Shortlist: 8 Anna Maria Island Breakfast Spots That Locals Love!
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Maybe you want quiet, gorgeous beaches that have sand as white as sugar and water as clear as crystal, or you simply want to fish in a quiet, peaceful place, well Anna Maria Island is the perfect spot for all of those vacationing dreams and more.
This quaint little Island is one of the U.S’ secret paradises, but what’s paradise without some heavenly food, right? And with a delicious and diverse food scene, there are plenty of local restaurants here to put all your cravings to rest.
Since we know this place like the back of our hand, here’s a list of some of the best places to have breakfast in Anna Maria Island.
After all, all that sunbathing and kayaking is going to require a good, filling meal to start your day with! And luckily you’ll find Anna Marie Island breakfast and brunch places with exotic views, excellent service, and of course, some amazing food. Let’s dig in!
Our Top Eight Spots For Breakfast In Anna Maria Island: Exceptional Food & Tropical Views
1. Gulf Drive Cafe
What’s a visit to Anna Maria Island without having breakfast with a view, right? Located right in front of Bradenton Beach, Gulf Drive Cafe offers just that with spectacular views of the crashing waves and Florida’s clear, blue sky.
There’s indoor dining, but we suggest sitting outside at the bar or under the Tiki huts, where you’ll often find live music played by local artists. The beautiful tropical setting and fun vibes here make for an unbeatable breakfast experience, especially if you order some of their island-famous Bloody Marys and Mimosas.
Aside from that, the cafe, of course, has some great-tasting breakfast items to match the view it offers. We especially love their Seafood Benedict, which comes with an English muffin topped with two perfectly poached eggs and loads of smoked salmon and hollandaise sauce. Breakfast fit for a king if you ask us!
They’ve also got quiches, omelets (the Caprese omelet is fantastic!), grit bowls, waffles, toasts, beignets, and everything you could ever want from a breakfast cafe.
Serving breakfast every day from 7 am to 1 pm, Gulf Drive Cafe is laid-back luxury at its best, so flip flops and beach clothes are totally acceptable.
This place, once named as one of the best for breakfast in Florida, is the perfect Anna Maria Island breakfast pitstop for when you’re strolling the beach in the early morning.
Address: 900 Gulf Dr N, Bradenton Beach
2. Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe
If you want to experience the beachy vibe of this island at its best, head towards Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe.
It is what we would probably call a ‘true’ beach cafe, located right on the white sands of Holmes Beach, where you can have your toes dug into the sand with an impeccable view of the water as you enjoy your breakfast. There is some indoor seating too, but most of it is outdoors under tiki huts with white-washed chairs and tables.
While the view and vibes are great, the breakfast here is equally unbeatable. Their omelets, in particular, are really tasty, especially the Spinach Omelet that comes with mushrooms, lots of Swiss cheese and some toast along with fries/grits (our tip: choose the fries – they’re awesome!).
But in our opinion the real star here are the All You Can Eat Pancakes. Whether you devour two or twelve, you can line up and keep getting refills of these pancakes till your appetite is satisfied! Pair that with their Bloody Marys that you can get from the tiki bar, and you’ve got a fun-filled island breakfast experience.
Serving breakfast every day from 8am to 11am (noon on weekends), Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe is a locals’ go-to place for breakfast before a day at the beach.
You can even come back later for dinner with a gorgeous view of the sunset. Bonus: there’s live music almost every night, so check their website for the schedule.
Address: 4000 Gulf Dr, Holmes Beach
3. The Island Creperie
Want to experience a french-style breakfast in a charming setting? Then head towards The Island Creperie, a cute little cafe located in the south of the island.
With its purple walls, quaint decor, and a laid-back atmosphere with mellow French music playing in the background, The Island Creperie offers a pretty relaxed breakfast experience. Inevitably, there’s a waiting line on most days, especially since there aren’t many tables, but those crepes are so downright delicious that it’s well worth the wait.
With an expansive menu that has a seemingly endless list of crepes, it may seem hard to choose. But options like the St Martin Crepe, which comes with bananas, Nutella, and whipped cream, and the Haiti Crepe, which is loaded with Nutella, banana, cinnamon, and almonds, has customers coming back for more again and again.
We really liked the Sweet and Sour Breakfast Platter the most though, as it offers the best of both worlds – a buckwheat crepe topped with eggs, cheese, your choice of protein, and a sweet crepe on the side.
There’s also a bunch of savory items, which are perfect for those who are ready to have something lunch-y while others are still on breakfast. For instance, the Buffalo Gratin Buck is a deliciously chaotic plate of buckwheat crepes with sirloin, garlicky sour cream, melted cheeses, and mushrooms alongside some salad, tomatoes, and french vinaigrette. Yum!
Oh and, did we mention you can order mimosas, champagne, or wine along with your breakfast here? That’s vacationing at its best if you ask us.
Open every day from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm, except on Tuesdays, The Island Creperie is one of the cutest Anna Maria Island breakfast cafes with some of the best crepes you can get your hands on.
Address: 127 Bridge St, Bradenton Beach
4. Rod and Reel Pier
If you’re craving a straightforward, comforting breakfast with incredible views, Rod and Reel Pier is the place to be.
Built right on the end of a fishing pier in the north, the simple yet delicious breakfast staples, generous portions, and fantastic views of the water and marine life have kept lines out the door for decades at this Anna Maria Island breakfast and brunch spot.
You can choose to sit indoors in the casual atmosphere and enjoy the sheltered views of the turquoise water outside, or dine al fresco on the pier where you can watch dolphins swim by as you munch on your breakfast or brunch.
Either way, you’ll have plenty of hearty breakfast options to choose from. Some of the standouts are the Seafood Omelet (that comes loaded with crab meat, shrimp, scallop, and cheese) and the Steak and Eggs (a perfectly cooked sirloin with two eggs). Both of which come with toast or a muffin along with some fruit/fries/grits. Generous, wholesome, and simply delicious!
We’re also suckers for their Island Style French Toast, which is dipped in a super coconut-y batter and grilled to perfection – a mouth-watering stack of toasts that will go perfectly with some fresh fruit on the side.
Thanks to its prominent position on the coast, this is also an incredible spot to watch dolphins playing around or watching Pelicans hunting for fish.
The Rod and Reel Pier are open every day from 9am onwards. You may find long wait lines here (no wonder why!), but the breakfast and brunch options, along with the unbeatable views make this a must-visit place.
Address: 875 N Shore Dr
5. Ginny’s and Jane E’s Cafe
Just a five-minute walk from Palmetto Ave Beach is Ginny’s and Jane E’s Cafe – arguably the funkiest and most eccentric place for breakfast on Anna Maria Island.
With bicycles, wine bottles, and wind chimes hanging from the ceiling, along with colorful walls and an eclectic selection of wall art, this cafe’s whimsical feel is unlike any other. Frankly, you won’t know where to look as there’s so much going on with the decor, and even the outdoor seating is widely colorful! They even have a quirky shop.
While the ambiance is great, the food is even better. Take their Cinnamon Rolls as an example. Enormous in size, deliciously sticky, with just the right amount of cinnamon, these rolls are really popular among locals and sell out before you can say ‘cinnamon’ – so get in early if you want to try them!
We also love their Cuban Egg Sandwich – the combination of Swiss cheese, ham, and bacon, topped with eggs and mayo – all sandwiched in authentic Cuban bread – is simply perfect!
Apart from that, there’s a whole load of breakfast platters and toasts you can try, with the Creme Brulee French toast being our all-time favorite. They’ve also got some great coffee, so drop in any morning of the week, from 7 am onwards. You’ll thank yourself for it.
Address: 9807 Gulf Dr
6. Peach’s Restaurant
Despite being part of a small chain, Peach’s Restaurant tucked away in a strip mall near Holmes Beach, is well worth visiting. It’s easy to drive past it, but once you discover it, you’ll want to keep coming back here for more.
With a simple, down-to-earth, and spacious dining area with cute surf decor on the wall, Peach’s is casual dining at its best, with the restaurant billing itself as ‘Fresh, Fast, and Friendly.’ We heartily agree! They’ve got a super friendly staff and unbelievably quick service despite the busy hours and, of course, fresh, delicious food every time. So if you want to ditch the queues and get your breakfast fix fast, this is a great choice.
What’s on the breakfast menu? Quite a lot actually! With pancakes and a huge variety of eggs, it can get confusing to decide on one (go ahead and ask the wait staff – they’ll be more than happy to help), but our suggestion is to go for the Cozumel Omelet. It’s a tasty mix of eggs, bacon, avocado, tomatoes, chilies, and a lot of cheese that’s going to dazzle your palette.
There are also plenty of healthy picks, such as the Peach’s Protein Wrap, which is a whole wheat tortilla filled with turkey, egg whites, mushrooms, spinach, and some cheese. Who said being on a diet is no fun?
Drop by any day from 6am onwards, and you’ll get to experience some of the heartiest breakfast in Anna Maria Island in this well-kept, friendly little diner.
Address: 3240 E Bay Dr, Holmes Beach
7. Cortez Cafe
Cortez Cafe is located on a quiet street in the old fishing town of Cortez just off the island, although it’s not so quiet once you step inside this cafe. The place is bustling with energy, as the small, unpretentious but vibrant dining space is typically jam-packed with regulars and tourists alike. It may not have the most impressive interior, but this cafe is big on taste and flavor.
Serving classic American breakfasts with a hint of Greek flare, you’ll find lots of home-cooked, hearty items to choose from. For example, their Greek omelet is a blend of four eggs, feta cheese, tomatoes, and spinach – a simple yet full plate of deliciousness with a portion large enough to satisfy the biggest of appetites.
In fact, most of their items are reasonably priced but come heaped and loaded on the plate, which means you probably won’t be able to finish your breakfast. Talk about value for money!
Don’t overlook the plate-sized pancakes too. They’re not just enormously fluffy, but come topped with fresh blueberries, chocolate chips, or banana and nuts of your choice.
Aside from this, the wait staff here keep your coffee mug full at all times, while making sure you’re comfortable and having a good time. So if you want a big, wholesome breakfast and feel pleasantly welcomed, head to Cortez Cafe any day of the week from 6.30am onwards.
Yes we know it may not be directly on Anna Maria Island, but it’s well worth the short trip over the bridge from Brandenton Beach to visit.
Address: 2108 Cortez Rd W, Cortez
8. Scott’s Deli
Want a quick but delicious grab-and-go breakfast? Go to Scott’s Deli, a tiny deli near Holmes Beach. The breakfast sandwiches here are hands down the best in Anna Maria Island, and that’s saying something since there are tons of places here selling sandwiches.
Think of this place as a Subway – only fresher, better, more packed, and tastier. The small, hole-in-the-wall deli only has a handful of stools inside and very few tables on its patio, so it’s best for grabbing take-out before you head to the beach. Or even better, Scott’s Deli deliver anywhere on the island – even to your spot on the beach!
Don’t fall for its low-key appearance, though – you’ll be practically drooling halfway through one of their sandwiches!
With all the ingredients prepared in-house daily, these sandwiches are not just delicious but fresh and made to order every time. Plus, they’re not your everyday sandwiches either, as most of them have the Chef’s unique twists on them.
So if you order the Steak and Eggs Sandwich, don’t just expect a simple steak and eggs sandwich. Instead, you get mouth-watering roast beef, fried eggs, Swiss cheese, roasted red peppers, and onions with some garlic aioli – all between crispy-crusted ciabatta bread. Downright delicious!
We also love the intriguing Maple Leaf Sandwich – an English muffin filled with eggs, pea-meal bacon provolone cheese, and roasted red pepper jelly. No wonder this place has even been mentioned in Forbes!
Scott’s Deli is open every day except Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm, so drop by for a quick bite, or you can even get those fresh sandwiches delivered on the beach. Either way, you’ll thank yourself for choosing this place!
Address: 6000 Marina Dr, Holmes Beach
The Best Breakfast On Anna Maria Island: Our Final Thoughts
With a plethora of restaurants and cafes, it can be hard to decide where you should have breakfast in Anna Maria Island.
Our list has all kinds of places – from exotic, beachside restaurants to small, grab and go spots – all serving top-quality, mouth-watering breakfast items. So drop by any of these cafes and restaurants and you won’t be disappointed!
