Cold Stone Creamery – gourmet ice cream just of Anna Maria Island

Looking for gourmet ice cream?  Try Cold Stone Creameryjust off Anna Maria Island.  It is on the corner of Cortez

and 75th Street West in Bradenton, Florida.  It shares the same building as Starbuck’s.  Cold Stone’s claim to fame is there great creamy ice cream as well as creating special mixes within their ice cream.  They use an ice cold slab to mix up ice cream with your favorite mixings.  Berries, peanut butter cups, cookie pieces, M & M’s, you name it.  The staff takes their great ice cream and with two scoops manually mixes in the extra’s.  Our family loves the Birthday cake mix special which you guessed it, tastes just like birthday cake.  It is fantastic.

So if you are looking for a special treat and can wait a few minutes for the staff to delicately prepare your custom order of ice cream with mixins, try a quick drive off Anna Maria Island to Cold Stone.  Cold Stone sells ice cream cakes pre-made as well as a few other ice cream treats including ice cream cookies and drinks.   Of course you can purchase larger servings of your custom order ice cream.

Cold Stone Creamery
7476 Cortez Road West
Bradenton, Fl, 34210
(941) 761-3252

The Sunhouse restaurant offers waterfront dining with tropical flair

Located on Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach, Florida, The Sunhouse is a wonderful Anna Maria Island restaurant.

The Sunhouse is  known for its tropical Floribbean cuisine.  With fantastic views of the Gulf of Mexico from the outside third floor deck, this Bradenton Beach restaurant and bar serves Floribbean food and that is just what it sounds like.  Floribbean dining is a mixture of Caribbean and Floridian cuisine, tastes and style.  The Sunhouse restaurant cuisine combines the distinct tastes of coconut, mango, bananas, peppers, plantains, various fruits and nuts into a dining cuisine that puts an emphasis on freshness.  The chef staff of the Sunhouse Bradenton Beach restaurant  creates fantastic Floribbean specials that makes dinner feel like more of an art.

The Anna Maria Island restaurant is open 7 days a week  and starts the day with their daily Happy Hour  from 3pm – 5pm.  During Happy Hour, visitors can enjoy  2 for 1 wines and $5 appetizers.  The excellent food, great service and unique dining environment of the Sunhouse will create an enjoyable restaurant experience on the Anna Maria Island waterfront.

If you are looking for an informal dining environment and high quality cuisine then the Sunhouse restaurant is a good choice.  Eat inside or out on the patio deck overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.  Please note, the restaurant is not directly on the Gulf of Mexico and looks over a building for the building’s Gulf Views.  The proximity to the beach does allow the Sunhouse Restaurant to host Weddings and other Special events.

This location makes The Sunhouse also an ideal location to host gatherings  from beach weddings and other special events. The Sunhouse offers several packages with their signature events.

The Sunhouse hours:
Open daily at 3:00pm
Preferred seating available  (call or online).

The Sunhouse
111 Gulf Drive South
Bradenton Beach, Fl 34217
Phone (941) 782-1122

All information as of December 2009. Please call to verify times and prices.

Ps….if you are in the mood to try other restaurants with exotic flair visit our Anna Maria Island Informational blog and browse through the restaurant page.

Banana Cabana Caribbean Seafood and Grill

The Banana Cabana is a Caribbean Seafood and Grill Restaurant in Bradenton Beach, the most southern city of Anna Maria Island. Open every night at 4pm you can choose between evening sandwiches, Caribbean night time specials or seafood entrees all served with a Caribbean island flair. All entrees come with your choice of Caribbean rice or fries and vegetables. The special Bahamian Bread will be served on request.
You can listen to live entertainment on Friday and Saturday while dining at the Banana Cabana. By the way, you will be in good company. Actor Denzel Washington enjoyed their Caribbean food while shooting a movie in neighboring Cortez. The Banana Cabana also serves a large selection of Caribbean beer and reasonably priced wine.

Gifts are imported from the Caribbean Islands and are for sale. Also all artwork in the restaurant is for sale. The artwork is made out of 55 gallon steel drums from the Caribbean.

Check the Banana Cabana website for coupons and save a couple of bucks….

Catering Service for parties or weddings available.

Banana Cabana hours:
Weekdays 4:00p.m. – 9:30p.m.
Friday – Saturday 4:00pm – 10:30pm (with live entertainment)
Sundays 4:00pm – 9:00pm
Closed on Tuesday for the month of October

Banana Cabana Caribbean Seafood and Grill
103 Gulf Drive N.
Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
Phone (941) 779-1930

All information as of December 2009. Please call restaurant directly to verify times and prices.

Ps.. if you are looking for a vacation rental close to the Banana Cabanna then look no further.  Gulf View 101 is just across the street!  Click here for more choices of Anna Maria Island Vacation Rentals.

Sharky’s Seagrill offers fine dining with casual flair

If you like fine dining in a casual atmosphere, visit Sharky’s Seagrill in Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island where award winning, European-trained Chef Anton and his wife Marie serve up great food and good times at reasonable prices.

Sharky’s features a wide selection of Fresh Florida Seafood, Black Angus Prime Rib, Steaks and Pastas. Specialties include Seafood Gasparilla, Michigan Pork Chop, Key West Grouper and Lobster Tails. Each day Sharky’s Market Fresh Seagrill features five different varieties of fresh fish grilled to perfection. Sharky’s Pasta selections feature authentic Italian flavors in dishes such as Tortellini Gorgonzola, Rigatoni Ala Toscana, Penne Pollo Portabello, Linguini with Mussels and Fettuccine con Fruta di Mare.

Sharky’s has a full bar with Cocktails, Domestic and Imported Beers, and a selection of fine wines. Happy hour prices are in effect from 4 till 7. Sandwiches and appetizers are available at the bar until midnight daily. The restaurant is open 7 days a week, from 4pm to midnight.

Sharky’s also features live entertainment. Check the entertainment page for upcoming entertainment schedule. Friday is usually Karaoke night.

Sharky’s Seagrill hours:
Open 7 days a week
4pm to midnight

Sharky’s Seagrill
2195 Gulf Dr
Bradenton Beach, Florida 34217
Phone (941) 779-9151

All information as of December 2009. Please call to verify times and prices.

Ps… if you are looking for more live entertainment on the Anna Maria Island please visit the Island Real Estate informational blog and find more suggestions at the bottom of the restaurant page.

Jamrocks serves authentic Jamaican food

Live the good life at Jamrocks Jamaican Grill, located in Bradenton Beach and in walking distance from the white sandy Anna Maria Island beaches. Enjoy delicious meals and live entertainment at this restaurant.
New to the Anna Maria Island from Longboat Key, Jamrocks is ideal for the whole family and offers authentic Jamaican food with dishes like:  Jerk Chicken with Jamaican spices, Surf & Turf with jumbo shrimp and seasonings, Caribbean Salad with fresh cantaloupe, honeydew and pineapple, and Montego Bay Snapper with cilantro and lime juice.

It was ranked one of the “Best Deals” in the Southwest of Florida by the Sarasota Food and Wine Magazine. If you would like to read about more reviews on restaurants located on Anna Maria Island please visit our Anna Maria Restaurant information page.

Jamrocks features live music on the weekends. Friday is steel drumming night.  Don’t miss one of the hot spots on the island.

Takeout and Delivery available.

Jamrocks hours:
Tuesday – Sunday 11.30am – 10.00pm

Jamrocks Jamaican Grill
1701 Gulf Drive N.
Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
Phone  866  575-7184

All information as of December 2009. Please call to verify times and prices.

BeachHouse Restaurant – Outdoor dining and great Florida seafood

The BeachHouse restaurant is located in Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island  just past the light at the Cortez Bridge heading south.

Experience great waterfront dining on the Gulf of Mexico with breathtaking views and fresh Florida seafood. It is the perfect place for family dining with plenty of room for all the kids to play on the beach while you can sip on a tropical drink and enjoy great food and listen to live entertainment by local artists. You can choose if you like to have your meal inside the dining room or on the waterfront deck. There is even a covered Gulf front area, which makes it perfect rain or shine.

Besides the regular menu there are several specials like the VALUE BEACH MENU from 3pm until 6 pm every Monday thru Friday that offers 12 Signature BeachHouse Items. Or enjoy the HAPPY HOUR on the BEACH featuring drink specials and appetizer specials in the Bar with Quesadillas, Sliders, Coconut Shrimp and Sweet & Sour Shrimp.

There is also the Sun Tasting Events at The BeachHouse every Wednesday from 5:30-7:30 with sampling of tempting summer wines from all over the globe, local and seasonal beers as well as tantalizing cocktails.

Talking about Sunsets. If you like to take a look at some spectacular sunset pictures visit our Anna Maria Island Sunset blog and get in the mood for a nice dinner at The BeachHouse.

It is also a great place to have a wedding. The BeachHouse is an award-winning location for beach weddings, receptions or any special event.  So maybe you are in luck and witness one of the happy couples exchange their vows.

You can even do a little shopping in their gift and souvenir shop located at the entrance area of  the restaurant.

The BeachHouse hours:
Open 7 days a week
11:30AM-10:00PM

The BeachHouse Restaurant
200 Gulf Dr
Bradenton Beach, Fl 34217
Phone (941) 779-2222

All information as of December 2009. Please call to verify times and prizes.

P.S….staying more then a few days? Find other fine waterfront dining establishments on our Island Real Estate restaurant blog….

Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus offers German authentic cuisine

The Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus is a German family restaurant located in the Holmes Beach Shopping Plaza on East Bay Dr. It was voted “Best German Restaurant 2007″ in the Reader’s Choice Award Contest in the Anna Maria Sun newspaper.

The Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus is owned by husband and wife duo, Brigitte and Wolfgang Jahn. They serve their traditional German entrees with all fresh ingredients. Everything is homemade. You can enjoy the finest Wiener Schnitzel and Beef Goulash in town or taste German delicacies like Hühnerleber (chicken liver in a cream sauce with sauerkraut and potatoes) and Rahmschnitzel (veal in a cognac cream sauce). Friday’s special is usually Haxen with Knoedel (pork knuckle „Bavarian style“, oven fresh with bread dumplings and sauerkraut).
Try a piece of Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Cake) or Tiroler Apfelstrudel (Tyrolean apple strudel) for dessert.
If you like a change from the Florida seafood give the Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus on Anna Maria Island a try.  If you are visiting the island and looking for some great things to do, visit our Anna Maria Island Informational blog.

Imported beer, wine and coffee available. Dinner hours only. Reservations recommended.

Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus hours:
Open Monday – Saturday 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Closed Sundays.

Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus
3246 E  Bay Dr
Holmes Beach, Fl 34217
Phone (941) 778 – 1320

Duffy’s Tavern & Bar has great hamburgers & COLD beer

Duffy’s Tavern is an Anna Maria Island landmark and has been since it first opened in 1958. Family owned and operated, “Miss Duffy” and her 5 daughters proudly serve their “world famous burgers and the coldest beer this side

of heaven” from a two-story cracker shack located across the street from the Manatee Public Beach on Anna Maria Island, Florida. In March of 2003, Duffy’s relocated across the street from the Holmes Beach City Hall and skate park. Now with air conditioning and a fireplace, it is a great place to hang out where you are never too hot or cold and can mingle with the locals. You can still expect the same service and quality in both the beers and the burgers. Everything comes with chips, never fries.

Duffy’s hours:
Monday – Saturday: 11am – 8pm
Closed on Tuesday
Sunday: 12pm – 8pm
No credit cards

Duffy’s
5808 Marina Dr,
Holmes Beach, Fl 34217
Phone (941)  778-2501

Atlanta Bread Company

Atlanta Bread Company is a good place to go if you are looking for breakfast, lunch or just a little something sweet and a coffee.  The menu is set to wet the appetite of almost anyone in your party.   The breakfast is a selection of egg sandwiches and a variety of delicious pastries.   The bread is made fresh daily and the selection of soups changes from day to day.   The best thing of all?  Atlanta Bread Company is just a 15 minute drive into Bradenton, Florida from Anna Maria Island.

The bread company also offer a good selection of fresh made salads that you can do a half and half order with either a half sandwich or soup.  The desserts are encased in a bakery window for you to gaze and drool over.  The restaurant offers a wide arrangement of baked goods from  muffins to cookies to fresh made coffee cake and key lime cheese cake.  All are sure to cure your sweet tooth.

The restaurant prices are reasonable, $3 and up to $8.  They accept credit card or cash and also offer free wireless internet.

Planning a party at your vacation home?  The Atlanta Bread Company offers fantastic catering.

Atlanta Bread Company
6401 Manatee Ave
Bradenton, Fl 34209
Mon-Sat 7AM-9PM
Sun 8AM-8PM

Telephone-941-792-1380
Fax–941-792-1390

For more information on Restaurants in the Bradenton, Fl area or the Anna Maria Island Area visit our Restaurant informational page.

Rod and Reel pier in Anna Maria City is good eat’s

The Rod and Reel Pier is an institution in Anna Maria City.  Ask a local on Anna Maria Island where to eat and just about everyone has Rod & Reel Pier restaurant in their top three.  The Rod & Reel Restaurant is located in Anna Maria City and is the most Northern eatery on Anna Maria Island.  The restaurant sits out on the end of a pier in Anna Maria City so it makes for perfect scenery.  I have personally seen fish, dolphins and manatee off the pier while waiting to get into the restaurant.  The pier also doubles as a great fishing spot for visitors and locals alike.  Just about every hour the restaurant is open you will see folks fishing from the pier.

Rod and Reel serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Their breakfast is very good as well as their lunches and oh yah,

their dinners too!  Every meal at the Rod and Reel is great!  The restaurant has an old Florida diner charm.  It seats about 20 inside and seats about 15 outside.  The 20 seats inside are made up of tables for 4-5, tables for 2 and one table that can seat about 6-8.  There are about 4 tables that sit along the Bay so you can glance out at the water while you enjoy your clam strips, fish & chips, grouper Reuben sandwich or grouper any way you like it.  The 15 seats outside face towards the West so you can get an early glimpse of our Anna Maria Island Sunsets as well as the pier below.  There are a flight of steps up to the restaurant so if you have someone in your party that cannot do steps it is best to skip this restaurant.

One insider secret is the small bar under the restaurant.  It is back behind the stairs up to the restaurant and is considered on the ground level.  They will serve food at the bar although it can get tight on popular nights.  The seating is a tight 10-12 but the beer is cold and cheap.  Last time a “friend” had a beer there it was $3 for a draft.  (Yes, I am writing this in late 2009)  I recall the first time my “friend” got a beer down in the bar area.  The bar tender said “Three dollars please,”  My friend said “What?”  The bartender quickly said, “I know, I know, we just raised our draft beer prices from $2 but we had too.”  Of course we were surprised with how reasonably priced the draft beer was.  If you are looking for “insider” secrets then swing by the bar and pull up a seat.  There are plenty of locals that have a drink or two at the bar.

Now for the meals.  The lunch and dinner menu’s are one in the same.  The restaurant has plenty of sandwiches to choose from, grouper any way you like it, a Reuben grouper which is just like a Reuben but with Grouper as the meat and about four other choices of sandwiches.  My son loves the clam strips or the fish & chips.  If you are looking for a meal on the bigger side then the Mexican grouper is your ticket.  Of course they serve plenty of fish any way you like it.  The most recent night I visited they had several specials, Mahi Mahi, Sword Fish, and a few others.  They do serve bottled beer up in the restaurant as well as wine.  Their cole-slaw is great as well as their desserts.  If you still have room try their Key Lime Pie.  You won’t be sorry!

Another great feature of the Rod and Reel pier other than the awesome food?  If you get window seats you can take in the Tampa Bay, maybe see some dolphins and take in the gorgeous Sunshine

Sky way bridge.  You can fish off the Rod & Reel pier for a nominal fee.  Last I checked it was $2 for a day of fishing.  Check at the bar area for more information on fishing off the pier.

If you are looking for a Vacation Rental that is within a walk from the Rod and Reel pier then look no further, Island Real Estate can help you find your perfect rental.  Use the accurate on-line availability search or give the vacation specialists a call.  The office is open 7 days a week so you can get help all week long!  877 778 6066.   For more Anna Maria Island Information.

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