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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Banana Cafe
Banana Café in Key West is a charming French-style bistro blending Parisian flair with Caribbean influence, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and crepes.
Origami Sushi Bar
The Spa at Sunset Key Cottages — luxury island-spa and wellness retreat in Key West, where serene treatments meet private-island elegance.
Old Town Suites
Old Town Suites is a boutique hotel in Key West featuring self-catering apartments with full kitchens, a coffee shop, and a prime location just steps from Duval Street and the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum.
Mac Doo BBQ
Mac Doo BBQ is a Key West barbecue restaurant serving smoked meats, gluten-free sauces and rubs, and Florida Keys roadside flavor.
Parrot Key Hotel & Villas
Parrot Key Hotel & Villas is a tropical oasis in Key West, offering spacious rooms, suites, and villas surrounded by lush gardens, four outdoor pools, and a complimentary shuttle to Old Town attractions.
Azur Key West
Azur is a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in Old Town Key West, offering creative dishes like charred octopus, braised beef gnocchi, and house-made pastas in a chic, garden‑style setting.
Salsa y Sabor Baking Goods
Salsa y Sabor Baking Goods brings freshly baked ciabatta, focaccia, and sourdough loaves alongside handcrafted jams, dips, and nut butters to the Key West and Islamorada farmers markets — a Plastic Free 305 certified small business and a must-stop for anyone who loves artisan bread.
Blackfin Bistro
Blackfin Bistro in Key West is an upscale yet approachable grill offering a refined mix of seafood, steak, and American-inspired dishes in a stylish setting.
Lolita's Coastal Cocina
Lolita’s Coastal Cocina — vibrant Latin-inspired waterfront dining at Opal Key Resort & Marina in Key West.
Duetto Pizza & Gelato
Duetto Pizza & Gelato is an Old Town Key West go-to for NY-style thin-crust pizza, fresh Italian sandwiches, and 14 flavors of house-made gelato. Grab a slice on Greene Street, order delivery, and finish with a scoop, with vegan and gluten-free picks in the mix too.
Viv Wine Bistro
Wahoo’s Bar and Grill in Islamorada serves fresh local seafood, tropical cocktails, and stunning oceanfront views in a laid-back Florida Keys setting.
Bad Boy Burrito Taqueria & Tequila
Bad Boy Taqueria & Tequila is a vibrant Key West eatery serving fresh, bold Mexican fare—tacos, burritos, and more—paired with a full bar and island vibes.
The Retro Room
The Retro Room is a Key West arcade bar and cafe at 126 Simonton Street offering 24 taps of craft beer, wine, sake, and specialty beverages alongside hundreds of board games, retro video arcade games, and weekly events including trivia nights, tournaments, and bar crawls.
Key West Key Lime Pie Co.
Key West Key Lime Pie Company — iconic dessert shop specializing in award-winning Key lime pies, bars and chocolate-dipped delights in Key West.
The Bull
The Bull in Key West is a lively, open-air bar on Duval Street known for its live music, cold drinks, and classic island party vibe.