Seems like the best vacation experiences always include some memorable dining moments. This is certainly the case in Florida’s Gulf Islands, where visitors can be spoiled at least three times daily with numerous independent dining locales serving a tasty mix of cuisines that seem to enhance the taste of the islands. From fresh Florida seafood straight from the Gulf waters, to “Floribbean” cuisine, island restaurants cover all the bases with eclectic bistros, waterfront grills and charming cafes.
Florida’s Gulf Islands are home to The Sarasota-Manatee Originals, a select group of independent restaurateurs who banded together in 2003 to celebrate their passion for culinary excellence. The first Florida arm of Dine Originals,the nationally-recognized trademarked brand for the Council of Independent Restaurants of America, the Sarasota-Manatee Originals collectively market more than 50 members and the fresh, local flavorful cuisine they serve.
Listed below are a few sizzling selections of Originals and others, including emerging newcomers on the scene and some tried-and-true favorites.
Beach Bistro (Holmes Beach)
Selected as the Top Restaurant for food in the West Coast Region of Florida in Zagat Restaurant Guide’s “Top Restaurants in America” 2010 edition, this posh waterfront bistro boasts an outstanding wine list and a drawer full of FloridaTrend’s Golden Spoon awards. The Bistro Bouillabaisseis a menu starlet. Sample the Bistro “White Castle” sliders – Foie gras and prime tenderloin on a butter grilled sweet bun with demi-glace and béarnaise. They’re straight from heaven. www.beachbistro.com
BeachHouse Restaurant (Anna Maria Island)
Located smack dab on the beach, this laidback eatery lives up to its name. Munch on stuffed snapper, a House favorite featuring golden snapper stuffed with shrimp, tomatoes, and pepper jack cheese, while listening to live island entertainment. The kid-friendly atmosphere makes it a popular spot for whole families of beach bums. www.beachhouse-restaurant.com
Euphemia Haye (Longboat Key)
Art, antiques, and fine food are a good mix – so say fans of a Florida Trend Hall of Fame winner. Highly rated by ZAGAT and a Fodor’s Choice 2009 selection for being a leader in their field of service, quality and value, Euphemia Haye mixes this interesting blend with a lush tropical setting to create an exceptionally romantic dining atmosphere. Crisp roast duckling with bread pudding and a seasonal berry sauce is an inventive and sumptuous treat. Don’t miss dessert at the upstairs Hayeloft – all desserts are homemade on the premises.
www.euphemiahaye.com
Florida’s Gulf Islands are home to The Sarasota-Manatee Originals, a select group of independent restaurateurs who banded together in 2003 to celebrate their passion for culinary excellence. The first Florida arm of Dine Originals,the nationally-recognized trademarked brand for the Council of Independent Restaurants of America, the Sarasota-Manatee Originals collectively market more than 50 members and the fresh, local flavorful cuisine they serve.
Listed below are a few sizzling selections of Originals and others, including emerging newcomers on the scene and some tried-and-true favorites.
Beach Bistro (Holmes Beach)
Selected as the Top Restaurant for food in the West Coast Region of Florida in Zagat Restaurant Guide’s “Top Restaurants in America” 2010 edition, this posh waterfront bistro boasts an outstanding wine list and a drawer full of FloridaTrend’s Golden Spoon awards. The Bistro Bouillabaisseis a menu starlet. Sample the Bistro “White Castle” sliders – Foie gras and prime tenderloin on a butter grilled sweet bun with demi-glace and béarnaise. They’re straight from heaven. www.beachbistro.com
BeachHouse Restaurant (Anna Maria Island)
Located smack dab on the beach, this laidback eatery lives up to its name. Munch on stuffed snapper, a House favorite featuring golden snapper stuffed with shrimp, tomatoes, and pepper jack cheese, while listening to live island entertainment. The kid-friendly atmosphere makes it a popular spot for whole families of beach bums. www.beachhouse-restaurant.com
Euphemia Haye (Longboat Key)
Art, antiques, and fine food are a good mix – so say fans of a Florida Trend Hall of Fame winner. Highly rated by ZAGAT and a Fodor’s Choice 2009 selection for being a leader in their field of service, quality and value, Euphemia Haye mixes this interesting blend with a lush tropical setting to create an exceptionally romantic dining atmosphere. Crisp roast duckling with bread pudding and a seasonal berry sauce is an inventive and sumptuous treat. Don’t miss dessert at the upstairs Hayeloft – all desserts are homemade on the premises.
www.euphemiahaye.com
Gulf Drive Café (Bradenton Beach)
The Key West style beach shack vibe has made this a perennial favorite for visitors and locals alike. It’s casual cuisine in a friendly, low-key atmosphere. Yummy burgers and sandwiches, as well as homemade milkshakes and pies, make this a satisfying stop, any time of day. Breakfast served any time, lunch and dinner. www.gulfdrivetiki.com
MacAllister’s Restaurant – the Restaurant on the Ranch (Lakewood Ranch)
Karen and Malcolm Ronney welcome visitors to MacAllisters at the Ranch, Lakewood Ranch’s own Scottish golf-themed dining concept. Opened in 2006, the Ronney’s serve up traditional American cuisine with a Scottish kick. Guests can join the Malt Whisky Club – an exclusive group who share a passion for the ‘water of life’. Popular entrees range from Ahi Tuna and Crab & Avocado Salad to more traditional fare with MacAllisters Haggis Bites, Braveheart Burger and Fish & Chips. www.macallisters.com
Mangrove Grill (Palmetto)
Patterned after a Spanish tapas bar, this stylish new eatery offers up more than small appetizer portions. Who could resist the chardonnay-kissed blue crab claws in garlic butter or the seasoned cornmeal-crusted oysters served with Key lime aioli? Located at the Riviera Dunes Marina Resort, this newcomer is quickly becoming a dining hot spot. Casual attire meets upscale dining. www.mangrovegrill.com
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub (Longboat Key)
Consider this the most likely place to rub elbows with a millionaire and not even know it! Tucked away in the historic district of Longbeach Village, you’ll find the outdoor deck has some of the best views around. Casual cuisine like tasty Greek salads, burgers, and garlic fried shrimp are menu staples. Shellfish lovers won’t want to miss the steamer pots of mussels and clams. And you’ll love the Key lime pie – it’s the real McCoy. www.marvista-restaurant.com
Mattison’s Riverside(Bradenton)
Executive Chef and Proprietor Paul Mattison combines his Mediterranean flair with a hint of Asian flavor while focusing on fresh seafood, lamb, duck and beef, and popular sushi bar, too. Dining is offered indoors or out, with a 140-seat deck and outdoor bar featuring live music nightly.
www.mattisons.com
Moore’s Stone Crab (Longboat Key)
Overlooking the bay on Longboat Key, this family owned and operated restaurant has been dazzling taste buds since 1967. As the name implies, the stone crab is excellent (and fresh in-season from October-May), but other seafood offerings include snapper, grouper, pompano, mahi mahi and more. Fresh fish can be cooked to order: broiled, fried, sautéed, or blackened. Picky kids need not worry; there’s a kid’s menu that even includes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! http://www.mooresstonecrab.com/
Rod & Reel Pier (Anna Maria)
Take a stroll out to the end of the Anna Maria Island Pier any time of day and you’ll be rewarded with far more than a gorgeous view. Enjoy a sinfully good breakfast of Belgian waffles accompanied by fresh fruit and whipped cream, or a fresh seafood omelet. The lunch and dinner menus feature a consistently good grouper sandwich. The location guarantees some quirky local flavor, too, as fishermen work the pier and jealous birds circle overhead.
941.778.1885
Sandbar Restaurant (Anna Maria)
Housed in a building dating back to 1911, this dining establishment captures the best of old Florida in its heyday. Ever popular for its nightly live music out on the deck and exceptional native Florida seafood, the Sandbar is a great place to enjoy the outdoors while gulping down a frothy pina colada and one of the best grouper sandwiches in town. And at sunset, diners can guess the time the sun sinks below the horizon for a chance to win a bottle of bubbly. A new outdoor wedding pavilion provides the perfect backdrop for sunset weddings. www.sandbar-restaurant.com
For travel information, visitors can call toll free (800) 822-2017, direct at (941) 729-9177 or visit www.AMILBK.com. An information kiosk is located in the Manatee Courtyard of the Prime Outlet Mall in Ellenton (one quarter mile east of exit 224 on I-75). The kiosk is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
-Anna Maria Island & Longboat Key, Florida’s Gulf Islands-
