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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Rudy’s restaurant in Anna Maria has great sandwiches

Looking for a great place to go for an informal lunch/breakfast on Anna Maria Island even though you are covered

in sand from the beach?  Rudy’s located in Anna Maria City is the perfect restaurant for you!  Rudy’s of Anna Maria City offers a great selection of breakfast items such as fresh baked cinnamon rolls, veggie sandwiches and a sandwich called the “roo”.  Rudy’s offers wonderful sandwiches that are on toasted sub roll with egg and either steak, mushrooms, onions and cheese or for the veggie lover egg, mushrooms, onions, tomato and cheese.

Rudy’s Philly cheese steak is a perfect lunch choice!  This sandwich, if you can still call it that (more like a meal)  has your choice of onions, mushrooms,  marinara sauce and their famous special mouth watering homemade peppers.  Prices at lunch range from $4.95 – $9.95.

Rudy’s is located in Anna Maria City just prior to Pine Avenue.  It is on the West side about a block from the beach just prior to the Sandbar restaurant on Gulf Drive.  Stop in and check it out.

Rudy’s
9906 Gulf Drive
Anna Maria City, Anna Maria Island, Fl
941-896-7844

Please note,
Mon-Sat 8AM-11AM  Breakfast

For more information on Anna Maria Island, Florida restaurants be sure to visit Island Real Estate’s restaurant information page.

WaterFront Restaurant has bay views in Anna Maria city

Great view of  Tampa Bay and the Sunshine Bridge is only the beginning at this wonderful local seafood restaurant on Anna Maria Island.  The food choices at the Waterfront are fantastic.  From wonderful fresh soups and salads to gourmet meals, salmon and steak.  The Waterfront located in Anna Maria City also offers vegetarian choices as well that are made fresh and homemade right at the restaurant.  Waterfront of Anna Maria Island is famous for their delicious fish taco appetizer and outdoor seating taking advantage of the wonderful bay views.  The giant fish tank that separates the main dining room from the bar area is beautiful and adds charm to the dining experience.

The Waterfront restaurant also offers a wonderful  selection of beers and wine from all over the world.

The wait staff  of the waterfront in Anna Maria city is always inviting and prompt with their service. If you are in the mood for great service, great views of the bay, excellent food, this is the place for you to come as a family or as a couple.  One last note, try the lobster bisque, trust us, you wont be sorry.  It melts in your mouth.

The Waterfront Restaurant
111 South Bay Blvd.
Anna Maria, FL 34216
Phone: 941.778.1515

Visit the following link for more information on Anna Maria City Dining.

Two Scoops, great ice cream in Anna Maria

Two Scoops is located in Anna Maria City on Anna Maria Island.  It is a great location next to Waterfront restaurant as well as the Anna Maria public pier.   They offer sundaes, ice cream cones, cookies and lots more treats.  It is a great spot to visit and grab an ice cream.  There is plenty of parking and there are gift shops in the plaza although most ask not to bring food into their stores.

Once you pick up an ice cream walk across the street to the public pier and meander down the public pier and feel the bay breeze in your face.  Watch folks fishing, watch the moon, or just listen to the surf.  It is a perfect end to a busy family day.

Two scoops also has sandwiches, hot dogs, and chips.  There are about 5 tables inside to sit at with a few benches in the East Bay plaza that you can sit at while grabing a bite or ice cream.  Two scoops does not have an outdoor seating area and parking is FREE.

Two Scoops
101 South Bay Blvd
Anna Maria City, Fl 34216
(941) 779-2422

For more information on things to do be sure to visit our top things to do pages.

Rotten Ralph’s in Bradenton Beach is not so Rotten

Rotten Ralph’s now has two locations on Anna Maria Island.  Their first location is in Anna Maria City and their second location is found at the end of Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach, Fl.  The two locations are extremely different.  The Anna Maria location is more like a marina’s afterthought so if you are a boater this location is perfect.  Before or after your meal you can walk the marina and dream a little about owning one of the several million dollar yachts.  The newer location on bridge street is a bit of new “old Florida” and frankly the first time we visited the new location in Bradenton Beach we were pleasantly surprised.   After your meal walk the pier and people watch on the several swings provided or watch the fishing or boats pass you by.  It’s a perfect opportunity for your family to relax together and have a little fun while sharing the experiences that Anna Maria Island has to offer.

Rotten Ralph’s is well known for the all you can eat fish fry as well as various other fried seafood’s.   If you love a good fish fry then visit Rotten Ralph’s.  Their clam strips are some of the largest clam strips I have ever seen.  Their clam chowder is fairly good also. 

Web Site
Anna Maria city location
901 S. Bay Blvd
Anna Maria City, Florida, 34216
(941) 778-3953
Lunch & Dinner served 7 days per week

Bradenton Beach Location
200 Bridge Street
Bradenton Beach, FL, 34217
(941) 778-1604
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner  served 7 days per week

For more information on great vacation rentals with an office located on Anna Maria Island be sure to go to www.IslandReal.com

Sand Bar Restaraunt in Anna Maria City

For many, the Sandbar restaurant is a must visit while staying on Anna Maria Island.  The atmosphere is wonderful and it’s one of the few restaurants where you can dine outdoors while listening to the surf.  The most popular time at the Sandbar is just prior to sunset.  The restaurant offers good food with an outstanding view.  You can make reservations for inside and outdoor seating is on a first come first basis.  About one hour prior to Sunset time you can expect to wait over 1 hour for a seat outside.  There are a few tables outside where you can still put your feet in the sand while most are on the wooden deck covered by an open air cathedral tin roof.  Inside seating is 3 to 4 rows of seating with one row along the West wall which offers Direct Gulf Front views. The Anna Maria City restaurant offers a full bar and has limited seating in the bar with limited views of the Gulf.

The Sandbar offers salads, hamburgs, children meals such as chicken fingers, Macaroni and cheese, pasta, and seafood.  I have had the seafood salad, stuffed flounder, salmon, and a specialty salad and all meals have been good.  The Key Lime pie is very good as well as the Calamari.  Be careful if you order the Calamari.  Be sure to order a half plate unless you have more than 4 people eating.  The Full order is huge and could serve as a meal for two or three.

One local favorite thing to do is to walk the beach to the Sandbar and grab a drink or meal.  There is nothing like working off your meal by walking the Gulf of Mexico.  The Sandbar has an outdoor entry area however you do need to plan to have a shirt on to enter the restaurant.  The walk is about 20 minutes from Peppertree or White Avenue in Anna Maria City.  From La Casa Costeria on 73rd Street, it’s about a 35 minute walk to the Sandbar.

Website
100 Spring Avenue
Anna Maria City, Fl, 34216
(941) 778-0444

Sign of the Mermaid

The Sign of the Mermaid offers a unique dining experience on Anna Maria Island.  Located in Anna Maria City on Gulf drive, the restaurant is located in a house renovated to accommodate dining guests.   The home was built in 1912 and offers all the wonderful treasures an older home provides.  Creaking floors, artwork, and fabulous antiques are just a few of the items that define the decor of this unusual home that hosts dining guests.  Meals are typically larger portioned and on the “heavier” side.  They offer seafood, pasta, chicken, lamb, steaks, wonderful appetizers, and out of this world desserts.  In season we recommend reservations and the atmosphere accommodates children.  Sign of the Mermaid has mixed reviews mostly due to the age of the restaurant and the decor.  If you prefer a more traditional dining experience, Sign of the Mermaid may not be your perfect fit.  If you prefer the journey to a dining experience we would suggest the Sign.   

Sign of the Mermaid
9707 Gulf Drive
Anna Maria, FL, 34216
(941) 778-9399

Waterfront

The Waterfront restarauntis a fabulous above average priced dining experience in Anna Maria City just South of Pine Avenue.  Try their lobster bisque which is a spoon full of heaven.  They have a fabulous selection of salads, seafood, steaks, just about anything that will satisfy the pickiest eater.   Dine inside and relax at the bar while watching salt water fish in their extra large aquarium.  In appropriate climate conditions dine outside and enjoy the breeze off the Tampa Bay.  If you eat too much or try a fantastic desert, no worries, take a walk down the public pier and enjoy what nature has to offer.   You will find bunches of fisher-people at the end of the pier and you could be lucky enough to see a dolphin or manatee.

The Waterfront Restaraunt
111 South Bay Blvd
Anna Maria City, FL, 34216
(941) 778-1515