4. Restaurants

Blue Marlin

121 Bridge St, Bradenton Beach, FL, 34217
  • (941) 896-9737
  • Store is closed

Blue Marlin Menu

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.

Visit below restaurant in Bradenton Beach for healthy meals suggestion.

Beach House Restaurant ( 200 Gulf Dr N )
Bradenton Beach City Pier ( 200 Bridge St )

Visit below restaurant in Bradenton Beach for healthy meals suggestion.

Bradenton Beach City Pier ( 200 Bridge St )

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

  • Esther H.

    Love this place. It's small and cozy inside. We made reservations so we were seated immediately. Excellent service, and the food was fresh and creative. Overall it was a pleasant dining experience. I can't say enough of their cornbread with honey butter. I'm not from the South so I don't have much to compare it with, but it was finger linking good! My seafood pot was exactly what I anticipated...the chorizo (sausage) was a nice surprise!

    (5)

  • Michael B.

    I will go with the only negative thing for the night The interior had a porto potty smell to it. I remember a four year old girl walking in and immediately pinching her nose. Hopefully that was just an issue that night. We decided to sit inside since it was in the 50's! Quite cold for Florida. Right away you notice the warm atmosphere and gracious customer service. It was quite busy and our table was not very cozy. We took it anyways. But as tables opened up the staff kept trying to improve our table...very nice of them! The table was offered a bowl of edamame instead of a bread bowl. We thought this was a great idea as we devoured the bowl! The dishes that were ordered: Red snapper in an egg wash and cheese covering with roasted brussel sprouts and potatoes and the other was shrimp and grits. Both were magical! The fish was flaky and fresh. The brussel sprouts were amazing...you have to add them but worth it! The grits were mind altering! Come on...bacon and gravy on grits! Bottom line is this place has some of the best food on the island. There are plenty of other dishes that we would like to try. Just looking around at the other tables makes you want to explore the menu. Also we would like to try the outside area next time. They also have live music Fridays and Saturdays.

    (4)

  • Richard O.

    Quality of food seemed pretty good. The burger came completely soaked in grease with 6 strips of limp bacon and a puddle of oil on the plate from the potatoes. We also had a 24 salad with shrimp. Wow! Pricey! Coffee was French press so it was fresh just a bit weaker then my taste. I don't know where all the positive reviews come from. I may have had a better experience had I got a piece of fish. I feel the place is overpriced for the location and food was quality just not cooked well.

    (2)

  • Amy T.

    Last night I had the special poached Clams and Snapper. Absolutely fabulous. One of the best meals I've had on the island.

    (5)

  • Matt M.

    Ok so we are down from OH and want seafood. Staying at grandpas house so can afford a great dinner for the family of 6. The food was outstanding. Had a few great apps- scallops, shrimp and shrimp rolls - all really good. Drinks came right away and service was good. Only negative was the slow kitchen. It was about an hour between apps and entree. The Entrees were also great... grouper, snapper a few different ways. The waiter kept our drinks full but the slow kitchen was a negative. Overall well worth it and if they could get the kitchen pace in order could be 5 stars....

    (4)

  • Becky F.

    Excellent!!! This restaurant was very very good! Had the shrimp egg rolls for appetizer and they were great. For my main meal I had the Cortez shrimp. Very tastey but delivers a very spicey kick. Also had a Junie salad which was fresh and delicious. I added the Brussel sprout potato side dish to my meal that was also great. My husband had the blacken grouper which was the catch of the day. Which he has fulford style. I did taste his and it was cooked great and very mild taste. You must try the cornbread with sweet butter. It was so good like cake. It's a very small place and parking down in that area is not great. There is a public parking area right before it and because we got there around 5:30 we found a spot there and was able to get seated right away. If you go later you might want to make a reservation. They look very fancy, but they are kid friendly. They even brought my 3 kids each a bowl of goldfish while we waited for our food.

    (5)

  • Phyllis A.

    This is my first post and I can hardly contain myself. My husband and I were searching for a local restaurant on a mini-vacation in Sarasota/Bradenton, FL. We saw The Blue Marlin and were instantly intrigued. The majority of reviews were glowing although the most recent (8 days ago) only gave it 1 star. The person reported experiencing slow service, specifically waiting over an hour before receiving his entree. Although cautious because of the recent negative review, we decided to check it out ourselves. Thank goodness we did!! We love The Blue Marlin! The service was amazing! Kayla (not sure I spelled it right) was fantastic. She was knowledgeable, friendly, and ever patient with us (we couldn't decide what to order). Too many enticing options. My husband had the Blackened Fish Alfredo and left not one noodle. I had Thai Red Snapper and loved every bite. I ordered the smaller (4 oz.) portion and was quite full by the end of the meal. I also did not leave a speck of food on my plate. Lastly we shared a slice of Guava Lime Pie--terrific! I haven't even mentioned how cozy and inviting the restaurant is. This place is a MUST do! We will be back, maybe even tomorrow!

    (5)

  • Robert W.

    Wonderful meal combined with great service. They get it. It's worth the risk. Not cheap, but an authentic seafood option on the gulf coast of Florida. Keep it up

    (5)

  • Sadie F.

    Blue Marlin has a great atmosphere- that's the first thing that stood out. Their cozy house-turned-restaurant features an array of seating inside and outside. Their porch area has live music on the weekend, with a casual outdoor bar and firepit for those occasional cold evenings. Located on historical, quaint Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach, there are small shops nearby and convenient parking. I had the Pecan catch-of-the-day, a unique and very flavorful dish! in addition to great food, the ambiance and location makes Blue Marlin a great choice.

    (5)

  • Tom L.

    Best place South of Tampa for flesh fish, live music on Fri/Sat in a fun beach front town called Bradenton Beach. Inside and outside dining. Fresh fish daily from Cortez fishing village. Staff is very helpful and friendly making sure your time out is special. This is a once a week visit with new specials offered daily. Do not miss the Blue Marlin Grill just of the beach.

    (5)

  • Jeff C.

    The tai grouper is a must!!!!!!

    (4)

  • Bay P.

    The Blue Marlin was fantastic! We wanted delicious seafood and we were not disappointed. The complementary edamame, cauliflower au gratin, black grouper with clams and pecan crusted snapper were all delicious. The food was well prepared, seasoned properly and wasn't trying to do too much as to not overwhelm the fresh seafood. Our service was impeccable and the entire meal was well priced. The restaurant itself was quiet and tasteful and not a tourist trap so that was greatly appreciated. I would definitely recommend checking this out.

    (5)

  • Carol W.

    The burger is amazing! Literally the best burger I have ever had. The infused onion marmalade and gouda were perfectly balanced.

    (4)

  • Ted W.

    Pleasant little restaurant with some of the freshest fish imaginable. The restaurant was full and, as we didn't have reservations, we sat at the bar and was served by a very knowledgeable young lady named Devinne. She navigated us through the menu and kept us informed of the best the area had to offer (besides the Blue Marlin of course). I had a poached snapper, my wife had grouper with carmelized pecans (I swear it was fish candy). Both were served piping hot, moist and full of unique flavors. Overall price was surprisingly low for the amount of food we shared and we left satisfied with a list of other establishments to hit during our week in FL.

    (4)

  • Bob C.

    Tonight we ate in the Blue Marlin for the first time and had a great meal. The place was packed so we ate at the bar. It was fun and we met some really cool people. I had the Cortez Bowl entree. It is a mixture of clams, shrimp, sausage, corn on the cob and red potatoes poached in a wine seafood broth. The clams and shrimp were perfectly cooked and the broth was very flavorful. The only criticism is that the sausage was chorizo and I would have gone with a different sausage. The entree was amazingly tasty and filling. We also tried the scallop risotto. The scallops were seared and served on top of an asparagus risotto. Also excellent but not as filling. It was sized like a restaurant in Italy where a second plate would he ordered. The couple next to us had the grouper in a Thai sauce which was surprisingly authentically flavored and excellent. The bar tender was very friendly as was the rest of the staff. The prices were on the high side of moderate but the meal was worth the money. I recommend the Blue Marlin.

    (5)

  • Patty G.

    I adored this restaurant. The service was phenomenal and the food was some of the best seafood I've ever had. A big plus for cooking fresh fish! Everything we had was amazing. The food here is fresh and top quality. The Cortez Boil - perfectly cooked, delicious clams and shrimp. Shrimp & Grits - so delicious I wanted to take my husband's plate for myself. Desserts were also delicious. We sat inside and had a wonderful time, they were able to easily accommodate a group of 8 quickly.

    (5)

  • Deborah M.

    This review reflects a 2 time identical experience. After the first time we thought it to be unfortunate and would try again. First time: we had an early ( 5:30 reservation ). Upon arrival the restaurant was nearly empty and asked to be seated at a booth table. Another party of 2 were seated at a booth. The " gentleman" said that was not possible and the reason the other diners had a booth is because they were there early. He advised that we make seating requests when making the reservation. Ok, we left as the seat offered was a small cafe table. Last night: We made a reservation on their Open Table site for 6:30, with the special request for a booth at the window. We arrived promptly. The same " gentleman" showed us the same cafe sized table. I told him that we had requested a booth table. He said that all booths were for 4 people as it is "high season". And that our request was merely a request and didn't guarantee anything. Really? There even was even a booth set for 2 with water waiting. I pointed that table out, he replied that it was a mistake. Again, really? What can I say? It was quite the rude experience, x2. I may add that we walked down the street to Bridge Bistro where we were welcomed by Christina and showed to a table that could have served 4 on the porch for a perfect sunset dinner. As walk ins we were treated with grace and hospitality in "high season".

    (1)

  • Sara G.

    Nice dinner. We sat outside, which was good because inside smelled very fishy. (Yes, I know it's a fish place, but not in a good way.) The Red Snapper Provencal (sp?) was delicious. The thai style fish was a bit over the top, but we were happy overall.

    (4)

  • Adam C.

    I had this place bookmarked based on previous reviews and finally had a chance to try it. I went with my wife and a visiting friend on a weeknight. We called ahead for a reservation and I'd suggest doing that. It's a cool space, in an old cottage that has been restored. There is also a large outdoor area where they have bands Th-Su, that they call the Trap Yard. When we came in our table wasn't ready so we got a seat at the bar in the back. If I remember correctly it's beer and wine only, but they have great selections of both. Not only that but the bartender gave us samples of three different drafts with advice on each. They were all craft beers and already the service was looking very good. We started with the Cortez Cracker Shrimp. They were huge, and had a dusting of breading on them and were served with a seasoned mayo sauce, delicious. I had the shrimp and grits. I think I remember something about there being 4 types of cheeses in the grits, and they also contained bacon. More jumbo gulf shrimp on top and the grits were out of this world. I'll attach a picture. This was seriously the best shrimp and grits I've ever had. I'm sort of craving it right now. I wasn't able to eat it all, because my dining companions ate as much as I did. It was by far our favorite dish. My wife had Thai Style Grouper which was also good. Our friend had the lobster linguini, also very good. Everything was fresh and seasoned and cooked perfectly. But the standout was really those shrimp and grits. We will be back here for sure, the service and food was top notch!

    (5)

  • Heather H.

    Fantastic food. They use flavors you don't usually expect. The scallops are huge and like butter. Mmmmmm!!

    (4)

  • Rachel B.

    The atmosphere was great. The service was good, but the food was just ok for the price. The champagne was the best thing we tasted.

    (3)

  • Marcie S.

    Great local seafood and grits to DIE for. Friendly service and comfortable atmosphere. The smell is a teeny bit fishy at first but you quickly get used to it. Fiery blue cheese wings live up to their name and are delicious. Great wine list and interesting preparations. Overall this place gets two very enthusiastic thumbs up!

    (5)

  • Elizabeth F.

    I love going here! Blue Marlin always has such great food and an assortment of good wines. I think the best thing I've tried was some sort of seafood chowder (I can't remember the name of it). We really enjoy the shrimp and grits. I think the back patio is great but haven't ever been when there is live music. The staff are always very helpful and friendly.

    (5)

  • Kiah H.

    Seems to be very overrated. 14.00 to add shrimp to a salad. Quality of food seemed to be good but the taste was fair at best.

    (3)

  • Oliver J.

    What a great surprise, perhaps a stretch at five stars though. 1. Love the decor - very reflective of the food and character. 2. Service with a smile. 3. Each table gets edamame with salt and pepper already on it. Good, but random. 4. Shared the marlin fish spread on .... ritz crackers. Good, but a touch under seasoned ... and ritz crackers, common now. I liked that it came with mini pickled gherkins and onions... but due to the lack of flavor, those things overpowered it. 5. Shared the smaller portion of the shrimp and grits. Really good, but far too rich for the only thing you are eating, if ordered as an entree. The grits weren't liquidy at all, which was surprising, but I'm not a grits connoisseur. 6. We were all pleased with our entrees. I ordered the Thai - with the red snapper, which was good, but surprising that the vegetables (noodles) were served cold with the hot fish. 7. Ordered the key-lime creme brulee to share. Awesome. Not overly key-lime, but excellent nonethless. 8. Ordered the Guinness chocolate cake to share. Good, although couldn't taste much Guinness. Solid. I'll be back.

    (5)

  • Mindy E.

    One of our favorite restaurants! Cannot wait to go back next year. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Decor is beautiful. Food is AMAZING!! We actually had dinner here twice while vacationing in the area. Fresh fish fulford style and the shrimp and scallop scampi were my favorites!

    (5)

  • Carrie S.

    Great food in a very be beachy atmosphere,just wished it had a water view and I would have given it 5 stars! Great Thai fish, shrimp and grits and scallops with asparagus risotto were all great. Our server was very nice & had good recommendations on the menu & beer selections. After dinner we played put put & looked at the boat dock down the street.

    (4)

  • Michael L.

    AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! Tried the shrimp and grits and they were cooked to perfection. 2 people in the party had the Alfredo with grouper and thought it was very good. Also tried the cornbread with honey and have to say that was also very good. Service was above average. We ate outside and several people in our party were worried about being cold, they brought over 2 heaters right away. Order arrived very quickly. Overall could not find any way to give them less than 5 stars.

    (5)

  • M B.

    In town from Portland, OR, and saw this place on yelp so decided to check it out. How this place is only 4.5 stars amazes me. Phenomenal service, outstanding food, and cool environment. I had the red snapper thai style since I am not a huge fish fan and it was incredible. My wife had the grouper picata and the mother in law had the halibut. Everything was superb. My mother in law hates spice and asked how spicy the beans and rice were. They actually brought out a sample to her make sure it was ok. I cant even begin to explain how good the service was. The manager apologized for us having to wait in their great back area for 5 minutes. Wow. The waitress was very knowledgeable and made suggestions when asked. She spent 10 mintutes calmly explaining to a nice british couple what grits are. We eat out a lot in Portland, OR, a huge foodie hotspot right now, and this place would easily beat any fish house there. We were'nt pleasantly suprised, we were shocked and in awe. I can't say enough good things about this place. We made another reservation before we paid. A truly memorable night.

    (5)

  • Samantha M.

    I have been coming to Bradenton Beach/Long Boat Key area since I have been 18 months old, and most of those trips have revolved around a trip to eat at Moore's Stone Crab house, but after a trip to the BLUE MARLIN I have found a new favorite place to eat on Long Boat Key. So, the other night, during a spur of the moment drive over from Orlando with my three kids (ages 9,7, and 4) husband, and disabled mother, we discovered that Moore's was closed on Wens. Nights. So, out comes my iPhone and Yelp and I found the reviews for the Blue Marlin. Sounded great, so off we went. IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT, WAS THE BEST MEAL OF OUR TRIP. Friendly, service from the time we walked in till we left. They wait staff knew the menu inside and out. Fresh locally caught seafood explained so that my husband the beef eater ordered fish as did my 9 year old, and both of them CLEANED THEIR PLATES. Complementary, edamame brought out to nibble on, but remember the kids, Well, so did the wait staff, they brought out Goldfish crackers. We loved the smoked fish spread that had been brought out by Rodney one of our servers gratis, that we had them pack us a quart to go. The main courses we spot on, but SAVE ROOM FOR DESERT. Both the Guinness chocolate cake and the tropical bread pudding made me want to pick up the plate and lick it clean. Plus, for the grown ups they have a varied wine selection that went well with the various dishes. Oh, and you need to try the braised rib appetizer. Just trust me on this one.

    (5)

  • Mitch M.

    With all of the positive reviews I had high expectations. Slow service was the theme of the night. First stepping in the door, it took 5 minutes just for a host to acknowledge that we wanted a table. Now, I'm used to standing around awkwardly on a general basis, so I could let that one easily slide. However, it did not end there. From the time we put in our orders it took 45 minutes for the food to arrive. This was a Saturday night at 9:30 pm (hardly the height of business). The server brought out what I'm assuming was complementary edamame in order to appease our obvious concerned faces, but never acknowledged the unreasonable wait time or apologized until the food was finally brought out. To be clear, ALL could have been forgiven if the entree' turned out to be stellar. Unfortunately, it just didn't. The rice and black eyed peas were bland and although the red snapper was cooked well, it also lacked seasoning. The only highlight of the evening was an 8 year old girl shamelessly interpretive dancing right in front of the live acoustic entertainment.

    (2)

  • Kimber H.

    Really good food at decent prices. We started with the Cracker Shrimp as a appetizer. Came out hot, hot and delicious. I had the Cauliflower Au Gratin with Blue Crab. This was the perfect balance of flavors. My other half has the fresh catch Black Grouper in a light egg batter he said was really, really good. He also finishes my cauliflower au gratin and he is not a cauliflower fan. Would definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Rick V.

    Stayed down the street. Eyed this place for a few nights. Went here for our final dinner and it was well worth it. Shrimp spring rolls were awesome. Excellent fry. Excellent slaw inside. Tangy dipping sauce. Perfect. Suggested pinot noir wine was fantastic. If they have a special fish then reserve it at first chance as they go fast. Had the cortez boil and red snapper done fulford style plus a side of brussel sprout / potato medley. Boil broth had great flavor. A soup by itself. Lots of clams and shrimp with corn cobbets and potatoes. Snapper was perfectly cooked. Brussels were great too. Came with a side of honey soaked corn bread which was dessert by itself. Compare this to my one star last night at a recognised establishment several miles up the road. This is a place that brings it. I'm soaking a hush puppy in the boil sauce and eating it now. Damn this is good.

    (5)

  • Jeff D.

    This is our second visit to Blue Marlin, the first being last year. Overall, it was just OK. The food is very fresh and the service is good. It can be difficult to find parking but they have a cart that will take you back and forth from a lot down the road. We enjoyed our first visit but one of the meals wasn't cooked well. This time, everything was very well cooked but just lacked flavor. For the price, I was just underwhelmed. Dishes tried: clams appetizer (good), signature salad (good), lobster linguini (not great - bland), snapper prepared with egg wash (really bland, no flavor), poached snapper (pretty good), grouper picatta (bland). As I said, the food was cooked nicely and nothing tasted bad. Unfortunately, nothing tasted good enough to make me want to go back, either.

    (3)

  • Adam J.

    Cute little place. Great food and service. Very fresh seafood and really big shrimp. I'll be sure to stop back.

    (5)

  • Brian V.

    We are vacationing on Longboat Key and looking to eat out at a place we hadn't gone to before and saw there we're good reviews on Yelp. First when we walked in, it smelled like someone had spilled cleaning supplies everywhere and all of us thought it smelled weird (my wife thought it smelled like pee, but I'll just say it smelled off). We decided to stay though, really based on the Yelp reviews we had read, but the smell enough should have warranted no more than 1 star for this place. In the end the food was just ok. My kids enjoyed their kids meals, but my wife and I thought our main courses were ehh. My wife ordered the snapper, which was dry and had no flavor. I had the pecan crusted grouper, which was also quite dry and overall just ok. And to boot $125 bill for just ehh, and a funky smell - not so sure I agree with the other Yelp reviews on here. I personally wouldn't go back.

    (2)

  • Shanna D.

    Wonderful if you're looking for fresh seafood! First, the service was great. Our waiter was friendly and knowledgable. I had the red snapper. It was flaky and delicately battered. PERFECT! Everyone at our table loved their food; from the juicy burger to the delicious grouper sandwich. Highly recommended. We will be back!

    (5)

  • Jennifer B.

    In a word: Fantastic! Also visiting from the SF Bay Area, I actually came here on a recent trip after reading Deb D's Yelp. review. I ventured out for an evening of good food. I remembered the Blue Marlin and can I just say..one of the best places on the island. By myself sans a plus one, I took a seat at their cozy bar. Great service, warm staff who are genuinely interested in providing a great experience. Food was high quality, fresh, great flavors without being overdone. I had the smoked fish spread served in true 'cracker' tradition w/Ritz crackers...cuz you know..everything tastes better on a Ritz! I moved forward with their special seared sea scallops with fresh corn, then into a phenom fresh black grouper with saffron & lobster sauce. Truly great wine list with some very interesting selections. I actually wish they were doing seafood this great in Marin County...they're that good!

    (5)

  • Alex H.

    My wife and I were very excited to bring out kids here after reading the terrific reviews. Overall we were disappointed. The food was hit and miss. I had Grouper Francaise style (they call it something else). The fish was very well cooked but the batter was dominated by egg and tasted like they sautéed in old oil. The fish was bizarrely under seasoned. My wife's risotto had fabulous scallops but the risotto was dramatically over seasoned as if someone had added three times the required lemon juice. The service basically ignored us all evening. No one checked on us after they dropped off our food (they do that 100% of the time at Applebee's) while our server catered to the every whim of the table down the room (who just happened to order a bottle of wine). When I asked another waitress for our waitress, she ignored my request. When I finally flagged down a busboy to bring some lemon wedges, my fish was cold. When I voiced my displeasure, she said "we work as a team". She eventually apologized, as did the manager, but he did not offer any sort of discount present or future. I rarely write negative reviews, but Blue Marlin was a major disappointment.

    (2)

  • Jill C.

    This was my first time visiting this restaurant and was very pleased. Although, there was a long wait and the food took awhile to be prepared, the cuisine was fantastic! I went with my family and was able to try many of the different menu items. We started with the cornbread and hush puppies. Both were amazing. The honey butter served with the cornbread was beyond words. The shrimp and grits was very savory. I wish I would have ordered the larger portion. The thai style sauce for the fish was also excellent as well. The fulford style preparation was another one we tried. We were not thrilled with it but it was still pretty good. I wish I could have found more room to try a dessert but was far too full to even attempt. I can't wait to go back and try something else off of the menu!

    (5)

  • Tom S.

    One of the best seafood restaurants on Anna Maria. We went there twice during our stay and were not disappointed . Reservations recommended .

    (5)

  • c k.

    Quaint, charming, great food and wine. Shrimp and grits were divine. Also best linguine with clams I've had in a long time.

    (5)

  • Lizbeth T.

    I've traveled a lot throughout Florida, and aside from fresh seafood, I am generally disappointed in the food. I was completely blown away by the quality of food on and around Anna Maria Island, and dinner at the Blue Marlin Grill was the highlight of our visit! My boyfriend and I had just checked into our hotel and found the Blue Marlin after a quick Yelp search. We wanted to kick off our weekend with a quiet, romantic dinner and great food and that's exactly what we got. The space itself is totally charming and cozy, almost more "Cape Cod" than Florida coast. We started with some local beers recommended by our waitress, who was knowledgeable and pleasant without ever being overbearing. The cortez shrimp appetizer was ridiculously good and we continued to talk about it for several days. My boyfriend had a blackened grouper entrée and I had the shrimp and grits. Both were hearty portions, perfectly prepared and delicious. And then there was the bread pudding, oh lord. Being a lifelong fan of the traditional Kentucky-style bourbon bread pudding, I'm skeptical of other versions but still like to try them. This was a tropical-themed bread pudding, with pineapple and a lighter quality than most, and we both attacked it, leaving not a crumb spared. For the rest of our trip, we told anyone who would listen to us that they had to get some of this bread pudding. Yes, the Blue Marlin is a splurge, but considering most of the other dining spots on the island are casual and fairly cheap, this is a totally worthy splurge.

    (5)

  • Maureen C.

    Eat outside!! Adorable!! This is a really nice, quaint place to eat. My hubby had the Blue Marlin burger and I had the catch of the day, grouper. Hubby said, and I quote, "It was a good burger, but not a $12 burger...". I, on the other hand, LOVED my grouper. It was just the right portion & the beans and rice side went perfectly with it.

    (4)

  • Vicki B.

    Fantastic meal. Shrimp & grits was sooo good. Wish I'd ordered the large portion!!!!Just kidding...sort of.;) Great service. Excellent wine. Adorable ambiance. Would definitely like to return here someday!

    (5)

  • Jana G.

    Very good food and extreme friendly service. Had a nice chat with the owner who stopped at our table. At the weekend they have live entertainment. Very nice place! Try the fresh catch of the day.....awesome!

    (5)

  • Linda S.

    Dinner at the Blue Marlin was a very enjoyable experience. Service was superb, our waitress and others who came to the table were knowledgeable, friendly and very willing to fulfill requests. Both Will and Adam were gorgeous! Had the red snapper and pecan encrusted grouper which were both delicious. Also a super chopped salad that I could eat everyday and still love it. Only disappointment was my choice of a vegetable, broccollini, which was too salty and bitter...quickly replaced with another side. Overall, a good dinner in a great restaurant.

    (4)

  • Stefanie M.

    I hate to give away this spot as we were able to get in without a wait every night we came here, and the food was the best we had on the island, by a LONG SHOT. But I can't be selfish, and I want the blue marlin to do well because when we return next year for vacation I want this place to still be here. I'd like to thank yelp because I don't think I would have stopped in this tiny little unassuming blue building on bridge street had it not been for the outstanding reviews on yelp. . . .and boy was my entire family impressed with this place! We came back 2 nights in a row the food and service was so good! With my party of 8 + baby over two nights, we sampled a lot of the menu. Everything was good, but here are the stand outs! Corn Bread - trust me, it's like eating a sweet molasses cake, it's unbelievable. Cortez Chowder - yummy yummy seafood stew and the seafood is not overcooked like so many seafood chowders. Peach & Tomato Salad (on special) - oh hell this was good. Best salad I've put in my mouth in months. Local Fish Sandwich - Grouper sandwich, get it blackened, and substitute cornbread or the Brussel Sprouts as your side for the beans and rice. SO GOOD! I also liked that the grouper sandwich was a decent size, and not a monster. Cortez Boil - great seafood boil - introduced us to the above outstanding cornbread I will always order from now on. Shrimp & Grits - really good grits (this from a Georgia girl) and perfectly cooked and seasoned shrimp. Really good, very filling! Pecan encrusted fish - on special, really really good! Tropical Bread Pudding - sweet lord this was amazing. Total foodgasm. Save room for dessert and split. It's big, and amazeballs. Blue Marlin Grill also offers a shuttle service to take you to your car, or in our case, our rental home which was walking distance from the grill. A few of the older ladies in our party who were too tired after dinner to walk back REALLY appreciated this service! Our service was also excellent. I really can not fault this place in any way, other than the space itself was a tad on the warm side (Maybe it was just the sunburn). But regardless, my family keeps saying when we go back to Anna Maria Island, we may dine at the Blue Marlin every night. Thank you Blue Marlin!

    (5)

  • Mike S.

    Fresh grouper very good. Side veggies crisp and interesting. The Lola Chardonnay was very good. Service friendly and reasonably prompt. Small place with interesting decor. Parking a challenge.

    (5)

  • Kathleen M.

    A great restaurant. We ate dinner there most nights during our week in the area. Junie's Salad is very good and so were the entrees and appetizers. Good grouper and tuna. Be sure to make reservations--it's a busy place. Parking is tricky but worth the aggravation.

    (5)

  • Gary D.

    Portions could be a bit larger for the prices and the beer colder, but a great place. Food was excellent. From appitizers to the main course, it was one of the best seafood meals we've had here in our 25 years in the Sarasota area. Parking is hard to find. But we parked on road near the beach so we have to walk past Joe's for ice cream on the way back to the car. No complaints about that.

    (4)

  • Stacey C.

    We were looking for a fun, interesting place to enjoy some local seafood and stumbled upon this place by using Yelp. This quaint little blue house smack in the middle of Bridge Street is a hidden gem. The place is decorated with photos of the owner and his family fishing the area. The food is fresh and the sauces exquisite. We started with the clam appetizer. If we could have bottled the sauce to take home I would have. We requested extra toasts to dip into the sauce and were pleased when they came right out. We also tried the corn bread which was equally delicious. Next, I sampled the special for the evening--a Florida lobster linguini. The lobster was succulent. The sauce was fresh and light. The serving was enormous! Enough to take home for lunch the next day. Unfortunately, they ran out of the dessert special right before we ordered so we tried the creme brulee which was yummy. The chocolate cake was average. Overall, I would happily go back again and again to experience this delicious food and charming atmosphere! I'd love to go sit out side one night and enjoy some live music too.

    (5)

  • Cliff K.

    There is nothing usual about this place... Is not the typical Beach over breadee over blackened fish place.... The chefs are young creative and innovative yet they respect the past and use it whenever they can to create truly wonderful affordable dishes. The fish come from Bells in Cortez just across the bridge. Everyday they get new fresh fish. They serve black grouper not red... It has a wonderful buttery flavor that they usually brush with egg whites to form on invisible light batter on their sandwiches or they serve it picada style.... The veggies I had with my sandwich were baby French green beans they were so tender and sauteed and garlic and butter... The couple next to me at the bar ( which is very welcoming to single people) has their fish Picada style...one had the black grouper and the other has the red snapper and both had brussel sprouts as there vegetable they both said it was wonderful.... I I had their southern scallops as well in a previous recent ( 2 days ago) visit. They present the scallops on a haystack of pork that they smoke earlier and on top of the scallop they have a dab of onion jelly or chutney is from a recipe from Adam the owners great grandmother. At the last visit I also had a small bowl of their homemade potato soup made with Yukon potatoes lots of cream and butter and bacon it also come from Adams grandmothers recipe. Both times I also tried their homemade desserts one was a wonderful bread pudding and another was a key lime boule. ...both were incredible. ... The wine list and the beer list is not huge but both emphasize quality you can have numerous choices in wine by the glass of high quality white or red wine several Micro brew beers on tap as well as some high quality bottled beer. Service was excellent every time I've been there and the owner is visible and accessible and very local. I would go there again anytime... the value us high for the dollar amount spent is well worth it.... But it is not priced out of the ballpark....

    (5)

  • Elaine V.

    Nothing was disappointing or just ok with this place. The wine recommendations were spot on to what we like, the service was personable and really great and the food was great!

    (5)

  • Dave M.

    Everything from start to finish here was amazing. They provide a free parking shuttle (in case the spots around the restaurant are full); the ambiance is great; they have a very cool and relaxing outdoor bar area; and of course, the food was absolutely delicious. All caught locally and on the same day. It was the best meal we ate all week while on Anna Maria Island. Looking forward to going back.

    (5)

  • Carol W.

    Delicious food. Great ambience on the patio. I would have given this 5 stars if the meal would have included some vegetables. Still, I love this place!

    (4)

  • Gary R.

    This was our first visit to the Blue Marlin Grill, what a treat! If you like plain simply cooked fish (Black Grouper) this is the the best we have had in the area or maybe anywhere. Also had Cortez chowder with a perfectly cooked shrimp and grouper cheeks in a saffron/tomato broth, excellent. For dessert we had a tropical bread pudding that was very good although my better half thought the pineapple pieces should have been sautéed or grilled to bring out the sweetness. Service was good, casual, and friendly. Prices seem about right considering the quality of the product. Looking forward several return visits!!!

    (4)

  • Paula W.

    Ate out on the patio. Great patio with lots of shade and great atmosphere. They had a great bluegrass band on the patio on the weekend. The grouper was cooked perfectly and was such a treat. The shrimp and grits was the best I've probably had with great flavor and sweet shrimp. The bacon complimented the dish but did not overpower it. They serve complimentary edamame which hit the spot. Note that the hush puppies were a little over fried and had bits of jalepeno in them. I like that they give you two size options for most entrees so that you can order a smaller portion and not pay for what you can't eat. The Brussel sprouts and potatoes with bacon were also amazing.

    (5)

  • Stephanie R.

    We are on a family vacation and decided to try this restaurant. My brother met the owner from visiting a college friend who owns Village Idiot Pizzeria. Oh my gosh! It was delicious. I had the Shrimp & Grits smaller portion and it was wonderful. The staff is wonderful, too. I would highly recommend checking out this restaurant.

    (5)

  • Julie R.

    We read the reviews on Yelp and decided to give the Blue Marlin a try. Wow! We'll definitely go back. The fresh fish of the day was Red Snapper or Black Grouper. My husband had the Snapper and I had the Grouper prepared with a spicy Thai sauce. Both were outstanding -- cooked perfectly, fresh, filling and wonderful flavors.The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming-- a little dock-side cottage with fisherman memorabilia and photos. The service was attentive with just the right amount of touches throughout the meal. Even our grandparents, who usually eat only fried fish, remarked on how wonderful their dishes were and how they would like to come back. Truly one of the best dinners I've had in Florida.

    (5)

  • Scott S.

    The fish was five star; we had hogfish. We decided to share a meal and also ordered some flank or skirt steak. It tasted old and we didn't finish it. Decent wine selection, and a cool place. Just stick with the fresh fish!

    (4)

  • Deb D.

    We're foodies visiting fr San Francisco and have been having a challenging time finding great places to eat in the area (without the benefit of local guidance). We walked by the Blue Marlin Grill a couple of times before trying - thrilled to have found it! We've been twice this week and both times had fantastic meals. The Caesar salad w shrimp was very tasty, blackened scallops delicious and spicy, and the lobster risotto is out of this world. Last but by no means least, the key lime creme brûlée (!) OK, I'll admit it, we did actually lick the bowl clean. We have to go back tonight to try that again - possibly a few more times before we leave... Everything is fresh, quality oriented, and the portions are decent - with reasonable prices considering the great quality. None of that 'it's cheap and you get a ton' which we're unfortunately finding so much of elsewhere. Service: the waitstaff is outstanding. The waiter from our first visit not only remembered us several days later, he remembered what we had ordered and where we liked to sit. The other waiters also seemed to be equally friendly and helpful. Clearly the restaurant has solidly trained its staff for professional and friendly service. The decor is also wonderful, very clean and fresh, w lots of great nautical details and personal mementos - we spent quite awhile admiring all the photos of 'the ones that didn't get away...' beautiful and comfortable. This place is worth driving a good distance to try - you won't be disappointed. Two thumbs enthusiastically up!!

    (5)

  • Joe C.

    Awesome! Top two restaurants we ate at on Anna Marie Island. It was the best seafood we had on the island. My daughter had the linguine with snapper and grouper, my wife had the snapper prepared in Thai and I had the seafood boil with a cup of chowder. Excellent all around. Kinda expensive but still a wonderful meal.

    (5)

  • Ken D.

    Had dinner at the Blue Marlin on August 14th, my family's 5th day on Anna Maria Island. I was led here by the yelp reviews, but was really struck with how the small differentiation (in terms of stars) between the Blue Marlin and other restaurants we ate at did not reflect how much better this restaurant was. For entrees, my wife and I had the whole b-line snapper and the shrimp and grits. Both were exceptionally well prepared. Head and shoulders better than anything else I've had this week. Our waitress great; friendly, knowledgeable and make us (with our three little kids in tow) feel very comfortable. Nice wine list appropriately priced. Manager checked in with us to make sure we were having a good experience. I'm glad we've got a few days left on this trip. We'll be back.

    (5)

  • Mark M.

    Among a week in Anna Maria, this was our favorite meal. Unexpected edamame, great service, greater food.

    (5)

  • David M.

    Great salads with garlic shrimp that is great and daily fresh fish with a assortment of preparations at a reasonable price and also great pecan pie and tasty bread pudding I highly recommend this restaurant.

    (5)

  • Dana M.

    The Edemame starter alone is great! The shrimp and grits has a wonderful texture and the blackened flavoring was well done. Tonight trying the Pecan group-fresh caught last night. Also giving the roasted chicken a try (fish-wimp daughter won't do fish). Can't wait.

    (5)

  • christine a.

    Delicious, fresh seafood served in a charming cottage. You'll feel transported when you walk inside. Lemon risotto and scallops were so good, I wished the portion was larger. Husband is not a be fan of seafood but indulges me. He loved his black grouper....quite something. The wine list is nice and compact. The staff (bartender and waitress) were very helpful in making selections. Our waitress was great. I wanted to pair something different with my entree and she made several suggestions, gave me tastes of both for me to decide. Very good service. Dinner with appetizers, entrees, one dessert, French press coffee and 4 glasses of wine was around $100. Our reservations were for 8:00 on a Thursday night. Unlike many Bradenton restaurants on a weekday, people were still arriving for dinner at 9:00pm. Kept the restaurant full and the vibe going. My favorite tables are in the bar. They have a great outdoor bar area with live music. Check their Facebook or website for schedule. One final kudo....they have a golf cart that takes you to and from a remote parking lot by a church a few blocks away. This is a great bonus, as parking on Bridge St. can be frustrating.

    (5)

  • Bramfy B.

    Cortez boil! and the corn bread. go get it. great service and live music. likey! the group of 8 of us will all come back

    (4)

  • Cathy J.

    Great place! We visited this past Saturday and enjoyed a delicious meal on the back porch while listening to a bluegrass band, my idea of a perfect night! We are arrived around 8:30 and the place was packed. The inside is small, but there is also bar seating and seating out back on the porch, which is where we ended up. I enjoyed sitting outside because we were able to hear and see the band! Our waitress brought us out a complimentary bowl of edamame which was a nice gesture. My husband and I both started off with house salads which came with a delicious balsamic vinaigrette and homemade croutons, mmm. For our main meals, I went with the shrimp and grits, and my husband had the filet with roasted potatoes. My shrimp and grits were outstanding, the grits were extra cheesy with bacon on top. My husband really enjoyed his filet which came with a side of roasted red pepper bernaise. We ended our meal with the Guinness chocolate cake which was rich and decadent. We really enjoyed our meal here, and the atmosphere can't be beat. And you can walk your meal off with a stroll on the beach afterward!

    (4)

  • Polly S.

    This is a shout-out to the Blue Marlin who took our daughter and her 8 friends in last Saturday night at closing time after they had been marooned for hours out in the Gulf on a boat charter that was meant to have taken them out for a 2 hour sunset cruise!! They were cold, hungry, and a bit shaken by their terrible boating experience not to mention they were dressed in bathing suits (cover-ups and towels)!! The staff of the Blue Marlin took them in despite the late hour and provided them a world-class meal. Thank you all for turning a long day into a great ending for all of them!

    (5)

  • Marie M.

    We just sat at the outside bar names "The Trap Yard" We sat at one of the two tiki bars and drank a beer and a wine respectively while listening to a bluegrass band play on the outdoor stage. Nice atmosphere and nice staff.

    (3)

  • Brady W.

    This was one the best meals in the Anna Maria Island area. The golf cart valet was perfect for a very congested parking area. Had fun and a great meal. Hint*** Get there early because the desserts run out of stock fast. Wait staff was fun and knew the menu.

    (5)

  • Peggy V.

    WOW! Came in for dessert late one night and cannot get over the freshness! Split the Chocolate Guiness Cake and the Creme Brulee with a friend and we were practically licking the plates. The people next to us were just finishing their own dessert, the Bread Pudding, and from the looks on their faces (and the way they licked their forks!) I will be trying that next. Fresh food, beautiful ambiance, attentive service. A great spot for dining on the island.

    (5)

  • John E.

    Great dinner. The fish sandwich was best on the beach (yeast roll is key). Shrimp and grits and the edamame were also great. Be sure to try the Brussels sprouts too. We will definitely be going back.

    (5)

  • Chetan A.

    If u have a choice eat here only! If not eat here anyways! The shrimp garlic & fish rolls are out of the world. The lobster languini was unbelievable! It's the best place here! Not open for lunch though pity!

    (5)

  • Lauren L.

    The food was excellent, but for the price the portions were way too small. Loved the decor as well

    (3)

  • Kathleen M.

    We arrived on time but due to the party before "hanging" in longer than normal we were given the choice of waiting outside with 2 complimentary bottles of wine to listen to live music . . . then also given two complimentary appetizers . . . which were very tasty before being seated at a table inside. We all enjoyed our entrees, but personally the smoked bbq chicken wings were an amazing start. Service was fun, helpful and efficient; tastes amazing; decor comfortable Florida and all in all our wait ended being an asset!!! We will be back before we head north.

    (4)

  • Casey H.

    Great experience! Food, drink, atmosphere and service were really great. Blackened grouper and shrimp & grits were our favorites. We sat outside and loved the feel of the patio by the fire pit.

    (4)

  • Matthew E.

    Excellent service, and impeccable fish. without a note of pretense. Everything was perfectly done and well described. we spoke with the owner who told us the story behind their daily catch.

    (5)

  • Steve C.

    Excellent fish tacos and lobster roll! Little slow service, but I was in no rush. Sangria was very good as well.

    (4)

  • Mercedes L.

    I am a local and this has been one of our favorite special occasion restaurants, as we aren't able to afford to eat here on a regular basis. This has also been one of the first places I recommend to people visiting who are looking for a nicer dinner. We hadn't been here for over a year and went for a Mother's Day dinner last week. The service was very friendly and prompt, the atmosphere was relaxing and enjoyable, the drink selection was good, but the food quality has really dropped off since my last visit. We were very disappointed and the prices are high enough that my expectations were higher as well. 3 of us spent ~$150 before tip and I am sorry to say the value isn't there. I am sad to write this review, but I can no longer recommend this place as one of my favorites in the area because the food was not good. The fresh fish was fried, which we weren't expecting, the soup did not taste fresh, the scallops risotto had a bitter, fishy taste, even the dessert did not taste like it was freshly made. Very disappointing, I am sorry to say. I think I would return for live music outside on the patio with drinks, but not again for the food unless I hear something has drastically changed.

    (2)

  • Lizzy H.

    Excellent, excellent, excellent! The grouper (catch of the day) was fresh and seasoned to perfection! There are four ways to have your fish done and I chose Grieg after a lot of debating. The house salad was also a hit! I can't wait to go back to the Blue Marlin Grill!

    (5)

  • Michael P.

    Great food. Good ambience. Very good wait staff. My wife had the potato soup and pronounced it delicious. I had the Cortez Boil. Yum! We both had the shrimp and grits. Delicious. I highly recommend this restaurant. We'll be back. That's the best compliment I can pay.

    (5)

  • Carolyn E.

    We had dinner and wine at the bar last night at the Blue Marlin and everything -- the food, the staff, the ambience -- could not have been better. The wonderful bartender let us sample wines and the cooking was innovative with nice touches like pairing peaches and tomatoes with feta in a salad, using a dab of onion jam on the scallops over BBQ, and the simple preparation of just-caught hog fish. We had a marvelous time and look forward to visiting again when we are in the Bradenton Beach area. Bill and Carolyn, Charlottesville, Virginia

    (4)

  • Eric G.

    The crab stuffed tilapia was excellent, my wife had the crab cake as entree which was among the best she had tasted. Service was excellent, even though the lace was getting busy we were no rushed out but were allowed to stay a long as we like. We started with the chowder was made with a tomato base, which was tasty . Will go again before we leave Bradenton Beach

    (5)

  • Joey Y.

    once again....AWESOME!!!! That tater soup in the bomb. Braised beef for and appetizer? just what you need to get ya going. Thanks Guys. You, my friends, rock.

    (5)

  • Doc M.

    Sorry to bread the trend of fives. However they didn't deserve it last night. Server was lost and forgot about us. Can't hear the music from the dining room; locked up like a Vault. Food is terrific though; really. For a place trying to be the best and charging top $ for it, they missed the mark.

    (3)

  • Cozy D.

    What a great night my friends and I had at the Blue Marlin. I had read many good reviews, and they were right on. First, we all enjoyed ourselves at the outside bar enjoying a few drinks listening to music and talking with the other patrons. It is a really nice space. Once seated for dinner, we admired the interior space as well. For food, we ordered and shared (and very much enjoyed) the tater soup, braised ribs, smoked fish dip, shrimp and grits, fish cakes, and one of the nightly specials. Deserts sounded great, but we did not order. All in all, this was a great time with great food. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Anna G.

    We walked by this delightful place twice, and until we poked our heads in ,we didn't realize what a great spot it was. White wainscoting on the walls really picks up the neon blue hue of lighting in the dining room, clean, very comfy seating, but the greatest delight was the menu ! Not your overdone deep fried coastal type of menu, an assortment of delicious combinations, certainly not thrown together in a hurry ! An assortment of the freshest local fish, my hubby had the grouper, and I started with a stone crab cocktail on a bed of cheese grits. To die for creamy potato soup !!!!!!!! The waitress , Devon suggested the stone crab Mac and cheese, that is what I will be having on our next visit. Altogether our new favorite restaurant on Anna Maria Island. Don,t miss this gem of a place.

    (5)

  • Lisa H.

    I'm always in Longboat Key and looking for new and good restaurants. I found it! A month ago I drove by this cute and costal looking front and checked out the menu. It looked like something I would like to try and made a mental note to return. I returned with my very young and cool sister; she may be reading this. The young owner greeted us and was friendly, funny, accomodating and patient as we decided to eat inside or out. Our adorable waitress approched us and immediately took our drink order and rerturned promptly with our Malbecs and complimentary lightly, salted edamame . We decided on the house salads to start, which we both agreed were delicious. For my entree I chose something a little different, scallops on pulled pork with a cabbage slaw. I know, sounds unusual, but it worked and was fantastic. My sister had the Grouper Greig; one of the 4 different ways their extremely, fresh fish could be prepared. The Greig consists of a light cream sauce with Stone Crab bits and tomato. This was fabulous, my frugal sister gave me a small taste. We did not have dessert, but it looked good. I love all aspects of this restaurant. One great perk was that it offers two sized dinner portions. In hindsight, we should have both ordered the fuller portion because it was sooo good; not because it wasn't filling. The staff was friendly, attentive and the atmosphere casual/ fun. We like it so much, we decided to forgo our dinner scheduled for Selva Grill in Sarasota; for another round at the Blue Marlin.

    (5)

  • J. L.

    Fresh, Casual, Seafood. Not a kids place - but they did a great job accommodating our 5 and 6 year old boys. Reasonably priced. There are great places to eat in the area - but this one busts into our Top Five. Could have given a five star rating - but they are not trying to be "foodie", just great fresh food.

    (4)

  • Max M.

    Our party of three dined at the Blue Marlin Grill on Dec. 26, 2012, our third or fourth visit. For appetizers we had Stoney Mac and Cheese (mac and cheese with stone crab claws on top) and Tater (Yukon Gold potato) Soup, both of which were excellent. For entrees, we chose two different grouper preparations (it was the only fish on the menu that night):one featured a stone crab sauce ('aurora'), which was excellent, the other was egg-washed and sautéed (good, but a bit 'rubbery'-- it was better on previous visits). Blue Marlin Grill offers the entrees in two difference sizes and price points, which is nice. We shared a single dessert - a fabulous orange crème brulee - which was out of this world. The price for two appetizers, three entrees, a single dessert and one beer was $112 plus $7 tax, slightly above average, but the quality of the food was definitely worth it. We will be back. Note: The restaurant space with its charming nautical decor is relatively small and uncarpeted, so depending on the clientele on any particular night, it can get noisy when there is a full house.

    (4)

  • Katrina M.

    My family and I visited this past Monday, reservations were recommended so we made one for 7:30. Running a bit late we call and they were able to switch our party of 4, to our new requested time of 8:30. When we got there our table was waiting for us with menus already for us. It is a funky little joint with tons to look at, overall it was pretty laid back. We received edamame for the table instead of bread, which was a nice change. My father ordered the Cortez Chowder as his appetizer which he loved. I ordered the Filet (it was super tender, could of used a bit more seasoning for me) and the Lobster Mac and Cheese (BEST I HAVE EVER HAD). My mom ordered the Shrimp and Grits, which she raved about. My father ordered the Pecan Crusted Grouper, he thoroughly enjoyed it along with his green beans and sweet potatoes with pesto. My boyfriend ordered the Tuna special which came with wasabi mash potatoes that were to DIE FOR! I have never seen him enjoy a meal more then this one. To finish our meal off we ordered the Guava Key Lime Pie and the Bread Pudding for dessert, both were good. Overrall the prices are a little high, but we were in AWE of how amazing everything tasted and we can't wait to come back.

    (5)

  • Jamie C.

    We saw the reviews and decided to give the Blue Marlin a try. We live in Stuart FL and frequent the Black Marlin there. Well we had a fabulous meal! We had our 2 yr old grandson with us and when we sat down they immediately brought him some goldfish crackers to snack on. Big win there! The decor and food was fantastic. I had shrimp and grits. The best I've had anywhere. Better then the places I frequent in Atlanta. The blue marlin salad was a favorite for everyone at the table. Just need to figure out the recipe for the dressing. The potato crusted snapper was enjoyed by my daughter and son in law. We will definitely return to the Blue Marlin next trip to the area.

    (5)

  • Lauren C.

    This was our second visit to Blue Marlin and it wasn't as good as we remembered. Parking is difficult however they offer a shuttle to a church parking lot. Pull up to the restaurant and let them know you need a ride. You follow a golf cart to the lot and then give you a lift back. The meal starts with edamame instead of bread, which was a nice touch. We had the Cortez Chowder which is a tomato saffron broth with grouper cheeks and shrimp. This was the highlight of the meal. It was really tasty with a lot of grouper. I had the catch of the day, black grouper, prepared fulford style. It was sautéed with lemon butter and served with rice and peas. I got the smaller, 4 oz portion and I didn't feel like it was a great value. It was good but not amazing. My husband got the blackened fish alfredo. Again good, but nothing completely stand out for the price. We got the pecan pie to go and that was pretty delicious. I don't think you can go wrong with pecan pie with bourbon whipped cream!

    (3)

  • Casey H.

    Really good service... no question there. Cracker shrimp... wow... spicy but really good. Grouper with thai was really good. Sweet and just enough for me tonight... got the 4 ounce. Tuna was really good too but we ended up with a bad piece. They gave us half off the meal which was sufficient to us. Shrimp and cheese grits were really good. The kids loved them. Mac and cheese... can't go wrong with that either. Would like to visit again and try another meal. By the way, not busy at all in the last week's in august.

    (4)

  • William C.

    I was really torn on how to rate this place. The short of it is . . . Food - Excellent Service - Very good to excellent Ambiance - Cute, fun . . . very nice Prices - overpriced. I could ramble on (as I usually do) to explain each and every aspect of the meal but suffice to say . . . the food was excellent. Between the 2 of us we had one salad as an appetizer, two dinner sized fish entrees (they offer 2 sizes), one extra side dish and 3 glasses of wine. The total ? Approx $115 before tip. I'm doing this from memory but the salad was about $12. The dinner sized fish entrees (which to me were just normal sized portions) were $29 each. The glasses of wine were $10 each (slightly smallish pours) and the side dish (cauliflower au gratin) was $5. I really liked the food but it struck me as expensive. I actually think that this place should be listed as $$$ (3 dollar signs). It would be hard to get out of there for less than $40 a person and that would be cutting corners in ordering. Other than that . . . I really liked it.

    (4)

  • Chae D.

    Visiting the LBK area and have eaten out two meals out of three for the last nine days. Blue Marlin dinner stood out far above any other meal as the best in the area. Modern, sophisticated menu items that included the local classics (such as shrimp and grits) elevated to gourmet level. All dishes that our table of four had were outstanding. Ambience was fantastic, intimate dining rooms, soft lighting, old school B&W framed photos lined the walls. Most importantly, friendly, professional staff who made our dining experience so special. This is the best restaurant in the area, which includes all of Longboat Key.

    (5)

  • Johnny A.

    Every other item on the menu is clams.....on a Tuesday night at 830 they are out of clams...our of clams .. they brag about their seafood and the clams and they are our of clams.. I got a lame story about miscounting the bags of clams... and an offer to sut add more shrimp to sub the clams... So the host/maitre de has healthy attitude and frankly a host in shorts should not have attitude. Then, after ordering, are you are looking forward to grouper and clams, or low country boil, or steamed clams..they zing you with...we are out of clams. And then.. a pet peeve... a loooong wait for soup... really? These folks have the customer/service provider relationship backwards.. Oh...and it is really expensive.. 25 for a salad with fish...(no clams) Ps.. Got the food. Ok. Not more. Mediocre presentation. Mediocre taste. Service was ok. Nice space.. I would avoid this place unless you like $100+ disappointments (2 diners). The management has an unrealistic view of what they are doing..

    (2)

  • Stephanie E.

    Best cornbread EVER! Visited here with a couple of friends from NY and loved it. We all had seafood and it was fresh and delicious. If i ever come back to this area, I will def be eating here again.

    (5)

  • Stephanie D.

    I didn't save any room for my own food cause I ate all of my nephew's impeccably crafted "kid's" cheeseburger. Seriously the best burger I've had in maybe my whole life. Absolutely loved the outdoor atmosphere & the servers were beyond accommodating to my high maintenance fam. Wear bug spray.

    (5)

  • Kari J.

    Amazing outdoor ambiance & fresh seafood! Picked Blue Marlin based off of Yelp reviews and friend recommendations. We were not let down. We were seated outside under soft lighting, no bugs. Waiter was extremely personable, offered up explanations & favorite items on the menu. Great service and delicious food. Perfect night. White Wine Sangria is dangerously good. Must try food items are Sopchoppy Crab Cakes, Cortez Cracker Shrimp, Blackened Grouper (fish of the day) & Cortez Chowder. The Hush Puppies are out of this world!

    (5)

  • Chris E.

    What a great decision trying this restaurant for a late dinner. My wife and I both had the Black Grouper, Fulford style with green beans and Black eyed Peas & Rice. I got an additional side of roasted Brussell Sprouts & potatoes with bacon, and we had a 2010 High Flying Centerline Red wine to go with it. This was one of the best meals we have ever had. Everything was phenomenal! I HIGHLY recommend this restaurant if you are on, or anywhere near, Anna Maria Island/Bradenton Beach area. Great wait staff as well! Thank you for an excellent experience!!!

    (5)

  • Jewels M.

    Good food great flavor's Delish!! complements to the chef .. atmosphere especially on the back deck is awesome Good music always changing which is even better only a couple of negatives to report ...wine pour is ridiculously small for the price although the house wine is a great choice Some of the waitstaff are great!!! some not so much we are always looking for them :((( We will return but have a couple of drinks somewhere else .. Wouldn't it be better to have people order a 2nd glass ?? Just saying !

    (4)

  • Brendan B.

    This place is AMAZING! I don't often leave reviews but felt compelled to do so after my experience at The Blue Marlin. Food, ambiance, service, all made for such an amazing night. Can't wait to visit again, would recommend to anyone!!

    (5)

  • Steve S.

    The atmosphere is very nice, the service was very good, the food was below average and dissapoinring, especially for the price. The Cortez Chowder had a good flavor but was not hot enough, which tells me they make it in advance and heat it in the microwave. I may be wrong. I ordered a bowel and as is sometimes the case it comes in a shallow bowl with a big rim, making me wonder if there was less in the bowel than if I had ordered the cup. The "fresh fish" was grouper which I ordered as follows: Fulford* Egg washed & sauteed with lemon butter and finished with garlic parmesan bread crumbs with peas & rice. It came with brown rice and green beans. The fish was over done, had a thin egg covering and any flavor the fish might have had was cooked right out of it. The green beans were water logged and the brown rice....what can u say. My daughter ordered a "low country boil" which was as bland as my fish. My wife ordered a petite filet which may have been the only thing on the menu not cooked to death. I had a beer and a couple glasses of Sauvignon blanc and for the three of us. With tip our bill was $175.00. All I can say is, I think the chef is phoning it in, because the food was bland and thrown together after the fact. But that's just my opinion.

    (2)

  • Margaret C.

    Yum Yum Yum Nice local spot with a great small feel to it --- food excellent and the service staff very professional. Kitchen was a bit backed up but we were in no hurry and the food was so delicious. Shrimp and Grits were exccellent. The seafood pasta with cream suace was very light and delicious.

    (4)

  • Tonya S.

    Loved it! It was a Friday night so they had great bluegrass playing out back(where we sat) and the food was so amazing! The service left a little to be desired but I guess you can't have it all.

    (4)

  • Jami S.

    We just bought a condo on Longboat Key and have been trying the local restaurants, Blue Marlin has been my family's favorite so far! It's in an old house and has a cozy, fishing village vibe to it, it's beachy without being touristy. We had the peach and heirloom tomato salad to start, with pesto and feta on top, it was delicious! For dinner I had local, black grouper, Thai style. It was good, nice and light, the fish was cooked well. My husband ordered one of the specials, seafood diavolo which was shrimp, scallops and lobster in a red sauce over linguine. The seafood was cooked perfectly, the sauce was good. Our kids, 2 and 5 ordered the kids fried shrimp and burger which were amazing!! The burger was one of the best I've had and for a kids burger it was big, it's not "mini" as stated on the menu which was great because we all ate some of it. The fried shrimp came with grits that were awesome and the shrimp were just lightly breaded so you could actually still taste the shrimp. I highly recommend going, the golf cart ride to and from your car is a nice touch too!!

    (5)

  • Candace W.

    The Blue Marlin hit all high notes from their cozy, full of character and warmly decorated space to the delicious food and friendly service. A potato crusted red snapper and lobster was excellently crafted and cooked perfectly, served with exceptionally seasoned fresh vegetables and rice. We also enjoyed a perfectly balanced key lime brulee, just the right amount of lime. Our waitress was very friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Stacy C.

    Loved it! Food and atmosphere was great. The only negative thing I can say is that service is a little slow but considering how enjoyable everything else was I would be willing to tolerate the wait in the future

    (4)

  • Michelle E.

    Amazing food, great ambiance, stellar service. We recommend Grouper Fulford & their "famous" Shrimp & Grits. Two of the best dishes on Anna Maria Island! Also try their pineapple bread pudding...just WOW! Love this quaint little place.

    (5)

  • Julie J.

    Exceptional food, service and ambiance! This little place is definitely a must when traveling near the island.

    (5)

  • Dave P.

    No way...never again...BIG MISTAKE!!! It's 8:42 on a Friday night and you are "done for the evening"? Can't seat a table of 8??? Never have I ever seen a restaurant this aloof. Guess they make to much money.

    (1)

  • Amanda S.

    Seated quickly (we had reservations) Great outdoor seating with hip but comfortable ambiance. The food was absolutely amazing- everyone was so pleased. You definitely get what you pay for. Thank you!

    (5)

  • Cristin R.

    We dined here on a Friday, about 8pm. If you are coming by car, you should consider coming a little earlier, as it is not very easy to find a place to park in this little downtown area. You also have the option of taking a trolley, and in the case that you do drive and park far, blue marlin has an attendant driving a golf cart to pick you up.. A great little extra, if you ask me. The restaurant takes reservations, which are probably recommended if you want to sit inside, but you totally shouldn't. The outdoor area has the most adorable ambience in town. It is the perfect date spot, with a big tree, great lighting, and some spectacular low key live music. Service is extremely attentive and friendly.. Now on to the food. We ordered a (not your average) green salad to start that was fresh and delicious, with arugula and other greens in a light vinaigrette. For entrees, we had the fresh fish of the day (red snapper) in the picatta preparation. This was exquisite. The fish was the most fresh fish we had had on the island, and nearly melted in your mouth. My friend got the highly recommended shrimp and grits. These were very tasty, but in my opinion, the flavor of Andouille sausage really overpowered the dish.. I didn't take the stars away because my friend LOVED this dish and I think would have licked the plate if she could have. We skipped out on dessert because we were too full, but thoroughly regretted it at the thought of that key lime crème brulee. We will definitely be back next time. Best restaurant in anna maria.

    (5)

  • Nancy K.

    So yummy! My parents and I tried it out for the first time and loved it. We all had grouper, but cooked different ways. I had it blackened on top of linguini and it was cooked perfectly! My grouper was delicious and the Alfredo sauce was to die for. They both had it fried and loved it. We will definitely be visiting again! Also, what a quaint restaurant to eat at. It's a great local hangout and offers fresh, quality food. The ambience is relaxing and welcoming. We've been coming to Anna Maria for almost 10 years now and this will definitely be a staple for us from now on!!

    (5)

  • Brad K.

    One of the best places on the keys. Great food selection. They somehow were able to make a grouper dinner exciting. Delicious apps. I suggest the Thai chicken wings. For an entrée most in our party had a variation of grouper and all enjoyed. Their Cortez boil was a good take on a classic. This restaurant has one of the nicest interiors of any in the area. Tactfully nautical themed so if you're not sporting white pants you don't feel out of place. Live music outside on the weekend is dynamite. A stand out on Bridge Street. Good for an intimate dinner or a large group. It's not a terribly large building so expect to wait in peak season.

    (5)

  • Nikki K.

    DELICIOUS FOOD, great service, calm, low-key environment. It is a small restaurant but definitely worth it!! So yummy!!! Also, they have fresh seafood and they season it really well.

    (5)

  • Dan G.

    Neat little and cozy place with a patio on back. The inside is small and cozy and the back has music and fun at night. The reviews for this place are 4 and 5 star and that's why I chose this for our last meal on AMI. The blue crab cauliflower au gratin was excellent! I wish there were more options for blue crab, no one seemed to have it and it's in season? A lot of grouper,snapper, and Gulf shrimp as expected. Always Mahi but I feel like that's for part time seafood eaters - it's everywhere and it's like you like but don't really like seafood if you order it- poser food lol. I had the Alfredo, with snapper and grouper and it was good- not great. It lacked something but was good, the fish was blackened and you got a 6 little chunks. Mom had the shrimp scampi special, I tried it and thought it had a very fresh taste, not drowned in butter and had a light lemon and freshness to it. The shrimp were not as good as the ones we bought at market or had at Cortez Kitchen but I wish I would have gotten this dish instead. Cornbread- phenomenal! In all good atmosphere, good food, a bit pricey for what you get(on the island so kind of understand?) but would not make this the highlight meal next time.

    (3)

  • Debbie C.

    Husband, friends, and I have been here multiple times since it opened. I only get the Shrimp and Grits as it is delicious. The little cottage is adorable, decorated in a beach style, and houses great old pictures and some darn good art. We love to eat and then go outside to enjoy the live music. Staff is attentive and friendly. We will continue to patronize the Blue Marlin.

    (5)

  • Matthew T.

    I'm really going for three and a half stars here but not so much that I'll bump them to 4. It was all perfectly fine, but nothing that really was all that special. Which is too bad, it is a cute place and they are really making an effort to bring some original music to this part of town instead of the bad jimmy B imitators. But considering the tourist trap bland food that is in this part of town they are slightly better. Actually went to hear some music for a group we like that happened to be playing there. But tricky to get a table and things out where the bands play so keep that in mind. Service was ok, but at times was absentminded and lets just say opening a bottle of wine should not have been as hard as it was for our server. The strawberry salad was good, but nothing you won't find at every other restaurant in town. We split the low country boil, which was very tasty and nice, especially the clams. But for the price I was expecting a bit more, especially for something like this. Instead of dessert we got some of the smoked salmon spread while the band got going. The waitress did a double take not that but no way was i interested in another bread pooling thing. The fish spread was good, but try cutting the lemon so you can actually squeeze some juice out of them instead of the crazy rings that were on the plate. But nothing else on the menu got me all that excited to come back. I would come back for the boil, but not that often. Just a few odd misses on mostly a good night. some decent wines, maybe I should give them four stars............

    (3)

  • Dean W.

    This is a gem of a find. Wonderful, thoughtfully prepared seafood dishes with amazing flavor profiles. I plan to visit whenever I'm within 25 miles of the place.

    (5)

  • Laura K.

    This place came highly recommended and usually when that happens I come Away disappointed. The atmosphere was casual and the waitstaff was fantastic. We were the last table in the restaurant and at no time Did we feel rushed. They brought out complimentary edamame to start. Everyone in my party loved their meal. The bar is beer and wine only. I had the GLT sandwich. The green beans were blanched and tossed in garlic and oil and they were perfect. The sandwich was beyond delicious. My brother had the duck and he was very happy as well. This is my new best grouper sandwich place. Prices were reasonable - $18 for the GLT grouper sandwich. Also they are open till 10 which makes them one of the latest serving places on the island. Going to make this a must visit every trip!

    (5)

  • Terry F.

    My wife and I went by the restaurant 10 mins before closing, around 9:50 and asked if they were still serving. We were told by the head waiter/manager that the kitchen was closed - there were still 3 tables of people in the restaurant. We left only to see that they had a bar in the back of the restaurant so we returned for a drink. Devin, the bartender, was an excellent host and "allowed us" to order a full meal after we only asked for an appetizer. The shrimp egg rolls with the 2 dipping sauces (soy and lemongrass) were excellent. The chowder had a light tomato broth and tasty seafood and veggies. We shared the grouper Thai style. While the fish was slightly over cooked the flavor and freshness of the dish were spot on. After 3 glasses of wine and 2 beers between us the tab was around $100. Thank you Devin for being such a great host and accommodating us at such a late hr.

    (4)

  • Quimily Q.

    We went to the Blue Marlin on a Friday night for dinner/drinks and this place lived up to it ranking. We sat inside and had awesome pecan encrusted Snapper and Blackened Grouper pasta entrees. Good wine selection. They have a little cash bar outside in the side courtyard/deck area which is a great spot to sit and enjoy dinner/drinks. They had live music playing on Friday night which kept the place packed. If you are in the Anna Maria, Bradenton, Longboat area, it's a great spot!

    (5)

  • Melissa D.

    Had dinner here last night. I had the scallops and risotto meal and my husband had a shellfish meal. We carefully picked this place after looking through reviews and saw it was well-rated. I'm not sure exactly why this place is rated so well. The staff was very pleasant, which was the upside. The food was good, but I've certainly had better. Our meals were portioned so small that it seemed as though we'd ordered off the kid's menu. My scallops risotto was described on the menu as having asparagus. It took me about 3 bites to realize that the green bits in my risotto were in fact my asparagus. They were literally teeny diced pieces rather than recognizable pieces of vegetable. My husband had the same issue with his small portion size and with his vegetables - they were quite scarce. For the price per meal, this place certainly isn't worth it and I wouldn't venture back.

    (3)

  • Jim R.

    Goodness gracious! Had the day's special - lobster linguine - and it was awesome. Fresh lobster, and the sauce had some jalapeños involved which really kicked it up a bit. Paired with a really nice IPA, too (Schulpin, from San Diego). Others in our party had the Cajun shrimp and cheese grits (sampled, and it was very good, too), grouper, roasted chicken, and a dinner salad that had peaches and arugula as main ingredients. We got to sample the Tater Soup (compliments of Adam, the owner) and it was EXCELLENT (one of our party, who had the salad, had this, too). This is a small place with some outdoor seating (we've stayed to enjoy the music!). Reservations are available and worked well for us. Parking is limited around the restaurant, but they will lead you to a parking spot with a multiple-seat golf cart, and then drive you back to the restaurant on it. Bottom line - this place has great food, they do a lot of fresh-caught seafood, and the service is very good. While others on the island might promote their Gulf views, give me a place that concentrates on the product and delivers it promptly and attentively. Don't know when, but we'll be back!

    (5)

  • Adam K.

    I'm still here waiting for my food. It's been a wile. Maybe they forgot us? I guess the owner apologized because they asked us how our food was, and we commented on how we have not received it yet. Our waitress brought us free drinks after the table next to us, that arrived after us, but ordered before us left after finishing their meal. Then she abandoned us. With no explanation we had a new waiter. It's amazing that someone thinks it's ok that we have been here for an hour after we ordered and no entries. They were breaking down tables and stacking them around us before our food arrived. Finally our food arrived. It was good. But what a fiasco.

    (1)

  • Amy T.

    We chose to eat at the Blue Marlin Grill based on the reviews and we were not disappointed! Parking is tricky, their parking is a few blocks away at a local church, they have a golf cart and will shuttle you back and forth if you pull up in front of the restaurant and then follow them to the parking area. Our waitress was very nice and knowledgable on how each dish is prepared. They also have a variety of options that can be prepared gluten free. The owner served our food and was very nice as well. For appetizers we had lobster bisque which was delicious, not overly creamy. We also had the taters and gravy which was red potatoes smothered in pulled short ribs with a BBQ onion gravy. It was to die for. Could've made that my meal alone. For entrees we had fresh caught red snapper prepared Fulford style. Lightly breaded with a very light lemon flavor. For veggies I substituted the peas for Brussels sprouts. We also ordered the shrimp and grits which was out of this world as well. We regretfully skipped dessert due to our food comas but will definitely be returning!

    (5)

  • Marie W.

    Wonderful dinner, as always, in a cozy local spot last Saturday evening. Would like to commend the staff in handling a large and unruly bachelorette party, glad not to be in customer service! Far too loud for the small space, the staff graciously offered alternate seating to allow their party to continue. Life celebrations are wonderful but rowdy groups should choose rowdy venues. Sorry to say they left unhappy, but they did leave the rest of us to enjoy our evening!

    (5)

  • MaryCatherine T.

    Excellent, just excellent! Wonderful service and delicious and savory food. Honestly the best place to eat on the island! Our server Brad was wonderful. Highly recommend this restaurant for any seafood lover! P.S. The scallops are amazing, as well as the clams!!

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:00 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Blue Marlin

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