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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Caroline's Cafe
Caroline’s Café is a Key West favorite on Duval Street, known for its fresh seafood, hearty sandwiches, and Caribbean-inspired dishes served with laid-back island flair.
Half Shell Raw Bar
Half Shell Raw Bar is a waterfront seafood institution at 231 Margaret Street on the Key West Historic Seaport, serving broiled garlic oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp, conch ceviche, and daily fresh catches. Watch the boats and pelicans roll by while you dig in.
Bobalu's Southern Café
Bobalu’s Restaurant & Bar in the Florida Keys serves fresh seafood, hand-tossed pizza, and island-inspired dishes in a casual, family-friendly setting.
Amigos Tortilla Bar
Amigos Tortilla Bar in Key West serves fresh, handmade Mexican street food, featuring their signature square tacos, burritos, and flavorful salsas in a vibrant, casual setting.
Kava Key
Kava Key is a non-alcoholic kava bar and community gathering space steps off Duval Street in Key West, offering kava, kratom tea, kombucha, house mocktails, kava ice cream, and a self-serve ramen bar in a lantern-lit 18th-century ship-inspired setting open daily noon to 2 AM.
Duffy's Steak and Lobster House
Duffy’s Steak & Lobster House in Key West is a classic surf-and-turf restaurant offering premium seafood, steaks, and a warm island ambiance.
Mangia Mangia
Mangia Mangia — Italian & Mediterranean dining with fresh pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and warm Key West ambiance.
Cuban Coffee Queen Roasters
Cuban Coffee Queen Roasters in Key West crafts small-batch Cuban coffee with bold island flavor and authentic Key West charm.
Hot Tin Roof & Sunset Pier
Hot Tin Roof Restaurant at Ocean Key Resort & Spa offers elegant, waterfront dining on Duval Street with a menu featuring island-inspired seafood and stunning harbor views.
The Best Coffee in Town
Best Coffee in Town Key West serves freshly brewed coffee, espresso drinks, and locally inspired pastries in a relaxed, island-style café.
Ocean Grill & Bar
Ocean Grill & Bar — upscale seafood dining in Key West, where fresh local catches and global flavors come alive.
Sister Noodle House
Sister Noodle House — Asian‑fusion noodle house in Key West, where Chinese‑Vietnamese classics meet cozy, off‑the‑main‑drag comfort.
Mo's Restaurant
Mo’s Restaurant – A cozy Caribbean-Creole eatery near Bayview Park offering bold Haitian and island flavors in Key West.
Paradise Cafe
Paradise Café – A casual, family-friendly café in Key West serving all-day breakfast, sandwiches and burgers.
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.