Waterfront Dining
Waterfront dining offers a unique and enjoyable experience, combining delicious food with sparkling views of the water. Whether you like waterfront dining for its scenic views, relaxing ambiance, variety of cuisine, romantic setting, or spectacular sunsets - or all of the above. Sarasota-Manatee Originals can give you some insight into the best local restaurants that offer that and so much more.
Beach House Waterfront Restaurant
Does sitting on a climate-friendly outdoor deck sipping on a frozen tropical drink and eating a delicious spread of seafood sound like the perfect dining experience to you? The Beach House on Bradenton Beach is the place to do just that. Take a look at what the Beach House has to offer here.
The Château Anna Maria
If an upscale restaurant with a casual atmosphere is how you roll, The Château, located inside the Waterline Villas & Marina property in Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island is a must. The menu is French-inspired and features sustainable seafood, prime cuts, and fresh ingredients. Personable service, water views, and outdoor seating complete the island's chic experience. Check out their breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend Brunch menus here.
Crow’s Nest Restaurant & Marina
The Crow's Nest Restaurant, Tavern & Marina has been Venice's Waterfront Landmark since 1976. If fresh seafood is something you are craving, the Crow’s Nest is the place to be. You can enjoy a fine dining experience with a gorgeous view of the Venice Inlet from the upstairs dining room or a more casual and cozier experience in their downstairs tavern. Check out their menu here.
Fins at Sharky’s
Want to visit a restaurant that is known for its steak and sushi options? Fins at Sharky’s is the restaurant you must try. A seasonal and daily-changing menu that embraces local and fresh ingredients guides every plate. Located on the beach in Venice and you are sure to love their views as well as the coastal contemporary look this restaurant offers. Take a peek at their menu here.
Gulf Drive Café & The Kokonut Hut
Perfectly placed on Anna Maria Island, the Gulf Drive Café & The Kokonut Hut offer the best cocktails and Florida fresh seafood for you to enjoy while you watch the most amazing sunsets. If breakfast on the beach sounds good to you, you will want to take a look at their breakfast menu too.
Jack Dusty
You can expect a fuse of coastal sophistication and local traditions at Jack Dusty located at The Ritz-Carlton in beautiful Sarasota. Their menu offers the perfect blend of fresh seafood, local ingredients, craft microbrews, and refined cocktails with views of the downtown marina. Jack Dusty’s amazing menu options can be viewed here.
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub
Located on Longboat Key’s intracoastal waterway, Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub offers some of the best waterfront dining options on the island. Dine under the trees or on the covered patio while you enjoy their locally sourced menu creations. What are you going to want to sink your teeth into? View your options here.
Ophelia’s On The Bay
Dine in a romantic setting in one of their two glass-walled dining rooms or outside in the open air. You will be pleasantly surprised by their carefully curated menu. Ophelia’s On The Bay is located on Siesta Key where you can indulge in The Surf & Turf dish with unobstructed views of Little Sarasota Bay. Find more of their menu options here.
Pier 22
Pier 22, located in Bradenton, offers amazing views of the Manatee River and the Bay and Gulf waters beyond. You have your choice of dining options with their elegant dining area or go a little casual with their outdoor dining area. Neither will disappoint. Plus they offer a menu rich in fresh, seasonal ingredients, hand-cut meats, and perfectly prepared sauces from scratch every day. What will you be ordering while enjoying a stunning sunset? You can find their menu here.
Pop’s Sunset Grill
Venture to Pop’s Sunset Grill Waterfront Dining on Nokomis Beach for beautiful views of Sarasota Bay and Casey Key. Listen to live music while you dine in pure delight from numerous menu options that are reminiscent of Old Florida. Sip the most delicious drinks at Pop’s Tiki, it is truly paradise on earth! Check out your menu options here.
Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant
Located in Palmetto’s Historic District, the Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant gives you a wonderful dining experience with views of the Manatee River. Providing three dining areas you are sure to be impressed by whichever you choose. Dine in elegant style on the Second Floor or dine on the Snook Deck, their waterfront patio bar. Reef & Grill where a casual atmosphere meets an upscale environment and can be found on the ground floor with indoor and outdoor seating. Find the dish you want to try here.
Sandbar Seafood & Spirits
If sunsets and seafood sound like the perfect way to spend the evening, Sandbar Seafood & Spirits is the place for you. Dine with your toes in the sand at the Sandbar on Anna Maria. You will enjoy a meal like no other and see gorgeous views of the Gulf of Mexico. What dish do you want to order? You can decide here.
The Waterfront Restaurant & Craft Bar
The Waterfront Restaurant & Craft Bar will have you coming back for more. Their carefully crafted menu will provide delights for every taste, from the conservative to the more adventurous. You can find the Waterfront Restaurant & Craft Bar near the north end of Anna Maria Island just steps from the historic City Pier. Their expansive open-air patio offers expansive views of Tampa Bay, as well as fresh seafood, perfectly crafted cocktails, sensational desserts, and so much more. Learn more about their menu here.
We hope you feel inspired to try something new and Eat Like A Local. Enjoy!
