Beach Bistro

Beach Bistro has been Anna Maria Island’s romantic fine dining destination for 26 years. Located beachfront, looking out on the Gulf of Mexico, the scenic waterfront backdrop and spectacular sunsets make it the perfect place to celebrate special occasions or simply relax after a long day.The Beach Bistro boasts the highest Zagat ratings for food and service in the state of Florida and is...

What to Drink: California wines ($20-210) are the specialty, but single-malt Scotch ($7-16) and cognacs ($6-30) are also good picks.

Where to Sit: Glass floor-to-ceiling windows provide perfect views of the sun setting over the Gulf of Mexico.

The menu at this cozy beachfront spot features "One Helluva Soup" made of plum tomatoes with sweet cream and blue cheese—it can be "goosed" with a half-shot of Grey Goose if ordered. Standards here include a melt-in-your-mouth, herb-rubbed rack of lamb, a seafood bouillabaisse, and duckling confit with a peppercorn-and-cognac demi-glace. There also are five or six nightly specials such as...

There's only one thing to do when arriving at the Beach Bistro early, waiting for your dinner date to make his way from Sarasota to Anna Maria Island...Take a seat in one of the bistro's outdoor beach chairs, and accept that glass of Alexander Valley Cabernet that the server offers. If you are lucky, the weather will be beautiful, the Gulf waves on the water calm and you'll get to witness the...

Hidden among rental properties on the north end, the Beach Bistro is the pièce de résistance of Anna Maria Island's dining scene. The New American and Mediterranean-inflected Floridian cuisine is worth a splurge: Red bell pepper–papaya jam enlivens grouper; capers, caviar, and Key lime crème fraîche dress up Nova Scotia salmon; and roasted duckling is spiked with wild berry sauce. Finish with...

The Scene
Walk past walls of mirrors and glass to upscale dining steps away from sandy beaches. Romantic surroundings include cobalt-blue paintings, wood tables adorned with a single...

Beach Bistro has been Anna Maria Island’s romantic fine dining destination for 26 years. Located beachfront, looking out on the Gulf of Mexico, the scenic waterfront backdrop and spectacular sunsets make it the perfect place to celebrate special occasions or simply relax after a long day.The Beach Bistro boasts the highest Zagat ratings for food and service in the state of Florida and is...