Hi, we are escaping the cold and rain of England and staying in the Bradenton area in a few weeks. There’s some excellent info on here already on the beaches etc but I would love some up to date information (some of it is several years old and I know how things change) about good restaurants – anything from fine dining to best kept secrets where the locals eat………..
As always, any help much appreciated.
Restaurants in Bradenton area
Mattison%26#39;s Riverfront Grill, downtown Bradenton, and just across the river from there we like Riverside Cafe at the marina. All the regular chains are concentrated off Cortez Rd. and 14th Street. Peaches is a local chain, and they have great breakfast and lunch menus. We like Cancun Mexican Cuban Grill--decent food, great prices. On Manatee Ave. W. Also, heading to Sarasota a bunch of places. Mar Vista and Moore%26#39;s Stone Crab at north end of Longboat Key. Then down towards Sarasota the Old Salty Dog across from Mote Aquarium.
Restaurants in Bradenton area
You%26#39;re a star - these look great.
Many thanks.
Hope I%26#39;m not too late, and if I am, maybe others will be able to use this info.
If you are looking for places the locals go, I can give you two names: Duffy%26#39;s and Shake Pit. These are the two things that I still long for every time I leave town.
Shake Pit is on Manatee Ave. (SR 64) in NW Bradenton. Not too far from the beaches, or really anywhere else for that matter if you are staying in the city.
www.shakepit.com has map, directions, etc. Beware, the milkshakes are very, very thick. Ask for them thinner if that%26#39;s your thing (although when in Rome...)
Duffy%26#39;s Tavern is on Anna Maria Island. Be careful asking for directions, as they have recently moved (along with some hard feelings of the locals toward the owners of the land that forced them out, but that is another story). Website is http://www.duffystavernami.com/ ... that has all the info pretty much. Real easy to find; bring cash.
Those are both EXTREMELY casual places.
I second Peaches for breakfast. They have locations on Manatee Ave. and Cortez Rd. (the two main drags in Bradenton).
If you want real cuban food, though, I would stay away from Cancun. It has not impressed me. I do love Jose%26#39;s, which is incredible not only because of the food but the atmosphere. It is on Cortez Rd., just past 75th street if you are heading to the beach. A quick overview here: …wordpress.com/2008/… It%26#39;s a real small place, very tightly packed and the owner (also the chef) is really friendly and likes to have conversations while he%26#39;s cooking. Great place.
The other places that were mentioned are not bad, just either overrated or too derivative in my opinion. Of course, I have a heavy preference for local flair and food and tend to steer away from pretention, so that colors my preferences. If you%26#39;re looking for a place to eat where you can drape a cardigan sweater across your shoulders while you sit, they are great (check out the Mar Vista website if you are wondering what I mean). Either way, those places are nicer if you are looking for something a little less casual.
Finally, if I may comment on an unrelated note. At the risk of spoiling paradise, if you are heading to the beach, take at least one day and head up to Fort Desoto across the Skyway Bridge (NOT the DeSoto monument that is in Bradenton, although that has it%26#39;s own special place in my heart). I was born and raised in Bradenton and Fort DeSoto is still my beach of choice. Uncrowded, quiet, natural, and has some really great spots (that would take forever to discover because the area is so huge). Drive up North Beach on Fort DeSoto a little ways and you will see beaches that can really only be accessed by going across a little lagoon, etc.
Enjoy your stay!
cf941, welcome to the forum!!
Great advise so far. we can see that you are an insider and you surly have a lot more for us to discover... I hope to read more of you very soon!!
do you still live in Bradenton? what do you do there?
a lot of q´s comming up :-)))
@morgana:
you´re right, kris is a star :-) mattisons is really a nice place. this whole area is a must be seen place... just go there once and wander around and have a wonderful evening (or day).
I can really second the Duffy-recommendation! (allthough this is on Anna Maria Island again... many locals and good informed people go there (tourists don´t even see this place!)
Right at the bay on Bridge Street there is a bar which is known for all the locals who go there... Bridgetender Inn. Haven´t been there in a while but I guess this is still the case (floridalocal??)
Another GREAT place for me (with a lot of locals too) is Hurricane Hanks... Not famous for the food (food is OK, but a really nice little bar. don´t really ask me WHY (maybe Linda and Margarete are the reason :-))
My favorite in the area is the beach house with live music directly at the beach. (yes, touristy :-))
For exellent food I always go to sign of the mermaid... Not a great PLACE but really really great food and dessert!
on the upscale side we have the beach bistro. rich people from allover florida come to this place fror dinner. it is right at the beach, overlooking the sunset and very expensive.
if you need further info don´t hesitate to ask :-))
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