Restaurant #42 - at Casey Key in Nokomis

This restaurant is below the bridge on the intracoastal waterway leading to Casey Key.

Pelican Alley

1009 Albee Rd W 

Nokomis, FL

(941) 485-1893

www.pelicanalley.com

This restaurant is a friendly place located along the bridge to Casey Key. The view onto the intracoastal waterway brings boaters, fisherman and fish, as well as birds. The interior has a New England nautical look as well as an old Florida ambiance. A favorite for locals. Serving lunch and dinner.

Happy Hour: none

Hours: W-M 11:30am-10pm, closed Tuesday


(Next: Coquina Beach Cafe in Bradenton Beach, FL)

Restaurant #41 - in beautiful Cortez

This restaurant is part of a busy fishing village

Cortez Kitchen

4528 119th Street W

Cortez, FL

(941) 798-9404

www.thecortezkitchen.com

Lots of entertainment in the form of fishing boats and activity around launching large ships. The many types of birds were an added bonus.
There is an abundance of outside deck area to enjoy the sights. A very natural beauty and comfort define this Old Floridaatmosphere. They serve lunch and dinner.

 Happy Hour: T-F 4pm-6pm

Hours: T-Th 12pm-9pm, F-Sa
12-pm-11pm, Su 12pm-8pm


(Next: Pelican Alley in Nokomis)

Restaurant #40 - on Siesta Key

As best stated on their website: "no glitz, no glamour, splendor the way Florida should be", this restaurant is settled in the mangroves on Siesta Key.

Ophelia's on the Bay

9105 Midnight Pass Road
Siesta Key, FL
(941) 349-2212
www.opheliasonthebay.net

Ophelia’s was a pleasant surprise with beautiful views of the mangroves and intracoastal waters of little Sarasota Bay. There is a wonderful landscaped little pond on the deck. 

They boast the best wine list in the area. Another choice wedding location with catering available. Serving dinner and a Sunday brunch.

Happy Hour: Daily 5pm-6pm in lounge

Hours: Daily 5pm-10pm




(Next: Cortez Kitchen in Cortez)

Restaurant #39 - On Longboat Key

This next establishment is a lovely spot that is favored by many on Longboat Key.

Pattigeorge's

4120 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Longboat Key, FL

(941) 383-5111

www.pattigeorges.com

Pattigeorge’s well renowned chef has an extensive global menu. There is a tastefully decorated dining room and outside dining is available with views of the beautiful inner waterways of Sarasota Bay on Longboat Key.

A nice, relaxing (and romantic) atmosphere. Serving dinner only along with small bites in the bar & front patio.

Happy Hour: M-Th 5:30pm-

6:30pm, 8:30pm-9:30pm

Hours: Su-Th 5:30pm-9pm, F-Sa

5:30pm-9:30pm

(Next: Ophelia's on the Bay in Siesta Key)

Restaurant #38 is on Casey Key in Osprey

This restaurant is a friendly and beautiful place to eat at.

Casey Key Fishhouse

801 Blackburn Point RdOsprey, FL

(941) 966-1901

www.caseykeyfishhouse.com/

This spot is a favorite for locals and visitors alike! There are so many birds and dolphins that can be seen here off the docks. Lots of boaters come for lunch or dinner with plenty of dock room available.

The Tiki Bar attracts many people for drinks and sunsets. The open air and simple beauty make for awesome viewing and a fun, relaxing time.

Happy Hour: none

Hours: Daily 11:30am-9pm




(Next: Pattigeorge's on Longboat Key)

Restaurant #37 - on the beach in Bradenton Beach

This is one of the few establishments that is actually right on the beach.

Gulf Drive Cafe

900 Gulf Drive North 
Bradenton Beach, FL.
(941) 778-1919
www.gulfdrivetiki.com


Gulf Drive Cafe offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. One of the few places one can reach by a walk on the beach! (Bring your shoes as they are required.) 



The tiki huts provide a tropical shelter and 
music! Anywhere one sits there are views of the gulf.


There is a lovely painted mural of birds and water on the patio for an added beachy feel. As an added bonus, dolphins can be seen regularly!

Happy Hour: Daily In Tiki hut: 11am-6pm
Hours: Daily 7am-9:30pm




(Next: Casey Key Fishhouse in Osprey)

Restaurant #36 - on Lido Key in Sarasota

On City Island in Sarasota, one can arrive by boat and relax after visiting the Mote Aquarium.

The Old Salty Dog
1601 Ken Thompson Pkway,

Sarasota, FL.

(941) 388-4311

www.theoldsaltydog.com

Located on the Ken Thompson Pkwy across from the Mote Aquarium, The Old Salty Dog is very relaxing and exudes a comfortable old Florida feeling. 



There are lovely views of Sarasota Bay. Their famous Salty Dog is recognized as the best hot dog in America.  The menu is a mix of British pub and Florida keys. Serves lunch and dinner.

Happy Hour: M-F 3:30pm-6pm
bar only
Hours: M-Th 11am-9:30pm, F-Sa
11am-10pm, Su 11am-9:30pm

(Next: Gulf Drive Cafe & Kokonut Tiki in Bradenton Beach)

Restaurant #35 - In Bradenton

This venue is located on the Braden River and is very unique!

Linger Lodge Restaurant & Campground

7205 85th Street Court East
Bradenton, FL.
(941) 755-2757
www.lingerlodgeresort.com

Snakes make the letter!

This is one of the most unusual restaurants to go to and well worth the experience. It was once rated as one of the top 5 weirdest restaurants in the country. 

Truly a lodge setting. What you can see onthe walls of this restaurant is nothing short of amazing. The "menu" is hilarious with titles such as “smidgen of pigeon” or “shake and bake snake”. Mostly serving "normal food", they do serve gator, snake bites and even frog legs, though!   


It is on the beautiful Braden River with natural, rustic surroundings. A very active full service camping facility is part of the grounds.

Happy Hour: T-F 11:3 5pm
Hours: T-Th,Su 11:30am-10pm, F-Sa 11am-10pm (or closing)



(Next: The Old Salty Dog on Lido Key in Sarasota)

Restaurant #34 - in downtown Sarasota

This is a comfortable place right on the bay in Sarasota.

O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill

5 Bayfront Drive Sarasota, FL
(941) 953-7505

www.olearystikibar.com

It is a very relaxing experience to hangout with the locals and visitors at O’Leary’s and enjoy conversation, live entertainment, and wonderful views of the bay. There is a simple laid-back Florida Key ambience. Self-service ordering except at the bar. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Happy Hour: none

Hours: Su-Th 8am-10pm, F-Sa 8am-11pm

(Next: Linger Lodge in Bradenton)

Restaurant #33 - on Anna Maria Island

This restaurant has the best breezes and views on Anna Maria Island.

City Pier Restaurant

100 South Bay Boulevard

Anna Maria, FL

(941) 779-1667

www.pierjewelry.com

At the end of one of the fishing piers on Anna Maria Island is a wonderful old Florida restaurant. There are fisherman old and young and so much activity to watch on the water and on the pier.

One can listen to good music and, of course, have great food and drink. The entertainment is always pleasant to listen to while a wonderful breeze is blowing through as one sits and eats and enjoys all the action. There is also a small gift area to browse.

Happy Hour: none

Hours: Su-Th 11am-9pm, F-Sa

11am-10pm

(Next: O'leary's Tiki Bar & Grill in Sarasota)

Restaurant #32 - on Longboat Key

This restaurant is at the Boathouse Marina on Longboat Key

The Dry Dock

412 Gulf of Mexico Dr Longboat Key, FL(941) 383-0102

www.drydockwaterfrontgrill.com


A great place to enjoy indoor or outdoor dining with a panoramic view of Sarasota Bay. The real treat is the view of yachts and all boats and activity and is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. One can sit back and watch the birds and even be pleasantly surprised by a beautiful rainbow! 

A unique feature is a dumbwaiter that brings food and dishes up and down. They serve lunch and dinner in their upstairs dining room or dockside patio.

Arrive by boat and tie off at the docks.

Happy Hour: Daily 4:30pm-6pm

Hours: M-Sa 11am-9pm, Su 5pm-9pm

(Next: City Pier Restaurant in Anna Maria)

Restaurant #31 - in Cortez

Cortez has several great places to eat and this one is right at the marina by the bridge.

The Seafood Shack

4110 127th St. W. Cortez, FL

(941) 794-1235

www.seafoodshack.com

This restaurant, within the Seafood Shack Marina, has a relaxing, casual atmosphere. They have a lovely tropical patio and an inside dining room as well as an event dining room upstairs. There is lots of boat activity on the marina overlooking the intracoastal waters near the Cortez bridge. Plenty of birds too! 

Since the time of these images, the Seafood Shack was repainted in the blue that it is now. Have to go back and see it again!

Happy Hour: Daily 4pm-6pm



Hours: Daily 11:30am-9pm


(Next: the Dry Dock on Longboat Key)

Restaurant #30 - in Sarasota

A lovely casual setting for enjoying your meal and watching the birds.

Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar

5353 S Tamiami Trl
Sarasota, FL
(941) 925-4444
www.creekseafood.com


According to my friends, if you like oysters, this is a great place for it. Come by land or by sea and sit and watch the water activity. Choice of indoor or outdoor seating with lots of windows to see the many birds.
Yes, they say that shark on the sign was caught here! Serving lunch and dinner. Co-owned with the Creekside Trader and The Table Creekside.






Happy Hour: none

Hours: Su-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sa 11am-10:30pm









(Next: The Seafood Shack in Bradenton Beach)

Restaurant # 29 - in Bradenton Beach

This restaurant is on the intracoastal side of Bradenton Beach. 

Bridgetender Inn  & Dockside Bar

135 Bridge Street
Bradenton Beach, FL
(941) 778-4849
www.thebridgetenderinn.com

Enjoyable, relaxing, simple surroundings in a laid-back
atmosphere and regular entertainment make for a great
experience here. There is a dining room, a patio and a dockside tiki bar. The tiki bar on the water is friendly and fun with views of the fishing pier and clock tower. 
For boaters there is plenty of dock space to park your boat.

Happy Hour: M-F 4pm-7pm

Hours: Daily 11:30am-?



(Next: Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar in Sarasota)

Restaurant #28 - on beautiful Venice Island

Venice Island has another great restaurant  right on the inlet jetties.

The Crows Nest

1968 Tarpon Center Drive, Venice, Florida,
(941) 484-7661
www.crowsnest-venice.com








The Crows Nest is a casual yet fine dining restaurant for boaters, locals or tourists on Venice Island with views of the Venice and
Nokomis Jetties and the intracoastal waterways. There are plenty of boat docks available for boaters through the marina.
Choices of dining are upstairs with
views of the waters or downstairs in the tavern. There is also an outside porch seating area. 

Serving lunch and dinner.




Happy Hour: Daily 4pm-6pm, 9pm-close
in tavern areas


Hours: M-W 11:30am-10pm, Th-Sa 11:30am-12am, Su 12pm-10pm

(Next: the Beach Bistro on Anna Maria Island)

Restaurant # 27 - in beautiful Bradenton Beach

This restaurant is one of a few restaurants that are very close to the water.
.

The Beachhouse Restaurant

200 Gulf Drive North
Bradenton Beach FL
(941) 779-2222
www.beachhouse.groupersandwich.com

The view of the Gulf is as far as the eye can see. Wonderful beach views of birds and dolphins and ocean breezes. Recent renovations have resulted in beautiful dining areas and gift shops for souvenirs. Local entertainers perform regularly.

The Beachhouse has become a choice
wedding site for couples with awards of best of weddings.  Serving lunch, dinner and small bites.


Happy Hour: M-F 3pm-5pm

Hours: Su-Th 11:30am-9pm, F-Sa
11:30am-10pm

(Next: The Crows Nest & Tavern in Venice)

Restaurant #26 in Sarasota

The Bearded Clam in Sarasota is a lively place for locals and also hotel patrons. 

The Bearded Clam 

7150 N Tamiami Trl
Sarasota, Fl
(941) 345-2600
www.thebeardedclamsarasota.com


Come by boat or by land and stay to enjoy the music. It is named after the surf shacks from way back when. Lots of activity from the nearby hotel and boating. 

There is a laid-back island time vibe here as well as local entertainment.

The pool and sundeck are available to all patrons.

Happy Hour: Daily 11am-6pm
Hours: M-Sa 11am-10pm

(Next: the Beachhouse in Bradenton Beach)