Florida Keys - Travel Guide - Find. Eat Drink.
The Florida Keys, Upper Keys, Middle Keys, Lower Keys, Key West, Marathon, Islamorada, Key Largo, FL, Restaurants, Bars, Coffee, Sandwiches, Fish, Sandwiches, Where to eat, Where to Drink, where to shop, chef recommendations, locals, city guide, travel guide
Cracked Conch Cafe
Everyone should experience the joys of "cracked conch" in the Keys and this place has been known for making it for over thirty years.
4999 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050, T: 305.743.2233
5 Brothers Grocery
Chef Erik Desjarlais loves their cafe con leche and Cuban Mix. Chef Norman Van Aken goes for their “Black Eye Pea Fritter, called Bollos.” His warning: “that word in Spanish is a euphemism for a woman's most personal area. I have been taken to task on that one!”
930 Southard Street, Key West, FL 33040, T: 305.296.5205
Blue Heaven
Housed in a former bordello, Blue Heaven is known for their breakfast, but they also serve a delicious dinner. Sit under the shade of the Banyan trees or get to know the locals over drinks at the outdoor bar, which gets rolling as early as 11am. Look for some good nuggets on the wine list.
729 Thomas St, Key West, FL 33040, T: 305.296.8666
Key West - Casual
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Islamorada | Marathon | Stock Island | Key West - Casual | Key West - Upscale
JANUARY
- Florida Keys Seafood Festival (Key West)
- Historic House & Garden Tours (Key West)
- Nautical Flea Market (Big Pine Key)
- Stone Crab & Seafood Festival (Key Largo)
FEBRUARY
- Sailfish Open
- Art Festival (Pigeon Key)
MARCH
- Conch Shell Blowing Contest
- House & Garden Tour (Marathon)
- Original Marathon Seafood Festival
APRIL
- Florida Keys Island Fest (Islamorada)
- Seven Mile Bridge Run
- Taste of the Islands (Marathon)
- World Sailfish Championship (Key West)
- Taste of Key West
MAY
- Marathon Int’l Tarpon Tournament
JUNE
- Key West Pride
- Key West Bacchanalia
JULY
- Underwater Music Festival (Key West)
- Food & Wine Festival (Key Largo)
AUGUST
- Food & Wine Festival (Key Largo)
- Key West Lobsterfest
SEPTEMBER
- Key West Brewfest
- Conchtoberfest (Marathon)
OCTOBER
- Conchtoberfest (Marathon)
- Fantasy Fest
NOVEMBER
- World Championship Race (Key West)
- Key Largo Cook-Off
DECEMBER
- Islamorada Sailfish Tournament
Islamorada Fish Company
Key West chef Norman Van Aken goes for “fantastic views with the seating right on the water. Very good peel & eat shrimp and a famous fish sandwich.”
81532 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036, T:305.664.9271
Marathon
Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar
“For drinks in the afternoon or near sunset,” is why Miami chef Jonathan Eismann suggests this waterfront bar at Mile Marker 80. Listen to live music and watch the sun sink into the Gulf.
81924 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036, T: 305.664.2692
Islamorada
Hogfish Bar & Grill
With a thatched roof, picnic tables and a view overlooking a fishing harbor, this casual, quintessential Florida spot is great for lunch. It’s on Stock Island, at Mile Marker 5, just before you cross into Key West. Go for the specials, which are the freshest, like their hogfish fish tacos which pairs well with a Bahamian Kalik beer.
6810 Front Street, Stock Island, FL 33040, T: 305.293.4041
Stock Island
B.O.’s Fish Wagon
A laid back, open-air seafood shack, owned by legendary local Buddy Owen. Thirty years ago, he started serving fish sandwiches out of a pick-up truck. Many hurricanes later, the wagon is still around, now rusted-out, and a featured part of the kitschy shanty decor. The fish sandwiches on Cuban bread with key lime mayo are definitely the way to go.
801 Caroline Street, Key West, FL 33040, T: 305.294.9272
Conch Shop
Infrequent hours (only open on Friday and Saturday) keep this tiny kitchen/patio off the radar from the day trippers. Located across from Blue Heaven, if you’re looking for conch fritters, this is the place.
308 Petronia Street, Key West, FL 33040, T: 305.292.5005
Cuban Coffee Queen
Take-out shack down by the waterfront. Grab a cafe con leche, a Bucci (espresso shot) or a Colada (double bucci with cane sugar), with a “Skinny Cuban” and sit outside on the benches. Great photo op on the side of their building, it’s painted like a 1950’s old school postcard.
284 Margaret Street, Key West, FL 33040, T: 305.294.7787
Keys Fisheries
This is as close to the source as you can get for stone crabs. Owner Gary Graves has been in the fishing business for over forty years, owns twenty-eight boats, and supplies Miami Beach’s famous Joe’s with their stone crabs. You can sit around the marina at picnic tables or go upstairs to the Raw Bar for fried conch, peel & eat shrimp, cocktails and beer.
3390 Gulfview Avenue, Marathon, FL 33050, T: 305.743.4353
Bad Boy Burrito
For burritos, fish tacos,“Disco Duck Quesadillas” and smoothies made with local tropical fruits. Owner (and former Nine One Five chef) Chris Otten says he ended up in Key West because that’s where the road ended. Fans are glad he did.
1220 1/2 Simonton Street, Key West, FL 33040, T: 305.292.2697
El Siboney
This family-run, Old Town restaurant is where the locals go for an authentic Cuban lunch. Try their Cuban Mix (thin Cuban bread with mustard, pork, ham, pickles and cheese) or the garlic half-chicken.
900 Catherine Street, Key West, FL 33040, T: 305.296.4184
Café Marquesa
If you’re looking to splurge and try something more upscale, Chef Norman Van Aken recommends the Contemporary American fare from his protege, chef Susan Ferry. The cafe, in the historic Marquesa Hotel, is on a quiet street, just a few blocks from Duval Street.
600 Fleming Street, Key West, FL 33040, T: 305.292.1919
Key West - Upscale
Ernest Hemingway, Truman Capote, and Jimmy Buffett may have left an indelible mark on the Conch Republic, but the tropical town at the end of U.S. 1 has become more commonly known for the cruise ship “day trippers” than artists, poets and writers. Both factions still exist, one is just easier to spot.
Go just off of Duval Street and you’ll discover hidden gems and local-only cafes. Every place is flip-flop friendly and even the upscale bistros are just glad you have a shirt on. The streets are a mine field in high-heels and no one wears a jacket and tie, so leave the formal attire at home.
Key West has always had a seamy side, which is a great part of its charm. Granted, much of the decor leans towards neo-pirate, but some of the best food can be found in the least fancy places.