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.

1 of

Islamorada

Tacos Jalisco 2

Tacos Jalisco 2 in Tavernier serves fresh, authentic Mexican tacos and traditional dishes in a casual, family-friendly setting.

Key West

Kennedy Cafe

Kennedy Cafe — vibrant Mediterranean-style café and carry-out restaurant in Key West serving Greek, Turkish, Italian and Uzbek dishes.

Key West

Marlin Cafe

Marlin Café — Cuban-Mexican fusion breakfast & lunch eatery in Key West, where handcrafted tacos and pressed Cubanos deliver island flavor.

The Lower Keys

Taco Express

Taco Express Lower Keys — vibrant Mexican-American eatery in Summerland Key, where bold flavors and all-day breakfast meet island beach vibes.

Key West

Cafe Marquesa

Café Marquesa (at the Marquesa Hotel) offers refined coastal fine dining in Key West, blending locally sourced seafood, meats, and house-made desserts in an elegant setting.

Marathon

La Niña Restaurant

La Niña Restaurant — authentic Cuban cuisine in Marathon, where hearty flavors and local charm meet.

Key Largo

Lazy Lobster Seafood Restaurant

Lazy Lobster Seafood Restaurant — fresh seafood dining in Key Largo, where Keys-style dishes meet tropical ambiance.

Key Largo

El Habanero Restaurant

Pull over, you'll be glad you did — El Habanero Restaurant is a Key Largo Cuban food truck at 101961 Overseas Highway that has earned a devoted following for its fresh, boldly flavored Cuban breakfast sandwiches, juicy steak and pork sandwiches, mahi mahi plates with moro rice, fruity smoothies, and the kind of strong, soulful Cuban coffee that reminds you exactly why you came to the Florida Keys in the first place.

Keys Season Deals

Key West

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.