Top Bradenton Restaurants: 10 Places to Satisfy Hunger
Known for its Old Florida vibes and relaxed pace of life, Bradenton offers a place where travelers feel at home. This friendly atmosphere even trickles into the city’s rich food scene, which has dozens of locally owned restaurants serving flavors from the region and world. Read about some favorites and check out the top Bradenton restaurants.
Top Bradenton Restaurants for Local Flavor and Freshness
Blue Marlin Grill
Take a free trolley to Bridge Street and dine at Blue Marlin Grill. Visitors recognize this spot as it’s located in a historic 1920s cottage. Blue Marlin offers indoor and outdoor seating, and reservations are required on Friday and Saturday, and recommended all other times.
Its menu features a selection of grilled favorites, seafood as well as a kids menu. Blue Marlin only serves local fish, including tuna, flounder, mahi mahi, snapper, grouper and cobia. Entrees are made based on customer’s choice, or order sandwiches, salads and soups. In addition, behaved and leashed dogs are welcome to join their owners in the outdoor dining area.
Bridge Street Bistro
At Bridge Street Bistro, enjoy stunning waterfront views paired with delicious dishes. This upscale restaurant in Bradenton Beach opens for dinner only, Tuesday through Thursday at 5 p.m., and reservations are recommended.
Entrees range from seafood like grouper and scallops to land-lover options. Bridge Street Bistro also serves duck, filet mignon, chicken and lobster. In addition, guests find a large wine selection and happy hour specials daily from 3 to 6 p.m.
Beach House Restaurant
Beach House Restaurant features waterfront dining from the indoor dining room or covered outdoor deck. The top among award-winning Bradenton restaurants does not take reservations, and serves as a top place to host weddings and receptions.
Diners choose from small and large menu options. Entrees include grouper, steak, crab cakes and gumbo. Smaller meals range from the beach house burger and Sarasota burger to veggie sandwiches. Beach House Restaurant also offers a large selection of wines, beers and signature cocktails. Sample Florida’s style with Anna Maria iced tea or sandbar smash. Kids also have several options, such as burgers, chicken , seafood and pasta.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar
With a focus on friendly service and local flavor, Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB) serves more than oysters. Visitors choose from three locations in Bradenton Beach: Landslide, Cortez and on the pier. For over 20 years, AMOB has delighted guests with seafood, steaks, pasta and, of course, oysters.
Appetizers are designed to share with loved ones, and seafood entrees feature shrimp, fish, frog legs, crab and lobster. Other hearty options include pasta skillets, chicken and steaks. Kids have their own menu with pizza, burgers, seafood, and mac and cheese. Most tables are located inside, with a smaller outdoor area for seating.
Island Creperie
Open for breakfast and lunch, Island Creperie offers French cuisine in a welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant’s hours vary based on season, so call ahead to make sure they’re open. They also serve dinner during specific times per year.
For breakfast, visitors enjoy delectable dishes such as French toast and sauteed potatoes. Or, try one of 26 different crepes and desserts with rich toppings. Lunch offers 18 buckwheat crepes, sandwiches, salads and quiche. Before leaving, don’t forget to order a French-style dessert to satisfy the sweet tooth.
French Table
French Table is owned by a French family who lives in Bradenton. With a focus on south of France cuisine, French Table offers indoor dining in a cozy atmosphere. The restaurant opens for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, and reservations are welcome.
The menu features French-inspired plates with mussels, shrimp, grouper, chicken and beef. All items are made fresh every day — even the homemade bread. French Table also serves a collection of French wines, perfect for pairing with a savory meal.
Wicked Cantina
Overlooking the beach, Wicked Cantina specializes in Austin-style Tex-mex with American flare. This spot opens every day and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Start the day with a breakfast platter, omelet or Tex-Mex dish. For lunch and dinner, try enchiladas, quesadillas, tacos, fajitas and burritos. Wicked Cantina also serves a juicy burgers and seafood platters. Kids find enchiladas, quesadillas, tacos, nachos and more, all made just for them. Grown-ups: Don’t forget to wash it all down with a house margarita.
Bridge Tender Inn and Dockside Bar
Bridge Tender Inn ranks as a local hot spot, open from 11:30 a.m. to late night every day but Monday. For over 25 years, this bar and grill has combined good food with waterfront views and live music. Docks are located on-site, so guests may travel via boat, car or foot.
Once inside, find sandwiches and entrees, featuring both seafood and land favorites. Seafood options include crab cakes, shrimp, grouper and fish tacos. Or try New York strip steak, short ribs, chicken, roasted duck or pasta. Love the Greenbay Packers? You’ll fit right in at the dockside bar.
Oma’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant
Looking for the best Bradenton restaurants specializing in pizza? Visit Oma’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant. This pizza restaurant in Bradenton Beach opens at 11 a.m. for lunch, offers take-out and delivery, and stays open until midnight.
Customers can order specialty pizzas or create one with their favorite toppings. To try something new, select calzones, sandwiches or Italian dinners. Entrees include lasagna, spaghetti, veal dishes, and chicken and shrimp pastas.
Joe’s Eats and Sweets
Step up to Joe’s Eats and Sweets and find a building decorated in bright colors and giant ice cream cones. Perfect for cooling off, this restaurant specializes in dessert. That’s right. Homemade ice cream, fudge, dipped cakes, frozen bananas, and more treats. Joe’s Eats and Sweets makes both dairy and dairy-free options, sugar-free, vegan, and sorbets.
Although the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, Joe’s Eats and Sweets is best known for its variety of ice cream flavors. Guests enjoy traditional options as well as unusual flavors, such as cotton candy, orange pineapple, key-lime cheesecake and sundaes.
Sample these top Bradenton restaurants for yourself. Plan a getaway and book a Bradenton vacation rental.
Looking for a day-trip idea? Check out this Anna Maria Island guide.