7 Best Places to Eat in Key West

If you came to Key West, you likely looking to experience the local flavor. And there are no more flavorful joints that these amazing Key West restaurants.

From Cuban coffee to classy bars to adults-only desserts, we share the can’t-miss Key West restaurants for the perfect island-wide food tour.

Breakfast

If staying at The Capitana Key West, breakfast comes in the form of two on-site options: a continental breakfast spread of coffee, fresh fruit, and flakey pastries at El Rubi or grab-and-go options from the Sundry Market.

But, if looking to take your breakfast off property, The Breakfast Club Too, located on Greene Street, is a local favorite known for its fun and artistic flair. The bar is designed to look like a giant treasure chest filled with liquor and is decorated with an old-school diver, eels, and a giant squid and octopus floating off in different directions. If you can take your eyes off the amazing wall art, check out their Bloody Mary menu. They are known for serving up the best Bloodies in town and offer 12 different iterations, including a scotch version, an extra spicy version, a BBQ version, and the Monster Mary which is served in a quart-sized mason jar.

Mid-Morning Coffee

Since the first location opened almost a decade ago, Cuban Coffee Queen has become something of the Starbucks of Key West: You can’t walk down the street without bumping into someone with a cup of their traditional Cuban coffee drinks in hand. While on the island, trade in your caramel macchiato for a cortadito, a double shot of Cuban espresso with cane sugar and steamed milk, or an ice-cold Cuban frappe. But note: Their coffee is strong – it will definitely get you energized for whatever else you have planned for the day.

Lunch

While the cane-back chairs and stylish leather armchairs nestled inside Latitudes at Sunset Key Cottages are more than inviting, the restaurant’s outdoor portion tends to grab patrons’ attention first and foremost. In fact, you actually have two alfresco eating options here: to sit under the patio’s extended eaves or right on the sand surrounded by low hedges, palm trees, and a breathtaking backdrop of the Gulf. The lunch menu is certainly nothing to scoff at either, offering everything from upscale twists on sandwiches like the Latitudes Toastie (short rib, foie gras, and gruyere cheese on challah) to fresh and flavorful marine-inspired masterpieces like the yellowtail snapper served with saffron rice, asparagus, and ley lime vin blanc. It’s no wonder this Key West restaurant boasts scores of accolades like “Best Overall Restaurant in Key West” and one of the “100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America” by OpenTable.

Mid-Afternoon Snack

If you start feeling peckish later in the day, McKee’s Tiki Bar – The Capitana’s signature poolside bar – is the perfect place for a fresh and flavorful appetizer, like spicy plantain chips and Key West conch fritters. Not only does this open and airy upscale version of a tiki bar boast views of the bay, but it also features a lawn punctuated with games like giant chess, Connect 4, and cornhole.

Or, if planning to linger longer in the heart of Key West, there’s always the undisputed Duval Street icon of Sloppy Joe’s for a pint and fish dip, a blend of smoked fish, cream cheese, and herbs that you scoop up with club crackers. The best part of this stop? No matter when you make it in, there is always live music on tap, even in the middle of the afternoon.

Dinner

One of Key West’s more colorful outdoor dining destinations, Bistro 245’s graphic blue and green dining area looks out over the water and the marina just a few feet away. Evenings here always include a spectacular sunset over the water, though what’s for dinner is up to you. The dinner menu boasts light dishes like the island gazpacho (a local favorite) and heartier meals like the truffle-crusted grouper. Don’t forget to ask your server about wine pairings, as their wine list is two full pages.

Dessert

Craving Key lime pie? You don’t need to head far: Bistro 245 serves up a version of the tart treat that’s even garnered praise from newspapers as far away as Canada. So what’s their secret? This airy iteration adorned in a creamy whipped topping comes presented with an accompanying fruit puree, usually fanned out on the plate, for an extra burst of flavor.

If looking to stroll, another popular dessert pitstop comes in the form of Better than Sex. This adults-only eatery offers cheeky desserts (like the Italian Stallion, a layered espresso, amaretto, and shortbread cake) that are to die for in a setting that can only be described as over the top, campy romance. Think chandeliers, candles, red silk, and velvet everywhere.

Night Cap

Hidden in an intimate space on Fleming Street in Old Town, The Roost is a blue-walled gem of a boutique bar that, in addition to slinging classic cocktails, also sells the spirits that go in them (that’s right, it doubles as a package store!). Try the Maria-Rita, a delicious blend of sweet and spicy featuring Milagro Reposado, fresh lemon and line, and habanero-hibiscus syrup.