While you are staying at one of our Anna Maria Island rentals, you might be tempted to stay in and eat. But you would be missing out! Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar is the best way to eat like a local while you are here. Order some grub, kick back, and relax to the tunes of our beloved local musicians as you make memories here with your loved ones. While are many top restaurants on Anna Maria Island, this is one of our favorites in Bradenton Beach.
About
Ready to check out one of the most well-loved restaurants in Anna Maria Island? Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar (popularly known by its acronym, BTI) has been around since 1989. The food here has been cultivated throughout the years to be some of the most creative you can get anywhere in town.
BTI is owned by Fred Beritzal and is staffed by over 50 veteran servers who delight in giving customers the ultimate AMI experience. Everything is overseen by Sue, who has been here for over 25 years, and Shannon, who has been here for just about a decade. You bet they know how to run a tight (and fun) ship!
If you are a sports fan, you will enjoy sitting in the bustling lounge setting with sports going on the TVs. You can sit in the Packer Bar and watch any of the 18 TVs with active sports packages running. The dining room is a great space to dine as well, and the tiki bar has a relaxed atmosphere for grabbing a delicious drink.
Food
Let’s talk food. Appetizers are finger-lickin’ good, and you get a nice variety to choose from. The Cajun Grouper Fingers are a favorite among patrons since you get a sizable serving of fresh grouper with Cajun bread, fried crisp, and house-made tartar sauce. The Shrimpcargot is a yummy option, as is the basket of onion rings.
Sandwiches come with chips or fries. The Classic Reuben is served up on grilled rye bread and comes with coleslaw or sauerkraut. You can also get the Grouper Reuben if you want your Grouper as a sandwich. The Classic Burger is, of course, quite the popular choice. It comes on a soft Kaiser roll, and you can add a fried egg or BTI’s house-made pulled pork.
Plan Your Visit
During your stay in one of our Anna Maria Island pet-friendly rentals, be sure to pay a visit to this awesome local staple. Contact us with any questions you may have about booking your dream vacation!
Like tacos? You can choose from the Blackened Fish Tacos or the Baja Fish Tacos. Either one is an excellent option and is served with black bean soup. Oh, and if your dog likes burgers, there is a Doggie Burger here! A portion of that burger is donated to a great cause for animals called VintagePaws.org.
You can also order soup as a cup or bowl, a variety of salads, and some delicious dinner plates. The dinner plates include BTI Pasta, Linguini Pasta (which can come with chicken, shrimp, or Grouper), the Roast Duck, Fried or Coconut Shrimp, and Gulf Grouper.
Don’t forget, Fridays are Wisconsin Fish Fry Fridays! And don’t forget to grab some desserts before you go.
Drinks
The tiki bar is one of the most popular bars in Anna Maria Island. You can get over a dozen delicious mixed drinks, such as the Shan’s Rum Runner (made from mango and banana rum, orange juice, and pineapple), Hazy James (a mix of cranberry, Black and Blue Devotion, and Blue Curacao), and Saving Grace ( a yummy combination of Tito’s & Fig Vodkas with a splash of Sour and cranberry).
Of course, BTI keeps a lengthy list of bottled beers as well. You can grab a Michelob Ultra, Bud, Coors, or IPA Red Hook. Fancy a glass of wine? They serve chardonnay, pinot grigio, cabernet, and merlot.
Hours & Location
You can find Bridge Tender Inn on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. It is right near the intersection of Bridge Street and Bay Drive S. It is super easy to find, and you can drive, ride your bike, or take the free trolley to get there. If you come by sea, there are docks nearby where you can park your watercraft.
Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to midnight, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Sunday. You can get breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
Swing on by and dine in or get food to take back to your Anna Maria Island waterfront rentals. The atmosphere at BTI is laid-back, and the food is like nothing else you will find. Give them just one try, and you will be eating like a local in no time!