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.
Filters
The Lower Keys
Hogfish Bar & Grill
Hogfish Bar and Grill in Key West serves authentic island flavors, fresh local seafood, and cold drinks in a laid-back waterfront setting.
Key Largo
Buttonwood Grill
Buttonwood Grill is a waterfront Key Largo restaurant serving fresh seafood, steaks, sandwiches and Cook Your Catch meals along the Manatee Canal.
Islamorada
Gardenia's Bistro / GB’s Lounge
Gardenia's Bistro is a plant-filled, eco-friendly café in Tavernier where clean, seasonal food and ethically sourced coffee come without the single-use plastic. Come sunset, the garden setting transforms into GB's Alter Ego, a breezy lounge pouring cocktails and tapas.
Marathon
Bongo's Botanical Beer Garden and Cafe
Bongo’s Botanical Beer Garden on Grassy Key offers a tropical oasis featuring over 20 craft beers on tap, garden‑fresh cocktails, and a vibrant food truck menu.
The Lower Keys
Salty Oyster Dockside Bar & Grill
Salty Oyster Dockside Bar & Grill — relaxed waterfront dining in Stock Island/Key West, where fresh seafood, craft cocktails and live music meet marina‑side views.
Key West
Cabana Club
The Cabana Clubis a premier private swim and beach club offering a range of amenities including a heated/cooled pool, private sandy beach, spa/whirlpool, showering facilities, full bar, and a beach shop.
Islamorada
CAO Bakery & Cafe
Authentic Cuban‑American bakery and café serving classic pastelitos, cortaditos, sandwiches, and homemade baked goods in Islamorada.
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
Dorada
Dorada Key West is a beachfront restaurant inside Casa Marina offering Baja-Med cuisine that blends Mexican, Mediterranean, and Florida-inspired flavors.
Key Largo
Flamingo Lodge and Restaurant
Flamingo Restaurant at Everglades offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with stunning Florida Bay views, featuring fresh seafood, cocktails, and a “cook your catch” option.
Key West
Southernmost Beach Café
Southernmost Beach Café in Key West serves fresh coastal cuisine and tropical cocktails with unbeatable oceanfront views.
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
Islamorada Shrimp Shack
Islamorada Shrimp Shack — fresh seafood dining in Islamorada, where family-run flavor meets Keys charm.
Key West
China Garden
China Garden West in Key West offers classic Chinese cuisine, including favorites like General Tso’s Chicken and shrimp lo mein, in a casual, family‑friendly setting.
