Dining in Key West is a whole experience. Every restaurant is unique in its own way when it comes to the ambiance – whether it’s a romantic restaurant or casual, the options are endless. The Keys is definitely known for its fresh seafood since it’s right off the southern coast of Florida. They serve up a wide array of fish and seafood harvested from local waters – everything from shrimp, grouper, snapper, mahi-mahi to the sweet and succulent stone crab claws. And let’s not forget about the region’s famous Key Lime Pies! Now, which has the best key lime pie? This is something you will have to go and judge for yourself!
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Here’s the official #WEGuide on where to eat in Key West
Best Vibes
Firefly Café Key West
When it comes to Florida, outdoor dining really adds to the experience. At Firefly Café, you can sit outside on the 2nd floor terrace and enjoy the warm weather while you people watch. The southern Café has a cozy vibe and serves fresh and delicious baked biscuits, shrimp and grits, along with other southern goodies. The fried chicken with mashed potatoes, brown gravy & ham-hock collard greens is a favourite!
223 Petronia St. | Key West, FL 33040 | $$
Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar
Located in the Perry Hotel Key West just outside of the Old Town is a hidden gem featuring a combination of best ambience and amazing food. The award-winning kitchen & bar brings together some of the best of Key West has to offer as you can enjoy American comfort food and cocktails while sitting by the outdoor fires and overlooking the marina. Sunday brunch is a must try with unlimited small plates and bottomless mimosas and bloody marys – it is served between 8am to 2pm every Sunday. Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar also serves up one of the best key lime pies.
7001 Shrimp Road | Stock Island, FL 33040 | $$ – $$$
Tiger Bar Exotic Eats & The Champagne Room
If you want to be transported out of Florida to somewhere more exotic, this is the place for you! Enter through a opulent champagne room and hidden behind a curtain is Tiger Bar Exotic Eats. This Asian inspired speakeasy-style oasis has a romantic vibe with dark wood finishes, Asian inspired adornments, and soft lighting, makes the restaurant super cozy and inviting. Tiger Bar serves modern small plates inspired by international street food with menu items such as Korean fried chicken, Lumpia (Filipino egg rolls w/ ground pork, cabbage & carrots) and Asian sticky balls (pork meatballs in a sticky glaze and zucchini noodles).
500 Truman Ave | Key West, FL 33040 | $
Azur
Azur is a gay owned Mediterranean restaurant located in Old Town Key West, open daily for brunch and dinner, and it has one of the best vibes on the island. This neighbourhood dining spot is the place that will make you feel at home. Azur is known for its exotic dinner fare including pulpo – charred octopus, braised oxtail, and more. Favorites include their daily fresh catch and crème brule. For brunch, a must try is their key lime French toast with Texas toast grilled in vanilla custard, key lime pie and wild berry compote.
425 Grinnell St. | Key West, FL 33040 | $$$
Good Eats
Fisherman’s Café
This casual Café with outdoor sitting is located near Old Town Key West and the Historic Seaport where, back in the day, fishermen came to swap stories and to find out where the best fishing was. Today, they are known for fresh seafood and the best fish tacos made with blackened, grilled or beer battered fish, papaya & mango slaw, avocado, Cajun remoulade sauce, and topped with cilantro. Other popular menu items also include the fresh shrimp, lobster, and conch salad.
205 Elizabeth St. | Key West, FL 33040 | $
B.O.’s Fish Wagon
801 Caroline St. | Key West, FL 33040 | $
Featured on Food Network, this driftwood shack is one of those places with a lot of history. The owner, Buddy Owen, who just turned 80, started out the business out of a wagon on Duval Street. The décor is hurricane torn drift wood chic but the ambiance is super cozy and welcoming with open air seating. The shack serves fried fish, conch fritters and more.
Cuban Coffee Queen
One of the most well-known places to start your day right in Key West. This lively Cuban coffee stand is the best place for breakfast on the go. They have the BEST Cuban coffee – you must try their café con leche or Cuban chocolate mocha. On the side of the coffee stand is a bright Key West mural that is popular for photos.
284 Margaret St, | Key West, FL 33040 | $
Poké in the Rear
This hidden gem brings the Hawaiian culture to Key West by merging both cuisines. Favorites include the pork belly and lamb bacon wrap. Located behind the famous Aqua Bar and Night Club, this hidden outdoor food spot was opened to serve food to hungry patrons who were visiting the bar for a drink. It’s the perfect spot for a hangover snack.
711 Duval Street | Key West FL 33040 | $ – $$
Best Key Lime Pies
Kermit’s Café Kitchen/Key Lime Shoppe
This is the place to go for a peaceful breakfast and smoothies. The quaint establishment with covered outdoor dining is surrounded by nature – vegetation, fountains, and sculptures. Their key lime pie is one of the most popular with tart key lime flavor in a traditional graham cracker crust and topped with fluffy whipped cream. It is so popular that they even ship across the country and they a variety of flavours from strawberry key lime, coconut key lime and even gluten free key lime.
200 Elizabeth St. | Key West FL 33040 | $
Blue Heaven
Serving Caribbean and seafood specialties, and the popular local key lime pies, Blue Heaven has half century of history. Blue Heaven is well known for its heavenly breakfast, which includes homemade banana bread. However, one of the more popular items is their famous key lime pie that has a sky-high mountains of baked meringue instead of whipped cream. It has to be seen to be believed.
729 Thomas St. | Key West, FL 33040 | $$
Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar
As mentioned above, Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar serves up great food but one of their specialties is their key lime pie. They were named one of the top 5 places to get a key lime pie in key west by Forbes Magazine. What makes their key lime pie so delicious? They combine a unique blend of almond and graham crust, and it is pure perfection. They also serve up a thirst quenching Key Lime Pie martini – a must try.
7001 Shrimp Road | Stock Island, FL 33040 | $$- $$$
Worth the Drive
Keys Fisheries
Known as a chill spot overlooking the bay, Keys Fisheries serves food literally fresh off the boat. Keys Fisheries is famous for its lobster Reuben.
3502 Louisa St. | Marathon FL 33050 | $$
Lighthouse Grill
This chic waterfront dining restaurant boosts fantastic lighthouse and ocean views, providing a romantic setting. They are also known for their seafood dishes and happy hour!
1996 Overseas Highway | Marathon FL 33050 | $$$
Key Largo Conch House
Hidden behind trees just off of the main overseas highway, Key Largo Conch House restaurant is really popular for breakfast – they serve unique items such as conch house omelet and key lime macadamia pancakes, made with fresh key lime juice, coconut milk, and topped with chopped macadamia nuts and graham cracker crumbles. This family owned, and operated restaurant is also known for serving sustainable seafood.
100211 Overseas Highway | Key Largo, FL 33037 | $
Morada Bay Beach Cafe
The outdoor Mediterranean bistro café is outdoor dining at it’s best with tables set right on the beach overlooking the waterfront. It’s the perfect spot for a romantic dinner especially if you go around sunset. The beach faces west so it serves one of the best sunset dining experience in the area. They are known for serving Caribbean and American cuisines, the food is delicious and fresh. Don’t leave without trying the Key Lime Pie, which is one of the best in the area.
81600 Overseas Hwy | Islamorada, FL 33037 | $$$
