The Waterfront Restaurant - Anna Maria

Family in town

The grouper special was outstanding.

This is just a unique place. Big aquarium that is beautiful by the bar area. The bartenders are knowledgeable about cocktails and are fast. The food is really good. five of us dined and each one of us had something different and everyone raved about it. Lobster Bisque is a must have. The table had scallops, a shrimp dish, conch fritters (which we all agreed were the best on the island and that is saying something), grouper and more. We like to share. It was great. We will be going back on our next trip to Anna Maria Island.

We've dined at the Waterfront many times over the last 10 years. The menu needs some updating for frequent diners but given the restaurant's popularity, it appears I'm in the minority.

Our party was the last to leave at 9:45PM, as the staff gave us a clear message that it was time to go even though we still had a bit of wine in our glasses from the second bottle. Given they accepted our reservation for 8:45PM, suggesting that it was time to leave an hour later was odd. If they want to clear out their restaurant at 9:45, they shouldn't take reservations for 8:45.

Late diners beware as the table that cleared before us was also rushed, as one of the diners told us as they left.

We had a wonderful evening everything was great. The service and food and the atmosphere was beyond our expectations .

Seat by window, great waiter, great food, timely and not rushed, and excellent drinks provided an outstanding evening. Thanks to Ooen Table for helping with reservation!

Die Lage des Restaurants ist super. Der Empfang war herzlich, die Reservation klappte bestens. Die Wartezeit, bis das Essen serviert wird, ist zu lange, zumal das Essen nur in bescheidener Qualität angeboten wurde. Die Weinliste ist ok, ebenfalls die Preise. Das Restaurant ist ein sicherer Wert, aber auch nicht mehr!

This was our fourth wedding anniversary dinner at the establishment. Food and service was outstanding as usual. Loved our server and the chef. Top notch. However, I dinged them on ambiance because of the extreme noise level. It was so noisy it was painful and not pleasant at all. There were three groups surrounding us in a contest to see who could out yell the other. Really rude! I hope it was just a one time event. If I experience this again I may have to find a new place to celebrate special occasions.

Everything about our meal was quite good. Our server, Matt, was friendly and took great care of us. Grouper cakes a hit, especially the aioli. Filet tender, cooked properly. Love beets and the beet salad was wonderful. Would return.

Love this restaurant. My first time there for dinner but I’ve had lunch twice before. It was superb in every way...

We've come to the Waterfront at least once each of the past four years in February when we come down from Maryland. The first two times were an outstanding experience. Last year was good, but not outstanding, and this year was not as good as last year. We both ordered salads (these were wonderful - a Waterfront Salad and a Caesar Salad), and each ordered the Moqueca. This latter has been a highlight of our previous trips - this year, the fish was tough and somewhat tasteless. In addition, the service was somewhat slower than usual.

Great waitress Schnell (sp)! And the food was amazing as usual

Love this Resturant, always bring family when in town. Problem is getting reservations during season

We sat outside on the patio and that was great. The food was very good but service could have been much better. I had a bowl of delicious corn chowder but our server ghosted us after taking our order. She only returned to ask us about dessert/check. She never asked how our meal was nor did she ask if we wanted another beverage. My soup bowl and our dinner plates remained on our table until we left.

Our house guests enjoyed the overall Waterfront experience. One of the diners remarked that Caesar salad was very average. Entrees we’re excellent. It was a pleasant evening.

We've dined here on several occasions and each experience has been wonderful. It's a gem. I had the tropicale salad with a grouper cake. Fabulous. My husband had the Bahi Rib Eye and it was much too sweet and a bit over cooked (asked for medium rare). My sister had the scallops and they were perfectly prepared but the sauce was just a wee bit saltier than it needed to be. My brother-in-law had the tuna and it was fabulous. He was impressed. On previous visits, we've enjoyed the Frutti di Mare and the lobster bisque. Highly recommend this place!!

I love coming here every winter. The food is great and since I have celiac, it’s important that I can get very good food prepared well. Thank you

When you book a table at the Waterfront you can only book indoors, but when we arrived there were seats available outside, with a nice view of the bay, so we went for that and that caused them no problems. The service and ambience are great. I have visited here many times and the food is always great. Tonight was no exception; the Tuna in particular was delicious. The desert was an experiment of the chefs; cheesecake made with Manchego cheese and chives. Sounds odd, but tasted great!

Bartender could be a little more friendly, more concerned about chatting to the customers at the bar and not making newcomers feel very welcome, I felt like I was interrupting his conversation.

65th birthday

A must when in Anna Maria. The experience is always outstanding

Exceptional food, reasonably priced, served by a caring staff in a very pleasant environment. A great find.

We always bring guests here. Beautiful views outside or spacious seating inside. Really enjoy the fabulous Gluten Free options too!

We were at the Waterfront for my birthday. Dinner was AMAZING! Serves was AMAZING as well! Will definitely plan on coming back again.

Kimber

Great night and fabulous food, perfect steak and accompanied veggies.
The ability to amend the sauce easily proven that the chef was there on site too..

The drinks selection was superb and a vast wine selection too.

Can’t wait for our return in May again this year.

Great place !!!! Great food !!!!! Get the clams with tomato basil sauce for an appetizer!!!! It’s the bomb !!!!!

Good good. Great service!

I have celiac disease and dining is difficult. The waterfront restaurant has A gluten-free menu. The staff was knowledgeable about food allergies and took great care of my food. The flavor of all of the dishes in my group were outstanding and it was a very pleasurable experience.

Great food, excellence service. Love this place. Sometimes hard to get a reservation but well worth it.

Outstanding ! Quality of our meal was excellent. Al our server was very knowledgeable and entertaining. We’ll be back soon.

Been going there for years. Always great food and service.

Although we had reservations - we had to wait but we were treated to a wonderful appetizer that was ready when we reached our table- excellent!!!

First time, service was fast and the food delicious. Definitely will return.

Delicious dinner served by Bree, our very attentive and wonderful server! We would recommend anyone visiting AMI to experience this fine restaurant.

One of the best on AMI. Allow time for a wait as always crowded. Reservations are very good idea. Excellent food.

Our service was awesome. Our food was outstanding. Thanks for the great food and service!

The Waterfront seems to be heads and shoulders above some of the other notable local restaurants on Anna Maria Island. The food was simply really, really good. We all loved what we ordered. The cocktails were creative and well made, the dessert were amazing. Atmosphere indoors is kind old-fashioned Floridian. Outdoor patio seating is available. Highly recommend!

Amazing food and great dining experience! We will be back for sure the next time we are in AMI!

Had a nice dinner for 4. All was good except for an extremely loud group at a nearby table causing distraction.

Always consistent and unique specials that never disappoint.