine restaurants in the area. Other amenities that most cottages come with are high-speed internet, heated pools, parking spaces, beach wagons and chairs, and outdoor showers. Some of these 1- and 2-bedroom cottages are pet-friendly AMI rentals, so the two of you can bring your little fur baby.
Lizzie Lu’s Island Retreat also has AMI rentals for larger groups. There are beachfront rentals, 3- or 4-bedroom cottages, and even 5-bedroom homes that will fit a large group of friends or extended family right on the beach! Perhaps after enjoying your romantic time with just the two of you, you will want to share all that Anna Maria Island has to offer with your friends or family.
All of us at Lizzie Lu’s Island Retreat want to create a wonderful vacation for you. Whether it’s a romantic weekend or a whole week with the family, we have advice, services, and, of course, the perfect vacation home. There are many concierge services, such as linen replacement, baby rentals, bike rentals, and grocery delivery. All cottages are cleaned and stocked with essentials. You can even find a packing list on our website so you will remember to bring everything you need for your sublime vacation holiday.
