One of the best seafood restaurants in Sarasota, Bradenton reopening after storm shutdown

After being forced to shut down following extensive flood damage from Hurricane Helene, one of the best seafood restaurants in Sarasota-Manatee is set to reopen.

The beloved Blue Marlin restaurant, tucked away on bustling Bridge Street in the tiny city of Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island, is expected to reopen soon — and with a fresh twist.

Owner Adam Ellis said the reopening of his restaurant — housed in a charming, nearly century-old beach cottage painted a bold cobalt blue — will begin with a private party later this month, with full service to the public likely resuming the first week of May.

“We pretty much rebuilt it from the studs up,” Ellis told me. “Floors, bars — everything’s new. But we salvaged all our old memorabilia, so it still feels like the same place, just rearranged and more open.”

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What will the Blue Marlin restaurant on Anna Maria Island look like after being closed for six months following flood damage?

The Blue Marlin took on waist-high floodwaters during the hurricane, forcing Ellis and his family to completely gut the interior. His crew, which included his adult son Marlon and other close friends, handled nearly all the carpentry and cleanup themselves.

Looking at photos Ellis sent me — and ones he recently posted to social media — I could see the Blue Marlin’s newly refreshed dining room features a cozy, coastal-chic atmosphere, with deep teal-blue walls lined with vintage black-and-white photos that celebrate the area’s rich fishing heritage.

A tufted blue banquette runs along one side, offering intimate seating beneath nautical-style lanterns and a mounted marlin. Natural wood tables, some featuring colorful collage-style tops, and classic wooden chairs complete the warm, relaxed setting, complemented by bright natural light pouring in through large windows.

The bar area mirrors the same inviting, maritime vibe, with polished natural wood countertops and dark teal paneling. Nautical pendant lights and rustic wood accents frame a slightly more open layout. The overall feel is casual yet refined — blending Old Florida charm with fresh, vibrant energy, just as the Blue Marlin had done for years before Helene’s floodwaters rushed in.

Yes, despite the new layout and repairs, the soul of the Blue Marlin remains unchanged — with a focus on high-quality, locally sourced seafood, largely coming from the nearby commercial fishing village of Cortez — but with a slight change.

“We’re just going to offer less of it, so when we run out, you can sip on a cocktail instead,” Ellis said.

Will the Blue Marlin’s food menu stay the same when it reopens?

Since opening in 2011, Blue Marlin has built a sterling reputation for serving fresh, elevated seafood dishes such as the egg-washed and brown-buttered grouper dijonnaise, or grouper with toasted pretzel and pecan crust entrées, as well as appetizers like the “Thai nugs” — lightly fried fresh fish nuggets given a spicy kick — and the tender littleneck clams steamed in white wine and garlic butter.

Popular seasonal specials included a “stone crab parfait” featuring a large stone crab claw picked and presented like a lollipop in a glass brimming with savory feta-scallion mashed potatoes that perfectly complemented the sweet crab meat.

Upon reopening, though, Blue Marlin will shift away from its former larger menu to a more focused selection of small plates and seasonal entrées. Expect longtime favorites — such as clams and grouper dishes — to return as rotating specials, along with whole fish tacos and perhaps a steak entrée.

“We’re going to do it simpler,” Ellis said. “Same great food and service, just a little more refined. More comfort, more cocktails.”

What can diners expect from the Blue Marlin’s cocktail menu when it reopens — and will there still be live music outside?

Speaking of drinks, the cocktail program is getting an update — by going old-school. “We’re going back to the classics — Manhattans, margaritas, that kind of thing,” Ellis said. “Nothing overly fancy or made-up, just well-crafted cocktails using really good stuff.”

The bar, once cramped with only about seven seats, now offers 11 seats with more space and a better layout. Live music is also expected to return to the outdoor Trap Yard, but in a more intimate format — possibly with ticketed shows and reservations required to prevent overcrowding.

Reservations will be key for dining, although walk-ins will still be welcomed at the outdoor bar and the open-air tables in the Trap Yard. The Blue Marlin also hopes to host more private events and wedding parties, which Ellis said the revamped space is now better suited to handle.

“We’re reinventing things just a little, not too much,” he said. “It’s still the Blue Marlin people love.”

And for those wondering — yes, it sounds like there’s a good chance the burger will still be on the menu. One of my favorites in the region, it’s a ridiculously juicy and flavorful eight-ounce ground sirloin patty topped with smoked gouda, onion marmalade, and applewood bacon on a brioche bun.

“Yeah, I haven’t really gotten rid of that yet,” Ellis said. “So I think that is probably going to stay.”

The outpouring of community support has meant a lot to the former fisherman turned restaurateur. “People have been stopping by, giving us kind words,” Ellis said. “Thanks for remembering us — all the support has helped a lot, for sure.”

“We’re back,” he added.

If you go

Blue Marlin Seafood Restaurant is at 121 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, and is expected to reopen in early May. For more information, call 941-896-9737 or visit facebook.com/bluemarlinamiseafood.

Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Popular Sarasota-area seafood restaurant to reopen after storm closure