Dining guide
Holmes Beach
Best Restaurants in Holmes Beach, FL
Holmes Beach eats the way the island lives: casual, early and often outdoors. Here is how to plan a week of meals in Holmes Beach, from breakfast to takeout nights, what is within walking distance of The Sandbox, and when to head to the island's other dining districts.
Casual seafood
Great for easy lunch stops and early dinners after the beach.
Breakfast + coffee
Start with a simple breakfast, then head to the beach before the crowds.
Patio dining
Look for outdoor seating if you are traveling with a dog.
Dessert stops
Quick ice cream or bakery stops make for an easy evening plan.
Within walking distance of the cottage
The Walgreens plaza near The Sandbox covers the everyday stops on foot: a Subway, an ice cream shop, a beach shop and a dollar store. For a sit-down dinner, most Holmes Beach restaurants are a short drive or a ride on the free island trolley.
Dinner in, the easy way
Some nights are better at the house. The cottage has a remodeled kitchen with a dishwasher, a gas grill and a patio dining table, so fresh fish from the market or a takeout pizza by the pool is an easy evening.
Across the island
For a night out beyond Holmes Beach, Pine Avenue in Anna Maria City and historic Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach are the island's walkable dining streets. See restaurants across Anna Maria Island, the Pine Avenue guide and the Bridge Street guide.
Picnics on the beach
Alcohol, glass, fires and grills are not allowed on Holmes Beach public beaches (City Code Sec. 66-32 to 66-34), so pack cans and snacks for the sand, and save the grill and the cold drinks for the backyard.
Dining with dogs
Choose patios and bring a collapsible bowl. Mid-afternoon is usually quieter and easier for seating.