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    Ellenton Cafe

    3.8 (114 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 2:00 pm

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    ELLENTON CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Entrance to the restaurant
    David P.

    Wanting to try a local establishment and hungry for breakfast brought me to the Ellenton cafe. I entered and found a seat - the waitress working outside grabbed me a coffee and a menu. I was fascinated by training going on at the register and after awhile figured out that the place is being sold and the current owner was training the new owner how to run the computer. This place is a typical local diner - a little dated in the decor, seating and tables and exactly where I like to be. The waitress showed up promptly to take my order and todays meal was country fried steak with home fries, eggs over hard and rye toast. It didn't take long for the breakfast to show - there was a steak knife on the plate but not needed - the prepared patty was fork tender... gravy was real good but the home fries were perfect. Will definitely have to come back and try another meal - good luck to the new owners.

    Chef salad - lots of deli meat and cheese -a little too much white lettuce for my taste.
    Joan E.

    I had a chef salad with homemade thousand island dressing. It included a lot of deli meat and cheese with iceberg lettuce. Overall, it was a good lunch, but it seemed like my salad all came from the inside of the head of lettuce. The server came to check on us several times, even though we were the only table seated outside.

    the interior of the restaurant
    Catherine R.

    Well, I just love this kind of place. We got the tuna melt and egg salad sandwich and we will definitely be back for breakfast. Small, traditional diner, pleasant and simple. Warm, friendly service, great daily specials. Recommend for sure.

    Love this place!! Great service amazing food!!

    Great service amazing food cheap prices we highly recommend this cafe. Mary is an amazing server

    Mushroom & Swiss burger with onions. Crispy fries.
    Brett L.

    Don't go here looking for a Michelin or Zagat experience. They don't have a chef; they have a cook. They don't have a maitre d' - there is a friendly lady at the cash register that welcomes you to have a seat at any open table. There is no fine drinkware or china; it's Pepsi-branded plastic tumblers, heavy dinner plates, and inexpensive flatware. The kind of place that takes you back in my mind to that neighborhood joint when I was a kid. I was going to give 3-stars because 3-1/2 isn't available. As I thought over my we experience I feel that the Ellenton Cafe earned a solid 4 stars. They provided everything that you would expect at a local family diner: simple, tasty food with decent service in a comfortable setting. I enjoyed my mushroom & swiss burger with sliced onions - add a little steak sauce and "Yum-Yum, you know you want some". The fries were fresh, hot, and had a light crispy coating. My wife had the French Toast special with scrambled eggs and bacon. The eggs looked fresh and the bacon was crispy. She says it was a good meal. This is not a destination eating spot, but my daughter lives just minutes away Making this a convenient regular stop when we visit in Ellenton. It is not a fancy place, it is simply "good & steady". I noticed several diner comfort food selections that I want to try on a return visit - meatloaf, liver & onions, open-faced roast beef and gravy. Damn, the more I think about their menu, this would be a place to grab a good meal several times a week if I lived nearby.

    Hot strong coffee.

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    1 month ago

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    2 months ago

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    2 years ago

    This place is great; local place with great service and food is very tasty. Friendly service

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    4 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    Sylvia D.

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    2 years ago

    The food was great and you get a lot for what you pay. There was plenty of repeat eaters and the waitress was wonderful!

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great place, service is fast, prices reasonable, Food is great. Don't forget daily specials

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    3 years ago

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Ellenton Cafe

    Review Highlights - Ellenton Cafe

    I enjoyed two eggs, home fries and three pieces of perfectly cooked bacon.

    $7 Two Eggs

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    Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant

    Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant

    3.8
    (936 reviews)
    5.4 mi
    $$

    I'd read mixed reviews but why pass up a casual dining place on the water?…read more I found a parking spot close by and opted to walk instead of taking the xl golf cart that they offer rides to the restaurant. It's hot out and there's a breeze and the restaurant is at a marina so lots of boats to look at while walking. When I entered the restaurant I told the desk I had a reservation and I was immediately seated. The waiter asked if I wanted a drink as he dropped off the menu and I said I'd like a minute - a place like this you really need to soak up the view. When he returned with water I ordered a draft and a couple half size happy hour appetizers to start. The oysters were good - decent size, not briny and they came with lemon, horseradish cocktail sauce and a tiny bottle of Tabasco. The conch fritters were very good, I especially liked the sauce they came with. They were crispy on the outside and soft and pretty good flavor on the inside. Decided on the fish bites appetizer for the rest of today's meal - the fish came out quick and was hot and tasted fresh. Service was great, food good.... If there's any negative it's that maybe the fryer oil is not at temp or needs changing as all the fried food seemed a little darker than I expected....still tasted good though. I'll definitely be back - had a couple good suggestions from the waiter that I can't wait to try.

    My wife and I were visiting a friend in Bradenton, and we were hungry, so we stopped by here before…read moreheading home, as I had a hankering for some seafood. We parked and walked the deck to the restaurant, we walked in and were greeted by the host, and were asked if we wanted to sit inside or out, we chose out and were led to a table on the deck, which had a beautiful view of the water, and gave us menus. Our server came and brought us water, we ordered something to drink and perused the menu. There was lots to choose from, and even though I wanted fish, I saw the burger and nearly went with that, but I decided to get the Blackened Mahi sandwich instead, I also ordered the Smoked Mahi Fish Dip as an appetizer. The fish dip came, complete with the prerequisite saltines, which I love, and while the dip was okay, it wasn't great. Not very smoky and too tuna-salady. Still, i enjoyed it, and it was a large portion. My wife ordered a burger, and they bought hers as well as my sandwich. They were both on brioche buns, and I was disappointed that the buns were not toasted- that would've made the sandwiches! My Mahi was okay, good flavor and firm flesh, I wish I had ordered black beans & yellow rice, however, as the fries were not very inspiring. We finished and got the bill, I should've asked before ordering, as the Mahi sandwich was listed as "MP," it was a whopping $28.00! While it was good, it wasn't $30 bucks good, but hey, you're paying for the view. This is a nice place inside, and the view of the water are spectacular but it is a bit pricey in my book. However, our server was awesome, as well as the staff, so I would definitely come back here.

    Photos
    Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant
    Cabo Fish Bites
    Cabo Fish Bites
    Outdoor dining.

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    Outdoor dining.
    Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill - Manatee River

    Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill - Manatee River

    3.2
    (637 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Date of Visit: 05/24/2026…read more It was Sunday over Memorial Day weekend and we decided to make a trip to the Ellenton Mall for the afternoon. For being the holiday weekend the traffic was mild, made it over the Skyway and to the mall in no time. After our walk around we were hungry and walk over to the cheese steak place, which is awesome by the way, but they are closed on this Sunday. Dang. That's when I remembered the place on the river. We had already been to one of them and wanted something new. And Whiskey Joe's was it. Leaving the mall and getting there was easy. And once you turn it's at the end of the road. First time here so we weren't sure of the lay-out. There is inside as well as a tiki-bar area. We made our way to the tiki bar since it was a nice day with a breeze. After sitting we were quickly attended to. However there was only the one guy running the tiki bar so we knew to be patient. After he made a round he came back and had our drinks and taking our food order. Since I had a burger yesterday, you would know this if your following me, I wanted something different. I chose the blacken chicken w/fries and the wife ordered the Caribbean salad. I really don't know how long it took to arrive, we were enjoying the view and nice breeze. Then our food came, presentation was good. I didn't take off for the fries, I'd rather have them not coated, these were like Checkers fries. Some people like them that's why I didn't take points off I still had some. Though I did like the chicken very much, it was so juicy. And Like others have noted, the blackening here is just the seasoning not the actual act of blackening. I'm still waiting to go somewhere where they actually blacken it. Now the wife just loved her salad. It too came with chicken only hers had Caribbean seasoning and juicy as well. We only stayed for lunch and a beverage. It is a great place to stop after the mall. Peace.

    First time dining here and we had a great experience overall! Plenty of parking and the restaurant…read moreitself is huge with both indoor and outdoor seating options. Service was friendly, attentive, and surprisingly fast. The seafood was fresh and delicious. The grilled oysters were plump, well-seasoned, and definitely one of the highlights of the meal. The fish tacos were tasty, and the side of fried sweet plantains was delicious. We also tried the ceviche, which was flavorful, but the portion felt a bit small for the amount of chips served alongside it. The gator bites were tough and chewy. May be more palatable if the size of the nuggets were smaller cuts. The margarita tasted good, though the alcohol was barely noticeable. Overall, a very enjoyable first visit with quality seafood, great atmosphere, and excellent service. Just be prepared for slightly pricey portions on some dishes.

    Photos
    Shrimp cocktail
    Shrimp cocktail
    Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill - Manatee River
    Large Party and Private event set up on the sand with a view of the beach and water

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    Large Party and Private event set up on the sand with a view of the beach and water
    Mila’s On The Manatee

    Mila’s On The Manatee

    3.8
    (204 reviews)
    5.3 mi
    $$

    We all stopped in for a bite and a beer. It's been a while…read moreand wanted to give the place another chance. Last time it was mediocre fried food. This time : 8 of us arrived at 8pm. Orders messed up multiple times None of the plates brought out to table landed at the right person. Draft beer ordered came out in bottles. Soda - a few orders - came out flat. Food was marginal: None of the first batch of fries came out warm. 6 plates. The replacement fries sent out later were fried to desiccation. Smash burgers were good. Philly pork sandwich was on point too. Mussels tasted like ammonia. But we were advised by the.sharp talking manager they were "fresh" (not old as I, a 40 year fisherman suggested). She gleamed when she stated she took them off the bill. (? Ok. Thanks?) And said she'd talk to her supplier. Sorry folks. If you have the food in your custody it's on you if you if you choose to serve food that's spoiled. Not recommended. As locals we try to keep in palmetto. But these guys all seemed more interested in getting us out so they could go home. Changed from an angry * to ** as my lovely wife reminded me the burgers were good. And the $7 beers in bottle - not flat.

    Theres plenty parking…read more We got here a little late and almost at the ending time of the buffet. The staff was friendly and got us a table right away. The only thing was that all the food was old, there was no bread available and most of the choices were no longer being replenished. But we still paid the same as everyone else. I do not have a problem with the lack of options and the older food at the end of the buffet but i believe if I will not get the same quality as the earlier people and the options they should lower the price for the scraps squad. I don't think this is a place I would recommend

    Photos
    Mila’s On The Manatee
    Mila’s On The Manatee
    Outside View

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    Outside View

    Ellenton Cafe - comfortfood - Updated July 2026

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