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Hours
Sun
11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Mon
11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Tue
11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Wed
11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Thu
11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Fri
11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sat
11:00 am - 10:00 pm
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
Travellers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, American, Seafood, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Does this restaurant specialise in Soups?
Details
About
Our regular menu is based on the finest products we can find and updated seasonally. They are prepared in classic form, with emphasis on fresh, natural flavors.
CUISINES
American, Seafood
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Waterfront
Contribute
4.5
3,092 reviews
Excellent
1,949
Very good
770
Average
213
Poor
98
Terrible
62
2000bre
Otsego170 contributions
Feb 2020 • family
We are here one evening and loved it. Make sure you get a reservation well in advance (over a week out, if possible). The restaurant doesn’t look too impressive from the outside but is quite nice inside, with a unique Polynesian-like decor. The adults in our group had grouper and the kids had burgers. The waitress told us the owner has Celiac so they are very gluten-friendly there with a lot of options. This was very much appreciated. Cocktails were the best we had on the island and the food was fabulous and seemed reasonably priced for the quality of the food. The service was pretty slow; however, all places seem to be on “island time” on Anna Maria, so we were not expecting fast service, not did we need it. We will be back!
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phil R
Winter Haven180 contributions
Nov 2020 • couples
We just ate at the Waterfront Restaurant, it was lovely but come on, take reservations please, take my credit card as a deposit if you must. You clearly use OpenTable as a booking management system as yours texts come from the same number but yet, you are too cool for reservations apparently.
We placed our name on the list and waited, 65 minutes until we were seated. There’s not much to do, one store and an ice cream parlor was open, even the Pier closes for some reason.
We got drinks prior to seating and they were lovely, a little expensive but I expected it.
We sat for dinner and actually had the choice of two tables, one inside, one out, we chose inside and order all our food and drinks straight away. We were served by Shannon and she was lovely.
We ordered appetizers and a main meal to split between us, they even offered to plate it separately for us which was awesome. Two more drinks and we were full before we even got the main meal!
She asked us how everything was, we didn’t love the paella which we ordered for a main but wasn’t going to complain about it. She took it off the bill because we didn’t love it, wow, what service. If I had wanted it off the bill I would have asked but she knew and just handled it.
She was excellent and the food was amazing. I know you can carry on not taking reservations and it will not harm your business but I have to wonder, how much business and missed opportunities are you missing because you do not take reservations?
There’s two very popular restaurants on the island, one of you could do well if you broke the tradition!
Written 23 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vobie
68 contributions
Jan 2020 • family
This is a must stop on AMI. Everything was so great. The atmosphere was nice. They have a big fish tank by the bar which offered entertainment to the kids while we waited for food:) Our waitress was so wonderful and the food was delicious and the best on the island. We had duck confit tacos as an app that was mouth watering and the scallops were some of the best. When we make it back to Anna Maria we will be visiting Waterfront again. 100% recommend this spot.
Written 3 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Crestwicke
182 contributions
Dec 2019 • friends
The Waterfront restaurant was wonderful for dinner on NYE. We also went there last year for NYE. This year we were six and while we waited about 15 minutes for our table, they took our order promptly and it was delivered promptly. We had 6 different entrees, and everyone was well pleased. I think my entree of tuna steak was the best. It was cooked perfectly and I throughly enjoyed it. The Waterfront restaurant is great for lunch as well.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alisonboston
Hingham46 contributions
Mar 2022 • couples
There may be no better example of a restaurant milking its location and the paucity of other choices than the Waterfront on Anna Maria Island, where patrons gladly succumb to 2+ hour waits for the privilege of sitting in a room styled after a souvenir shop to dine on food where price tag competes with tastelessness. The menu describes how the restaurant burned down a couple decades ago, leaving only the stone fireplace standing. Someone must have also snatched a menu because it looks like it’s not been updated since. Ok that’s not fair, there are new dishes and specials sprinkled in but the kitchen clearly has no clue how to cook outside the traditional. Our “asian influenced” mushroom spring roles tasted only of the oil they were deep fried in, complemented w a dipping sauce of…mayo! At that point we should have run before our entrees arrived but it was now 9pm, and we were hungry. Alas those dinners stayed on script, lukewarm, bland and prompting us to scribble out plans for opening ANY KIND of competing restaurant within a mile. Better yet, if you decide to check out this “island favorite” for yourself, after putting your name in for your 2hr+ wait, walk across the street and venture to the end of AMI’s beautiful City Pier. You’ll find picnic tables, Howie playing a guitar and singing your requests, $2.50 Landshark drafts until 7pm and delicious fish tacos from a take-out window. Settle in w these and the expansive bay view and ignore the text the Waterfront finally sends you. Winner.
Written 13 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William G
South Bradenton20 contributions
Jan 2020 • family
Enjoyed a nice, light lunch with my girlfriend. My grouper sandwich was good; particularly liked their homemade dill pickle slices, but I've had better grouper sandwiches on or near AMI for less money. My girlfriend's turkey, brie and cranberry sandwich was delicious and more reasonably priced.
I plan on taking my girlfriend back for a romantic dinner before making a final decision on whether or not to add Waterfront Restaurant to my list of Favorite Tampa Bay - Sun Coast reataurants.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hummhill45@gmail.com
Greensboro15 contributions
Sept 2020 • none
Because we live on the island of Anna Maria, we do have favorites for dining on the island. We have never been disappointed with the food or the service at the Waterfront. Tonight was no exception, our server, Bridget, was the best! She gave us time to relax... offered suggestions from the menu to fit our needs , all the while paying attention to the needs of the tables around us. She is the best,
Written 2 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dymiller
182 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
We had calamari for an appetizer. It was garnished with pickled onions, peppers and a chili sauce that gave it just the right kick.
I had the chicken club that in addition to the bacon, lettuce and tomato it also had avocado on top.
My husband had the Caesar salad with blackened shrimp on top.
We sat at the bar for lunch and watched a very accomplished waitress make some very good looking drinks.
Written 14 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jkm2405
Bowling Green55 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
Lunch was wonderful. I had the simple BLT served on a croissant with some of the best fries I’ve ever had, crispy on the outside, soft I the middle. My husband had the fish tacos made with grilled grouper & pineapple coleslaw. Couldn’t ask for better. Being served around us was a variety of sandwich’s including fried grouper, grilled chicken & burgers. Those enjoying that fare said the same thing, excellent. The dinner menu offered mor upscale fair that also sounded great. Nice relaxed atmosphere, quick friendly service, outside or inside seating. Will go back
Written 25 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RoadTrippers79
Fredericton29 contributions
Mar 2020 • family
This was our second visit. Everything is very well done and just different enough to be really memorable. Started with cocktails... the Waterfront Gin and Tonic. Not your boring G&T! Had juniper berries, strawberry pieces and rosemary in the glass. Really delicious. The meal was one of the best I have ever had and I cannot recommend the tuna enough. Seared raw tuna on a bed of wild rice and served with a warm kale and bacon salad. One of the best fish meals I’ve ever had. Others at our table had seafood fettuccine and steak. Grouper tacos were shared as an appetizer - really good!!! There were no complaints. Very much recommend this restaurant but make sure you book in advance as spots fill up fast.
Written 21 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sjwbigcats
Venice226 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
There was a constant line for lunch when we visited, dauntingly so. However, the hostess was extremely efficient and gracious so we didn't have to wait too long to be seated. The various seating areas each had their own lovely ambiance. We sat on the back porch which had the fireplace going as it was quite cold outside.
Our server, although efficient, was matter-of-fact cold, didn't seem to want to be there, just doing her job. My 2 guests ordered grouper tacos and one of the fish had bones all through it. When told to the server, her answer was to defend the chef and to say they they are trying as hard as possible to do their best. Not how I think should have been the response. Later, my guests also said that their lunch (besides the bones) was very average and would go somewhere else next time.
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MoeLarryandCurley
47 contributions
Mar 2022 • none
As a party of three, we arrived at 4:30 pm to be told there would be an hour and a half wait time on a Tuesday night. Fortunately, we could return to our cottage to do our shopping at Publix. Once we arrived, we were escorted to a table were we were provided a basket of hot bread with a balsamic and olive oil dressing to dip the bread in. Our party ordered the blacken mahi, pecan crusted grouper, and chicken parmesan. Both of the blackened mahi and chicken parmesan was enjoyed by our party, however, the pecan crusted grouper came out overcooked and lukewarm. Thank goodness for the hot bread. The grouper was salvaged by asking for some tartar sauce and making a sandwich out of the grouper. A $34.00 grouper sandwich was expensive. The service was slow.
Written 14 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffrey L
Hanover49 contributions
Mar 2020 • none
The Waterfront came highly recommended and after eating there it's not hard to see why! Great food. (The tuna was amazing!) And the service was great too. Definitely worth a visit if you're there... and make sure you get the key lime pie for dessert!
Written 13 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
haleycrane
Dyer25 contributions
Aug 2020 • family
We went here for dinner on our last night on Anna Maria Island. Even though it was prime dinner time, we only had to wait about 30 minutes. I put our name in at the front desk, and they gave me a text when our table was ready. It was very busy and there was only outdoor seating available, but that was alright because they had a lot of fans and misters going which kept us cool. The food and service were great, I love how they gave us bread and their house made oil and vinegar mix when we sat down. Also the sangria was delicious!!! I would definitely recommend this place to others.
Written 10 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angela L
Hatboro82 contributions
Jun 2020 • none
Of all the restaurants we visited on Anna Maria Island this one was by far the BEST. They offer indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor seating comes with like a cool mist so even it it is hot you do not feel it. Their lobster bisque is AMAZING. As was the calamari, and the meat plate. The macaroni and cheese was awesome. But the BEST thing had to be the tuna. I ordered the entree portion because I think there is an appetizer version of the meal and I didn't regret it. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Definitely a place to try when in Anna Maria. Their mojitos were delicious as well. Service was awesome. Worth every penny!
Written 1 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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