Seafood platter with crab, shrimp, and wine on a wooden table.

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.

Key lime pie with whipped cream and lime on a plate, coffee cup nearby.

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.

Couple sitting at a picnic table under colorful canopy, a musician plays guitar nearby.

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.

Colorful vintage cars and buildings line a vibrant Havana street.

Cuban Heritage, Food and Culture Enrich Key West

Sample the sweetness of fried plantains served with lime-kissed pork chops.

Lionfish sashimi garnished with greens on a glass plate by a calm lake.

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.

Gourmet dish with garnish, two glasses of wine in background.

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.

Key West

Funky Rooster Coffee House & Wine Bar

Funky Rooster Coffee House & Wine Bar in Key West blends artisan coffee, fine wines, and local flair into a cozy, off-beat café experience.

Key West

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.

Key West

Ana's Cafe and Southernmost Grocery

Ana’s Café Cubano in Key West offers authentic Cuban sandwiches, hearty breakfast options, and freshly brewed coffee in a cozy, walk‑up café setting.

Key West

Square Grouper Key West

Square Grouper Key West offers upscale coastal cuisine with fresh local seafood, creative cocktails, and island-inspired flavors in a chic, laid-back setting.

Key West

Sugar Apple Organic Cafe & Market

Sugar Apple Organic Café & Market in Key West serves fresh, plant-based meals and organic groceries in a relaxed, eco-friendly setting.

Key West

Captain Tony's Saloon

Captain Tony’s Saloon is a historic Key West dive bar famous for its colorful past, live music, and legendary visitors like Ernest Hemingway and Jimmy Buffett.

Key West

Hemingway Distillery

Slip into the Hemingway Social Club, a cool, air-conditioned speakeasy hidden inside Papa's Pilar Rum Distillery on Simonton Street in Old Town Key West. Pull up a stool for craft rum and whiskey cocktails in a room that practically hums with Ernest Hemingway's island spirit.