With endless sunshine, beautiful beaches, enchanting history, and vibrant nightlife, Key West is the ultimate vacation destination. And one of the best parts about being on vacation? Trying all the local food and drink and boy, does Key West bring the flavors.
From fresh-caught seafood and Caribbean cuisine to tapas and sangria and the best Cuban sandwiches outside of Havana, you'll find it all in this island paradise. Of course, you'll also find plenty of killer Key lime pies, the quintessential Key West treat, always within walking distance of your vacation villa.
Ready for a taste of paradise? Here are 10 of the best Key West restaurants to try!
1. Blue Heaven
Photo by Shutterstock.com/Kristi Blokhin
- 729 Thomas Street, Key West, FL
- blueheavenkw.com
- $$
- A vibrant spot for Floridian-style eats, live music, and tropical drinks
One of the most iconic Key West restaurants, Blue Heaven, embodies the spirit of the island with its breezy, open-air dining room, live music, and its most famous patrons the resident roosters that rule the patio.
Blue Heaven serves up Floridian favorites like fresh seafood, loaded rice and bean bowls, and a killer Key lime pie. They also feature Caribbean specialties like jerk chicken, sweet plantains, and Caribbean BBQ shrimp made with Red Stripe beer, a local favorite!
It's always a good time at Blue Heaven, whether you dine for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner.
2. Louie's Backyard & The Cafe at Louie's Backyard
- 700 Waddell Avenue, Key West, FL
- louiesbackyard.com
- $$ - $$$
- Two great restaurants in one gorgeous waterfront spot
Trying to decide between a casual meal or an upscale dining experience? Louie's offers the best of both worlds. Dine downstairs at Louie's Backyard to enjoy fresh seafood, filet mignon, and crab cakes, or dine upstairs at The Cafe at Louie's Backyard to sip wine and snack on small plates, cheese boards, and pizzas.
Both restaurants feature gorgeous waterfront views, a wide selection of wines and co*cktails, and decadent desserts.
While The Cafe at Louie's Backyard is first come, first served, Louie's Backyard does take reservations, and they are recommended, especially on the weekends.
3. Santiago's Bodega
- 207 Petunia Street, Key West, FL
- santiagosbodega.com
- $$$
- Cozy spot for tapas, wine, and dessert
There are no entrees on the menu at Santiago's Bodega, but don't worry, you definitely won't leave hungry. This authentic tapas-style restaurant invites its patrons to try a little taste of the world with Spanish, American, Italian, French, Greek, and Caribbean-inspired dishes.
You'll find dozens of tapas to choose from, so you can mix, match, and share with the table. A few fan favorites include the goat cheese-stuffed dates, yellowfin tuna ceviche, and saganaki, a Greek cheese dish flambeed tableside.
On top of the tapas, Santiago's Bodega features an extensive list of fine wines, house-made sangria, and dessert specialties.
4. Blackfin Bistro
- 521 Fleming Street, Key West, FL
- https://blackfinbistro.com
- $$$
- Outdoor dining and delectable surf and turf on vibrant Duval Street.
Established in 2009 and owned and operated by partners Joseph and Michael Castellano, this is an excellent place to stop if you are in Downtown Key West.
This upscale grill features mouthwatering menu items like the local catch of the day, salads, or hearty mains such as Caribbean prime pork chops and steamed mussels. Featuring nightly specials like swordfish and snapper, Blackfin Bistro captures the essence of Key West's fresh and locally sourced food culture.
Don't miss out on their exquisite wine list to complete your dining experience. Their list ranges from fine Napa Valley merlots to Argentinian malbecs.
5. Moondog Cafe
- 823 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL
- moondogcafe.com
- $$
- Quirky, colorful cafe known for comfort food and a unique twist on Key lime pie
Known for its colorful, eclectic art and comfort food favorites, Moondog Cafe is a must-visit when in Downtown Key West. The menu features fresh salads, burgers, pizza, and breakfast favorites like pancakes and huevos rancheros. You'll also find plenty of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
While Moondog Cafe is a great spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, don't be afraid to just pop in for dessert. Their twist on Key lime pie is the talk of the town. Theirs is cooked up with a unique burnt meringue topping that produces a sweet, crunchy, caramelized texture. It's a must-try!
Moondog Cafe is a great spot to grab a bite, have coffee and pastries, or pick up a sweet treat for later.
6. El Siboney
Photo by Shutterstock.com/Ivana Larrosa
- 900 Catherine Street, Key West, FL
- elsiboneyrestaurant.com
- $
- Casual Cuban spot known for great sandwiches, empanadas, and coffee
A casual Cuban spot known for fast service and tasty food, El Siboney is the perfect place for a quick, delicious meal. Enjoy mouthwatering Cuban sandwiches, tostones, and seafood paella.
Of course, El Siboney is also a great spot to stop for a quick snack of Cuban coffee and empanadas or to grab a Cuban sandwich on the way to the beach.
Everything at El Siboney is homemade and full of authentic Cuban flavors. It's a favorite lunch spot among the locals and a must-stop when you're in the mood for Cuban in a hurry.
7. B.O.'s Fish Wagon
Photo by Shutterstock.com/Elena Elisseeva
- 801 Caroline Street, Key West, FL
- bosfishwagon.com
- $
- Rustic seafood shack is known for quirky decor and conch fritters
You may feel like you've stepped into a salvage yard with the hundreds of license plates and buoys that adorn the walls, but it's all part of the B.O.'s Fish Wagon charm. This delightfully quirky spot serves up all your fried seafood favorites like conch fritters, fried grouper, and hand-battered shrimp.
Don't worry, landlubbers; B.O.'s Fish Wagon has you covered, too. You'll find burgers, hot dogs, chili fries, and other comfort food favorites.
When you're in the mood for some fast, no-frills good food, B.O.'s is the perfect place to stop.
8. Conch Republic Seafood Company
Photo by Shutterstock.com/Chuck Wagner
- 631 Greene Street, Key West, FL
- conchrepublicseafood.com
- $$
- Dockside dining with beautiful views and the freshest seafood
A Key West staple for local seafood, Conch Republic Seafood Company always has the freshest catch. Enjoy a wide assortment of locally caught fish, Key West pink peel-and-eat shrimp, cracked conch, and raw bar selections.
While the seafood certainly takes the spotlight at Conch Republic, they also serve up tasty burgers, fresh salads, and some mouthwatering desserts. You can never go wrong with Key lime pie, but the strawberry tempura is a local favorite, award-winner, and all-around must-try.
With views just as good as the food, Conch Republic is a great spot to dine at sunset. After all, enjoying dinner and drinks at sunset on the water is a Florida Keys tradition.
9. El Meson de Pepe's Restaurant & Bar
- 410 Wall Street, Key West, FL
- elmesondepepe.com
- $$
- Lively Cuban restaurant known for having the best Cuban sandwiches and mojitos
Serving up some of the best Cuban food you'll find outside of Havana, El Meson De Pepe has been a Key West landmark for over 30 years.
You'll find all your Cuban favorites like ropa vieja, churrasco steak, picadillo, and of course, Pepe's famous Cuban sandwiches a must-try. Be sure to save room for dessert. Pepe's homemade flan, tres leches cake, and guava bread pudding are all to die for, with a side of Cuban coffee, of course!
El Meson de Pepe's is situated in Mallory Square and pulls out all the stops for the nightly sunset celebration. Enjoy mojito specials, Cuban tapas, and a live salsa band.
10. Kaya Island Eats
- 618 Duval Street, Key West, FL
- kayakeywest.com
- $$
- A breezy spot for fresh seafood, island vibes, vegan options, and live entertainment
The vibes may be casual, but the food at Kaya Island Eats tastes like 5-stars. This laid-back, breezy spot has been a local favorite for over a decade and serves up mouthwatering island fusion cuisine and fun, fruity co*cktails.
The boom shakalaka coconut shrimp and killer fish tacos are favorites among the seafood offerings, but if you're in the mood for spicy, the Jamaican jerk wings and rasta pasta never disappoint. If you're vegetarian or vegan, Kaya has plenty to choose from, including their famous Cajun tofu and Hawaiian-style BBQ jackfruit with guava lava sauce even hardcore carnivores love this one!
In addition to good food, Kaya serves up good times with live music, magic shows, karaoke, and game nights. There's always something fun happening at Kaya Island Eats.
Eat, Drink, and Live Like a Local in Key West
Cool off at Heavenly Hideout at Rainbow's End
With so many great options, it wasn't easy to narrow down the best restaurants in Key West, but rest assured; this list was just a few of our favorites to get you started. The island may be small, but it's packed with great food, fun, and global flavors.
From bustling Duval Street condos to cozy cottage retreats on Sunset Key, there are plenty of vacation homes to choose from that will make you feel like a local. Enjoy fully furnished homes, ocean views, and private pools all within walking distance from some of the best restaurants in Key West.
Book your stay with Vacation Homes of Key West.
