Anna Maria Island is full of fun in the sun, fascinating history, and breathtaking nature, but the island is still a hidden gem that allows you to truly unwind on your Florida getaway. One of the best parts about Anna Maria Island is the incredible cuisine, featuring some of the freshest seafood in the area. If you’re looking for a more upscale dining experience, you have to visit the Beach Bistro. Luckily, this restaurant is just steps away from many of the resorts and hotel rooms on Anna Maria Island beach, including our very own Anna Maria Beach Resort!
About the Restaurant
Beach Bistro is perfect for a date night with your sweetheart or an elegant night out with your friends. This award-winning restaurant is ideal for surfside dining with a stunning view of the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll discover world-class dining with an incredible view of the water, and each and every guest is treated like royalty.
History
Beach Bistro’s history goes back over 32 years and celebrates the incredible team that has come together to make the restaurant what it is today. Proprietors Sean Murphy and Susan Timmins overcame many obstacles to open Beach Bistro in 1895, including a devastating Florida hurricane. The opening was initially delayed due to the weather, but on November 1st, Beach Bistro opened its doors to the first round of guests. Since then, Murphy and Timmons have brought together a spectacular team of culinary professionals to keep the restaurant thriving.
The Menu
The menu at the Beach Bistro dining room is full of fresh local seafood and other ingredients that are combined in unique and exciting ways. Start with the butter-poached lobster and pan-roasted Gulf Shrimp, then move to featured presentations like the bistro bouillabaisse or American Ranchlands rack of domestic lamb. Some of the more popular seafood options include the Grouper Floribbean and scallop pan roast.
Of course, you can’t forget dessert! Try the Hat Trick for a trio of creme brulees or select the classic Florida Key lime pie. Finish everything off with a delicious specialty coffee like the Frangelican or the Irish Cream. In addition to dinner, Beach Bistro has one of the best cocktail menus in Anna Maria Island and a wine menu for you to enjoy. Specialty crafted cocktails include the Celebratory Martini, Persephone’s Kiss, and the Classic Manhattan. You can also select your favorite wine by the glass.
Location and Open Hours
Beach Bistro is located at 6600 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach. They’re open for dinner daily from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. If you’re looking to make a reservation, you can contact Beach Bistro at (941) 778 – 6444, but only call if you are making your reservation for the same day or the following day. For any other questions, you can contact the restaurant via email at mail@beachbistro.com.
How Do I Walk There?
If you are enjoying the Anna Maria Island accommodations available at Anna Maria Beach Resort, you can easily get to the Beach Bistro on foot. The resort is located on Gulf Drive, and you simply need to head northwest on Gulf Drive toward 65th Street for 0.1 miles. You’ll find the Beach Bistro on the left side of the street.
The walk is quick and easy, often taking less than 2 minutes!
Other Ways of Getting Around
The great thing about Anna Maria Island is the ease of travel. The island is just seven miles long, so you can easily reach anything you need from your lodging or motels on Anna Maria Island. If you don’t want to walk to your destination, consider one of these alternative forms of travel. Each of these methods is easy, budget-friendly, and great for the environment!
Golf Cart
It’s certainly not uncommon to see golf carts driving around the island next to the cars! There are multiple golf cart rental services on the island, and you can secure one for the entirety of your stay. This is a great option if you intended to pack your itinerary to the brim, so you have a quick and easy way to get to each destination. It also allows you to bring all of your things with you if you’re planning a picnic on the beach, and you’ll love feeling the sun on your face as you drive.
Bike
If you’re looking to get around the resort while also staying fit, try biking! The island is incredibly biker friendly, and there are rental sites all around the island if you don’t feel like transporting your own bike. You can even get in on a bicycling tour that will take you around the island and show you all the historical sites and natural beauties of AMI.
Trolley
One of Anna Maria Island’s best features is the free island trolley. It operates nearly all day long and doesn’t cost anything to ride, so you can find any of the numerous stops around the island and just hop on! If you’ve been biking so far but want to ride the trolley, there are always bike racks on the back so you can transport your bike. If you’re looking to get off of Anna Maria Island and onto the mainland, simply take the trolley all the way to the end of the line, then transfer to the Longboat Key trolley and ride into Sarasota for just $1.50!
Be Our Guest
There’s no question that Anna Maria Island has a little something for everyone, and since it’s all so close together, you’ll be able to fit everything in with some time to spare! After you’re done enjoying a meal at Beach Bistro, you can discover all of the other attractions of Holmes Beach like lounging on Manatee Public Beach or browsing the artwork at Island Gallery West.
At the end of the day, you’ll need some comfortable Anna Maria Island accommodations to relax! Anna Maria Beach Resort is proud to be the premier luxury rental property on Anna Maria Island. We offer rental properties for all budgets and all size groups, so you can personalize your experience just the way you like it. Select a Gulf-front room for a stunning view, or choose a resort-view suite for spacious accommodations just minutes from the best attractions.
No matter which room you select, you’ll have unbelievable accommodations including access to the Gulf, stunning views, and a brand-new oversized pool. There’s a kitchen or kitchenette in every room, giving you the ability to feed your whole crew. The luxurious beds and furniture in each room guarantee a good night’s rest, and there’s plenty of resort amenities for outdoor entertainment including the fire pit and outdoor grill area.
If you still haven’t planned your Anna Maria Island accommodations, consider booking a stay at Anna Maria Beach Resort. Our staff is always available for any question or concern you may have, from the beginning of the booking process to the very last day of your stay. We will work with you and to help you plan the vacation of your dreams, and once the last day of your getaway comes around, you might find you don’t want to leave!
Plan Your Visit
Contact us today to learn more about all of our rental options and start planning your trip to Anna Maria Island.
