A vacation on Anna Maria Island means sun, fun, and walks along the shore. With so many family-friendly activities and proximity to so much more, there are endless things to do to make your stay memorable. And at Beach House Real Estate, we have the Anna Maria Island rental you’re looking for to make your visit feel local, private, and just right for you.
And here’s the best part – if you’re looking for a little more adventure of the Island, why not consider a day trip to Sarasota? This bustling, historic city on the mainland is less than an hour away! You can take advantage of the incredible variety of arts and entertainment the city has to offer, then enjoy a meal at one of the best restaurants in Sarasota.
If the endless possibilities of Sarasota have you interested, let’s take a closer look at some Sarasota restaurants where you can find food, drinks, and a whole lot more!
Selva
Selva has two locations in Sarasota, and its popularity in the area is the reason. The New York Times says that Selva serves “possibly the best food in Sarasota” and that “everything on the menu is worth trying.” And that’s not all! Zagat-rated Selva boasts a Florida Trend Golden Spoon Award and was an OpenTable Top 100 Hot Spot restaurant. And it’s not hard to see why once you open the menu full of Latin fusion cuisine inspired by Latin American and American flavors.
Start your culinary journey with their famous ceviche with seasonal fresh fish, or try the pulpo al olivo, featuring slices of octopus paired with Peruvian black olive puree. Then, dive into Selva’s delicious crab cakes and lobster tostadas. Juicy steaks, braised short ribs, and arroz con pato (risotto with duck breast) round out the incredible selections. Pair it all with a grapefruit-basil martini or fresh mojito and make your meal a real memory.
Selva’s location at 1345 Main St. is open Sunday to Thursday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. The 67 North Cattlemen Road location is open Sunday to Thursday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Boca
Whether it’s a fresh, local brunch, lunch, or dinner you’re craving, Boca fits the bill. This eatery bills itself as “Fresh. Local. Seasonal. Sustainable.” And they deliver. Committed to “strong farm-to-table” ideals, their menu features the best local food you can find – sourced from nearby farms and specialty providers. Stop in for lunch and treat yourself to some parmesan truffle fries and an OMG burger featuring 100% pasture-raised beef. Or dig into some bucatini & clams or a spinach and goat cheese salad.
If you’re in for dinner, start things off with an Italian wine or Watermelon Collins, then dive into a plate of fresh seafood or a handcrafted flatbread. Feel a little adventurous? Order the Staff Meal – it’s whatever’s locally available that day. Top it all off the right way – with a slice of guava cheesecake or a decadent helping of chocolate espresso cake or the seasonal fruit cobbler. It’s fresh. It’s local. It’s Sarasota on a plate! If you have a large party, Boca features a semi-private mezzanine that can seat up to 50 guests.
Boca is open Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Brunch is available Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bijou Café
Right in the heart of downtown Sarasota’s theater and arts district sits the incomparable Bijou Café – serving up some of Sarasota’s finest meals since 1986. A blend of French and South African inspirations, Bijou Café has a passion for locally sourced ingredients and sustainable seafood. Order a bottle of red or white from their large wine list, then get ready for a meal you won’t soon forget.
Start with a hearty harvest salad featuring arugula, cranberries, and goat cheese with a pecan vinaigrette, shrimp, and crab bisque, or a soup a l’oignon with melted gruyere and hearty beef stock. Then go exotic with the garlicky, buttery l’escargot, or spicy shrimp piri piri. Treat yourself to a juicy lamb shank or café burger (featuring chuck, brisket, and a sirloin blend) or roast duck or herb-roasted salmon. Finish with a crème brulee, gelato, or a sinful Bijou brownie. Come discover what locals say is the place for joie de vivre (“enjoyment of life”) in Sarasota.
Bijou Café is open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Indigenous Restaurant
Indigenous, located in downtown Sarasota’s historic Towles Court district, opened in 2011 and has become renowned worldwide for its passion for food, community, and the planet. They’ve won dozens of awards, including a Zagat Top Restaurant rating. The menu changes with the seasons, featuring American-style flare and a focus on sustainable seafood. Indigenous prides itself on supporting local fishers and artists and serving great food with a sophisticated touch.
Begin your adventure with savory wild mushroom bisque, gazpacho soup with salsa verde, or the green curry fish dip. Save room for red grouper, pork belly, or everglades baked sun shrimp. For dessert, cool off with chocolate ice cream with peanut butter caramel or the papaya pineapple sorbet, or dive fork-first into tasty buttermilk pie with strawberry whipped cream. It’s a special place with a special menu, and you never know what you’ll find!
Indigenous is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Plan Your Next Stay
Anna Maria Island beach house rentals – and the dining adventures of Sarasota – are waiting for you, so don’t delay. Book with us today!
Directions to Sarasota
If all of these wonderful restaurant choices have your mouth watering, and you want to get to Main Street in Sarasota from Anna Maria Island, you’re very close! Make your way to FL-789 S/Gulf Drive S, then continue to follow this road for about 13 miles. Turn left onto John Ringling Boulevard (which becomes John Ringling Causeway), take a right to Bayfront Drive, and then leave Ringling Boulevard. You’ll make your way to turn left onto S Washington Boulevard, and finally, turn right onto Main Street!
When it comes to finding the best rentals on Anna Maria Island, Beach House Real Estate has you covered. Whether you want a one-bedroom private retreat or five or more bedrooms for the whole crowd, we can help you find exactly what you need – with the features you want to make your stay perfect. Available amenities include heated pools, luxury master bedrooms, sleeping porches, and views of the sand and surf that go on and on. Whether you want Gulf-front, canal front, or any other option, let us make it happen for you. We even have pet-friendly homes so that everyone on your list – including furry friends – can make the trip.
Explore Anna Maria Island Vacation Rentals With Beach House!
And, if you don’t want to wait one more minute, Beach House Real Estate has last-minute deals to get you to Anna Maria Island as soon as you can have your bathing suit and sunscreen ready to go!
