A Heartfelt Thank You from AMI
A Deep Breath of Employee Appreciation and Gratitude After the Storm
As the sun sets over Anna Maria Island, The Waterfront Restaurant reflects with immense gratitude. 2024 brought unprecedented challenges—especially the hurricanes that tested the spirit of Florida’s Gulf Coast communities. Through it all, our staff, guests, and beloved AMI neighbors showed us what resilience really looks like. With patience, love, and unwavering support, you stood by us—and we will never forget it.
This post is more than just a thank you. It’s a celebration of community strength, scratch-made meals, and a restaurant that’s proud to call Anna Maria home.
A Legacy on the Island
For decades, The Waterfront Restaurant has been a cornerstone of casual elegance and coastal flavor on Anna Maria Island. Nestled just steps from the bayfront with panoramic views, the restaurant has long attracted locals, seasonal residents, and island visitors looking for something fresh, memorable, and made with heart.
From humble beginnings to a top-rated dining destination, The Waterfront has remained committed to what matters most: community, consistency, and quality food that speaks for itself.
Real Scratch Cooking—From Our Kitchen to Your Table
Every dish served at The Waterfront is crafted in a true scratch kitchen. We don’t believe in shortcuts. Instead, we believe in slow-cooked sauces, freshly chopped herbs, daily catches, and flavors that take time to build. Our team of chefs is dedicated to honoring classic culinary techniques while infusing a bit of island soul into every plate.
It’s this commitment to quality and authenticity that keeps guests coming back for more. Whether it’s our famous Gulf Shrimp entrees or our signature cocktails, you’ll taste the difference that fresh, hand-prepared food brings.
The Real Deal: Only Genuine Gulf of Mexico Shrimp
While many restaurants cut corners by serving imported or farm-raised shrimp, The Waterfront proudly serves only authentic Gulf of Mexico shrimp. These shrimp are prized for their natural sweetness, firm texture, and sustainably sourced excellence. We offer them grilled, blackened, fried, or island jerk-style—each served with our zesty orange-cilantro dipping sauce for the perfect bite every time.
Choosing real Gulf shrimp is about more than flavor—it’s about supporting American fisheries and honoring the heritage of Florida’s seafood traditions.
Through the Storm: Our Staff Are Our Heroes
After the storms of 2024, our team showed up in ways that can’t be described in a job description. They swept water out of the kitchen, cleared debris, communicated with guests, and supported one another with unmatched courage and compassion. Many of them were personally affected, yet they returned to help us reopen and serve this community.
To our kitchen staff, servers, hosts, bartenders, and managers: thank you. You kept the heart of The Waterfront beating when the skies were dark.
Our Guests: Family in Every Way
We also want to thank you—our customers. Your kind messages, online reviews, phone calls, and smiling faces were our motivation. You waited patiently when we were short-staffed. You visited again and again, supporting us even when conditions were less than ideal. Some of you even brought our employees care packages or gift cards. We saw it all. We felt it all. And we’re still overwhelmed by your generosity.
Your loyalty means everything to us.
AMI Strong: The Spirit of the Island
What makes Anna Maria Island so special isn’t just the powder-soft beaches or the world-class fishing—it’s the people. The “AMI Strong” spirit was alive and well during and after the storms. Businesses supported each other. Neighbors helped neighbors. And The Waterfront was honored to be part of that bond.
We invite you to see some of the community stories shared at this Facebook post. It’s a reminder that small towns still hold big hearts.
A Popular Spot for All the Right Reasons
The Waterfront isn’t just another restaurant—it’s an experience. We’ve had the privilege of serving families celebrating anniversaries, couples enjoying romantic sunsets, and friends reconnecting over fine wine and seafood. Our guests come for the views, but stay for the warmth, the attention to detail, and the unmistakable charm that only a locally-owned restaurant can deliver.
Our online reviews, local media features, and return guests all tell the same story: The Waterfront is one of the most popular and loved spots on the island. And we don’t take that honor lightly.
Looking Ahead: Stronger Than Ever
As we rebuild and refresh for the seasons ahead, we’re inspired. Inspired to keep evolving, keep improving, and keep honoring our mission of serving outstanding food in a welcoming environment. Our new updates, seasonal specials, and continued dedication to hospitality are already in motion.
We invite you to join us on this journey and keep supporting your local favorites—not just ours, but all the incredible businesses that make AMI a destination like no other.
Help Us Say Thanks
If you’ve dined with us in the past year, consider leaving a positive review or sharing your favorite dish on social media. Follow us on Facebook and tell a friend about your experience. These small acts help small businesses like ours more than you know.
And if you haven’t been back yet—this is your sign. Come see what makes The Waterfront so special. Come say hi. We’d love to thank you in person.
In Closing: Thank You, From All of Us
To our staff, our guests, and our community: thank you for every act of kindness, every reservation made, every tip left, and every word of encouragement. After everything 2024 brought, we’re standing strong—and we’re standing together. Our employee appreciation can not be overstated.
The Waterfront Restaurant is not just back. We’re better, bolder, and more grateful than ever.
Thank you, AMI. We love you. https://www.facebook.com/share/1A9HGfPe8f/?mibextid=wwXIfr
