Find the Perfect Recipe for Connection
Looking for a unique and memorable place to host an industry networking event or welcome party? Just want to get the team together for an evening of fun, food, and meaningful conversation? The Bradenton Area offers unforgettable experiences for group dining – no matter the occasion or ambience you’re after. Find everything from swanky rooftop lounges with views of the Manatee River, to beautiful beachside restaurants on the Gulf that specialize in events, to laid-back breweries with backyard games. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites by region for easy planning. Need further assistance with logistics or recommendations? Our local experts are here to help!
Central: Downtown Bradenton & Palmetto
Within two miles from the Bradenton Area Convention Center, these nearby restaurants make it easy for attendees to go from the main event to the main course! Plus, many of them offer stunning views of the Manatee River.
Oyster River Rooftop at the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa
A no-brainer for welcome receptions and team celebrations, this stylish rooftop restaurant and bar is located in the headquarters hotel attached to the Bradenton Area Convention Center. Guests can mix and mingle while enjoying creative cocktails, thoughtfully prepared small plates, and a bird’s-eye view of the marina and river below. Note: Closed Sundays and Mondays.
📍600 US-41, Palmetto
PIER 22
Right on the river, this longtime local favorite is an impressive choice for group dine-arounds – whether you’re looking to host 25 people or 250. Frequently chosen for corporate events and networking functions, the restaurant offers multiple event spaces, including a marina-side patio that wows with panoramic views of the Manatee River and the Green Bridge. The restaurant also has its own team of event planners to assist with details, like creating a custom menu of coastal American fare, sushi, and daily seafood specials.
📍1200 1st Ave. W., Bradenton
Chateau 13 Restaurant & Wine Bar
Great for wining and dining clients or hosting a team wine tasting, Chateau 13 pulls out all the stops for guests, ensuring they have a wonderful experience. In addition to its worldly wine list, the restaurant takes inspiration from the legendary and welcoming culinary hospitality found throughout France, Italy, Spain, and Belgium. It’s also located next to downtown Bradenton’s Old Main Street, a charming block of historic buildings with local boutiques and art galleries.
📍535 13th St W, Bradenton
Riviera Dunes Dockside
Across the way from the Convention Center, this indoor/outdoor spot inside the Riviera Dunes Marina is ideal for casual gatherings – with its laid-back vibes and coastal comfort food. Depending on event size, groups can reserve one of three private dining spaces, as well as the restaurant’s outdoor waterfront patio.
📍102 Riviera Dunes Way, Palmetto
Taverna Toscana
Another popular choice for formal events and dinners intended to impress, Taverna Toscana is an elegant Italian steakhouse that combines modern sophistication with authentic, rustic charm. The menu is pure delight – from butcher-cut steaks and seafood specials to handmade pastas and wood-fired pizzas. In addition, a selection of craft cocktails, mocktails, local brews, and Italian wines (by the glass or bottle) ensures everyone will feel comfortable partaking in the festivities.
📍1301 6th Ave W, Bradenton
Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille
Not hosting an official event per se, but need a place to eat and unwind with your larger group? Located directly on the Bradenton Riverwalk, Mattison’s offers front-row views of the river and shaded outdoor seating for enjoying live music while savoring dishes from the chef-crafted menu focused on fresh, high-quality ingredients and local flavor.
📍101 Riverfront Blvd, Bradenton
O’bricks Irish Pub & Martini Bar
Located on Old Main Street, O’bricks is a favorite for team happy hours and holiday parties. It features a creative menu of scratch-made soups, salads, and sandwiches (from the land or the sea). As for drinks, this Irish pub and martini bar not only has a strong selection of beers and cocktails, but also an impressive wine list. A private banquet room is available for custom celebrations of up to 60 guests.
📍427 12th St W, Bradenton
Oak & Stone
Doing a working lunch with the crew or kicking off an afternoon of team building? You can’t go wrong with pizza, burgers, and a pour-your-own beer wall! Add in refreshing views of the Manatee River from its prime location on the roof of Bradenton’s SpringHill Suites and you’ll know why this downtown restaurant is always a go-to for group outings.
📍1201 1st Ave W, Bradenton
Motorworks Brewing
The biggest beer garden in Florida, Motorworks Brewing is a fun place for teams to relax, grab a drink, and enjoy a little friendly competition. It features a spacious deck built around a more than 150-year-old oak tree, plus a large turf area for playing cornhole, giant Jenga, and more. The beer garden is also available for private events and a great spot for team building.
📍1014 9th St W, Bradenton
East: Ellenton, Lakewood Ranch & University Town Center
In addition to being popular visitor destinations for shopping and a round or two of golf, these communities to the east of the Bradenton Area Convention Center also offer a variety of exciting dining options for groups and events just miles away.
Woody’s River Roo Pub & Grill
Easily accessible by I-75, Woody’s is a longtime local hangout with retro charm and a scenic view of the Manatee River. Perfect for a laid-back corporate event, this outdoor venue comes with built-in entertainment – featuring live music seven days a week.
📍5717 18th St E, Ellenton
Whiskey Joe’s
With waterfront views of the Manatee River and 12,000 square feet of private event space, this island-inspired restaurant can accommodate parties from 20 to 400 guests. Choose a buffet dinner or stand-up cocktail hour that can be held on the beach, on the deck, or inside the restaurant.
📍5313 19th St E, Ellenton
GROVE
The sister restaurant of Bradenton’s PIER 22, GROVE celebrates local ingredients in its menu of internationally inspired favorites. This Lakewood Ranch restaurant features a ballroom and two private dining rooms ideal for meetings, working lunches, and business presentations.
📍10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch
Loaded Cannon Distillery
The first distillery in the Bradenton Area, Loaded Cannon, offers engaging tours, tastings, and private mixology classes – all of which make for a fun and spirited team-building activity. Decked out in a classy pirate theme, the distillery also rents its space out for events. Bring in your own catered food to pair with their small-batch rums, bourbons, whiskeys, and gins that use locally sourced ingredients.
📍3115 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Ste. 110, Bradenton
Florence and the Spice Boys
A fun and flavorful way to switch things up, this casual Mediterranean eatery delights with its funky aesthetic and a menu that’s just as bold and lively. The joint has a dedicated following of people who can’t get enough of its creamy hummus and savory shawarma, among other favorites. Their University Town Center location invites larger groups to submit an inquiry so proper arrangements can be made.
📍257 N Cattlemen Rd Unit 90, UTC/Sarasota
Selva Grill
Receiving rave reviews from The New York Times, Selva wows with an upscale atmosphere and fine-dining experience – perfect for impressing clients or leadership. Its innovative menu features a blend of exotic flavors from Latin America and the United States, with a special emphasis on Peruvian dishes. A treat for culinary enthusiasts and those who appreciate the details, dishes look like plated works of art.
📍67 N Cattlemen Rd, UTC/Sarasota
West: Anna Maria Island & Longboat Key
Breathtaking views of the Gulf and a focus on fresh, locally caught seafood are hallmarks of dining on the Bradenton Area’s barrier islands. Just 11 miles from the Convention Center or a relaxing ferry ride away, a trip to these beachfront restaurants isn’t just easy to manage – it’s a must!
Sandbar Seafood & Spirits
Situated on the north end of the island, this beloved waterfront restaurant dazzles with unbeatable views and a menu of fresh, responsibly sourced ingredients. The property operates its own dedicated events space on-site – The Grand Pavilion – which is ideal for entertaining up to 180 guests under its open-air canopy that looks out onto the Gulf.
📍100 Spring Ave, Anna Maria
Beach House Waterfront Restaurant
Further south on the island, along the shores of Bradenton Beach, the Beach House offers a quintessential coastal dining experience. Similar to its sister property, the Sandbar, the restaurant’s culinary offerings prioritize freshness, including wild-caught favorites like grouper and royal red shrimp. With one of the largest gulf-front decks on Florida’s West Coast and tables directly on the sand – which can be reserved for groups through their Beachside Hospitality Events team – it delivers an unparalleled ambience for alfresco dining.
📍200 Gulf Dr N, Bradenton Beach
Gulf Drive Cafe & the Kokonut Hut
Also found along the shores of Bradenton Beach, the Gulf Drive Cafe and Kokonut Hut offer a variety of options for group dining – from the main restaurant to the full-service beachside bar (Kokonut Hut) to the dedicated event space (The Sunset by Gulf Drive Cafe). The spaces combined span two acres of waterfront property and feature the landmark’s signature thatched tiki hut aesthetic. It’s the perfect place to relax and listen to live music, enjoy some fresh Florida seafood, and catch a sunset.
📍900 Gulf Dr, Bradenton Beach
Swordfish Grill & Tiki Bar
Located in the historic fishing village of Cortez, which neighbors Anna Maria Island, this waterfront restaurant sits right on the Sarasota Bay – and is the perfect venue for enjoying Florida sunsets or watching boats come and go. Great for corporate events, Swordfish treats diners to a celebration of coastal seafood delicacies and nightly live music in a vibrant tropical atmosphere. The restaurant also has its own catering team to help take care of all the details.
📍4628 119th St W, Cortez
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant
South of Anna Maria Island is the secluded barrier island of Longboat Key, also part of the Bradenton Area. Just as the island provides a quiet escape for visitors, Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant treats guests to an incredibly intimate dining experience that feels like a secret hideout. Tables are set right on the sand, under a canopy of century-old buttonwood trees, and offer spectacular views of the Sarasota Bay. The ambience alone is worth a trip, but the menu of gourmet seafood selections, sustainably and locally sourced, certainly doesn’t disappoint either. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
📍760 Broadway Street, North Longboat Key