A Conch's Islander Guide to Key West
Favorite Restaurants
There are so many great restaurants in Key West! I have always said one could eat out every meal for a month and not have a bad one here. This is a list of my favorites, which are based on food certainly, but also on location, ambiance, and other qualities that I think make them particularly special.
Great local's spot for cuban food, sandwiches, breakfast, con leche, etc. It's about 6 blocks from the house, and a nice walk, but they deliver as well.
Sandy's Café
1026 White StGreat local's spot for cuban food, sandwiches, breakfast, con leche, etc. It's about 6 blocks from the house, and a nice walk, but they deliver as well.
Fantastic french-esque restaurant for dinner. Owner/ chef, John Correa is a cordon bleu trained chef and has been operating Cafe Sole for over 30 years. This is a lovely walk from the house...not quite a mile.
11 местните препоръчват
Cafe Sole
1029 Southard StFantastic french-esque restaurant for dinner. Owner/ chef, John Correa is a cordon bleu trained chef and has been operating Cafe Sole for over 30 years. This is a lovely walk from the house...not quite a mile.
I like Louie's for lunch - much less expensive than dinner, which is very good, but also very expensive. The views are unparalleled and also a great dog friendly back bar for cocktails on the water. The only dog beach on the island is right next to Louie's as well. Upstairs is a great, completely separate restaurant with fantastic smaller plate/ tapas style offerings. The truffle fries are the best on the island. They open at 5, get their early to score a table on the balcony.
30 местните препоръчват
Louie's Backyard
700 Waddell AveI like Louie's for lunch - much less expensive than dinner, which is very good, but also very expensive. The views are unparalleled and also a great dog friendly back bar for cocktails on the water. The only dog beach on the island is right next to Louie's as well. Upstairs is a great, completely separate restaurant with fantastic smaller plate/ tapas style offerings. The truffle fries are the best on the island. They open at 5, get their early to score a table on the balcony.
Great spot for lunch or dinner, about a mile from the house. Daily late brunch offerings as well.
7 местните препоръчват
Azur Restaurant
425 Grinnell StGreat spot for lunch or dinner, about a mile from the house. Daily late brunch offerings as well.
We have a ritual, whereby the first thing we do after flying into Key West, is to have lunch at Thai Island. Located just 3 blocks from the house, it's super sushi restaurant as well as traditional thai food, and overlooks Garrison Bight Marina.
9 местните препоръчват
Thai Island Restaurant
711 Eisenhower DrWe have a ritual, whereby the first thing we do after flying into Key West, is to have lunch at Thai Island. Located just 3 blocks from the house, it's super sushi restaurant as well as traditional thai food, and overlooks Garrison Bight Marina.
While Pepe's serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I particularly love it for breakfast. Best omelet's on the island IMO and great homemade sweet bread that changes daily. Also, fresh squeezed juices for mimosa's etc.
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Pepe's
806 Caroline StWhile Pepe's serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I particularly love it for breakfast. Best omelet's on the island IMO and great homemade sweet bread that changes daily. Also, fresh squeezed juices for mimosa's etc.
This is a very upscale fine dining establishment. Food is consistently good, and view is excellent overlooking the historic key west bight. I enjoy sitting at the bar upstairs called Berlin's and eating there. They also have great espresso martinis with real espresso. Downstairs is a good raw bar casual restaurant that is owned by the same group and shares the same kitchen which is popular for more casual dining.
14 местните препоръчват
A&B Lobster House
700 Front StThis is a very upscale fine dining establishment. Food is consistently good, and view is excellent overlooking the historic key west bight. I enjoy sitting at the bar upstairs called Berlin's and eating there. They also have great espresso martinis with real espresso. Downstairs is a good raw bar casual restaurant that is owned by the same group and shares the same kitchen which is popular for more casual dining.
This is a great tapas style eatery located in the Bahama Village neighborhood of old town. A large, consistent menu with great wine as well. No spirits. A very good and early happy hour menu as well.
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Santiago's Bodega | Key West
207 Petronia StThis is a great tapas style eatery located in the Bahama Village neighborhood of old town. A large, consistent menu with great wine as well. No spirits. A very good and early happy hour menu as well.
Blue Heaven serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and all are excellent. Primarily outdoor seating, it is famous for it's chickens running around the yard, but don't be fooled, some of the best cooking on the island comes out of this kitchen. I particularly love their blueberry and pecan pancakes for breakfast. They also have shrimp and grits and a well known lobster benedict, in addition to fresh squeezed juices.
52 местните препоръчват
Blue Heaven
729 Thomas StBlue Heaven serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and all are excellent. Primarily outdoor seating, it is famous for it's chickens running around the yard, but don't be fooled, some of the best cooking on the island comes out of this kitchen. I particularly love their blueberry and pecan pancakes for breakfast. They also have shrimp and grits and a well known lobster benedict, in addition to fresh squeezed juices.
This is widely considered the best cuban food spot on the island, and is a staple for most Key Westers for take out. The roasted garlic chicken is excellent, as is the fresh fish. Definitely try the Ropa Vieja as well, with yellow rice, black beans, and plantains. Their homemade sangria is excellent.
25 местните препоръчват
El Siboney Restaurant
900 Catherine StThis is widely considered the best cuban food spot on the island, and is a staple for most Key Westers for take out. The roasted garlic chicken is excellent, as is the fresh fish. Definitely try the Ropa Vieja as well, with yellow rice, black beans, and plantains. Their homemade sangria is excellent.
This is a fun bar as well as a good place for a casual dinner overlooking duval street. Downstairs is the more fine dining kitchen and restaurant, 915, which is owned by the same group and is also very good. I enjoy upstairs at the bar because it is often quite lively, the bartenders are fantastic, and the cocktails / wine list exceptional.
Point 5
915 Duval StThis is a fun bar as well as a good place for a casual dinner overlooking duval street. Downstairs is the more fine dining kitchen and restaurant, 915, which is owned by the same group and is also very good. I enjoy upstairs at the bar because it is often quite lively, the bartenders are fantastic, and the cocktails / wine list exceptional.
A gorgeous restaurant with great food. Located on the very exclusive island just off of Key West known as Sunset Key, one must take a ferry out to Latitudes. The view is exceptional, and I find that I enjoy lunch there more than dinner for that reason. Do make reservations well in advance as they book up months out often.
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Latitudes
245 Front StA gorgeous restaurant with great food. Located on the very exclusive island just off of Key West known as Sunset Key, one must take a ferry out to Latitudes. The view is exceptional, and I find that I enjoy lunch there more than dinner for that reason. Do make reservations well in advance as they book up months out often.
Neighborhoods
The Robert's House is located in the Meadows, a very old, historic part of old town Key West that is a very popular local neighborhood. Very easy, quiet, and safe to explore on foot or bike day and night.
The Meadows
The Robert's House is located in the Meadows, a very old, historic part of old town Key West that is a very popular local neighborhood. Very easy, quiet, and safe to explore on foot or bike day and night.
Sightseeing
This is a bit of a hidden gem. While some folks may think a museum like this wouldn't be worth the time to visit, it's actually a really well done history museum. I always take visiting family and friends here as it's very interesting.
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Музей на Мел Фишър за морски находки
200 Greene StThis is a bit of a hidden gem. While some folks may think a museum like this wouldn't be worth the time to visit, it's actually a really well done history museum. I always take visiting family and friends here as it's very interesting.
This is another spot that many people may not bother with, but it is actually very popular with locals. It's a great place to visit on a cold and/or rainy day.
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Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
1316 Duval StThis is another spot that many people may not bother with, but it is actually very popular with locals. It's a great place to visit on a cold and/or rainy day.
A great little history museum that is not well known, but is very authentic and well done...located near the airport...a fun little jaunt if history is your thing.
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Fort East Martello Museum
3501 S Roosevelt BlvdA great little history museum that is not well known, but is very authentic and well done...located near the airport...a fun little jaunt if history is your thing.
Fort Zach as we locals call it is both an historical fort that is worth touring and quite interesting, as well as a state park with one of the most picturesque beaches in Key West. The beach is very rocky and coral filled, so where water shoes of some sort if you have sensitive feet ( a lot of us locals do not because we run around barefoot all our lives). The water though is very clear in the summer and good for snorkeling around the little rocky breakwaters that were created about 100 yards offshore. You can also rent chairs and umbrellas there, and they have a basic food stand. Coolers and chairs can be brought in though as well. There are picnic tables and some cookout grills available on a first come basis. There is also a secret little beach to the north of the parking areas, that is easy to walk or ride a bike to. Just follow the dirt path along the water walking towards the north/ towards the harbor. The path dead ends at the beach...it is small, but not usually crowded as mostly only locals know about it. The sand is nicer here.
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Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
601 Howard England WayFort Zach as we locals call it is both an historical fort that is worth touring and quite interesting, as well as a state park with one of the most picturesque beaches in Key West. The beach is very rocky and coral filled, so where water shoes of some sort if you have sensitive feet ( a lot of us locals do not because we run around barefoot all our lives). The water though is very clear in the summer and good for snorkeling around the little rocky breakwaters that were created about 100 yards offshore. You can also rent chairs and umbrellas there, and they have a basic food stand. Coolers and chairs can be brought in though as well. There are picnic tables and some cookout grills available on a first come basis. There is also a secret little beach to the north of the parking areas, that is easy to walk or ride a bike to. Just follow the dirt path along the water walking towards the north/ towards the harbor. The path dead ends at the beach...it is small, but not usually crowded as mostly only locals know about it. The sand is nicer here.
This is actually my former company that I created and operated with my ex-husband for 30 years. We just sold it early in 2022. They do eco-excursions in the day time to the out islands of the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, combining kayaking, snorkeling, and sailing. In the evening, there is a very popular, upscale sunset sail called Wind and Wine, that features an array of fine wines from all over the world, hors d'oeuvres, and a selection of craft beers. Mention you are guests of Lara and Wayne Fox when you call to book and they should give you 20% off for a friends and family discount.
14 местните препоръчват
Danger Charters
255 Front StThis is actually my former company that I created and operated with my ex-husband for 30 years. We just sold it early in 2022. They do eco-excursions in the day time to the out islands of the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, combining kayaking, snorkeling, and sailing. In the evening, there is a very popular, upscale sunset sail called Wind and Wine, that features an array of fine wines from all over the world, hors d'oeuvres, and a selection of craft beers. Mention you are guests of Lara and Wayne Fox when you call to book and they should give you 20% off for a friends and family discount.
Lesser Known Bars
A great wine bar that is very popular with the locals. An excellent by the glass list, as well as a wide and deep bottle selection for drinking there or at home. Next door is Flamingo Crossing ice cream shop, owned by the same family, which makes these two a fabulous stop for a group with multiple generations....ice cream for the kiddies and vino for us elders.
Grand Vin Wine Bar
1107 Duval StreetA great wine bar that is very popular with the locals. An excellent by the glass list, as well as a wide and deep bottle selection for drinking there or at home. Next door is Flamingo Crossing ice cream shop, owned by the same family, which makes these two a fabulous stop for a group with multiple generations....ice cream for the kiddies and vino for us elders.
This is not a well known spot...but a nice place to grab a drink and listen to some live music often in the afternoons. Located on a small beach called Simonton Beach, it is a fun place to come for a swim and cool off with a libation.
Lagerheads Beach Bar & Watersports
0 Simonton StreetThis is not a well known spot...but a nice place to grab a drink and listen to some live music often in the afternoons. Located on a small beach called Simonton Beach, it is a fun place to come for a swim and cool off with a libation.
A large cuban restaurant located right in the heart of downtown key west, off of Malory Square. While the food is fine, and the mojitos are great, the main reason I'm including it is because it has live latin music outside 7 nights a week (at least as of the writing of this guide book), and is a fun place to absorb some of our local latin/cuban culture.
9 местните препоръчват
El Meson De Pepe's Restaurant & Bar
410 Wall StA large cuban restaurant located right in the heart of downtown key west, off of Malory Square. While the food is fine, and the mojitos are great, the main reason I'm including it is because it has live latin music outside 7 nights a week (at least as of the writing of this guide book), and is a fun place to absorb some of our local latin/cuban culture.
This is now called Opal Key, and I'm including it here, because they have an upstairs outdoor bar called Sunset Deck that not a lot of people know about. It overlooks Key West Harbor and is a nice place for a cocktail at sunset.
10 местните препоръчват
Margaritaville Key West Resort & Marina
245 Front StThis is now called Opal Key, and I'm including it here, because they have an upstairs outdoor bar called Sunset Deck that not a lot of people know about. It overlooks Key West Harbor and is a nice place for a cocktail at sunset.
Съвет за града
Придвижване
Walking & biking are the best ways to see old town Key West
Parking in old town is notoriously hard and expensive, so most locals bike or walk often, or uber is also often more affordable than parking downtown. There are a few beat up old "conch cruisers" at the house which you are welcome to use ( do use the locks attached to the bikes - as bike theft is a big issue on the island). I recommend looking into renting bikes though if you plan on using them often, as you can get new bikes in good repair delivered directly to the house.
Предварителна резервация
Dry Tortugas, Sea Planes, and Lattitudes Restaurant
The Dry Tortugas trip, the Sea Planes, and Lattitudes Restaurant on Sunset Key all book up months in advance, so make sure you make reservations well in advance of your visit if you want to enjoy these attractions.
Пътуване с деца
Lots to do with kids in Key West!
There are lots of museums and attractions that are great for kids, Mel Fisher Museum, Wreckers Museum, Butterfly Conservancy among others. Lots of the watersport activities are also kid friendly: Danger Charters among others. There are several snorkeling spots that can be accessed easily from the shore that are good ways to introduce kids to snorkeling without having to be off shore at a reef. Of course, there are lots of beaches which are often big hits with the kiddos, and several nice playgrounds at Higgs Beach, and at Bayview Park, which is about a 4 block walk from the house.
Обичаи и култура
Key West is a very diverse mixture of cultures
One of my favorite aspects of life on this island is the diversity of the community. There are lots of Cuban Americans here and latinos in general, which make for a colorful and vibrant music and art scene. Definitely check out cuban food, and especially Con Leche or Bucci if you enjoy coffee. Mojitos are great here too. Of course, Key West is well known to have a very large LBGT community too...so take in a drag show if you have never seen one - either at La Te Da (more upscale) or 801 Bourbon street (a bit raunchy but fun!). We have a saying here: One Human Family - Enjoy!