Where’s the Best Restaurant With a View in Anna Maria Island?

Are you looking to get away with a special someone for some much-needed rest and relaxation? Are you considering Anna Maria Island, with its powdery-white beaches, aquamarine water, and Old Florida feel?

Anna Maria Island vacation rentals offer a chance to escape to a home away from home with full amenities and high-end luxuries. Rentals include a fully-equipped kitchen, so couples or the entire family can cozy up to home-cooked meals together.

But what about island dining? There are multiple Anna Maria Island restaurants right on the water – it is the island’s specialty after all! But there is one that takes the cake for breathtaking views, fine seafood, and a lovely ambiance.

The Sandbar Restaurant in Anna Maria

If you’re looking to get out of the house for a more exotic experience, the Sandbar Restaurant in the City of Anna Maria offers pristine beachfront dining with a tropical yet casual ambiance, perfect for anyone wanting to experience a memorable evening with fine food and company.

The restaurant is located on the west side of the island with direct views of the Gulf of Mexico. The location is especially ideal for couples hoping to enjoy a romantic evening on the beach.

Imagine, after a stroll in the sand, you and your partner take a table overlooking the gulf, soak in the cool gulf breeze, and watch the last rays of golden sun disappear behind the horizon while feasting on a fresh catch of the day. Not surprisingly, with its romantic appeal, the Sandbar Restaurant is a popular wedding reception venue. Newlyweds can share their first dance barefoot in the sand under the stars or during sunset.

The Sandbar also caters to family reunions, holiday parties, and other social events. Its location may be its most attractive feature, but its fantastic menu and service are sure to make any dining experience a memorable one.

shrimp from anna maria island restaurant
Photo from Shutterstock

The Menu

The food focuses on authentic Old Florida recipes but also dabbles in the new and exotic. Fresh seafood is a menu staple, but plenty of other options are available to those looking for something different. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available to those with dietary restrictions and are clearly marked on the menu. Lunch is available from opening hours to 3 p.m. seven days a week. Choose from a wide selection of salads, appetizers, sliders, sandwiches, tacos, and more. Specialties include Islander Scallops, Jambalaya, Fried Shrimp Platter, and Stuffed Shrimp all for less than $30.

Come on Sunday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to enjoy a special brunch menu, which includes traditional breakfast fare, desserts, and alcoholic beverages.

From 3 p.m. onwards, the Sandbar’s dinner menu is available and features chef specialties like Spanish mackerel and pot roast. Sandbar classics include the vegan Impossible Burger and the Sandbar Steak as well as many items from the lunch menu. Shared appetizers offer the widest variety of seafood, capitalizing upon the restaurant’s waterfront location. Seafood addicts will love Gulf Shrimp Ceviche, Oysters on the Half Shell, Garlic Crab, and Sandbar Smoked Fish Dip. Round out the meal with dessert and a drink, and the entire dinner party will return home satisfied.

Plan Your Visit

So, come at your own convenience (reservations are not accepted in advance) and experience a romantic evening or scenic lunch at the Sandbar Restaurant. Anna Maria Island certainly boasts its fair share of seafront restaurants, but none compete with views and toes-in-the-sand experience of the Sandbar Restaurant. There’s no reason to leave the beach or miss the sunset in search of food. Have it all in one place. Your senses will be begging for more. We also offer Anna Maria Island pet-friendly vacation rentals are available for anyone who doesn’t want to leave their four-legged friends behind.

Fresh Ingredients

Customers can rest assured that ingredients are fresh and locally sourced. The Sandbar Restaurant is committed to fresh flavors and sustainably sourced ingredients and works with local partners to support small businesses. Fruits and vegetables are from organic farms, eggs and chickens are cage-free, and dairy products come from healthy cows using sustainable methods. In addition to quality food, the Sandbar is known for quality customer service with a reputation for being exceptionally friendly and helping serving staff. Bartenders, servers, hosts, and valet parking are eager to ensure customers have the most pleasurable dining experience possible.