The Waterfront Restaurant

A lovely spot on a beautiful island. The menu is huge, and the food quality is excellent. Portions are massive and very filling, so you get what you pay for. Great drink selection, too! It’s popular and loud. Expect crowds and an evening queue to get in. Like most island spots, it’s not cheap, but the quality and quantity make it worth every dollar.

This is a very popular restaurant - we waited about half an hour for a table, but it was worth it. We were seated on the back patio, which felt cozy and lively. The service was great, the seafood menu was excellent, and the portions were generous. A perfect spot to enjoy dinner with family or friends while vacationing on this beautiful island.

The location, the staff, and the food were all great. Recommend the scallop and pork belly fried rice and don’t sleep on the dipping sauce for the bread, and the calamari. So delicious. Atmosphere was so warm and cozy.

This was our first time and the food was delicious! We will be back! The lobster bisque was delicious. My sister and I both ordered salmon cakes with mashed potatoes and season veggies. Everything was delicious. Definitely a meal I would order again if it's on the menu.

Stopped here by luck while on a day trip while on vacation in Siesta Key and exploring the barrier Island. This place is a must. Delicious food, amazing views and wonderful & friendly team! I wish this place was close to my home, I would be a regular! My family of 5 all loved their food! Calamari, Lobster Bisque, Burger, Mac and Cheese, Grouper Taco and Desserts were all hits.

Went twice during our last stay on AMI, excellent service and menu had a nice selection. Meals were well prepared and presented each with a slight twist on the usual. Highly recommend the Calamari, perhaps the best we've ever had.

Oh, what an amazing little gem of a restaurant! No reservations required, and it didn’t take long to get seated. Staff were super friendly (thank you Ms. Susie!!), ambiance was comfy, and the food was fantastic. Amazing view of the Gulf from the front porch, and sunset was like looking at a Monet painting. Thank you and we’ll be back!!!

I cannot begin to explain what a wonderful experience we have had each time we go to Waterfront! Jen our waitress was AMAZING this time which added even more to the amazing food. The hostess made great food recommendations. This edamame salad was delicious!! The last time we came here I had the scallops and it was the best meal I’ve had! Their sides make the meal! Everything soooo flavorful!

An AMI standout still pumping out great craft cocktails and top notch food to match !! We started with a smoked margarita and a super tasty cream of asparagus soup I had the maple mustard rubbed Scottish salmon with arugula and rice prepared perfectly and my wife had the black grouper which was the high light entree of the night !! Julian's service was just right and the newly redone dinning room provided the perfect setting for a truly enjoyable evening

Intimate but beautifully decorated space. So much charm and history in this restaurant and feels very classy. All the food is absolutely delicious. While it is a little on the pricier side, so is most everything else on the island, so this is very much worth it! Gorgeous view of the water, especially at lunch time. Really nice to sit outside this time of the year! (December)

Beautiful view right on the shore. Nice ocean breeze. Service was top of the line. But here is what puts it a cut above the rest. Restaurants on the shore are obviously a dime a dozen in a resort area like Anna Maria Island. Usually the food is passable, but not stellar. Good, but not memorable. I'm not exaggerating to say this is a place I will always come back to when in the area. First, the Kentucky Breakfast was an expresso martini with Kahlua and other libations. Not too sweet, not at all bitter, but very potent. I wanted another, but I had to drive, so I didn't. The calamari appetizer was perfection. Calamari can be so good when prepared properly, bust most fail to do so. Tender, perfect amount of batter. I was concerned it didn't come with sauce until I realized it was covered in sauce. If I'd eaten this as both the appetizer and entree, I would have been happy. Next came the grouper sandwich. Huge piece of fish with truffle fries. Homemade bread and butter pickles, lettuce, and were those garden fresh tomatoes? I think so, not sure, but sure tasted like it. Too often when doing reviews, we try to come off as professional reviewers, myself included. So let me just be blunt and simple. THIS IS A DAMN GOOD PLACE TO EAT.

The Waterfront Restaurant in Anna Maria Island is another one of my family and I's go-to places for a bite to eat on the island. The restaurant is located at the top of the island, where the pier used to be. There is a decent amount of parking located around the restaurant, so that is never a worry. There is also indoor and outdoor seating available. This is a spot where you can dress up or down, as the restaurant has a really casual, yet chill island vibe. Recently, my family and I went for lunch and I ordered the grouper tacos. They were super yummy and came with a side of fries, which were also delicious. My dad ordered the grouper sandwich and also enjoyed his meal. On another dining experience here, my mom and I each got a mai tai, which were so good! One thing to note is that this restaurant does not take any reservations, so there can sometimes be a high wait time around popular dining times.

Service took forever. It wasn't that busy. I recommend subbing any bread for the croissant. That greatly improved the sandwich. Was disappointed that lobster meat wasn't added on top of the bisque. It is across from the beach and on the patio you can people watch.

The espresso resposado tequila was delicious & a must order. Everything else I'd give this place zero stars. The food is terrible. Do not get the chicken club it was absolutely terrible. Chicken was rubber hard & small. It took the server 30 mins to bring us water... we had to ask another server if we even had a server & when she finally arrived, didn't even bring water we had to ask & it took her another 15 mins to bring water. My friend had to ask for a water refill. It was not even busy lots of empty tables so not sure why the service was so awful. My friend had the tuna salad sandwich that she said reeked of onions galore. She said the side pasta was terrible. Asked for mayo & the server brought it out an hr later which by that time she said she didn't need it anymore. It took 1.5hrs for the food to arrive. This place is awful. Wasted 2 very long hours here, the service is the worst I've ever had in Florida. Will not be back.

This has to be some of the best food on the island. The drinks were fabulous and the food had so much flavor. The service was great and the back patio was so nice, they had a fireplace and it was super cozy. We had the Tuna sashimi and clams in garlic cream sauce for the appetizer. We had the pork belly with scallops and the Tom Kha for the meal. Everything was perfect!!

As with anything on the island, it's pricey. However, it is rated #1 for a reason. Hot tip, we went on a saturday to the beach with my friends . We were a large group but they decided they wanted to head out so my husband and I wanted to go get a bite. We both went to The Waterfront restaurant as its the best rated on the island and had to way about an hour to be seated outside (we had our service dog and it was just 2 of us) next time I recomend during busy season to send someone to get on the wait list about an hour before you actually want to eat. They text you confirming you are on the list, go back to the beach enjoy a little bit more beach time, clean up put everything in the car except a couple of chairs, and enjoy what's left of the day. By the time they text you all you have to do is put the beach chairs in the car and walk over to the restaurant! Drinks: get the japaleno margarita, the best margarita ive had in a LONG TIME. I had 2 Food: we ordered the calamari as an appetizer, wasabi crusted tuna and grouper tacos as an entre with the gouda Mac n cheese as a side! Oh lord was the food good. I would have skipped the grouper tacos and shares the tuna because they sevre large portions! The grouper tacos are amazing though but I wasnt super hungry and ended up taking some home. We had the creme brule for dessert because we wanted something not too heavy. It was perfect. Overall had a great day on the island. Disclaimer: dogs aren't allowed on the island, we have a certified service dog and we have her license and papers with us. She never went in the water on the beach and is trained as a service animal. The police will stop you and ask for papers if you go and claim you have a service animal. They treated her very kindly at the restaurant and brought her water.

Had a late lunch here on vacation. Nice staff, great outdoor seating (if not too hot), and good food. We had the king pao calamari for appetizer. It was probably the favorite of the table. Then we had grouper sandwich, grouper tacos, and gulf shrimp. All were very good.

My family and I had an excellent dining experience at The Waterfront Restaurant. The atmosphere is very relaxing with lots of beach decor and a beautiful view of the water and Anna Maria Pier. The service was excellent with a quick turn around. For appetizers we ordered: lobster bisque, calamari with peppers and cheese in a Thai chili sauce, and a strawberry arugula salad. We really loved all of these dishes! Our dinner orders included the salmon lunch special, blackened shrimp, Caesar salad, and the portobello sandwich. All dishes were packed with flavor. I really loved the pineapple Cole slaw side as an option. Very refreshing!

While spending the day on Anna Maria Island, we stopped by for a light bite, and I'm so glad we did! The location is fantastic--you can see the water just across the street, creating a perfect island vibe. Plus, the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. We started with the calamari, which was perfectly crispy and not overly chewy--so tasty! The sangria was also delicious and refreshing. I couldn't resist ordering an espresso martini, but it was missing a bit of sweetness and didn't quite hit the mark (hence the one less star). Thankfully, our server worked some magic by adding Baileys, which saved it! To top it all off, we had to try the crème brûlée, and it did not disappoint--absolutely delicious! And I have to mention the bread--warm, toasted just right, and so good. Overall, a great stop with beautiful views and some standout bites!

Definitely a must go if you are visiting the island. They don't do reservations, so if you go during peak dinner hours, keep that in mind and be prepared to wait. One of the nights we tried to go we were told we'd have to wait for 2 hours for a table for 2. The night we did go they told us 45 min to an hour yet ended up seating us 5 minutes later. There's plenty to do around the restaurant, so the time does pass by quickly. I would recommend sitting outside as the patio offers a fantastic view of the bay! The server we had was ok, she seemed to be busy and didn't give us the most attention, but nonetheless we had no issues and didnt really mind. The food was fantastic. We started with the baked Brie which was absolutely delicious. A great and light starter. Baked in puff pastry and served with crackers and honey it's actually kind of a nice sweet dish. My wife had the grouper cakes, which were delicious! It seemed to be a popular dish as most of the tables beside us had at least one person ordering them as well. I had the wasabi crusted tuna and ordered it rare per the chef's recommendations. It was sushi grade and melted in your mouth! The crunch of the wasabi crust gave it a nice contrast to the soft tuna. Would recommend to go, though we did like other options on the island better.

Historic cottage lovingly designed to be a waterfront eatery. Food was delicious. Red snapper special creatively combined jack fruit and other flavors over a bed of mashed potatoes. Shrimp and grits was also tasty, with a bit of a twist on the traditional. The service was very attentive which was so nice. We sat outside and really appreciated the ceiling and floor fans to keep the bugs away.

While vacationing in Anna Maria Island we ate at The Waterfront Restaurant. This place is amazing. The calamari was the best we've ever had. We also enjoyed the grouper tacos & the peel & eat shrimp. The cocktails were also delicious. We will eat here every time we visit the island. The staff were also warm & friendly. Love this restaurant!

We had the best seating in the restaurant, right next to the aquarium. I was able to enjoy my delicious food and watch the fishies swim around. Our waiter was a master multitasker and helped us with anything we needed.

The waterfront was awesome! Highly recommend if you're on the island. The food was delicious, drinks were yummy, and service was great. This is a long wait so be prepared, especially if you have a large group. We only had 2 people and it was an hour wait. The night before was about a 90 minute wait which we went somewhere else. It's great food so I would say put your name down and maybe go back to your place to chill until about 10 min within the time they suggested.

Great service. Very Efficient. Love the ambiance. The food is delicious!! Waiting to try more

Waterfront remains as good as ever -- perhaps better! We were so glad they were open this week after the hurricanes. They've repaired the inside/renovated and it seems like nothing ever happened -- except the inside got a lighter paint refresh, new light tile flooring, and it really jazzed the place up. And the food is as top notch as ever. The service was great. They accoadated our large party of 10 well both visits in the past week. Very kid friendly and nice options on their menu for families. Get here early or you'll be waiting a while peak times, as there's still no reservations even for large parties. The fruiti de mare still stands out as the one of the best seafood pastas I've ever had including in Italy. It's well balanced -- not too creamy or acidic. The seafood is plentiful and all cooked just right. A nice al dente noodle. Amazing. The pork belly and scallop dish was new to us this trip. The pork belly are two long thick strips glazed in gojuchang. The accompanying kimchi and fried rice is surprisingly great. The rice is not too greasy or heavy and the kimchi is light, flavorful, and has great bite. Wow. Keep thinking about it. All the food dishes are a hit. You can't go wrong eg Tropicale salad. I missed their Bay Cooler and 1944 Mai Tai. All the cocktails. Still refreshing and substantial. Given the price hikes around the island, the restaurant isn't that expensive anymore. So an even better deal! Any visit to AMI is incomplete without a trip to Waterfront.

This is one of my favorite restaurants to visit when I'm in the Anna Maria Island area. The water view is beautiful and the food is always amazing. The scallops with pork belly and kimchi fried rice is delicious the fried rice is on the spicy but I was able to handle it. I will be definitely come back when I'm back in the area.

The Waterfront Restaurant has great food!! If you're looking for a nice restaurant in your area, look no further! We had a table of five, and the food came out fairly quick for what we ordered. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a ton of things on the menu I would like, but the waitress made an exception for me. How kind!! Alexa was our waitress and she is awesome!!! We all loved her. Such a nice place and it's so worth it to go!

Very cool place with a view of the Bay. The restaurant is well decorated inside as well. Now for the most important part - the food. The Pork Belly and Scallops was delightful. Everything was cooked perfectly. My wife had the shrimp and grits and they were flavorful as well. The wagyu was excellent as well along with the mashed potatoes. Well seasoned and cooked to perfection. The kids steak bites were excellent as well. Staff were friendly and attentive.

This is definitely the best place to eat on Anna Maria. I can't say that that's a great compliment because the island restaurants are really not that good, frankly. However, this really is a good place....great choices. Even better service.

Come here for a more upscale beach al fresco dining experience. This doesn't mean dressy, just a fresh menu, a solid bar selection, and great service (thanks, Dave!). Catch of the day sandwich was a grouper. It was recommended to get fried and it was was fresh and delicious. Lobster bisque was also a pleasant surprise. Dave was outstanding and helped us best navigate the menu.

Beautiful beachfront location with friendly service. Our fish was cooked to perfection and the hot warm bread was amazing

Rod in the bar made it a 10 star experience! Excellent grouper with grilled romaine (my entree). Fantastic grouper tacos, I'm told. Fresh brewed ice teas. But the cocktails are done with sophistication.

The Waterfront Restaurant and Craft Bar was everything we hoped it would be: Crazy good food and beautiful atmosphere in a wonderful location. This restaurant and bar were by far the best part of our trip to Anna Maria Island. The wait was long and worth it. We arrived on a Sunday evening and the wait was promised to be over an hour with later guests given a 2 hour wait time. No problems - There were many comfortable benches and chairs to wait on the covered patio with nice drinks and extensive wine and craft drink choices from the bar. Sitting on benches at the beach across the street was also really nice. We started with drinks including a really nice house made white Sangria that was light, fruity and bubbly along with a Clear Slate German Riesling that was sweet like a Moscato but with more depth while enjoying the nice breeze on the patio. We them moved across the street to watch the sailboats from our bench. Our table on the patio gave us nice views of the water with a perfect breeze under warm rope lights. There were many nice appetizer options but We chose to get the Pretzel crusted Mahi Mahi Entree from the Daily Special Menu and the Wasabi Crusted Yellowfin Tuna served on a Bacon Kale salad. Both of these dishes were unbelievably good and a must try for fish lovers. A shared side of the Mable Glazed Bacon Brussel Sprouts took our meal to the next level along with the house bread served with a crazy good Balsamic and Herb spread. We finished our meal with two very special desserts: a flourless Chocolate Ganache Torte (as good as it looked) and the Toasted Coconut crusted Key Lime Pie which was the best I've ever had. Our server Savannah was very helpful in making meal choices and she definitely steered us to the right food for us. We look forward to our next trip to Anna Maria Island for this foodie Heaven.

Love the Waterfront! The food is always delicious. Great menu selection of seafood and non-seafood options . If you like Fried Green Tomatoes you will love these and the pimento cheese served to top them is delicious! Inside and outside seating options. This is a favorite so be prepared for a wait during peak hours (they do not accept reservations). It's a typical FL casual atmosphere that's laid back and easy. The service every time we dine has always been great!

Went with a group of friends for dinner. We had 8 and they were nice enough to give us a cove of our own. Hannah was a terrific server especially since everyone had their particular food preferences! They have a nice wine list and a broad food menu. I had the lobster bisque and great fish tacos with Grouper. They have a big porch on the front for dining and a view of the bay. In the back they have a shaded deck. A great place to eat on the island!

We really enjoyed the top notch service here! Staff was so knowledgeable about what was gluten free/safe for me to eat. Gluten free Fried shrimp was such a treat!!! Highly recommend

We found this place by accident & were pleasantly surprised. The prices were a bit higher than expected for lunch but food was delicious.

Greeted and seated promptly. Friendly server. Not to noisy. The Lobster Bisque was creamy and very tasty. The Friend Green Tomatoes and sauce were very good also.

There is a reason it's named Waterfront! Great views of the water while sitting out on the covered porch. The tropical salad with hearts of palm and homemade basalmic dressing was fresh and hit the spot . Then the grouper tacos were good as well! I had the refreshing ice cold green tea which we all got and enjoyed !

Amazing service, delicious service! I have a gluten allergy and they had gluten free options for almost everything on the menu! Had the gluten fried (fried and breaded) calamari and jumbo shrimp! Literally have not ate this in years and it was delicious with no episodes! Would absolutely recommend if you're gluten free and coming to AMI!

100000/10. This was one of the best salads I've ever had. The service was exceptional. Our waitress was very nice. The setting was super cute and very calming. This was our first date night since having our baby and it couldn't have been a better place to eat at.

All so good! The food was amazing. The service was lovely. Best twist on an old fashion. One of the best drinks I've had out at a restaurant. Back patio is very cute. We enjoyed every appetizer and entree.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Waterfront Restaurant on Anna Maria Island, and it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived, the ambiance set the tone for a delightful evening. The restaurant is situated with some views of the water, making it the perfect spot dinner or a relaxed gathering with friends. The outdoor seating area is particularly charming, with a gentle breeze adding to the serene atmosphere. The service was impeccable from start to finish. Our server, Sky, was attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, and provided excellent recommendations. The staff's friendliness and professionalism made us feel welcome and well-cared for throughout our meal. Now, onto the food - it was nothing short of exceptional. We were there for lunch so most of us had sandwiches. We started with the Tropicale Salad, which was perfect on a hot day, it's rare to find a salad with hearts of palm and this one was fabulous! I ordered the chefs special which was grilled chicken and brie sandwich, it was delicious! The others in our party ordered the Gulf shrimp, Turkey and Brie sandwich, and the Fresh Catch Sandwich blackened...everyone thoroughly enjoyed our meals! Overall, The Waterfront Restaurant exceeded our expectations. The combination of exceptional service, and delectable cuisine makes it a must-visit when on Anna Maria Island. We can't wait to return!

Had a great dinner with the family here and everyone seem to love their meals. I had a fish bowl soup, sort of thing in which I had to add some rice to it to make it filling, but the taste was good and everything that was inside was good. However, I would rather come back and try something different because I was in a huge fan of what I had.

The Waterfront is a terrific spot for a quick lunch or dinner by the ocean. The food tasted fresh, the staff was kind. Big open space with lots of seating.

Every time I walk past this place every seat and every table is full and happy. We decided to try it out tonight, and it did not appoint. The beach yet classy vibe along with good service and delicious everything made the hour wait to get a table totally worth it. No reservations except on major holidays so go early to put your name in.

This restaurant was everything I didn't know I needed! The vibe was chill but still felt really nice and put-together. The whole place just had that relaxing, island-y feel that makes you want to stay a little longer. The food was so good--fresh, flavorful, and just really well done. You could tell everything was made with care. I had the scallops and pork belly and I'm still thinking about it. Our server was super friendly and on top of everything, but not in a fake or annoying way--just genuinely kind. If you're ever in Anna Maria Island, this spot is a must. Good food, great views, and such a good energy. I'd 100% go back!

Another excellent meal at the Waterfront, our favorite AMI restaurant. Had the fried shrimp - always a favorite. The pork belly and scallops with kimchi & fried rice were excellent. Exploding in flavor - both cooked perfectly. You can never go wrong here. Finished with their excellent crème brûlée.

Food is delicious. Speciality cocktails. Views are amazing. Service was good. If you're in the area check out k this place out and order the lobster bisque!

Loved the location! Very clean and nice ambiance. We had grouper tacos and the peel and eat shrimp. Sorry no pics- we were starving.

The food was great, I highly recommend the truffle mac n cheese with bacon. The food was not the only thing that was exemplary, our waitress was very kind and was quick to get what we needed. Overall this has been a stand out part of our trips to Ana Maria Island, and I highly recommend trying it.

We had an incredible evening at The Waterfront Restaurant in Bradenton. From the moment we were seated by the water, the vibe was perfect--soft breeze, glowing string lights, and boats drifting past as the sun set. It's the kind of setting that makes you slow down and actually savor dinner. We ordered the fresh seafood platter, and it was the star of the night. Everything tasted ocean-fresh--plump, briny oysters; sweet jumbo shrimp; perfectly seared scallops; and flaky local fish that melted in our mouths. The presentation was beautiful without being fussy, and each bite had that clean, just-caught flavor you only get when the kitchen really cares about quality. Service was spot-on: friendly, attentive, and paced so we never felt rushed. Cocktails were balanced (highly recommend their citrusy house drink), and the sides complemented the platter instead of overpowering it. Between the waterfront ambiance, top-notch service, and a seafood platter that's worth a special trip, this place nails it. If you're looking for a memorable dinner on the water in Bradenton, The Waterfront Restaurant should be at the top of your list. We'll be back soon!

Super cute spot right on the water. Our server, Savannah, was awesome--super friendly and helpful. The seafood was really fresh and tasty. Definitely recommend if you're in the Anna Maria Island area

LOVE this restaurant so much. I was originally drawn in by the menu. It all sounded so good. Even my GF daughter was excited to try it. It was in fact so good that we went there twice and tried many of the wonderful options. You HAVE to get the calamari. It was the best I've ever had. The flavor was amazing. We loved the baked Brie too! The salads are really good and big. My daughter got the shrimp entree both times and it seemed like they could have given a few more shrimp, but she is small and seemed satisfied. Hubby wanted more when he got it. Flavor was great. The tuna appetizer was really delicious! The drink menu was fabulous. Loved all that we had and the wine selection was nice. They don't take reservations, but we went for an early lunch both times and didn't wait at all. We were worried about being waterfront, because it was cold and windy, but their patio is fully enclosed and was very comfortable. Super great bonus! We had Dave and Michelle as our servers there and they were both fabulous. So kind and friendly. We felt really welcomed there. I give this 5 stars!

Great service - good atmosphere! Came in for dinner & was seated promptly. I enjoyed both dinner entrees. The Mai Tai is very strong but the bartender definitely modified it to my liking. Overall I would definitely recommend & come back .

Amazing once again The harvest beet salad is my absolute favorite Tuna sashimi wow Our waitress Sky is an amazing sweet young lady