Five Local Favorites for Fresh Seafood

First timers (and long timers) to the Bradenton Area often have a hard time taking their eyes off our mesmerizing emerald green waters. It seems everywhere you go, the water is there, too. It calls to you to take another glance. And again it captures your imagination, soothing something deeply primal in your psyche.Yes, these jewel-colored waters are truly beautiful to behold. But it’s what’s underneath the surface that really gets our mouths watering. The sea provides a diverse bounty of life that sustains and satisfies us, mentally and physically. So, here are five of our favorite places where you can go to enjoy everything the sea has to offer.

The waterman’s way of life

Cortez is the last working commercial fishing village on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Recognizing the disappearance of this Old Florida tradition, the owners named their restaurant Tide Tables, honoring the unbreakable bond between the rhythm of tides and the commercial fisherman’s way of life. One glance around and you’ll feel the history surrounding you in an array of antique fishing gear and other equipment that are tools of the trade in Cortez. But it’s the view from the westward-facing outdoor deck where you really appreciate the beauty of the place: from the fiery glow of the Gulf sunset; a flock of pelicans floating nearby; the unmistakable silhouette of dolphins and manatee in the bay; or the call of the osprey. You can also witness the hustle and bustle on the docks below, where charter boats arrive with their daily catches which will soon be your unforgettably delicious lunch or dinner.

Island-style seafood and sunsets

On Anna Maria Island, the award-winning Beach House Waterfront Restaurant, set on 650 feet of pristine beach, offers oceanfront vistas and signature island sunsets – in addition to a wide selection of seafood and tropical cocktails. Despite the world-class location and ample menu, The Beach House supports an even greater environmental mission: adhering to principles of sustainability, eco-consciousness and sustainable fishing practices. Some of these you notice, such as the sea turtle-friendly lighting and native beach landscaping. Others you don’t, such as The Gulf Coast Oyster Recycle & Restoration Project which they founded to help keep local oyster populations healthy and strong. Which means you won’t have to feel guilty for ordering that second helping of oysters while enjoying the unforgettable view. Ah, the island life!

From seafood market to dockside restaurant

Situated inside the historic seaside fishing village of Cortez and founded in the 1880s, the Star Fish Company has been the place to go for fresh caught seafood since the 1920s. Back then, it was only a retail market. You had to take your purchase home to eat it. But in 1996, the company passed to Karen Bell (the current owner) who decided it was time to serve cooked seafood as well. She opened a small kitchen, plopped eight picnic tables on the dock and a local phenomenon was born. The restaurant keeps things simple, serving fresh Florida seafood out of paper boxes. The picnic tables are still there, only now, there are more of them. And they are usually filled with people. Most items on the menu are either fried, grilled, blackened or sautéed. Sides are kept simple, too. There’s cole slaw, cheese grits and french fries. Of course, don’t forget the hush puppies. Just be sure to have cash on hand. Credit cards are not accepted.

See the seafood specialist

Local residents weren’t having any of it when Palmetto’s Clam House closed briefly in 2020. The eatery was so popular that high demand prompted a new owner to buy the space and reopen in 2021. The menu is nearly the same with the most popular item, Thai Fry, a golden fried whole fish, topping the lineup. The only change to the menu is icing on the cake: the addition of calamari and scallops. The Clam House offers sushi and sashimi along with a wide variety of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, wraps, land and sea dishes, fish dishes, seafood platters, seafood combos and more.

New Florida flavor. Old Florida feel.

In the beginning, locals nicknamed Cortez, “The Kitchen” for its endless supply of fish, scallops and other seafood. And a lot of those ingredients came through The Seafood Shack, which started as a marina before expanding into a massive 180-seat restaurant and becoming an instant classic. Since then, a lot has happened – including even more expansions – but one thing hasn’t changed: The Seafood Shack is still a local favorite place to go for fresh-caught seafood and waterfront views of Sarasota Bay. For the full experience, motor right up from the water (look for marker 49A on the Intercoastal Waterway). The 68-slip marina can accommodate both deep-water ships and sailboats alike. Once you’ve reached your table, the extensive menu will tempt your tastebuds with a large selection of familiar classics to bold new choices – including crab-stuffed flounder, a Gulf grouper sandwich and baked twin lobster tails.