Food & Drink
Taste your way through The Florida Keys, where every bite feels like a mini adventure. From dockside seafood shacks and fresh-caught fish to Cuban coffees, quirky tiki bars, and Key lime pie that might just change your world, the culinary scene here is as vibrant as the coral reefs. Whether you’re after a fancy dinner with sunset views or a casual snack by the water, local chefs, distilleries, and cafés serve flavor with a sprinkle of Keys charm. Come hungry — you won’t leave disappointed.
Sweet Key Lime Pie Flavors the Keys
Few people visit the Florida Keys without sampling a few pieces of Key lime pie, renowned as the island chain’s signature dessert. Millions of slices of the tart, creamy treat — voted the official pie of Florida by the state legislature in 2006 (yes, really!) — are savored every year by Keys visitors and locals.
Brewed and Barreled in the Florida Keys
If you’re a fan of fine beers, ales, rums and more, you’re sure to enjoy unique libations created in the Florida Keys.
Cuban Heritage, Food and Culture Enrich Key West
Sample the sweetness of fried plantains served with lime-kissed pork chops.
Lionfish: An Incredible Edible Fish
It’s believed that lionfish, a popular Indo-Pacific aquarium fish, was first released in Florida’s Atlantic waters during the 1980s. Now lionfish prey voraciously on invertebrates and over 70 species of domestic fish. And these toothy coral reef fish, part of the scorpion fish family, have no natural reef predators except spearfishing humans.
The Keys Can’t-Miss List: Marathon Restaurants
Planning a getaway to Marathon and the middle Florida Keys? Check with local residents to find out which eateries they recommend to visiting family, friends and newcomers eager to discover the islands’ eats.
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Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House
Florida Keys Steak & Lobster House in Marathon delivers premium steaks, fresh seafood, and surf-and-turf classics in an upscale yet relaxed Keys setting.
Butterfly Café
Butterfly Café at Tranquility Bay offers casual waterfront dining with island-inspired fare and scenic canal views.
Coast To Coast Pizza Company
Coast To Coast Pizza Company in Marathon, FL, offers handcrafted New York, Sicilian, and Detroit-style pizzas made with high-quality ingredients in a casual, family-friendly setting.
Marathon Bagel Co.
Marathon Bagel Co. — New York/New Jersey-style bagels in Marathon, where freshly baked 14%-protein rolls meet all-day breakfast & lunch favorites.
Barnacle Barney's Tiki Bar and Grill
Barnacle Barney’s Tiki Bar & Grill in Marathon offers waterfront dining, tropical drinks, and live music in a laid-back Keys setting.
Takara Thai House
Authentic Thai and sushi in Marathon, Florida Keys—Takara Thai House offers fresh, made-to-order dishes in a welcoming, family-owned setting.
Salt + Ash
Salt + Ash is an elevated farm-to-table restaurant by Michelin-starred Chef Jeremy Ford, located at Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key. It blends bold coastal flavors with fresh, locally sourced ingredients for a refined dining experience.
Pop's Smoke Shed Marathon
Pop’s Smoke Shed brings bold, slow-smoked BBQ flavors to the Florida Keys with legendary brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and island-style comfort food.
Takeria La Palapa
Takeria La Palapa in Marathon serves fresh, flavorful Mexican cuisine with a casual Keys vibe.
B's Reggae Bites
B’s Reggae Bites — authentic Jamaican food truck and island-style carry-out in Marathon, Florida Keys.
Pink Pirate Cafe
The Pink Pirate Café — colorful island-style café in Marathon where bold flavors and laid-back charm meet.
TJ's Tiki Bar
TJ’s Tiki Bar at Tranquility Bay offers stunning waterfront views, tropical cocktails, and fresh island-inspired bites in a relaxed Keys atmosphere.
The Stuffed Pig
The Stuffed Pig offers hearty, flavorful sandwiches and comfort food in a casual, welcoming atmosphere. A local favorite for delicious, satisfying meals in the Florida Keys.
Bongos Botanical Beer Garden
Keep your eyes peeled at Mile Marker 59 on Grassy Key because Bongos Botanical Beer Garden is one of those places you could easily miss and never forgive yourself for. Opened in 2020 inside The Lagoon adventure park, this tropical beer garden is surrounded by mature palms, banana trees, and an organic herb and fruit garden growing the fresh ingredients that go straight into your cocktail, with over 20 craft beers on tap, a daily food truck, weekend brunch and live music, hammock chairs for swinging, lawn games, and a genuinely dog-friendly policy that extends to a plain beef patty for your pup.
Sweet Savannah's Bake Shop
Sweet Savannah’s — cozy Key West bakery & café serving homemade breads, sandwiches, pastries, and island comfort