Nothing makes a sea captain hungrier than a long day on the water, soaking up that Florida Keys sunshine and mutating one’s skin cell DNA in negative ways. Thank goodness, dining in Key West, Florida, is never a problem. Our little island is jam-packed with outstanding places to grab a bite. From lunch places to fine-dining dinner hot spots, our piece of paradise is a foodie’s delight.
Here’s a quick guide to the best places to eat in Key West, including some of my (secret) favorite Key West restaurants.
Restaurants in Key West, Florida
There are so many Key West restaurants that it’s a mystery to me how anyone, especially someone from off-island, can pick where to eat. The best places to eat in Key West, Florida, seems to shift, since opening Key West new restaurants is a part-time hobby for some people.
What I’m trying to say is that there are a lot of choices on such a small island. Let’s break them down for you, including:
- Places for lunch
- Dinner restaurants
- Fine dining spots on the island
- Places right on (or very close to) Duval
Hey Zak, Where Can I Get the Best Lunch in Key West?
I am so glad you asked about lunch in Key West, friend. Lunch is the best meal of the day — real food, none of the fluffy breakfast crap. It’s late enough that you can have a local beer without feeling guilty. And not of the pretentiousness of dinner. Lunch is an honest meal that keeps you going for the rest of the day. But it needs to be good enough so that if you don’t make it to the end of the day, you’ll have no regrets about going out so soon after such a stellar lunch.
Fine, fine. But you still don’t know where to eat in Key West? Here are the answers for those looking for a quick lunch in Key West, FL.
Kaya Island Eats
Kaya goes for the tropical theme, with many Polynesian and Caribbean-inspired menu items. They have tiki drinks and excellent tuna nachos, so it’s pretty high on my list. The jerk chicken is making me hungry right now. No wonder it’s one of the top restaurants in Key West right now.
Seaside Cafe at the Mansion
A bar and pizza place on the beach down by the Southernmost Point. Wood oven pies and great quality stuff. One of the best new restaurants in Key West, Florida. You have to try their Lobster Pizza!
Sandys Cafe
Sandys Café in Key West is a beloved local spot tucked inside the M&M Laundromat, offering a unique blend of practicality and deliciousness. This unassuming walk-up window might seem like an unlikely place to find standout food, but it’s famous for serving up some of the best Cuban fare in the area.
The real star of the menu is the Cuban sandwich—pressed to crispy perfection, with layers of roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard, all nestled in fresh Cuban bread. Whether you’re doing laundry or just craving authentic island flavors, Sandys Café is a must-visit for a true taste of Key West’s Cuban influence.
The Breakfast Club, Too
Ok, ok. So it’s not exactly a lunch spot. But it’s a great spot for brunch any day of the week, and they serve breakfast all day, including their 11 different Marys and 11 different mimosas. They do, however, also have some kill sandwiches, burgers, and salads. But I’ve got a problem getting past the lobster Benedict.
Moondog Cafe
Moondog is a breakfast, lunch, and dinner spot on Whitehead. Their baked goods are usually high on the list of folks’ favorites. Great sandwiches, coffee, and bar. Pick me up an almond croissant before your sandbar charter, ok?
How About the Best Dinner in Key West? We Got That, Too...
It may be pretentious, but dinner is important, too. It’s always there to soak up the alcohol after discovering the best happy hours in Key West. Sometimes (not often, but sometimes), you need more than just a plate of outstanding conch fritters.
I should probably note here that many of the spots listed above for lunch are also open for dinner.
Red Shoe Island Bistro
Seafood, American, European, and some veg options, too. Dinner only with 6 pm or 8 pm seatings. It’s got a perfect 5-star rating and is #1 on TripAdvisor, so that says a lot about your chances of getting the best eats in Key West here.
The Flaming Buoy Filet Co.
Open for happy hour and dinner only, The Flaming Buoy is a Key West take on the old-school supper club. The menu features local and Cuban flavors, mostly seafood.
Blue Heaven
Not only a great lunch stop but home to one of the best Key Lime Pies in Key West!
Two Friends Patio Restaurant
Right off Duval on Front Street, this ridiculously popular spot has a Keys-y feel (in a good way) and great food. They keep winning the local Bubbas award and TripAdvisor excellence badges. Good for them. Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and drinks. There’s not much more you can ask than that, is there?
I Got a Hot Date and Need Somewhere Nice, Zak — What About Key West Fine Dining Restaurants?
Ok, it’s date night, and you’re in a pickle. I feel ya. You need a list of the best upscale restaurants in Key West, STAT. Here ya go.
Fine dining in Key West, FL, can be a little bit of an enigma. On the one hand, it seems everywhere you look is casual and, well, island-y. But dig deeper on this little island, and you’ll find some darn classy joints, in my humble opinion. Better wear your nice flip-flops.
Hot Tin Roof
Great location on the water on Sunset Pier. Yes, it’s crowded, but if you go before or after, it’s still a spectacular spot. Key West food never tasted or looked so good. Also, the brunch at Hot Tin Roof is not to be missed!
Prime Steakhouse
Some time ago, someone decided steakhouses counted as fine dining. If that’s your game, Prime is your go-to. It’s been a minute since I’ve seen a cow roaming this island, though. I’d stick with the seafood, but that’s me.
Tavern N Town
Located in the Marriot Beachside, Tavern N Town puts out some great food. It’s mostly American, seafood, and some veg/vegan options, too. It’s a touch classier than most places on the island.
Cafe Marquesa
Marquesa is the recipient of TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best award as one of the (best of the) best restaurants in Key West, Florida. It’s two blocks north of Duval on Fleming and Simonton. They say they serve “fine dining with a homespun essence.” Totally don’t need any more detail than that.
Little Pearl
This is a great place for seafood dishes that are nicer than your typical KW dive. Ceviche, oysters, mussels—all the good stuff if you’re into that sort of thing. The restaurant offers a four-course chef’s tasting menu and early-bird specials.
Duval Street Key West Restaurants
Strolling (stumbling?) down the road, you might wonder where all the Duval Street restaurants are. Some of the best food in Key West can be found right in the touristy part of town, and the Key West restaurants on Duval don’t disappoint if you just know where to look.
Here’s a list of the best restaurants in Key West, FL, within a block of the busy Duval area in Old Town.
- Hot Tin Roof/Sunset Pier
- Two Friends
- Bagatelle
- Sloppy Joe’s Bar
- First Flight Island Restaurant and Bakery
- Duetto Pizza and Gelato
- Garbo’s Grill@hanks
- The Flaming Buoy Filet Co.
- Frita’s Cuban Burger Cafe
- CF Thirsty Mermaid
- Onlywood Pizzeria Trattoria (One of the best Key West pizza joints!)
- Kaya Island Eats
- Red Shoe Island Bistro
- Moondog Cafe
Key West Restaurant Map
I’m a boat captain, not a map maker.
You know who makes good maps? Google. Here’s your Google token for the day: type in “restaurants Key West,” and Google will show you a map.
Dinner Out After a Day at the Sandbar
Now that we know you won’t starve out there, call me up, and let’s take the boat out for a spin. They say that a nice, rolly swell is just the thing for the digestion.
Just kidding, it’s always calm at the sandbar. And there’s a great dinner at one of the best places to eat in Key West waiting for you when you get home.
