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.

Miniature Golf Course “Fish Hole” on Historic Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach

A round of golf is $7.50 per person for both adults and kids, and there are $1 off coupons available.

They have clubs for all heights from children to tall adults, and if you need a break, you can rest in one of their colorful rocking chairs. They also have party packages that are great for birthday celebrations and family get togethers.
Try it out and (to use The Fish Hole slogan) “get hooked”!

For more ideas and other great activities on the Island visit our Anna Maria Island Blog.

The Fish Hole
115 Bridge Street
Bradenton Beach, Fl 34217
Phone (941) 778-3400
Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

All information as of January 2010. Please call to verify.

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….

Bridge Tender Inn restaurant in Bradenton Beach, FL

The Bridge Tender Inn is often forgotten as a restaurant on Anna Maria Island.  The Bridge Tender Inn is located at the entrance of the Bridge Street pier.  The Bridge Tender really has two restaurants in one.

The formal restaurant is on the North side of the building in close proximity to the sign shown to the left.  They serve lots of fresh seafood and as of late have tuna, shrimp, scallops and lots more.  If you have already had your fill of seafood on your Anna Maria Island vacation don’t worry.  The Bridge Tender restaurant has duck, pasta, steak, ribs, a vegetarian dish and much more.

For a more relaxed atmosphere visit the bar style dining area.  The bar restaurant often has singing entertainment.  The bar restaurant offers a limited menu which serves a lighter fare of the formal restaurant menu.  The bar area also has outdoor seating where you can take in all the water has to offer.  Sit outside and gaze at the inter coastal bay side of the island.  On most days the Bridge Tender Bar area opens up the garage like bays to allow the inside to become part of the outside. ch Pier Bird

The name Bridge Tender is of important significance.  Anna Maria Island’s first access to the island with motor vehicles was the Bradenton Beach pier.  Currently the pier of course does not connect Bradenton, Fl to Anna Maria Island however the pier did used to connect the island to the mainland.  The men who operated the bridge were called Bridge Tenders.  For more information on how the bridge operated and the significance of the Bridge Tenders be sure to visit our Anna Maria Island Informational page.

The Bridge Tender Inn has outdoor seating with waterfront views, musical entertainment, a bar with plenty of munchies and they serve lunches and dinners.

Bridge Tender Inn and Dockside Bar
155 Bridge Street
Bradenton Beach, FL, 34217
(941) 778-4849

Starfish Company Restaurant, great outdoor dining

The Starfish Company is a fabulous restaurant just a short 5 minute drive from Anna Maria Island. It is just off Cortez road just past the drawbridge heading East of Anna Maria Island. The Anna Maria Restaurant officially resides in Cortez village and becomes the hub during the Cortez fishing festival.

Most will probably arrive by car however if boating is your passion then boat right on over to Starfish. Go East along the shoreline south of the Cortez Bridge. Pass the U.S. Coast Guard Station and A.P. Bell Fish Company before coming to Star’s back dock. Tie up wherever you can and the boat parking is free! By the way, just about every map I have viewed, Yahoo, MSN, Google messes up the location of Starfish Company restaurant.  Trust us, heading East from Anna Maria Island just past the drawbridge take a right on 123 rd Street WEST go two blocks and you run right into Starfish Company.

The Starfish Company restaurant has outdoor seating right at the docks. There are fantastic views from the dining area of the Starfish Restaurant and includes mangrove islands, Jewfish Key, Longboat Key and Bradenton Beach. You can sit out on the dock under the sun or under the shade the restaurant provides. The restaurant is more of a take out dining style and they specialize in simple presentation and great seafood. Free automobile parking is in the front by the entrance for the fresh fish market and in the rear of the restaurant by the water is the bar and dining area. Walk back behind the building on the right side. In the video below you can see the dining areas as well as where you order your food. Don’t go right to your seat and sit down and expect a waitress to take your order. It doesn’t work that way at Starfish Company restaurant. Walk up to the right side of the bar and order your food through the window. When the food is ready they will call your name or number.

Starfish Company restaurant has fantastic fish, clam strips, scallops, shrimp, and just about anything you would look forward to eating in a fishing village. My favorite are the hush puppies. Yes, that is right they server hush puppies as a side dish as well as chowder. The restaurant has domestic and imported beers as well as wines. For children they do have hamburgers, hot dogs and yes, french fries.

Starfish Company is a great very casual Anna Maria Island restaurant and although it is not officially on Anna Maria Island it is so close it might as well be! Be sure to check their schedule. They normally are closed for dinner on Sunday and Monday’s and serve a great lunch 7 days per week.

If you are looking for fresh fish their seafood market is a great choice for fresh Florida local seafood. For more information visit the Starfish Company restaurant and Seafood market website.

Starfish Company
12306 46th Avenue West
Cortez, Fl, 34215
(941) 794-1243

For another great seafood alternative try the Cortez Kitchen.  It is just a short 5 minute drive from Anna Maria Island and just down the street from the Starfish Company restaurant.

Gulf Drive Cafe provides a great Gulf Front dining experience

Gulf Drive Cafe is located in Bradenton Beach and they have both indoor and outdoor seating.  The outdoor seating is direct Gulf Front and in a fairly quiet section of Bradenton Beach.  The Cafe is open 7 days per week and current hours are 7 AM – 9 PM although it is always best to check open times during off season.

Breakfast is served anytime although your choice of potatoes starts to narrow in the later afternoon.  There is a huge variety at the Cafe, Burgers, sandwiches, surf and turf, salads, wine and beer.  Their specials range from Liver with bacon and onions to BBQ baby back ribs,  Mexican Torito, or egg plant parmesan.  They do offer a children’s menu with 5-7 traditional choices for children. 

In high season the wait can be long for outdoor seating as well as indoor.  Their breakfast is extremely popular and in high season the waits can be more than an hour.  It’s worth the wait especially if you are looking for Gulf Front dining as there are just a few choices on Anna Maria.

They take Visa and Mastercard however no personal checks.

Gulf Drive Cafe
900 North Gulf Drive
Bradenton Beach, Fl, 34217
(941) 778-1919

Free Anna Maria Trolley is fantastic way to travel Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island, Florida has wonderful trolley service that travels the entire island.  From Coquina Beach all the way to the public pier on the North side of Anna Maria City, Florida.  The best thing of all is the trolley still remains free!  That’s right Free.  In the late Fall, Winter, and early Spring MCAT uses the mature trolleys which allows for the back half of the trolley to have the windows removed so you can feel the cool breezes of Anna Maria Island.  The Trolley service arrives about every 30 minutes at the many designated stops on the island.  If you are staying at a vacation rental with Island Real Estate Vacation Rentals then be sure to review the free visit bag Island Real Estate provides all vacation renters for more information on trolley stops.

A few tricks of the trade.  The trolley benches are spread apart all across Anna Maria Island.  Starting South to North, the trolley service starts at Coquina public beach in Bradenton Beach City.  All along Gulf Drive there are many benches.  It’s just like catching a bus.  Find one of the trolley stops and await the trolley to arrive.  TRICK:  Be sure you are sitting at a Trolley bench and not a miscellaneous bench.  A trolley bench will be painted Green and say Trolley on it.  If it is a wooden bench without any sign next to it or Trolley painting on the back of the bench then it is NOT a trolley stop. 

The Trolley travels all the way up to Manatee Avenue by way of East Bay Drive past Publix and the outdoor shopping plaza.  TRICK:  The trolley will only stop at the benches to its right.  If you are on one side of the street and you do not want to travel the direction of the traffic then cross the street and find the closest trolley stop going the other way.  The Trolley then picks up on Gulf Drive and travels North on Marina Drive.  Let me say that again, the Trolley travels North on Marina Drive all the way up to Pine avenue where it turns around at the public pier at the East end of Pine Avenue.  The Trolley then heads West along Pine Avenue, South along Gulf Drive and travels South along the Beach.  The Trolley travels ALONG the beach where it closes the loop at Marina and Gulf Drive and travels back to Coquina Beach. 

TRICK:  If you are staying anywhere from 53rd to 81st be careful!!  The trolley travels both Gulf Drive and Marina/Palm which forms a loop.  So, if you are staying at Vista Grande in Island Real Estate’s Vacation Rentals , to travel South pick up any one of the trolley stops along Gulf Drive.  If you want to travel North you must walk EAST to Marina Drive and find a trolley stop on the East side of the street to travel to the North side of Anna Maria Island. 

Visit our special page for the Anna Maria Island, Florida Trolley map and schedule.  Note, the attached trolley schedule may not be up to date and it provides stop times for only a few of the stops as a point of reference.  There are many more stops than those outlined in the Form.   To review the “official” Trolley schedule for Anna Maria Island visit the MCAT website. 

Below is a VERY quick you tube video at a trolley stop…

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