Jennifer & Allen’s guidebook
Food scene
Such a unique place. Very eclectic decor and a cute gift shop. The breakfast and homemade pastries are delicious!
48 locals recommend
Ginny's & Jane E's Cafe and Gift Store
9807 Gulf DriveSuch a unique place. Very eclectic decor and a cute gift shop. The breakfast and homemade pastries are delicious!
This no-frills local favorite serves seafood in a basket fresh off the boat! Local beers on draft too. Sit out on the deck and enjoy the view. Cash only.
102 locals recommend
Star Fish Company
12306 46th Ave WThis no-frills local favorite serves seafood in a basket fresh off the boat! Local beers on draft too. Sit out on the deck and enjoy the view. Cash only.
We love the fish tacos here! Great view of the water too.
98 locals recommend
Tide Tables Restaurant and Marina
12507 Cortez Rd WWe love the fish tacos here! Great view of the water too.
Amazing food if you are up for treating yourself. The restaurant is located in a cute bungalow house. Reservations recommended. Live music on the weekends!
59 locals recommend
Blue Marlin Seafood Restaurant
121 Bridge StAmazing food if you are up for treating yourself. The restaurant is located in a cute bungalow house. Reservations recommended. Live music on the weekends!
Hidden on Longboat Key. We love sitting under the trees. The apps are our favorite.
88 locals recommend
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant
760 Broadway StHidden on Longboat Key. We love sitting under the trees. The apps are our favorite.
Great fish. Such a unique building out on the pier and of course a great view!
111 locals recommend
Rod and Reel Pier
875 N Shore DrGreat fish. Such a unique building out on the pier and of course a great view!
The Donut Experiment
210 Pine AveCustomize and make your own donut!
Chipotle-like concept, but local & so delicious! Do yourself a favor and order the chips or a craft popsicle. There are two locations nearby - one right on Manatee Avenue & one on the Island.
56 locals recommend
Poppo's Taqueria
212C Pine AveChipotle-like concept, but local & so delicious! Do yourself a favor and order the chips or a craft popsicle. There are two locations nearby - one right on Manatee Avenue & one on the Island.
We love happy hour here from 4-7. Small plates and drinks on happy hour. Extensive menu for all tastes and budgets. We always sit on the Patio vs. dining inside. Gorgeous view of the river & sunsets from the Patio.
90 locals recommend
PIER 22 Restaurant • Patio • Catering
1200 1st Ave WWe love happy hour here from 4-7. Small plates and drinks on happy hour. Extensive menu for all tastes and budgets. We always sit on the Patio vs. dining inside. Gorgeous view of the river & sunsets from the Patio.
Love this rooftop bar. Fun concept & yummy pizza.
58 locals recommend
Oak and Stone downtown Bradenton
1201 14th St WLove this rooftop bar. Fun concept & yummy pizza.
Our favorite place to grab a bite when up in St. Pete. Yummy Cuban food. Go for one of the 'platos'!
160 locals recommend
Bodega on Central
1180 Central AveOur favorite place to grab a bite when up in St. Pete. Yummy Cuban food. Go for one of the 'platos'!
Locally famous little place. Yummy sandwiches & icecream.
22 locals recommend
Sweetberries Frozen Custard & Eatery
4500 Manatee Ave WLocally famous little place. Yummy sandwiches & icecream.
Craving a burger, fries, and a shake? The one and only Shake Pit is right at the end of the road!
15 locals recommend
Shake Pit
3801 Manatee Ave WCraving a burger, fries, and a shake? The one and only Shake Pit is right at the end of the road!
Sapporo Sushi Hibachi
The sushi is SO FRESH! Can't beat their lunch special either.
Siam Thai Bistro
5763 Manatee Ave WYummy yummy local Thai food.
Little Saigon Cafe
3211 Manatee Ave WLove their food! Great prices too!
Their brunch is to die for! Make sure to get a sage biscuit. 2 locations. We like the downtown one.
21 locals recommend
The Sage Biscuit Café- Downtown
1401 Manatee Ave WTheir brunch is to die for! Make sure to get a sage biscuit. 2 locations. We like the downtown one.
Olympic Cafe
6408 Manatee Ave WAmazing Greek food!
We LOVE Pub Subs! Great to take out to the beach. You can order ahead online too. Don't forget to get a side of the sub dressing!
Publix Super Market at Westgate Shopping Center
We LOVE Pub Subs! Great to take out to the beach. You can order ahead online too. Don't forget to get a side of the sub dressing!
Out in Nature
Trails and boardwalks to walk or ride a bike on, a tower to climb, water to paddle. We go here all the time - it never gets old. Kayak Jack rents kayaks here too!
12 locals recommend
Robinson Preserve
1704 99th Street NorthwestTrails and boardwalks to walk or ride a bike on, a tower to climb, water to paddle. We go here all the time - it never gets old. Kayak Jack rents kayaks here too!
You are bound to see gators here! Great bird watching too. There's a canopy walk and a tower to climb. Bring a big or go for a paddle. A vendor in the park offers boat rides too.
382 locals recommend
Myakka River State Park
13208 State Rd 72You are bound to see gators here! Great bird watching too. There's a canopy walk and a tower to climb. Bring a big or go for a paddle. A vendor in the park offers boat rides too.
Gorgeous beach with everything you need - restrooms, food, drinks, grills, picnic tables, showers, and free parking!
84 locals recommend
Anna Maria Beach
Gorgeous beach with everything you need - restrooms, food, drinks, grills, picnic tables, showers, and free parking!
A secret hidden beach that you walk in to. During the week, you may even have it all to yourself. Unique setting with all the washed-up/dead trees at the very end. Great for hanging a hammock on.
32 locals recommend
Beer Can Island
North Shore RoadA secret hidden beach that you walk in to. During the week, you may even have it all to yourself. Unique setting with all the washed-up/dead trees at the very end. Great for hanging a hammock on.
Beautiful beaches, a sandbar, historic fort. Fun place to watch kite surfers. $5 entrance for a car.
153 locals recommend
Fort DeSoto State Park
3500 Pinellas Bayway SouthBeautiful beaches, a sandbar, historic fort. Fun place to watch kite surfers. $5 entrance for a car.
Sightseeing
One of two Dali Museums in the world. Really neat building too. Rotating special exhibitions.
1381 locals recommend
The Dalí (Salvador Dalí Museum)
1 Dali BlvdOne of two Dali Museums in the world. Really neat building too. Rotating special exhibitions.
So much to see here! Our favorite are the two buildings with old circus vehicles and costumes. Gorgeous historic home on the water and an impressive collection of art too.
540 locals recommend
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore RdSo much to see here! Our favorite are the two buildings with old circus vehicles and costumes. Gorgeous historic home on the water and an impressive collection of art too.
During the winter, you can see so many manatees here! Check out their live webcam before heading up there.
183 locals recommend
Manatee Viewing Center
6990 Dickman RdDuring the winter, you can see so many manatees here! Check out their live webcam before heading up there.
Imagine Museum
1901 Central AveIncredible rotating glass collection! You won't be disappointed.
Breweries
Yummy beer & fun to sit out back under the big tree with lights. Yard games available too.
80 locals recommend
Motorworks Brewing
1014 9th St WYummy beer & fun to sit out back under the big tree with lights. Yard games available too.
Green Bench Brewing Company
1133 Baum Ave NIf you head up to St. Pete, check out this place.
Shopping
Ellenton Premium Outlets
5461 Factory Shops BlvdSo many shops to choose from!
Great little Farmer's Market on Saturdays on Main Street in Downtown Bradenton (October-April)
19 locals recommend
Bradenton Farmers Market
400 12th St WGreat little Farmer's Market on Saturdays on Main Street in Downtown Bradenton (October-April)
Cute, brightly painted bungalow village run by local artist. If you are lucky and in town the first weekend of the month, make sure to check out the Art Walk (first Friday night & Saturday afternoon)
art district
1012 12th Ave WCute, brightly painted bungalow village run by local artist. If you are lucky and in town the first weekend of the month, make sure to check out the Art Walk (first Friday night & Saturday afternoon)