Every café, shack, and fine dining spot has its own unique personality, history, and charm. Eating here isn’t just about food — it’s about soaking in the funky island vibe.
I have so much to say about Key West. Here are all the articles that will hopefully let you know more about this amazing tiny island:
Here are the standouts that make meals in Key West so memorable:
Breakfast / Coffee
Blue Heaven
Only-in-Key-West breakfast: This is the breakfast everyone talks about. Set in a rambling courtyard shaded by banyan trees, Blue Heaven feels like an only-in-Key-West experience. Chickens and cats wander freely between tables while live music drifts through the air. The menu is famous for towering banana pancakes, lobster Benedict, and their iconic mile-high Key Lime Pie. Blue Heaven’s past is just as colorful — back in Hemingway’s day, this was a saloon and boxing ring (and, yes, a brothel). These days, it’s pure funky charm. You’ll probably have to wait for a table, but order a mimosa, soak in the live music, and consider it part of the show.
Blue Heaven
Cuban Coffee Queen
Strong Cuban coffee: Tucked into a little takeout shack near the Historic Seaport, Cuban Coffee Queen is a Key West staple. The mural on the side says “Welcome to Key West”, and it’s one of the best photo ops in town. But the real draw is the strong Cuban coffee — rich café con leche or cortadito — and hearty Cuban sandwiches wrapped in butcher paper. It’s the kind of place locals hit on their way to work and visitors line up for after a late night. A cup from here in the morning feels like plugging straight into island energy.light
Cuban Coffee Queen
Lunch & Casual
Garbo’s Grill at Hank’s
Backyard food truck + live music: You might walk right past this food truck if you didn’t know better. Garbo’s is tucked in the backyard of Hank’s Saloon, surrounded by picnic tables and shaded by palm trees. The menu is short but bold — mahi-mahi tacos with mango sauce, Korean BBQ burritos, and tuna poke bowls. It’s casual, affordable, and the setting couldn’t be more Key West: live music from Hank’s, a cold beer in hand, and a food truck serving up big flavors. It feels like a secret, even though everyone’s in on it. It’s one of my favorite places to go!
Garbo’s Grill
Pepe’s Café
Since 1909: This cozy, quirky institution proudly calls itself “the oldest eating house in the Florida Keys.” Expect hearty sandwiches, fresh seafood, and a laid-back local crowd. Prices are reasonable, and the historic vibe adds flavor to every plate — a perfect midday sit-down.
Cafe
Old Town Bakery
Picnic-perfect: If you’re wandering down Eaton Street, stop at Old Town Bakery for sandwiches, pastries, and their famous Key Lime cookies. The bakery feels like a cozy neighborhood spot, with old wood counters and the smell of fresh bread. It’s a perfect place to grab a picnic lunch to take to the beach or Fort Zachary.
Old Town Bakery
Bo’s Fish Wagon
Funky shack: Bo’s looks like it was cobbled together from driftwood, license plates, and neon signs — and that’s the charm. It’s a funky, open-air shack that has been serving locals and visitors for decades. The grouper sandwiches and conch fritters are what people come for, but the atmosphere is half the fun. Personally? I thought it was good but not outstanding — but it’s worth stopping by for the experience alone. Bo’s feels like a time capsule of the “old” Key West, rough edges and all.
Bo’s Fish Wagon
Seafood & Waterfront
Half Shell Raw Bar
Dockside oysters: Down by the Historic Seaport, the Half Shell feels like a proper dockside seafood joint. Oysters are shucked to order, shrimp come piled high, and the walls are plastered with license plates and old fishing gear. You sit at picnic tables, roll up your sleeves, and dig into peel-and-eat shrimp while pelicans eye your plate from the dock. It’s no-frills, a little noisy, and exactly what eating seafood in Key West should feel like.
Half Shell Raw Bar
Conch Republic Seafood Company
Big group-friendly: Set in an old shrimp-packing house at the seaport, this open-air spot is perfect for groups. There’s usually live music, the atmosphere is lively, and the seafood is fresh and straightforward — cracked conch, mahi sandwiches, fried shrimp. The motto painted on the wall says “Eat It Raw,” and it captures the playful, unfussy vibe. You feel like you’re in the middle of the harbor buzz, pelicans swooping, boats docking, and people streaming by.
Conch Republic
Hogfish Bar & Grill (drive required)
Stock Island classic: This one’s on Stock Island, about a 15-minute drive, but locals will tell you it’s worth it. Hogfish is a casual, waterfront shack known for its namesake sandwich: grilled hogfish on Cuban bread with Swiss cheese, onions, and mushrooms. The décor is a mix of fishing nets and local art, the vibe is salty and laid-back, and you’re as likely to sit next to fishermen as tourists. If you want the Keys without the polish, Hogfish delivers.
Hogfish
Geiger Key Marina & Fish Camp (drive required)
Old Florida waterfront:** A tucked-away waterfront spot with picnic tables under the palms right on the water!!! — classic Old Florida charm. Casual, affordable seafood, occasional live music, and unbelievable backcountry sunsets. It feels like a secret little escape. We go here as often as possible!
Splurge / Unique
Latitudes (Sunset Key)
Private-island splurge: If you want a “wow” dinner, Latitudes is it. The restaurant sits on Sunset Key, a private island just offshore. You take a ferry over, dine with white tablecloths and tiki torches, and watch the sun melt into the Gulf of Mexico. The food is refined (think lobster tail, fresh snapper, steaks) and the setting is unbeatable. It’s a splurge, but it’s also one of those meals you’ll remember for years. So many have told me about this restaurant… one day I’ll go.
Latitudes
Better Than Sex – A Dessert Restaurant
Decadent desserts: This is one of the most unique dining experiences in town. The entire restaurant is designed for indulgence: dim lighting, velvet curtains, and a menu of desserts and cocktails with cheeky names. The star isn’t just the sweets — it’s the presentation. Cocktails come in glasses rimmed with chocolate or caramel, and the desserts are as decadent as they sound: think peanut butter pie with chocolate ganache or Key Lime Pie with a sultry twist. It’s playful, over-the-top, and unlike anything else on the island. I’ve been there twice and it’s an experience.
Better Than Sex
Santiago’s Bodega
Small plates to share: If you’re in the mood for something different from the usual seafood-and-Cuban fare, Santiago’s Bodega is a gem. Tucked into a cozy Old Town house, it serves a wide range of small plates — everything from spicy lamb meatballs and bacon-wrapped dates to tuna ceviche and saganaki (flaming cheese). The idea is to order several dishes and share, which makes it perfect for groups who like to sample a bit of everything. The sangria is famous here, too — fruity, refreshing, and dangerously easy to sip on a warm evening. Inside, the vibe is intimate and eclectic, with mismatched furniture and warm lighting. One day I’ll make it here! I’ve heard it’s excellent.
Happy Hour
Boat House Bar & Grill (Happy Hour)
Half-price apps: Tucked by the seaport, the Boat House is one of my favorite happy hour stops. From 4–6:30 p.m., you can score half-priced appetizers like peel-and-eat shrimp, sliders, and wings alongside cheap drinks. It’s lively but not overwhelming, with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the water. Perfect for a casual bite before heading out for the evening.
Boat House
A&B Lobster House (Upper Deck Happy Hour)
Upscale marina: For a more upscale happy hour experience, head to A&B Lobster House. The upstairs bar overlooks the marina, and the cocktails are polished. You might still catch the sunset glow as the boats come in. It’s pricier than the Boat House, but sometimes you want Key West with a touch of class.
A&B
Pie Face-Off
Mattheson’s vs. Kermit’s Key Lime Pie
No trip to Key West is complete without Key Lime Pie — and no, they don’t taste the same everywhere. Kermit’s Key Lime Shoppe is the most famous, especially for its frozen Key Lime Pie on a stick dipped in chocolate. It’s fun to eat while strolling Duval Street and makes for a great photo. But my personal favorite is Mattheson’s, which serves a rich, creamy, perfectly tart slice with whipped cream. If you want the “classic pie experience,” Mattheson’s wins for me. Honestly? The best way to decide is to try both and see for yourself.
Kermit’s | Mattheson’s
LOVE LOVE LOVE Key West!!!
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So much to know about a tiny little island 
