Set within the county seat of Manatee County, Florida, Bradenton is considered the center of the arts in Florida, and as such plays host to some of the best museums, exhibits, historical centers, and, of course, restaurants in the state.
This article will focus on the latter, taking a look at the culinary culture of Bradenton, and delving into just what makes it so popular to locals and tourists alike.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best restaurants in Bradenton, Florida!
Opening in 2014, this family owned Italian restaurant offers some of the best, traditional dishes in the city, all of them reasonably priced, and in a welcoming, wholesome environment that is perfect for all the family.
Attractive and well prepared, this is a real taste of Italy, with family recipes offering a little old world flair and mystery to new world dining.
The restaurant also boasts an extensive Italian wine list, as well as imported favorites seldom found in the United States.
Ortygia is another example of high quality, traditional Italian cuisine, specializing in Sicilian delicacies, and offering a cozy, wholesome atmosphere topped with imported beers, outdoor dining, and a gorgeous patio perfect for the summer.
Boasting some of the best meat and cheese dishes, this is slightly different from western Italian cuisine, offering something more traditional as opposed to the typical Americanized fare.
Offering something a little different, the Lucky Frog serves traditional German cuisine, consisting of an extensive menu with lunch and dinner specials, top quality indulgent desserts, and custom meals for those with special diets.
Predominantly meat, cheese, potato, and vegetable based dishes, this is the perfect comfort food for those evenings when you want a slice of something wholesome, warm, and packed with flavor.
Mattison’s is an acclaimed gastropub serving an eclectic menu of Mediterranean, Italian, Asian, American, and Caribbean cuisine.
This restaurant has something for almost everyone, offering a series of meat based and vegetarian options to suit all tastes and make everyone happy and satisfied.
Popular choices are the tuna special, and the goat cheese bruschetta bread as an appetizer, all washed down with an extensive selection of beers, wines, and spirits.
No city would be complete without a damn good Irish pub, and luckily, O’Bricks is one of the best in the state of Florida.
Perhaps surprisingly, this pub also offers a very healthy menu, perfect for lovers of salads, cheeses, meats, and homemade breads.
Or, for beer lovers, there is a wood-decorated tap room that feels inviting, cozy, and perfect for relaxing with friends.
Pizza has become just as much a part of the American consciousness as it has in its native home of Italy, and at Danny’s Pizzeria, this cultural exchange is widely acknowledged, offering traditional pizzas, and modern takes on the genre.
Opening in 1989, Danny’s is an institution in Bradenton, and is a popular restaurant for both locals and tourists alike.
With its casual, New York Italian vibe, Danny’s has a welcoming, cozy atmosphere, award winning choices, and specially created dishes that all the family can enjoy.
If there is one thing that Bradenton does well, it is Italian food, and Vertoris Pizza House is one of the best (Also check out the Best Pizza In Orange County).
A family owned, award winning pizzeria, offering a wide selection of toppings and flavors, It is the perfect, casual spot, for a get-together with friend, and prides itself on serving handmade pizzas, made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
The perfect brunch spot, Sage Biscuit Cafe is a favorite amongst Bradenton locals looking to fill their mid-morning cravings with their signature ‘Raging Breakfast Burrito’, or their famous range of sage biscuits from which they take their name.
Boasting fresh ingredients, a light, airy atmosphere, and a family friendly tone, Sage Biscuit Cafe prides themselves on offering variety, quality, and an unforgettable dining location that will soon become a firm favorite for you and your loved ones.
Judging by the city’s location, it should come as no surprise that Bradenton has some of the best seafood in the state - a statement that in itself is impressive when you consider the relationship Florida has to seafood.
The Anna Maria Oyster Bar is one such example, offering delicious, fresh, hot and cold seafood dishes, a cozy, inviting, nautical inspired atmosphere, and reasonable prices.
Last but not least, the Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant offers an all day menu of salads, juicy burgers, homemade pasta, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes, as well as a series of appetizers that are works of art in and of themselves.
Family owned, and based on classic recipes with their own signature twist, Riverhouses most attractive feature is its view - which as the name suggests, offers dining a breathtaking view of the Manatee River.
And there we have it, some of the best restaurants in Bradenton, Florida (Also check out the Best Restaurants In Falmouth, Ma).
What is perhaps most striking is the level of diversity that the city has to offer, not only culturally, but also in terms of the food that it prides itself on serving.
So, if you ever find yourself lucky enough to be in or around Bradenton, why not check some of these establishments out?
Something tells me you won’t be disappointed!
