14 Of The Best Restaurants In Key West Florida (2024)

Key West is a piece of a beautiful Florida archipelago of islands between the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.

It’s ideal for outdoor adventure or simply lazing the day away on soft dunes with the salty sea air in this well-liked destination for tropical holidays.

Key West is renowned for its carefree atmosphere and heavy emphasis on outdoor recreation in its culture.

The best restaurants in Key West typically feature ocean views and serve local specialties like the famed Key Lime Pie. Key West’s eating culture will undoubtedly attract foodies.

It’s simple to indulge in wonderfully diverse cuisine, from classic fresh seafood meals to cutting-edge, innovative fine dining delicacies.

There is a ton of fantastic Caribbean cuisine in Key West, and the Caribbean and Cuban influences frequently find their way onto the menus. The top eateries in Key West are listed here!

The 14 Best Restaurants in Key West Florida

Conch Republic Seafood Company

631 Greene St., Key West, FL 33040, United States // +13052944403

Conch Republic Seafood Restaurant is the go-to for fresh seafood direct from the sea, offering dock-to-dish dining at its finest. The Conch Republic serves some of Key West’s most excellent seafood!

It was formerly known as the Singleton Fish House, where hundreds of pounds of shrimp were processed daily, and some of the original elements may still be seen.

The picturesque waterfront patio provides panoramic views of the ocean. Every day, there is a happy hour with great two-for-one bargains.

Definitely one of Key West’s top happy hours. Mojitos are a specialty, and the craft beer selection is among the best in town.

A mollusk lover’s dream, they have a fresh raw bar. They also serve sandwiches, grilled meats, Yellowfin Tuna, and Caribbean Spiced Mahi Mahi, which is a true standout.

Also, scallops, lobster tail, or blue cheese can be added to any dish, creating an exquisite plate you’re sure to remember! Among many, this is one of the best seafood restaurants in Key West Florida.

El Siboney Restaurant

900 Catherine St., Key West, FL 33040, United States // +13052964184

El Siboney is one of the best restaurants in Key West Florida for authentic Cuban cuisine. The restaurant is named after an ancient tribe that flourished hundreds of years ago in Cuba.

With its basic red-brick front that appears more like a post office than one of Key West’s great culinary gems, it’s easy to pass El Siboney without glancing. But all it takes is one taste to understand what all the hype is about.

Everything about this Cuban restaurant is retro, starting with the menu pictures to the decor. The whole fried fish and garlic chicken are restaurant favorites.

Still, it’s difficult to go wrong with most of anything on this menu, which includes Cuban classics like ropa vieja and picadillo. It’s ideal for small groups because of its affordable costs and the pitchers of homemade sangria.

I loved the churrasco steak with onions and rice served with guandules (Spanish peas). Everything was fresh and cooked to perfection; the amounts were also fairly large for the price.

The Cuban sandwich my friend ordered was delicious as well, and he thought it was so impressive that he decided to order another one, take it back to the hotel, and eat it there. Visit this restaurant if you’re seeking a less expensive option in Key West.

Antonia’s Restaurant

615 Duval St., Key West, FL 33040, United States // +13052946565

Antonia’s is the ideal location, whether you want a refined dining experience or casual dining. Many reputable hospitality industry experts consider Antonia’s among the best restaurants in Key West, Florida.

There is no better place to go if you’re seeking an upscale Italian restaurant in Key West with a diverse menu and dishes with distinctive flavors.

Our server was excellent. I began with a delicious Caesar salad. Then I received a bread basket with two types of bread and flatbreads. Finally, I decided to eat seafood pasta with vodka sauce.

My friend had clams in wine sauce, fresh in-house pasta, and fantastic fresh seafood. Dessert was a coconut cream pie with amaretto, which we splurged on. Delicious!

A little pricey, but you get what you pay for, and if you’re on vacation here, you shouldn’t be concerned about money. Antonia’s is an excellent choice that stands out from the other restaurants in Key West Florida.

Thirsty Mermaid

521 Fleming St., Key West, FL 33040, the United States // +13052044828

Fleming Street, just off Duval, has a fantastic restaurant called Thirsty Mermaid. Key West’s Little Havana district is just five streets away and is in the heart of Mallory Square. This is one of my favorite breakfast and lunch spots.

When my friend and I got there for dinner, we ordered tuna carpaccio, poke, and fried oysters.

They were all delicious, so we went back the next night for happy hour and ordered oysters, ceviche, and mussels. Again, everything was excellent, from the flavors to the presentation.

The oysters were served with pickled red onions, which were delicious. However, the fried oysters were the actual standouts for me. I’d had a lot of oysters before, but these were the best.

Both nights, our server was prompt, attentive, and professional. The Thirsty Mermaid is highly recommended and one of the best restaurants in Key West Florida.

Cuban Coffee Queen

284 Margaret St., Naval Air Station Key West, FL 33040, United States // +13052924747

5 Key Lime Square, Key West, FL 33040, United States // +13052947787

291 Front St., Key West, FL 33040, United States // +13059222896

Cuban Coffee Queen has the greatest coffee in Key West, hands down! Cuban Coffee Queen is also a bustling counter-service establishment that serves traditional Cuban food.

It’s a popular destination for a good coffee as well as one of their tasty sandwiches.

But don’t be fooled by the name: Sure, they serve one of the best cups of coffee in town—ditch your usual caffeine fix and try one of their classic Cuban specialties, like a café con Leche—but they also serve a lot more.

You can even get the beans to go; taking some home with you is well worth it. It’s a great spot for breakfast or lunch.

It’s one of the best quick breakfasts in Key West. For breakfast, try the Sunrise Special or Breakfast Burrito, or for lunch, try the Josi Marti or the Shipwreck Sandwich. It’s ideal for a fast snack or a smoothie.

In Key West, there are presently three locations. It’s a modest white hut with a colorful and eccentric flair that’s unpretentious. The original Cuban Coffee Queen is solely available for take-out. There’s nowhere to eat at the location, so bring a picnic to take to the beach or relax beneath a great shady palm tree. Dine-in is available at the downtown site. If you’re in the area it’s a must visit amongst the restaurants in Key West Florida.

Blue Heaven

729 Thomas St., Key West, FL 33040, United States // +13052968666

Blue Heaven is country chic al fresco dining at its finest, with fascinating wildlife like chickens and cats roaming around the idyllic setting. They’ve been in business since 1992 and have a stellar reputation among Florida foodies.

It’s nestled in the ancient Bahama Village, which is covered in whimsical canopies of tropical flora. The lovely environment is often enhanced by live music.

The menu includes American, Caribbean, and vegetarian fare, with each plate beautifully made with care.

Breakfast and lunch are first come, first served; however, if you want to go for dinner, you should make a reservation. Their best menu items include the Caribbean BBQ Shrimp, Jamaican Jerk Chicken, and Island Plate.

There’s a special Sunday brunch menu, and it’s a fantastic choice for a lovely meal in town. So, if you’re looking for Sunday Brunch joint amongst the restaurants in Key West Florida, check out Blue Heaven.

Harpoon Harry’s

832 Caroline St., Key West, FL 33040, United States // +13052948744

Harpoon Harry’s is a fantastic location to eat while visiting Key West. So many people come here because they believe it is the best thing about Key West, and they are correct. Everything about Harpoon Harry’s is fantastic; just ask anyone who has dined there.

This restaurant has been around for a long time and has a beautiful position on lower Caroline Street. The restaurant appears small and cute from the outside, but inside it can feel like you’re in an old wooden hut.

Many residents enjoy this restaurant because it serves excellent fish. The employees inside are also quite friendly, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere.

We went there for breakfast and ordered two specials. My friend ordered the steak and eggs, while I ordered the Benedict Florentine eggs with coffee. The breakfast was served with home fries.

My friend also had a toast, and they served individual jam packets, just like at a hometown restaurant. The orange marmalade was delicious!

For me, eggs Benedict are all about how they are prepared; these were exquisite! Don’t pass this place up; it’s fantastic!!

The Flaming Buoy Filet Co.

424 Eaton St., Key West, FL 33040, United States // +13052957970

This small restaurant features modest wood furnishings with accents of yellow and orange and outside seating.

Scot Forste and Fred Isch combine gourmet and down-home cooking, focusing on fresh island products. This makes their cuisine the ideal compromise for both foodies and non-foodies.

Isch and Forste make family dishes and entertain customers with funny stories as if they were holding a party in their own house.

We began our lunch with the trio appetizer, which included smoky-sweet grilled Key West pink shrimp with lime chutney, Caprese salad, and Florida lobster mac and cheese.

We ordered their house specialty for the entrees, a light, flaky pan-seared yellowtail snapper with fresh banana salsa.

The Spicy Chocolate Quesadilla rounded out the meal. Between two flour tortillas, white and dark chocolate is melted and drizzled with a pepper-infused chocolate sauce.

If you’re a foodie seeking unique, offbeat restaurants in Key West Florida, this is the place to go!

Bagatelle

115 Duval St. #6505, Naval Air Station Key West, FL 33040, United States // +13052966609

Bagatelle is one of the top brunch spots in Key West. While many restaurants in Key West Florida only serve brunch on weekends, Bagatelle serves it seven days a week.

While brunch is undoubtedly the restaurant’s centerpiece, Bagatelle is available for all three meals (or four, if brunch is counted separately) every day.

For vegetarian and vegan friends, Bagatelle may not be the greatest solution. While many breakfast and brunch items can be made vegetarian or vegan, the same cannot be said for the dinner entrees.

Bagatelle has a plethora of delectable brunch platters to pick from. Dive into a crab cake benedict, something sweeter like crispy fried French toast, or something savory like the braised pork sandwich with pineapple slaw.

Bagatelle also offers a breakfast hangover happy hour every morning from 9 to 11:30 a.m., during which you may enjoy fun alcoholic co*cktails. Kim’s watermelon breeze, Duval Paloma, or Tennessee peach lemonade blended with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey are all good options.

The Kansas NY Strip with truffle mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, and mushroom demi was my favorite and the meal’s highlight. The steak was cooked to perfection, the mashed potatoes melted in your mouth, the truffle was not overbearing, the Brussels sprouts were flavorful but still had some crunch, and the mushroom demi was an excellent complement to the meal. It was the ideal dish for me because it contained everything I enjoyed.

Finally, dessert! The key lime pie was the perfect combination of sweetness and tartness from the curd and meringue. It was the finest key lime pie I’ve ever had. Overall, it was a memorable evening with a fantastic dinner.

I strongly recommend Bagatelle for a wedding rehearsal dinner or any special occasion! It’s one of the best restaurants in Key West Florida for that.

The Cafe

509 Southard St. #6835, Key West, FL 33040,United States // +13052965515

This tiny Southard Street restaurant has been reinventing vegetarian cuisine for nearly ten years. With warm Bohemian décor and a range of menu alternatives, no one has to make a sacrifice to have a great dinner. It’s one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Key West Florida.

While The Café’s name is straightforward, the dining experience at this Key West eatery is everything but. The Café has vividly colored walls, plenty of artwork, and a cheerful environment within the blue-tiled facade.

The Café is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner and serves delectable food from various cuisines.

Craft beer and handmade sangria get the discussion going, which is sometimes lacking in “health cuisine” eateries. Foodies who enjoy seafood will enjoy delicacies like P.E.I. mussels and grilled mahi-mahi.

One of the greatest falafels I’ve ever had is served with bean salad, cream of tomato soup, and sweet potato fries.

Their vegan Key lime cheesecake was the perfect way to end my dinner. Check out the daily specials because everything is freshly cooked there.

Take a cozy cushioned seat by the window, and prepare for a delicious meal!

El Meson De Pepe’s Restaurant & Bar

410 Wall St., Key West, FL 33040, United States // +13052952620

With a lively and rustic atmosphere, live salsa music, and authentic food, this Key West Cuban restaurant is a sought-after icon in the neighborhood.

They only accept first-come, first-served seatings. It has been around since 1985 and is moreover, family-run.

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 co*cktails from the quaint patio bar.

The Completa de Caballo Grande, which contains Ropa Vieja, Lechon Asado, and Picadillo Habanero, is a terrific way to try all the local specialties.

El Meson is one of the top Cuban restaurants in Key West Florida and one of the best places to grab some food if you’re craving some delicious and authentic Cuban food!

Latitudes

245 Front St., Key West, FL 33040, United States // +13052925394

Latitudes is a well-known fine dining establishment in the area that is recognized for its elegant fare and spectacular views of the Gulf of Mexico. It is a component of Sunset Key Cottages and offers flavorful, fresh island fare.

Latitudes is the best site in Key West to see the sunset, but getting there requires taking a ferry. As soon as you enter the property, Latitudes only become more unforgettable.

With sitting by the water, delectable food, and top-notch service, this fantastic restaurant will make you want to come back again and again. And you can come whenever you want because it’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

You may eat a delicious dinner while admiring the sunset over the ocean. Each meal seems like a work of art and is made with locally sourced ingredients according to the season.

Breakfast and lunch are served in casual attire, but the evening does call for some dressing up. It boasts a rich environment and a wide selection of drinks, including international wines and inventive co*cktails, at the full bar.

The elegance of Latitudes may be noticed on the menu at any time. For breakfast, try their lobster benedict. Try their surf & turf burger for lunch. Twirl up the Key West pink shrimp carbonara or bite into the lemon-glazed yellowtail fish for dinner. There are some vegetarian and vegan alternatives on the menu as well.

I definitely recommend paying them a visit for lunch or the evening. It’s one of the coziest restaurants in Key West Florida. Make Latitudes your stop for fine dining in Key West.

Hot Tin Roof Restaurant

0 Duval St., Key West, FL 33040, United States // +13052957057

Hot Tin Roof at Ocean Key Resort and Spa offers upscale dining with a spectacular sunset view. Hot Tin Roof, located directly on the turquoise seas of Key West Harbor, is the perfect combination of a beautiful ambiance and fantastic meals.

Watch the sunset paint the sky in a magnificent rainbow of yellows, oranges, and pinks while you enjoy the excellent meals offered at this waterfront restaurant.

Dine alfresco on their patio while listening to Jimmy Buffett favorites drifting up from the band on Sunset Pier while boats traverse the harbor’s blue waters.

Hot Tin Roof’s cuisine is a delightful combination of Floridian, Caribbean, and Latin American tastes. Small and big plates are available on the Pan-Latin menu, allowing you to create your own meal, whether shared tapas-style or traditional entrees. Fresh local seafood is used in dishes such as Key lime fish ceviche, paella, and caramelized grouper.

For breakfast, try their noble benedict, a fantastic eggs benedict combined with a crab cake and key lime hollandaise sauce.

Dinner options include grilled churrasco with tostones and seared local grouper with coconut curry. Don’t forget to end your dinner with a legendary key lime pie slice.

I recommend this excellent dining establishment if you’re looking to capture the essence of a memorable Key West evening. It’s one of the finest restaurants in Key West Florida.

Garbo’s Grill

409 Caroline St., Key West, FL 33040, United States // +13053043004

Garbo’s Grill is a food truck with a great ambiance and delicious food. This gleaming Airstream trailer, parked behind Grunt’s Bar, serves some of the best food in Key West.

Everything on the menu was straightforward, from tacos to hot dogs to burgers, but with a quirky touch. The mango, ginger, and habanero marinade glazed the fresh shrimp in the yum yum shrimp tacos.

Their Kogi dog is a hot dog with kimchi, daikon, citrus soy dressing, and sriracha on top. The umami burger, with applewood bacon, heirloom tomatoes, and gouda cheese, was just a classically delicious burger.

Truly a hidden gem amongst the restaurants in Key West Florida. I’ve never had food like this before.

FAQ

What kind of food is famous in Key West?

Key lime pie (Perhaps no dish is more firmly associated with Key West than key lime pie), conch fritters, conch chowder, coconut water, freshly caught fish sandwiches, Key West pink shrimp, spiny lobster, and Key West Legal Rum

Do you require transportation in Key West?

First, keep in mind that Key West is a small island, measuring only two miles wide by four miles long. If you decide against renting a car in Old Town, you can get around by walking, bicycling, taxis, electric rental cars, mopeds, pedicabs, city buses, trolleys, and hotel shuttles.

What kind of seafood is famous in Key West?

Conch, or “konk,” is the queen of all Key West dishes and was a staple of early residents. You’ve definitely seen the lovely shell of the sea snail used for adornment, but it’s the flesh that has seafood lovers all around the world spinning.

Summary Of The 14 Best Restaurants In Key West Florida

Over 70 eateries in Key West serve anything from tacos and burritos to hamburgers and lobster.

There are also some excellent vegetarian and vegan options. So, as you can see, no matter what your tastes are, Key West has a restaurant to suit them.

Visitors and residents alike enjoy eating out in Key West, so the next time you get hungry, check out one of these easy options and enjoy some of the best restaurants Key West has to offer!

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