Let's be real – finding genuinely great places to eat in the Florida Keys isn't as simple as those "Top 10" lists make it seem. I've lost count of meals where I paid premium prices for frozen seafood while staring at postcard-worthy views. After living down here six years and eating at over 120 spots between Key West and Key Largo, I'm sharing actual worthwhile places that make you wanna lick the plate. Forget tourist traps. These are the best restaurants Keys insiders frequent when they wanna treat themselves.
Broken Down by Key: Where to Eat What
Look, each key has its own personality. Marathon isn't Key West, and Islamorada ain't trying to be. I've grouped these by location because driving 45 minutes for dinner when you're on vacation? No thanks. Each section includes my top picks plus essential details you won't find on most blogs – like that "hidden" parking lot behind the building or which places nickel-and-dime you for extra tartar sauce.
Key Largo Gems
Key Largo gets overlooked sometimes, which is wild because some of the freshest seafood comes through here. The vibe's more casual than down south, but don't mistake that for low quality.
| Restaurant | Must-Eat Dish | Price Range | Hours | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key Largo Conch House 201 Ocean Dr, Key Largo (305) 453-4844 |
Conch Chowder (ask for extra lime) | $$ | 11am-9pm Daily | Their backyard garden seating feels like your rich friend's tropical oasis. Avoid the grouper – it's inconsistent |
| Snappers Oceanfront 139 Ocean Dr, Key Largo (305) 509-2060 |
Coconut Shrimp Basket | $$ | 7am-10pm Daily | Sunset views worth the slightly cramped tables. Get here by 5pm or prepare for an hour wait Skip their cocktails – weak pours |
Key Largo Pro Tip: Parking near these places is brutal after 6pm. Snappers has 15 spots behind the building – turn right immediately past the dumpsters. You're welcome.
Islamorada Standouts
Islamorada bills itself as the "Sportfishing Capital," and honestly? They back it up on the dinner plate. More upscale options here, but still Keys-casual (leave the heels at home).
| Restaurant | Must-Eat Dish | Price Range | Hours | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morada Bay Beach Cafe 81600 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada (305) 664-0604 |
Wood-fired Octopus | $$$ | 11:30am-10pm Daily | Toes-in-sand dining with fire dancers on Sundays. Go for lunch – same views, lower prices |
| Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar 81924 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada (305) 664-4656 |
Mahi Reuben Sandwich | $$ | 7am-10:30pm Daily | Iconic sunset spot with live music nightly. Their "famous" crab cakes? Overrated. Stick to sandwiches |
We gotta talk about Island Grill (85501 Overseas Hwy). Locals either love it or hate it – I'm in the love camp. It looks like a shack (because it is), but their tuna nachos? Insane. Cash only, closes at 9pm sharp, and the bartender Larry remembers everyone's name after one visit. That's the magic of the best restaurants Keys regulars keep secret.
Marathon Middle Keys Finds
Marathon's that sweet spot where vacationers heading to Key West stop realizing they're starving. Don't sleep on these spots just because they're not at journey's end.
| Restaurant | Must-Eat Dish | Price Range | Hours | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keys Fisheries 3500 Gulfview Ave, Marathon (305) 743-4353 |
Lobster Reuben | $$ | 11am-9pm Daily | Order upstairs at the market, eat dockside watching fishermen unload. Messy heaven |
| Butterfly Cafe 1406 Ocean View Ave, Marathon (305) 743-0007 |
Banana Rum Lobster | $$$ | 5pm-9:30pm Tue-Sun | White tablecloth spot hidden in a resort. Worth dressing up for – request patio seating |
Marathon locals know: Always check if the lobster trap is hanging outside Keys Fisheries. If it's up? They got fresh lobster. If not? Skip it and get the stone crabs instead.
Big Pine & Lower Keys Hidden Spots
This stretch between Marathon and Key West gets skipped too often. Big mistake if you hate crowds but love flavor.
- No Name Pub (30813 Watson Blvd, Big Pine Key) - Yeah, it's covered in dollar bills. Their pizza? Shockingly great. Go Wednesday nights when locals pack the place.
- Mangrove Mama's (19991 Overseas Hwy, Sugarloaf Key) - Quirky shack serving killer shrimp tacos since 1956. Tiny inside – grab outdoor picnic tables.
Personal rant: I took my sister to Square Grouper (28500 Overseas Hwy) last month because everyone raves. Maybe we hit an off night? Fish tacos were soggy, service glacial. Could've been a fluke, but it's off my best restaurants Keys list for now.
Key West Winners Beyond Duval Street
Duval Street restaurants exist for tourists with sunburns and credit cards. These spots require walking a block or two but deliver actual memorable meals.
| Restaurant | Must-Eat Dish | Price Range | Hours | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garbo's Grill 409 Caroline St, Key West (305) 849-4860 |
Korean BBQ Tacos | $ | 12pm-9pm Tue-Sat | Literally a food truck behind a bar. Small menu, huge flavor. Cash only |
| Azur Restaurant 425 Grinnell St, Key West (305) 292-2987 |
Eggplant Napoleon | $$$ | 6pm-10pm Daily | Mediterranean twist on Keys seafood. Get reservations – it's tiny inside |
| Blue Heaven 729 Thomas St, Key West (305) 296-8666 |
Lobster Benedict | $$ | 8am-3pm, 5:30pm-10pm Daily | Breakfast legend with roosters wandering under your table. Worth the wait (avg 45 mins) |
Crucial advice for Key West dining: If a hostess promises "only 15 more minutes" at prime dinner time? Double it. Just wander over to Virgilio's (524 Duval St) for killer cocktails while you wait. Their martinis make delays tolerable.
Unwritten Rules for Keys Dining Success
You can't just roll into these places like it's Applebee's back home. Keys restaurants operate differently. After three disastrous trips where I showed up starving only to learn they stopped serving lunch at 2pm, I compiled these survival tactics:
- Reservations Aren't Optional: For dinner anywhere decent? Book 3+ days out during season (Dec-Apr). Walk-ins at 7pm? Enjoy that hotel vending machine dinner.
- "Island Time" is Real: Service moves slower down here. It's not rudeness – it's cultural. Order a rum punch and decompress.
- Cash Rules: Tons of smaller spots (even some pricier ones) are cash-only or add 4% credit card fees. Hit the ATM beforehand.
- Parking Nightmares Solved: Always ask: "Is there lot behind you?" Most places have hidden spots. Valet at nicer Key West spots usually costs $15-$20.
- Happy Hour Goldmine: 3pm-6pm is sacred. Half-priced conch fritters and $5 margaritas exist. Find them like your vacation depends on it.
FAQs: Keys Dining Questions Everyone Asks
"Where's the absolute best place for sunset dinner views?"
Hands down: Latitudes on Sunset Key (245 Front St, Key West). But here's the catch – you need ferry reservations MONTHS ahead. For easier access: Lorelei in Islamorada or Salute! On The Beach in Key West (1000 Atlantic Blvd). Show up 90 mins before sunset though.
"Are there any truly cheap eats in the Keys?"
Honestly? Not many. But try these: Harriette's Restaurant in Key Largo (95710 Overseas Hwy) for $4 muffins bigger than your face. Baby's Coffee (3176 Overseas Hwy) breakfast sandwiches under $10. DJ's Clam Shack in Key West (629 Duval St) fried clams for $14.
"What's the one dish I MUST try in the Keys?"
Conch anything – especially cracked conch (pounded and fried) or conch fritters. Hogfish if you see it – flakier than grouper. Avoid "Florida lobster" unless it's winter – it's actually Caribbean spiny lobster, tougher than Maine lobster.
"Is Key lime pie actually better down here?"
Abso-freaking-lutely. But skip any place charging over $9/slice. Standouts: Blond Giraffe in Key Largo (146 Ocean Dr) and Kermit's in Key West (802 Duval St). Avoid green pie – real Key lime is pale yellow.
"Can I find good vegetarian/vegan food?"
Surprisingly yes! Date & Thyme in Islamorada (81630 Overseas Hwy) makes vegan wraps that even carnivores fight over. Coffee Plantation in Key West (713 Caroline St) has tofu scrambles that'll make you forget eggs exist.
Why This List Works When Others Don't
Most "best restaurants Keys" roundups regurgitate press releases. I update this annually based on:
- Eating at every spot personally (yes, it's a tough job)
- Tracking menu price hikes (some places jumped 40% post-COVID!)
- Monitoring consistency – that Key West darling from 2022? Closed last month
- Local intel from fishermen and chefs who actually live here
Places rise and fall quick down here. That waterfront bistro everyone Instagrammed last summer? Might serve frozen shrimp now. I'll keep hunting so you don't waste $250 on mediocre snapper. Because life's too short for bad seafood in paradise.
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