In my personal opinion, I would not peg Key West as a culinary hotspot. Don’t get me wrong - we ate very well in Key West, but I would not characterize Key West as a mecca for incredible food experiences.
That being said, Key West does have some really delicious places to eat - especially if you like seafood and/or Cuban food. Plus, it’s hard to beat the ocean views that many of the island restaurants offer. Check out this related post to get a round-up of where to eat in Key West for every meal.
For a full review of Key West and what to do there, check out this related blog post:
Breakfast
Cuban Coffee Queen, $
Cuban Coffee Queen has three locations in Key West - one on the Waterfront (original location), one in Key Lime Square (downtown), and one in Clinton Square Market. This Key West breakfast spot is known for its Café Con Leche, which is strong authentic Cuban coffee and steamed milk. They also serve Cuban foods like roasted Mojo pork and Havana rice and beans, in addition to the usual egg breakfast sandwiches you’d expect from a coffee shop.
Pepe’s Cafe, $
Pepe’s Café is a rustic, affordable, laid-back spot with the motto, “A fairly good place, for quite a long time.” Try homemade bread, fresh-squeezed juice, chipped beef on toast, eggs Benny, and their Chock Full O’ Nuts coffee.
Keys Coffee Co., $
All eggs are cooked to order, and all spreads and sauces are made in-house. Their famous 48-hour cold brew coffee is also available on tap.
Lunch
Blue Heaven, $$
Chickens and cats roam freely at this al fresco restaurant. The tropical foliage, live music, and seriously good food create the ideal atmosphere for lunch.
Seaside Café at the Mansion, $$ - $$$
It’s family-owned and operated. Try their Mansion Mojitos, Honey-Butter Lobster Biscuits, or world famous lobster pizza.
The Lobster Shack Key West, $$ - $$$
Their lobster rolls are made with Maine lobster and come in a variety of flavors including traditional and Diablo. The lobster grilled cheese with bacon is also a customer favorite.
Happy Hour
Sloppy Joe’s, $$
Open since 1933, this bar has seen many famous patrons over the years including Ernest Hemingway himself!
Santiago’s Bodega, $$
(Portions are more generous than a traditional tapas bar.) Pair with a pitcher of sparkling sangria. Crowd favorites include Saganaki-halloumi cheese with oregano, flambeed with Brandy, Yellowfin ceviche, and homemade bread pudding with caramel bourbon sauce.
Happy hour pricing is 3:00 to 6:00 PM every day of the week, which includes half-priced draft beers, wines by the glass, and sangria by the glass. They also offer a select $5 Tapas Menu that changes daily.
Conch Republic Seafood Co., $$
You can even watch the restaurant’s fleet of boats unload the catches of the day, including fresh fish, stone crab, and Caribbean lobster.
Happy hour pricing is from 4:00 to 7:00 PM daily, which includes 2-for-1 Domestic, Import, and Craft Beer, House Wines, and Premium Liquor Well Drinks.
Dinner
Antonia’s Restaurant, $$$
Located in the heart of Old Town Key West for over 25 years, Antonia’s interior feels like the inside of a ship’s Captain Quarters.
Cafe Marquesa, $$$
Specialties include locally caught fresh seafood, inventive appetizers, and house-made desserts.
El Siboney Restaurant, $
Serving Key West Locals since 1984, El Siboney is a family-oriented and affordable restaurant with a casual, inviting atmosphere.
Dessert
Kermit’s Key West Lime Shoppe, $$
Obsessed with key lime? Visit Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe, which has everything from key lime pie slices to key lime scented shampoo and conditioner. Though they won’t exactly knock your socks off, the key lime pies here do deliver on that traditional bittersweet key lime flavor profile that people love.
Better Than Sex, $$
One of just six locations nationwide, Better Than Sex is a decadent dessert restaurant offering an extensive menu of sweet treats in a dimly lit, intimate atmosphere. This is a great date spot to follow a romantic dinner. Try a chocolate rimmed wine or house made cocktail with a delicious dessert in this speakeasy setting.
What do you think of this round-up? Have you been to any of these places to eat in Key West? What else should be added to the list? Tell me in the comments below! ~
author bio
Known as The Jet Set Blonde, Brittany Ryan inspires others to add more adventure to their childfree travel experiences. Brittany has visited 23 countries (and counting!) Connect with her to get access to detailed childfree travel itineraries, travel guides for weekend getaways, and updates on adult-only hotels, resorts, cruises, and other travel amenities.
