The Most Famous Restaurant on the Island | Activities | AnnaMaria.com

Anna Maria Island is an ideal vacation destination for any island-living enthusiast. The island retains that classic old world Florida charm, and you can see it at every historic side street, every small boutique, and every quiet beachside haven.

The Sandbar Restaurant is a culmination of all these features: a splendid building tucked away in a nice little alcove by the gulf side beaches. The Sandbar Restaurant is the definitive restaurant on the island, an ideal encapsulation of all the best elements of Florida’s small town lifestyle.

The History of Sandbar

The Sandbar’s history dates back to 1911, when Anna Maria Island could only be reached by boat. Locals and visitors enjoyed meeting at “The Pavilion” which was on the site where today’s Sandbar Restaurants is located. A platform was built for guests to take a nice dive before eating.

The Sandbar had a tumultuous history. The building was set on fire in the 1940’s. In the aftermath, the community gathered together, quite literally, to restore the building and build protective barracks to secure the property from future threats.

It fought off a hurricane in 1950, suffering expensive damage to the building while the platform was engulfed by the gulf.

Finally, the Sandbar found some consistency and long-term preservation after it was purchased in 1979 by the present owners. They have slowly helped craft one of the island’s premiere beachside stops.

The Sandbar Now

For decades, the Sandbar Restaurant has been considered by locals and visitors alike as one of the best restaurants on Anna Maria Island. This iconic eatery is one of the few on-the-beach restaurants on the island.

The menu features seafood sliders, blistered heirloom tomatoes, grouper tacos, various fish sandwiches, and premium seafood, such as Stone Crab and Oysters on the Half Shell.

It has slowly cultivated a reputation for serving the freshest gulf seafood and high-quality produce. Patrons return again and again to enjoy its exceptional cuisine and beautiful waterfront setting.

You can’t mention the Sandbar Restaurant without mentioning the breathtaking sunsets. Enjoy the Sandbar’s lunch and dinner offerings in the dining room or literally wiggle your toes in the white sand while you eat. It’s one of the finest places to eat near the water.

sandbar restaurant brunch

Events

The Sandbar Restaurant is also a great location for weddings and events. The Sandbar’s Pavilion open-air and located right on the beach. The restaurant venue accommodates parties of up to 160 guests and includes customized menu choices. You can also choose from one of four standard Sandbar Banquet Buffets. In a survey of 750,000 brides, the Sandbar Restaurant was names “Best of the Best” in the knot’s Hall of Fame for Ceremonies and Receptions.

Hours and Location

The Sandbar Restaurant is located on the north end of Anna Maria Island, easily accessible from the many vacation rental properties, at 100 Spring Avenue.

It is open Monday to Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. And, join us for our Sunday Jazz Brunch from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Sandbar does not take reservations for Sunday Brunch, so be sure to come early. It’s not like you don’t have a dazzling morning view to admire.

We want you to have an amazing time on the island. This is why we have many different and nearby Anna Maria Island vacation rentals.

Our rental properties on Anna Maria Island can accommodate large or small groups. We also have pet-friendly rentals available for visitors looking to bring their pup.

Enjoy shopping in the island’s unique boutiques, sightseeing, biking, swimming, and water sports. When it’s time to tame your hunger, look no further than the Sandbar Restaurant.