Do you hear your stomach growling? The culinary delights of Key West are calling your name! There is more to the Florida Keys than its beautiful waters and breathtaking sunsets. Key West’s diverse food scene has everything from savory dishes to decant desserts.
A foodie enthusiast will enjoy everything from fresh seafood to the best Cuban food. Local ingredients mixed with culinary secrets result in flavors as unique as the Florida Keys.
So, prepare to embark on an unforgettable journey throughout the island as we explore the 7 best places to eat in Key West. Each place promises to be a memorable dining experience.
1) The First Stop On The Food Extravaganza Is A Cruise
A cruise may not have been at the top of your list when considering the places to eat in Key West, but it should be. The captains of Key West Boat Trips are not only experienced, but they can also cook. We offer two delightful meal options: a lunch cruise and a dinner cruise:
- The lunch cruise includes a jaunt into Key West’s backcountry waters. While your skilled captain is preparing a fresh lunch, enjoy walking on the sandbar or splashing into the waters. Another option is to relax on the boat, take in the beauty, and enjoy the smells of your lunch cooking right before you.
- The dinner cruise begins with a ride to a beautiful water location. After you arrive, feel free to swim in the beautiful blue waters while the captain switches into chief mode. Soon, the air will fill with the smell of fresh local seafood cooking on a grill.
Ready to make your lunch or dinner reservations? Head to our website to get more information and make your reservations today!
2) Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar – One Of The Best Brunch Destination In Key West
All Key West restaurants are known for their specialties, and Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar is no exception. Located in the Perry Hotel on Stock Island, it specializes in American Coastal Comfort Cuisine. They offer breakfast, brunch, dinner, and a bar bites menu.
People come for the famous fried chicken and crab beignets but stay for the unique Key West atmosphere. Enjoy indoor and outdoor seating, fire pits, and breathtaking water views.
Here are a few of their mouthwatering special menu selections:
- Build Your Own Omelet
- Yellowtail Snapper BLT
- Croque Cubana
- Traditional, Southern, and Lobster Benedicts
Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar offers a variety of bar bites, from lobster rolls to smash burgers. The cocktail menu includes favorites like strawberry basil lemonade, Key Lime Martini, and Hemingway daiquiri.
Fun Fact: Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar has earned a nomination for the Best Brunch award by the Bubba Awards, highlighting its status as one of the premier brunch spots in Key West.
3) Cuban Coffee Queen – “Drink More Cuban Coffee And Do Stupid Things Faster”
The original restaurant is located on the waterfront and is still a great place to stop for a pickup order and enjoy the view. However, for a dine-in experience, head to the Key Lime Square location. Once you walk into Cuban Coffee Queen, you will quickly sense the Cuban meets Key West smash-up atmosphere.
The smell of Cuban coffee will draw you in, but this place is more than a traditional coffee bar. Come in for the java, but stay for the best Cuban food. Try their Cuban Breakfast Buritto, Pan Cubano, or a Cuban Bagel to start your day. If you stop in for lunch or dinner, be ready to be met with a mouthwatering menu full of Cuban food favorites.
Menu highlights:
- Cuban Coffee: They offer a variety of freshly roasted coffee, including Key West Sunrise, Gallo Loco ( Crazy Rooster), and Si Mi Amor (Yes My Love).
- Lunch: Enjoy a variety of Cuban sandwiches like Jose Marti, Cuban Queen’s Mix or the famous The Shipwreck Sandwich.
- Extras: Complete a meal with a smoothie or the famous Kermit’s Key Lime Pie on a stick.
Pro Tip: Head to the restaurant in the early morning before visitors and Key West locals to enjoy a peaceful cup of coffee and delicious breakfast.
4) Hot Tin Roof At Ocean Key Resort & Spa – A Charming Seaside Restaurant
The restaurant is easy to find on Duval Street and offers a fine dining experience in a Key West style. The dining room is adorned with beautiful teak wood, hand-painted ceilings, and a verandah that lets in the glowing light from amazing sunsets.
For a less formal dining experience, head to the lounge. Enjoy hand-crafted cocktails, small plates, and a panoramic harbor view. Relax and enjoy the music and vibes from the Sunset Pier.
Breakfast menu highlights – A combination of heavy and light foods:
- Crisp Chicken & Cheddar Waffles
- Roasted Mixed Mushroom Omelet
- Toasted Coconut Key Lime Breakfast Bread
Dinner menu highlights:
- Grilled Key West Pink Shrimp
- Seared Scottish Salmon
- Plantain Crusted Swordfish
- Petit Filet Mignon
- Yellowtail Snapper
Fun Fact: The restaurant was named after the Tennessee Williams play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
5) First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery- The Best For Al Fresco Dining
When deciding where to eat in Key West, a stop at First Flight Island Restaurant should be on the list. It has something to offer that other Key West restaurants do not. First Flight has a beautiful outdoor dining experience; however, it is also known for its rich history. It sits on the site where Pan American World Airways began, and in 1927 Pan-Am first sold tickets.
The restaurant offers a one-of-a-kind garden dining experience:
- The main level offers seating under a living tree canopy. It is also where the Crash Bar is located: the Southernmost Brewery in the United States.
- The tree-top deck sits on top of the trees and provides a view of the lower dining area and Whitehead Street.
First Flight offers local and seasonal dishes including, Seafood Scallops, Caribbean Pork, Smoked Fish Dip, Ahi Tuna Poke, Conch Fritters, and Brewery Wings.
The restaurant is a must see for anyone looking to experience the essence of Key West. You’ll not only get to enjoy delicious locally inspired food surrounded by nature but also step into a piece of history that adds to the charm of your dining experience.
6) Eaton Street Seafood Market – A Seafood Lovers Delight
Next on the list of places to eat in Key West is the Eaton Street Seafood Market; it’s not your typical seafood market. It is located in the heart of historic Old Town Key West in a building that dates back to 1877. The restaurant may not have all the fancy bells and whistles other restaurants in Key West have, but they serve fresh, delicious food.
The outdoor seating is under a tree canopy that offers shade during the day and lights up at night. Though there are no water views, you can still relax and enjoy the ambiance of Old Town Key West.
Menu highlights:
- Fresh Seafood: They offer a variety of locally caught seafood, including Key West pink shrimp, lobster, hogfish, grouper, and more.
- Appetizers: Conch Fritters, Buffalo Shrimp, Conch Ceviche
- Lunch & Dinner Selections: Lobster rolls, fish and crab cake sandwiches, and fried shrimp
- Speciality Dishes: Smoked Fish Dip and Stone Crab
Pro Tip: Eaton Street Seafood Market does not take reservations, and the seating area fills up fast. Order takeout and sit by the water to enjoy the views.
7) Blue Heaven – Home Of The Famous Roaming Chickens And Cats
Last, maybe the most famous, on the Key West restaurant list is Blue Heaven. Its location is two blocks from Duval Street; you can not miss the bright sign. It’s known for its eclectic art, flavorful foods, and steadfast menu.
Special Features:
- Indoor & outdoor seating- Watch for falling fruits and chickens
- Live music
- Happy hour from 3:30-5:00 pm with half-off drinks
Breakfast Favorites:
- Richard’s Very Good Pancakes
- Blue Heaven Benedicts
- Shrimp And Grits
Lunch Highlights:
- Vegetarian Black Bean Soup
- Andy’s Grilled Sharp Cheddar Cheese & Tomato Sandwich
Dinner Delights:
- Jamaican Jerk Chicken
- Surf-n-Turf
- Heritage Pork Tenderloin
Dessert Must Haves:
- Key Lime Pie topped with a tall pile of meringue
- Banana Heaven – ripped banana soaked in rum, brown sugar, and orange juice poured over banana bread and topped with ice cream
Pro Tip: Breakfast and lunch are on a first come first served basis. To truly appreciate the restaurant’s atmosphere, sit outside, so come early.
There Is Nothing Like The Food Scene In Key West
Are you ready to explore everything from Cuban food to cracked conch and conch fritters? Restaurants in Key West all have their own individual flair. The beautiful weather and the Key West historic seaport certainly add to your overall experience.
However, to truly experience everything Key West has to offer, a boat tour with Key West Boat Trips is a must. Our Captains are ready to cook a meal that will delight your taste buds!
Contact us today to book a Key West culinary experience like no other!
The post 7 Best Places To Eat In Key West – A Foodie’s Delight first appeared on Key West Boat Trips.
