The Florida Keys got its name from the Spanish word cayo, or island. The Keys are a 112-mile long chain of islands that begin at the base of Florida’s landscape. Visitors get to the Florida Keys by means of land, sea, and air. The islands are by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. The Keys offer probably the best angling and plunging spots in the world. This is also the home of the main living Coral Reef in the Continental United States. Here are the top 5 restaurants to grab something to eat and enjoy while you are in Key West.
1. Moondog Cafe and Bakery.
The Moondog Cafe and Bakery is located next to the famous antique Hemingway House in Old Town Key West. This quaint eatery includes inside and outside seating to enjoy the beautiful views and the weather. Apart from the homey and bohemian ambiance the menu boasts to be a hearty one. Filled with healthy dishes created to satisfy even the most special palette. The menu also includes special dishes for vegetarians and vegans. For breakfast you can eat a Feel Good Bowl which includes organic red and white quinoa, sauteed red onion, pepper, kale, mushrooms with avocado and sour cream. End the day watching the sunset while enjoying a scrumptious dinner dishes such as the Key West Fisherman’s Bowl which features fresh catches, clams, shrimp, mussels, crab, scallops, spicy tomato broth, fennel and herbs with garlic grilled ciabatta. Be sure to visit Moondog Cafe and Bakery
Address: 823 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040
Hours: Monday – Sunday from 8 am – 10 pm
Phone: (305) 741-7699
2. Red Fish Blue Fish.
The Red Fish Blue Fish seafood restaurant is located just a couple steps away from the ship port between Duval Street and Mallory Square. With a charming ambiance and a family-friend atmosphere makes the visit much more enjoyable. You can choose to dine indoor or take a seat on their beautiful outdoor patio. Their menu has a strong seafood theme that makes this establishment key for lunch and dinner. For lunch you can visit the Raw Bar which includes a ½ Dozen or Full Dozen Oysters on the Half Shell as well as a ½ Pound or Full Pound Peel n’ Eat Shrimp. After exploring what beautiful Key West has to offer enjoy a Lemon Shrimp Capellini dinner which is jumbo gulf shrimp sauteed with garlic butter, tomatoes, lemon, herbs and cream, then tossed with angel hair pasta.
Address: 407 Front Street, Key West, FL 33040
Hours: Monday – Sunday from 11 am – 10 pm
Phone: (305) 295-7447
3. Blue Heaven.
The Blue Heaven restaurant is located in historic bahama village filled with lots of colors and vibrant sounds and atmosphere. The restaurant features indoor and outdoor dining to enjoy the scenic views and live entertainment. Roaming the land are the native cats and chickens that can easily be spotted while dining out and you have the option to eat inside where there no other animals roaming around. Blue Heaven is al fresco dining with american, caribbean and vegetarian inspired cuisine. For breakfast lovers the Blue Heaven is filled with breakfast classics such as the Blue Heaven Benedict witch is a poached egg on english muffin with lime hollandaise with your choice of meat and veggies. Have lunch in the sun and enjoy a hearty Yellowtail Snapper Salad. After some relaxing at the beach you can enjoy one of the many main courses such as the Filet Mignon an 8oz Black Angus beef tenderloin with cabernet demi-glace and herb roasted potatoes and skillet corn. Blue Heaven is just a couple of blocks from the Ernest Hemingway Museum and other well known attractions. Be sure to stop in.
Address: 729 Thomas St. Key West, FL 33040
Hours: Monday – Sunday from 8 am – 4 pm “Lunch” 5 pm – 10:30 pm “Dinner”
Phone:(305) 296-8666
4. Latitudes Restaurant.
The Bob Heilman’s Beachcomber Restaurant is located on scenic Mandalay Avenue. With views of the beach as well as the avenue the Beachcomber offers a family-owned experience that serves a composition of both new and traditional dishes as well as specific gluten free and vegetarian dishes. Their meals are made with the freshest and best ingredients possible to deliver a memorable meal that will have your mouth watering and wanting for more. The menu consists of a lunch section that includes a Ruskin stuffed tomato with Heilman homemade chicken salad. For dinner you can try the Beachcomber Seafood Platter which is a combination of Gulf Shrimp, Scallops, Fresh Fish, and Maryland Crabcake served with Bloody Mary Cocktail Sauce. Apart from the dishes the Beachcomber also boasts an extensive beer and wine menu that features local craft beers such as the Night Swim Porter from Coppertail Brewing Company in Tampa, FL. For wine they have a Matchbook, California Chardonnay white wine and for those that prefer drier wine ther Beachcomber also has a Bourgogne, France Burgundy red wine. Become a part of tradition at Bob Heilman’s Beachcomber Restaurant.
Address: 447 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
Hours: Monday – Sunday
Lunch 11:30 am – 4 pm
Dinner 4 pm – 10 pm
Phone: (727) 442-4144
5. Louie’s Backyard.
Louie’s Backyard is Louie Signorelli’s oceanfront Victorian Home, home turned into restaurant. While still maintaining the building’s historical integrity. It currently has a placement in the National Register of Historic Places. Each dish is inspired by the sea and is prepared to order. Louie’s Backyard is a cafe style restaurant with fresh ingredients and produce grown specifically for Louie’s. There is also an Afterdeck Bar as well as the Cafe section of the restaurant where you can enjoy stunning views and remarkable drinks of your choice. For lunch enjoy a grilled free range chicken breast with artichoke rice and sun dried tomato pesto. For dinner you can enjoy a starter such as the bahamian conch chowder with bird pepper hot sauce and then an entree such as the Crispy Skin King Salmon with Porcini Mushrooms and Spaetzle.
Address: 700 Waddell Ave, Key West, FL 33767
Hours: Monday – Sunday from 11:30 am – 3 pm “Lunch”
6 pm – 10 pm “Dinner”
11:30 am – 1 am “Afterdeck Bar”
Tuesday – Saturday from 5 pm – 9 pm “The Cafe/Winebar”
Phone: (305) 294-1061
Explore what other extroadinary things Key West, Florida has to offer!
