With a plethora of the best restaurants in Key West to choose from, both locals and tourists are spoiled for choice when it comes to dining options. The city’s unique blend of Caribbean, Cuban, and American influences is reflected in its gastronomy, resulting in an exciting fusion of flavors that has captivated countless visitors’ hearts and taste buds.
As you embark on your culinary journey in the Florida Keys, allow this guide to serve as your compass, pointing you toward the 27 best restaurants in Key West that have left an indelible mark on the city’s dining scene.
1. Sunset Pier
Location: 0 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040
Key West is famed for its laid-back dockside atmosphere, which Sunset Pier perfects. It is located inside the Ocean Key Resort & Spa and features live music and stunning water views. It is a long, extended pier with brilliantly colored furnishings stretching over the warm water.
Tropical influences can be found in the culinary offerings, and the sunsets here are surreal. The surf shack and tiki bar are perfect for taking in the breathtaking views, and their calendar is chock full of local events.
We published a whole article for you to have a sneak peek before visiting Sunset Pier, one of the most famous restaurants in Key West. Check it out now!
2. Latitudes
Location: 245 Front St, Key West, FL 33040
Latitudes is a popular fine dining restaurant in Key West recognized for its exquisite cuisine and beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico. It is a part of Sunset Key Cottages and offers flavorful, fresh island fare.
Latitudes is accessible only by ferry, yet it is unquestionably the best spot in Key West to view the sunset. You may eat a delicious dinner here while admiring the sunset over the ocean. Each meal is a work of art made with locally sourced ingredients according to the season.
3. Southern Most Beach Cafe
Location: 1405 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040
In Key West, dining on the waterfront is quite expensive. The Southernmost Beach Cafe is an exception.
You’ll get decent discounts on casual local food here for breakfast and lunch. The views of the Atlantic Ocean are available to anybody, even if you are not staying at the Southernmost Hotel. This open-air café offers many breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, and starters. You can stroll in from the sand and take a seat!
4. El Meson De Pepe’s Restaurant & Bar
Location: 410 Wall St, Key West, FL 33040
With a vibrant and rustic atmosphere, live Salsa music, and authentic food, this Key West Cuban restaurant is a sought-after icon in the neighborhood. El Meson De Pepe has been around since 1985 and is family-run. They are on a first-come, first-served basis only.
They are committed to honoring the culinary traditions of the Conch-Cuban heritage. They’re in Mallory Square, a place well-known for its sunset celebrations, so it’s a fantastic opportunity to join in the fun while savoring some tapas and traditional tropical cocktails from the quaint patio bar.
5. Eaton Street Seafood Market
Food tour at Eaton Street Seafood Market by Oakland Travel
Location: 801 Eaton St, Key West, FL 33040
Nothing is fresher than Eaton Street Seafood Market, where containers of recently caught fish are kept just a few steps from the establishment’s restaurant. Crab cake sandwiches, with cakes, barely keeping it together since there is more crab than binders, fish tacos with fish that were probably still swimming that morning, and the island specialty of fried conch strips are all available for lunch and dinner.
They have a variety of locally caught seafood, such as hogfish, grouper, yellowtail snapper, and pink Key West shrimp. Even better, when you visit here, you can choose the catch you want to eat, and it will be prepared before you.
The inviting outside dining is a great place to take advantage of Key West’s bounty of seafood. As one of Key West’s top fish markets, it offers unrivaled cuisine in the city’s famed Old Town. The building was constructed in 1877, and the exhibition case is still a breathtaking sight to behold today. Most of the time, you’ll find a welcoming, informal atmosphere full of informed people who can assist you in choosing the most delectable fish.
6. Conch Republic Seafood Restaurant
Location: 631 Greene St, Key West, FL 33040
Conch Republic Seafood Restaurant is the perfect place for the freshest seafood from the sea, offering fresh dock-to-dish eating at its finest. Some of Key West’s greatest seafood can be found here!
It was previously known as Singleton Fish House. There were formerly hundreds of pounds of shrimp processed there daily, and some original components from this era are still visible. Meanwhile, the picturesque waterfront patio provides expansive views of the ocean.
Every day here is a happy hour with some incredible two-for-one specials. Unquestionably one of Key West’s top happy hours.
7. First Flight Island Restaurant and Brewery
Location: 301 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040
The setting of First Flight is a striking historical building in Key West, the birthplace of Pan American World Airways. The airlines’ initial tickets were sold here in 1927, making the initial Flight Island Restaurant and Brewery one of Key West’s most historic locations.
This is one of Key West’s top restaurants if you’re seeking some traditional American comfort food. String lights and shaded, swaying palms line the backyard garden. The beers are expertly made on-site at this microbrewery, which is regarded as the southernmost.
It’s a relaxed place with an aviation motif ideal for getting a cool craft beer and some modern pub fare. Sit down on the outdoor terrace, which emanates island charm.
8. Bagatelle
Location: 115 Duval St #6505, Key West, FL 33040
Bagatelle is housed in a stunning 18th-century building close to Mallory Square and all the bustle on Duval Street. It features magnificent Victorian buildings in a tropical environment and was converted into a restaurant in 1979. Today, it serves some of Key West’s best cuisine, with a seafood-heavy menu in an American Caribbean flavor. Everything is sourced locally and ethically.
This is the most famous place to eat brunch in Key West. The beautiful building has enormous wraparound porches for the ideal Florida outdoor dining experience. Eat inside or on the porch while people-watching.
9. Blue Heaven
Location: 729 Thomas St, Key West, FL 33040
One of the few restaurants in Key West that isn’t solely a seafood destination, the Blue Heaven is a local legend. A writer and artist opened Blue Heaven, a Caribbean restaurant in 1992. It feels like entering a jungle because of the restaurant’s (chaotic) décor.
It’s set in the storied Bahama Village, surrounded by whimsical tropical greenery canopies. To round out the pleasant atmosphere, live music is frequently played. The menu offers American, Caribbean, and vegetarian food, and each dish is meticulously prepared.
At Blue Heaven, you can enjoy country-chic al fresco dining at its best, surrounded by cute animals like chickens and kittens. They have been in operation since 1992 and have developed quite a stellar reputation among foodies in Florida.
10. El Siboney Restaurant
What you can expect at El Siboney Restaurant by Sailing Sunbums
Location: 900 Catherine St, Key West, FL 33040
Given its unassuming red-brick exterior, which more closely resembles a post office than one of Key West’s great culinary gems, El Siboney would be easy to pass by without ever giving it a second glance. It’s crucial to remember that this restaurant is much more laid back than many others in Key West. But all it takes is a single taste to understand the fuss.
This Cuban restaurant is retro, even down to the menu illustrations. Regulars at the restaurant love the whole fried fish and the garlic chicken, although there is little on the menu that can go wrong, including such Cuban classics as ropa vieja and picadillo. Due to its affordable costs and pitchers of homemade sangria, it’s a fantastic venue for small groups.
11. Tavern N Town
Location: Marriott Beachside Hotel, 3841 N Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040
Another popular restaurant in Key West called Tavern N Town serves Spanish tapas and American cuisine in opulent yet casual settings. Small appetizers and substantial steaks are just a few of the menu options.
Despite being a part of the Marriott Beachside, everyone is welcome to try this restaurant. In fact, the hotel’s cuisine is quickly winning over the people. The Poinciana Plaza neighborhood is on the city’s east side, where the Overseas Highway intersects with S Roosevelt Boulevard.
12. Bistro 245
Location: 245 Front St, Key West, FL 33040
Within the Opal Key Resort & Marina sits Bistro 245. It’s one of the top seaside restaurants in Key West.
The patio is an excellent area to see the famous sunsets because it is close to Mallory Square. The Margaritaville Resort, which has since relocated elsewhere on the island, formerly stood near Opal Key. It is a sister property of the opulent Sunset Key Cottages located close to the harbor.
13. The Lobster Shack
Location: 507 South St, Key West, FL 33040
The Lobster Shack performs its duties as you would anticipate but to a very high standard. With dishes like the tantalizing lobster grilled cheese and the Diablo lobster roll with sriracha and jalapenos, lobster is a prominent ingredient on this menu (although there are occasionally some fried coconut shrimp).
Oh, and the finest lobster bisque accompanied by salty croutons. Order the key lime pie to finish once you’ve had your fill of lobster. You won’t regret this!
14. A&B Lobster House
Location: 700 Front St, Key West, FL 33040
There are plenty of seafood establishments in Key West, but the A&B Lobster House is a fine dining institution that has been dishing up some of the region’s most sumptuous delicacies since 1947.
Although the dining area is pleasant and has an elite steakhouse vibe, you should be on the wraparound balcony with stunning harbor views. The restaurant offers a comprehensive menu of classic cocktails like the Hemingway daiquiri (which seems appropriate given where you are) and an exceptional wine menu, maintaining its timeless flair.
15. Azur
Key TV report at Azur
Location: 425 Grinnell St, Key West, FL 33040
Azur Restaurant is a few blocks from the busy tourist area of Duval Street. It is a Mediterranean eatery serving inventive and modern cuisine in a warm blue dining room on a covered terrace. It can be found on the historic district’s north side.
Every day, the restaurant provides brunch and dinner to residents and tourists. The chefs have the freedom to add their unique spins to traditional recipes. This is one of Key West’s finest examples of a chef-driven, innovative restaurant.
16. Garbo's Grill
Location: 409 Caroline St, Key West, FL 33040
Garbo’s Grill is a little family-run food truck-like establishment with many characters. They constantly develop creative variations on tacos, burgers, and burritos. The rule in this place is to expect the unexpected because they also sell poke bowls and lobster rolls.
There are a few tables on the covered brick patio, so you can relax and enjoy each bite. As one of the best restaurants in Key West, Garbo’s is a time-honored tradition for tourists and locals alike. Although there is frequently a queue around the block, it is worth the wait.
Simply go to Garbo’s Grill to enjoy Key West the old-fashioned way. Diners, Dive-Ins, and Dives devotees will recognize this seafood restaurant from the episode where Guy Fieri toured the greatest Key West restaurants.
17. Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen
Location: 7001 Shrimp Rd Suite 200, Naval Air Station Key West, FL 33040
Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen is a spacious restaurant with lovely views of the marina’s shoreline. The vistas outdoors are much more beautiful. Their outside dining space is fantastic.
The emphasis is on upgraded coastal comfort dishes, and the design is contemporary and simple. Each plate is thoughtfully designed and made straightforwardly so that the amazing ingredients may truly shine. You may even bring your fresh catch in for them to prepare after a day of fishing out in the open Florida Keys waters for some of the finest seafood in Key West.
To get a table here, reservations are necessary. Matt’s is a fantastic destination for modern cuisine in Key West, whether for breakfast, dinner, or just a few cocktails to take in the scenery. We promise that it is worth the calories.
18. Bo’s Fish Wagon
Location: 801 Caroline St, Key West, FL 33040
Bo’s Fish Wagon is a quirky restaurant housed in a lovely driftwood cabin. This is lowkey one of Key West’s top restaurants if you want to savor some fresh foods that are a little less mainstream.
The restaurant’s menu has fried fish, conch fritters, and hot dogs, and it’s actually the best location in Key West to get a fish sandwich. It encapsulates the Keys’ “no shirt, no shoes, no problem” mentality, particularly in light of the Friday Night Jam Session. It has a sweetly rustic ambiance with lots of subtly tacky wooden furnishings, and all of the outdoor dining is done on the sidewalk, which enhances the sweet ambiance.
19. Smoked BBQ
Location: 1801 N Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040
This laid-back restaurant is housed within an old boat! Smoked BBQ embraces a vintage aesthetic that is only surpassed by the stunning harbor vistas and delectable grilled meats. They offer unrivaled traditional Southern comfort food in the region.
Although a pulled pork sandwich might seem like the most common item you could get, this one is anything but typical (it’s likely their trademark rub, which they also sell for you to take home). The meal belies the rustic appearance that the picnic tables with red and white checkered tablecloths present.
20. Little Pearl
ViewCation lists Little Pearl as among the best restaurants in Key West
Location: 632 Olivia St, Key West, FL 33040
Little Pearl is the local restaurant that residents and tourists frequently eat at. The restaurant exudes a distinct seaside ambiance with fish, mermaids, compasses, and Edison lights scattered over the dining room.
The Old Town restaurant offers a chef-curated, four-course menu with alternatives. Without overpowering patrons with tacky pirate garb and SCUBA chairs that stretch as far as the eye can see, this upscale wine bar and seafood restaurant delivers a delightful interpretation of the nautical motif that pays homage to the restaurant’s surroundings.
21. Antonia's Restaurant
Location: 615 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040
Fresh Italian cuisine with homemade pasta and sauces and an award-winning wine list are served at Key West institution Antonia’s Restaurant.
Classics like gnocchi with a savory gorgonzola cheese sauce, linguine with clams, and Antonia’s famous lasagna cooked with spinach pasta are all available on the pasta menu. Save space for dessert; the restaurant serves a sublime amaretto coconut cream pie that is wonderfully balanced and not overly sweet.
22. Santiago's Bodega
Location: 7305, 207 Petronia St #101, Key West, FL 33040
Although Santiago’s Bodega is hidden behind colorful landscaping in a modest-sized structure, its Spanish tapas are incredibly flavorful. Light tapas are available for lunch, but the meal proportions for dinner significantly exceed what you might anticipate from a Spanish tapas restaurant in the Bahama Village.
This restaurant’s decor is especially soothing, and it has cozy seating and a setting that makes you feel like you’ve gotten away from the bustle of the city. Additionally, it’s very simple to unwind thanks to the unique cocktails and several cuisines.
23. Kermit’s
Location: 200 Elizabeth Street, Key West, FL 33040
In Key West, Kermit’s has the best Key Lime Pie on a Stick, the ideal tasty and entertaining treat on a hot Florida day. Even the structure is adorable—a tiny Key Lime Cottage on Key West’s breathtaking beachfront strip.
Owner Kermit Carpenter has been in business for more than 29 years. He frequently poses for photos wearing his signature green apron and toque. Back then, a sewage pumping station was directly across from the business. But when the City of Key West moved on with plans for the area (the pumping station is no longer there, just so you know), its great location right at the Key West Bight kept him optimistic.
Although Kermit’s isn’t really a restaurant per se—more of a store—you’ll see why we included it in the list once you’ve been there. Key lime taste and smell are added to cookies, marinades, jams & jellies, almonds, salsa, and even lotion. The true treat is the well-known key lime pie, which may be purchased whole or as a delicious frozen dessert covered in chocolate.
The cafe garden is a wonderful hidden treasure that serves sandwiches and wraps for incredibly low prices. It’s a fantastic place for lunch. It’s a terrific place to unwind in between exploring all of Key West’s top attractions.
There is also a location on Duval Street (335F Duval). However, Kermit’s Café is in its original location on Elizabeth Street and offers a tropical atmosphere with flowers, trees, and a koi pond.
The Food Network, HGTV, The Travel Channel, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and numerous other media outlets have all featured Kermit’s. Give them a try, and let us know what you think!
24. Café Marquesa
Location: 600 Fleming St, Key West, FL 33040
This quaint cafe specializes in inventive New American cuisine and is inside the upscale Marquesa Hotel in Old Town Key West. It is a cherished institution in the neighborhood and a popular restaurant for locals and visitors.
While situated just off Duval Street in the busy center of Key West’s historic district, Café Marquesa has a lovely garden that gives it a sense of seclusion while right next to the busiest tourist area. However, don’t be fooled into believing this is just another upscale restaurant serving expensive fare because of the white tablecloths and dark wood decor. The 50-seat restaurant offers beautifully prepared meats, fresh seafood from Key West, house-made bread, and desserts. The entire meal has a uniquely Southern twist and is welcoming and inviting.
Every time, the presentation is flawless. There is also a welcoming bar where you can have a few drinks or some light fare. They provide a wide variety of premium wines from around the world and inventive drinks. Cafe Marquesa is the best place to eat for a classy night out in Key West. The Fleming and Simonton intersection in the city center is where it’s located.
25. Glazed Donuts
One of the top breakfast places in Key West – Glazed Donuts – by Karriann Graf
Location: 420 Eaton St, Key West, FL 33040
If you think of a city’s eating highlights, a doughnut store might not be the first place that comes to mind, but that means you’ve never gone to Glazed. At Glazed Donuts, breakfast-to-go is an upgraded experience. What was once a locals-only secret in 2012 has become a dining destination for everyone visiting Key West.
Owners Megan and Jonathan Pidgeon, a husband and wife team, follow classic culinary methods in preparing their dishes. As a result, you can get treats like a Key lime pie doughnut with torched meringue on top and other fresh fruit-filled treats like a peach blessed dossant and pineapple upside down brulée. Even though these doughnuts aren’t intended for dipping, a full coffee bar completes the experience.
26. Cuban Coffee Queen
Location: 284 Margaret Street, Key West, FL 33040
Cuban Coffee Queen is Key West’s best place to get Cuban coffee. A bustling counter-service restaurant serving classic Cuban food, it’s a well-known location to visit for both a delectable coffee and one of their delectable sandwiches.
The beans can even be purchased to go, and it is worthwhile to take some with you. It’s the ideal place for lunch or breakfast in Key West. The location is perfect for packing a picnic to go to the beach or to settle under a great shady palm tree because there is nowhere actually to eat there. It’s a little, unassuming white hut with a vibrant, edgy flair. There is a dine-in option at the downtown location.
27. Caroline's Café
Location: 310 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040
For a reasonable price, you may get traditional American fare like sandwiches at Caroline’s Café, along with some specialty dishes like jerk chicken and jambalaya. Island food is frequently combined with the more popular American cuisine, adding some variety to a restaurant with only one declared theme.
The food selections on the extensive menu enable you to select between hefty meals and something quick to get you through the day. Due to its accessible position right on Duval Street in the heart of the city, the restaurant is always rather busy.
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Best Restaurants In Key West FAQs
Key West is famous for its diverse and vibrant culinary scene, offering a range of dishes that showcase the unique flavors and influences of the region. Here are some of the iconic foods that Key West is known for:
- Conch Fritters
- Key Lime Pie
- Fresh Seafood
- Cuban Cuisine
- Key West Pink Shrimp
- Caribbean-inspired Cuisine
- Fresh Fish Tacos
It’s difficult to determine as it may vary over time due to openings, closures, and new establishments. However, Key West is known for its thriving culinary scene, and the city offers many dining options to cater to both locals and tourists.
To get the most accurate and up-to-date information on the current number of restaurants in Key West, it is recommended to consult local directories, review websites, or contact the local tourism office.
Food prices in Key West can vary depending on the type of restaurant and the specific dishes being served. Overall, it is important to note that Key West tends to be more expensive compared to other parts of Florida, primarily due to its status as a popular tourist destination. This higher cost of living and visitor demand can contribute to relatively higher food prices.
