50 Best American Restaurants near Ellenton

“We just moved down here from Michigan and let me tell ya...we were super happy with the food, service, and atmosphere! DEFINITELY OUR GO TO FOR EATS! Super excited your just down the road from us and the remodel looks FANTASTIC! We had the pleasure of meeting Andy the owner and just a really nice person! THANKS AGAIN FOR A GREAT EXPERIENCE!!!🙂“

“I love it , Country style🥰“

“My wife and I came to the Ellenton area on our honeymoon. Her local family reccomended we check out Woodys River Roo. It was our first stop and the only repeat stop during our week down here. We went to "The Roo" on three separate occasions and loved each one. The food was great, the view of the manatee river was very nice, but the friendly hardworking staff was the cherry on top. They all really seemed to love each other and worked together like a well oiled machine. They made us feel right at home and made sure everything was just right. Bar tender Johnny, who I belive said had been employed there for 15 years, reccomended a lot of other great places to drink and dine in the area. They also have a gift shop and live entertainment from, music to trivia 7 days a week! 10 out of 10 would reccomend. My wife and I hope to be back sooner than later!“

“Great staff ! Very friendly! I love the croissant, egg, sausage, and cheese sandwich. The food is delicious ☀️🌴🥰“

“I had the pleasure of being served by Kayleigh (KayKay) at Ruby Tuesday, and she was absolutely wonderful! Her service was outstanding, she was attentive, patient, and thorough in every detail. Kayleigh’s kind personality made the entire dining experience enjoyable, and her professionalism truly stood out. She went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect, and it’s clear she genuinely cares about her guests. Kayleigh deserves recognition for her hard work and dedication. I’d even say she’s more than deserving of a promotion!“

“I ordered a sirloin steak & garlic mashed and broccoli. It tasted good but it was a sorry size serving. For $20 I expected a lot more mashed & broccoli. I think I had a half cup of mashed & 3 broccoli crowns. I went home & had to eat! If you can't give more hearty meals I'm sorry to say I might not be back. I'm a woman so can you imagine a man being filled on this dinner?“

“Good staff. Clean restaurant. Good food. Waffle House.“

“First time there great atmosphere great service thanks to Kayleen great smile and can give you great advise on menu keep smiling??“

“El ambiente, la comida, la atención“

“Lily provided absolutely outstanding service! She took exceptional care of us and truly went above and beyond our expectations. Her professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine kindness made the entire experience seamless and enjoyable. It’s rare to come across someone who is so dedicated to ensuring guests feel valued and well taken care of. Because of Lily, we will definitely be coming back, and we highly recommend asking for her if you visit. She is a true asset to the team.“

“nice quaint atmosphere great food a lot to from on the menu would recommend it“

“56 of us stopped in for breakfast Saturday Feb 12th. They sat everyone immediately with no problems. The waitstaff was really fast , professional and attentive. Our server didn’t miss beat. Even with so many people ordering at the same time. I sat with a group of ten and everyone’s order was spot on and delicious. I highly recommend you visit Popis!“

“Celebrated our wedding anniversary at Libby’s and this was the first time for my wife. We found the LWR location to be convenient, great atmosphere, with a broad menu! Portions were bordering on excessive! But we powered through some absolutely delicious food! The staff ensured we were well taken care! Carlos especially was outstanding and made sure we had a memorable and tasty anniversary dinner! She ordered the orange chicken I had the brisket burger with truffle fries You can be sure We’ll be back! Soon!! Thank you Libby’s and staff for a great evening!“

“The service was quick, friendly, and attentive without being intrusive. You can really tell that the team here takes pride in what they do. The ambiance was perfect for both a relaxed meal and a special occasion.

Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for great food, excellent service, and a wonderful overall dining experience. We’ll definitely be coming back! Thank you James!“

“Great food. Good customer service. Good prices“

“We had the BEST dinner thanks to our fabulous server, Marissa! The food was absolutely delicious, and Marissa went above and beyond to make sure our evening was perfect. We will definitely be coming back and will be requesting her again, wish I could give 10 stars!“

“New favorite in town. Eggtown's food is well worth it. I had the Eggtown Benedict. Yummy.“

“Just had a delicious lunch at Geckos on SR 64! Food was delicious, service (Alexis Stamper) and watching the manager (or whichever position he holds) Scott. I watched him speaking to patrons, helping servers etc. He was all over the dining room participating. Great job, y'all!“

“5 🌟 every time we come. Staff respectfully remembers us is definitely a plus especially the way the world is spinning. Thank you for a great experience from day one!!“

“It’s such a fun place to go! Food is great! Our bartender Mackenzie was AWESOME!!!“

“I’m so happy to have found Post! Went for the first time tonight to celebrate me and my husbands anniversary and we had a wonderful experience! When we were seated we were welcomed with a complimentary glass of champagne. They made our night feel extra special and the food was delicious! To top if off, they even gave us a complimentary slice of mouthwatering cheesecake! Thank you, Post! We can’t wait to come back! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“My husband and I recently had the pleasure if dining at Sophie’s, in Saks Fifth Avenue in Sarasota. What an amazing experience. The decor both inside and outside so chic. We had Matty as our waitress. She was spot on with top notch service and a wonderful personality. We started with a bread basket of assorted toppings, delicious. He had the Tai chicken. Well prepared and perfect with seasoning. I had on of the best burger ever. Cooked and seasoned perfectly at medium rare with tasty fries. The manager checked on us several times, a nice touch you don’t see anymore. If you happen to be in the area at the mall, I highly recommend this restaurant. You will not be disappointed. We will be back.“

“nice quaint atmosphere great food a lot to from on the menu would recommend it“

“We had an amazing brunch yesterday! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was rustic and inviting. Our waitress, Beth, was absolutely wonderful—so attentive and cheerful, she really made our experience special! Now, let’s talk about the food! I ordered the fried green tomatoes BLT, and it was fantastic! The combination was delightfully crunchy and packed with flavor. My friends tried a variety of dishes: the BBQ pork baked potato was a hit, truly hearty and satisfying. The shrimp basket was crispy and perfectly cooked, while the BBQ sliders were a delightful burst of flavor in every bite. One of our friends had the fried grouper, which looked delicious and was perfectly seasoned. Oh, and we can’t forget about the Bloody Marys! They were the perfect complement to our meal, refreshing and robust with just the right kick! All in all, this brunch experience was a blast! Great food, awesome service, and a cozy vibe. I can’t wait to go back! 🍽️🥂✨ #BrunchGoals #RoadKillIYKYK #AmazingEats #ThankYouBeth“

“Love Bailey B! She was amazing and awesome. Treated our group so well!“

“First place we stopped on our trip was a gem! Amazing food, wonderful service! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“My wife and I came for dinner. The New Age Flatbread was AWESOME. Crust was amazing.. Shrimp Cocktail Great! and Osso Bucco was to die for! The meat fell off the bone and melted in you mouth. Kirby was our server and was just terrific.. She was friendly and very attentive.“

“I’ve been here several times and always a great experience. Today I had to wait a little longer on my plate. The managers each came over to let me know and also offer me a free drink. I will come back regardless, but it was nice to have great customer service.“

“prime rib special was delicious. reservations were at 6:15. it was so loud in the restaurant we couldn't talk to our friends at the table next time, I'm eating outside Then a couple came in with a southeastern guide dog who laid down by my leg I really didn't appreciate this since I am not a dog lover and it is an expensive place to eat.“

“Absolutely amazing experience today! Delicious food and cocktails! Thank you Danielle for exceptional service. You made my day“

“We went to the 11th annual Bradenton Area River Regatta, on the Manatee River, featuring Formula 1 powerboat racing, Formula Lights, and Tri-Hulls. The free event includes racing action from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with championship finals starting at 2:15 p.m. Afterwards we had dinner at one of our favorite spots for delicious food & drinks. We had their Regatta rum punch to celebrate the event. We both had fish & chips too. Delicious.
We highly recommend Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant anytime.“

“Our Server Juliana was charming, efficient and attentive in a great way. We 6 totally enjoyed the early-opening quiet, Kitchen provided great meal exactly as “Jules” ordered for us— all ensured every one of us was totally satisfied and serviced.
What an awesome selection of restaurant we made for our rendezvous to catch friends visiting the area who were driving north on I-75 heading home. Thank You Juliana & Applebee's.“

“Heather, at the River Club Grill & Bar, served us the best buffalo wings this side of buffalo! They are really the best, in Sarasota/Bradenton! Meaty, saucy, and cooked perfectly! Do not change a thing 😊 The beef nachos were delicious too! Great service and affordable eats. Can't wait for our next visit!“

“food is awesome, service is friendly, highly recommend!“

“The best chicken I have ever eaten in my life. Wife and I will definitely eat there again. Highly recommended“

“Hi this is the first time I had wrote a review on a restaurant because it's totally worthy it's the best pizza in Manatee County hands down fantastic homemade dough real quality mozzarella brick oven beautiful it's worth driving 30 miles for in my opinion University and whitfield's Sarasota 👍“

“Stayed in and ate here on a Tuesday night. I just got a salad and came out quick. The place really got busy, and Paul could hardly keep up. They really need a second person for these busy times as there was always someone waiting at the counter or on their food.Ate here again and pizza was very fast!“

“Amanda is absolutely amazing!! Always have a great time when she’s our server“

“On 08-03-2025 I ate at the Sonny's restaurant at 631 67th St Cir E in Bradenton, FL. This is a family-style BBQ restaurant with a very comfortable and welcoming ambiance. I arrived for dinner and was promptly seated. I had their Big Deal Turkey on a bun with fries, a side order of baked beans, and an unsweet tea. My food arrived in a timely manner and was cooked properly. It came exactly as I ordered it and was very tasty. A variety of sauces were available, and I selected the Sweet sauce. My server during my visit was Danielle. She was very efficient, kept my tea glass filled, and responded to any and all requests I had. I have had Danielle for a server several times before, and I consistently receive superior service from her. She is always friendly and courteous and takes a genuine interest in her customers, making sure that they have a positive dining experience. She is a credit and an asset to the business. I recommend this restaurant and will be returning there again to eat.“

“great food like grandma and grandpa made it, great prices and friendly staff.“

“The food and service did not disappoint. My wife had the mahi tuna salad. It was excellent and crunchy as described on the menu I had scallops. They were perfectly cooked and very tender. Service was very good. Everything arrived timely hot, and the waiter did not hover have eaten at hundreds of restaurants and this is one of the better onesnot exceptionally expensive and in a mall but quite good food and service and I highly recommend.“

“Totally worth the wait for their re-opening! Absolutely amazing food and cocktails and not as pricey as one would think! Amazing, knowledgeable staff…listen to what they say and you won’t be disappointed.“

“Excellent service and food! My fav are their Chicken tenders w Honey mustard!“

“good place, but the dog on the bar/barstools has to go. every waitstaff person pets that dog and never wash their hands. if its a service animal, it needs to be on the floor, not being fed at the bar by employees and patrons, which i have witnessed.“

“Far out fries is the definition of food truck food in my opinion! They have a great menu selection of old favorites as well as innovative options to try! I HIGHLY recommend the bacon cheeseburger egg rolls with the Cajun fries. I’m obsessed.“

“Food was great,but...The napkins were the worst smelling napkins I've ever come across,they literally smelled like a hospital gown“

“I finally discovered a little slice of Hungarian paradise in Florida! From authentic wines and refreshing Hungarian beer to perfectly seasoned dishes and heavenly desserts, every bite and sip feels like home. Truly unforgettable!“

“Had a great experience at the bar . Our bartender was Dom and he was wonderful, always checking to make sure we had everything and everything was okay, there was a girl (sorry I didn’t get your name, but she was excellent too) the pizza was great and then burger we had was good also. We definitely recommend this place . Never had a bad meal or experience here. Thank you Yard House !“

“My sisters and I had lunch here and we were very happy with everything. Staff was extremely nice, the portion of the food was plenty and tasted great. Prices were really good too. We will definitely return to this restaurant.“