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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Marathon
La Chapina Restaurant
La Chapina Restaurant — authentic Guatemalan cuisine in Marathon, where bold flavors and island hospitality meet.
Key Largo
Alfredo's Cookhouse
Alfredo's Cook House is a beloved family-owned restaurant in Key Largo serving more than 50 international dishes — from hibachi and fresh seafood to steaks, pasta, and Mexican favorites — at a modest price point with a warm, come-as-you-are atmosphere that keeps locals and visitors coming back.
Key West
The Cafe
The Café in Key West serves fresh, flavorful vegetarian and vegan cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients in a cozy, island-chic setting.
Midway Cafe & Coffee Bar
Midway Café & Coffee Bar is a vibrant, pet-friendly café in Islamorada, FL, offering fresh-baked pastries, organic coffee, and a diverse menu with vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Key West
Dive Bar Shirt Club-Grub House
Dive Bar Shirt Club - Grub House is a small Key West dive bar and grub house at 320 Grinnell Street, a couple of blocks off Duval. It pours beer and wine, serves tacos until 9 PM, and keeps pinball and puzzles going under a ceiling plastered with retired t-shirt designs.
Islamorada
A Dinner in Paradise
A Dinner in Paradise is a personal chef and private dining service operating throughout the Florida Keys from Key Largo to Marathon, led by Chef Arthur, offering fully customized 4-course ocean-to-table meals prepared, cooked, served, and cleaned up at your home, vacation rental, or resort for events, gatherings, and special occasions starting at $90 per person with a $375 minimum plus groceries.
Marathon
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.
Marathon
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.
Islamorada
Mangrove Mike's
Mangrove Mike’s Café is a family-owned diner in Islamorada, FL, serving award-winning breakfast and lunch all day in a nostalgic, Florida Keys-inspired setting.
Key West
One Love Food Truck
One Love Food Truck — Caribbean fusion cuisine in Key West, where Jamaican spices and island flavors meet creative comfort fare.
Key West
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.
Key West
Kojin Noodle Bar
Kojin Noodle Bar — artisan ramen & noodle bowls in Key West, where bold Asian flavors meet island comfort.
Islamorada
Green Turtle Inn
The Green Turtle Inn in Islamorada is a landmark restaurant serving fresh local seafood, hearty American classics, and warm Keys hospitality since 1947.
The Mar Bar
The Mar Bar in Tavernier offers refreshing cocktails, cold beer, and delicious coastal bites in a laid-back Florida Keys setting.
