• The Waterfront Restaurant - our top choice for a nice meal! FYI: many GF options.

• Pizzano's Pizza - that crust!

• Ginny’s and Jane E’s Cafe & Coastal Store - nothing on the menu that we haven't liked.

• Harry’s - very casual, large outdoor dining, live music

• The Feast - delicious seafood, salads, pasta After your meal, check out the talking parrots/macaws at Sun & Surf apparel.

• 5350 The Pour House - open breakfast/lunch/dinner - I’d go there for the Blueberry Balsamic Goat Cheese appetizer alone.

• Slim’s Place - pub food; offers specials each day from 3-5 p.m. but their Philly cheesesteaks are well known

• Sand Bar (on the beach) - we have not visited since new ownership took over shrimp and grits are a favorite dish but their fresh catch has never disappointed & you can’t beat the view!

• Duffy’s - delicious burgers, hotdogs, warm sauerkraut, limited menu; very casual, cheap, cold beer if that's your thing. Cash only. 

• Anna Maria General Store - has staples you might have forgotten at Publix plus they have a deli with limited hours. Discount if you pay with cash.

• Cortez Kitchen - blackened grouper sandwich is a favorite; Eat & watch the fisherman bring in their fresh catches. Live music depending on time you go.

• Tide Tables -

• Cortez Fish Market - Bair & Seafood - Fresh Seafood to cook at home

• Ginny’s and Jane E’s Cafe & Coastal Store - If you love cinnamon rolls, arrive early, order it to-go, head 1 block to the beach for coffee and cinnamon rolls. Open until 3 p.m. but the rolls don't last that long.

• Doughnut Experiment - Your made-to-order doughnut while you watch! Every imaginable topping. Key lime is a favorite.

• Two Scoops Ice Cream - candy store too - they have sandwiches and other food but we’ve only had the yummy ice cream. Bay side next to Anna Maria Pier

• Dips Ice Cream - located inside Anna Maria General Store 

• Anna Maria General Store - desserts & pastries (cheesecake, cookies, muffins, brownies, etc.)

• HomeTown Desserts - key lime coconut cake for the win!

• Ginny’s and Jane E’s Cafe & Coastal Store

• Island Coffee House (Holmes Beach) - yummy breakfast/good coffee drinks

• Anna Maria Island Coffee Shack - open until 2 p.m., great coffee, local coffee for your drip available

• La Creperie - great coffee, omelets, crepes

• North Shore Cafe - açaí bowls are a hit, arrive early during peak season

One of the appealing things about AMI is the ability of not needing a car. Make sure you book early during peak season.

• Beach Bums Rentals/Gift Shop - (941) 778-3316

• Lazy Turtle Beach Rentals - (941) 726-3163

• Robinson Preserve - Hike the nature trails, biking (non motorized only). View all kinds of marine/bird life. You’ll usually see eco tours going on in the early am on kayaks or paddle boards

• Perico Preserve - a smaller preserve than Robinson

• Rod & Reel Pier — fish off the pier, dolphin watch, sunrise view + they serve food and drinks

• Anna Maria Pier & Mote’s Marine Science Center - fish off the pier, dolphin watch, sunrise view + they serve food and drinks.

If you enjoy shopping and want to explore other areas nearby, visit St Armand’s Square which is very close to Siesta Key beach.

• Sunrise - Grab a blanket & your hot beverage, walk out the back gate, head down Poinsettia Rd where it dead ends into Tampa Bay. You'll find a bench under a large tree or you can sit on the sand for the show

• Sunset - Walk down Fern beach access and enjoy the show at Bean Point