Key West Restaurants

Key West, a popular tourist destination, is a mini-metropolis of dining choices. Fishing is a primary industry on the island. It is no surprise that fresh seafood is a main menu item in the island's restaurants. Local fishermen can take their "catch of the day" straight to the local fish market. Yet the menus are in no way limited to seafood. Key West Restaurants offer a wide variety of other menu options, such as chicken, beef, steaks, pasta, pizza, and vegetarian dishes. Plus, some restaurants provide explicit cuisines that cater to specific ethic groups -- Italian, Cuban, Mexican, French, or Japanese. Whatever your flavor, you are sure to find a Key West Restaurant that pleases your taste.

Most restaurants are reasonably priced and family friendly. Quaint, cozy, informal dining is the dominate restaurant scene in Key West. Even so, there are some elegant, more pricey restaurants for those locals and tourists that prefer a more formal dining experience. Restaurant owners strive to have appetizing menus, talented chefs, alluring dining areas, and friendly service. The small island, only about 4 miles long and 2 miles wide, makes any restaurant easily accessible by walking, biking, or taxi. With that in mind, there are countless opportunities for anyone to dine well and enjoy all the delicious cuisine that the island has to offer.

The "Top Ten Key West Restaurants" have made the list due to their popularity, tasty dishes, relaxing atmosphere, and friendly service that keeps locals and tourists coming back again and again.

  Louie’s Backyard - Seafood
      700 Waddell Avenue

Louie's Backyard is a renovated historic Victorian home located on an oceanfront. The restaurant has a spectacular ocean view. Incredible seafood dishes are served by its professional staff in either the exquisite dining room or the stunning multilevel deck -- the Afterdeck and the Upper Deck -- for outdoor dining. The Afterdeck offers a relaxing atmosphere with fabulous ocean views, gentle breezes, and beautiful sunsets. While the Upper Deck offers a perfect setting for sipping fine wines or cocktails with elegant small plates of roasted clams, flaming Ouzo shrimp, assorted cheeses, or oven-fresh gourmet pizza.

Each dish at Louie's is beautifully prepared by the executive chef, Doug Shook. Chef Shook is dedicated to preparing each order with care and respect for each ingredient. Fresh local seafood is at the center of the restaurant's Caribbean-American cuisine. Popular seafood dishes include the Bahamian conch chowder with bird-pepper hot sauce, the pistachio-crusted king salmon with potato cake, and shrimp with bacon and grits. A favorite chicken dish is chicken breast with sour-orange mustard.

Louie's is pricey but you are paying for the elegance and the fabulous ocean view. For a less expensive menu option, try the lunch menu. The food is still superb, the atmosphere still elegant, and the view is still fabulous.

  Seven Fish - Seafood
       632 Olivia Street

Seven Fish is a cozy, "no frills" seafood spot that is known for serving some of the best seafood on the island at reasonable prices. Its popular motto is "simple, good food." To start your dinner, Seven Fish serves delicious appetizers, such as, chips with shrimp salsa and a spicy Asian-inspired tuna roll. Some of the favorite entrees include: 1) scallops over spinach-mashed potatoes, 2) yellow-tail snapper sautéed in a Thai-curry sauce, 3) mahi-mahi with dried peppercorn sauce over roasted red potatoes, 4) the calamari-stuffed ravioli, and 5) an old-fashioned meatloaf with real mashed potatoes. Then to satisfy your "sweet tooth," there is the luscious Key Lime cake served with fresh berries.

Seven Fish has a very small dining area that only accommodates about 15 tables. Due to limited seating, reservations are recommended. There is no lunch menu. Prices are moderate.

  Alonzo & Berlin's Lobster House - Seafood
      700 Front Street

Alonzo & Berlin's Lobster House is a two-story building with inside dining and a wrap around balcony for outside dining. Relax and enjoy the historic seaport, views of the A & B Marina, and the commerce in the busy harbor. Alonzo's features casual dining with a touch of elegance. The lower level is designed for casual dining and the upper level is designed for "fine dining." On the upper level, you will dine on tables adorned with white tablecloths, matching cloth napkins, and decorated with centerpieces of fresh flowers or candles. The upper level specializes in fresh lobster.

On the lower level, Alonzo's specialty is oysters. The restaurant offers the largest selection of warm and cold water oysters on the island. Fresh, succulent oysters are served to order either raw, baked, or fried in batter. Other featured dishes are the delicious house clam stew, Key West Pinks (the native shrimp), freshly shucked clams, crabs, and sea scallops. Depending on menu choices, prices are reasonable.

  Blue Heaven - Seafood
      729 Thomas Street

Blue Heaven’s motto is "Blue Heaven: You don't have to die to get there." The restaurant is located in an old historic building. The building was previously used as a "bordello," where Ernest Hemingway (a famous Key West author) is said to have held cock fights. Tables are painted and place settings include pretty, but mismatched, plates and coffee cups. Live music enhances the atmosphere. This is one of the really unique Key West Restaurants, the restaurant has a dirt floor and has a presence of cats and roosters that are allowed to roam freely in the dining area. This "down-to-earth" and animal-friendly ambience adds to its charm.

Breakfast is a signature meal here, which features seafood Benedict, homemade granola, tropical-fruit pancakes, and banana bread. Dinners are especially delicious too with its nightly specials of Provençal sea scallops, yellowtail snapper in a citrus sauce, jerk chicken, and black bean soup. Desserts are freshly baked daily. Prices are reasonable.

  Mangoes - Seafood
      700 Duval Street

Mangoes is located on busy Duval Street. It is a great spot to stop while shopping or sightseeing. Mango offers Caribbean style seafood in a casual atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor dining. The large brick patio, shaded by huge banyan trees, is so alluring to passersby that it draws a crowd almost every night. To begin the meal, a featured appetizer is grilled shrimp cocktail with spicy mango chutney. A popular dinner choice includes pan-seared yellow snapper with passion fruit. Another delicious favorite is the Key West pink shrimp, seasoned and grilled with a roasted garlic and Key lime glaze. Even though some menu items may be expensive, most items are moderately priced.

  El Siboney Restaurant - Cuban Cuisine
      900 Catherine Street

El Siboney Restaurant is a family-style restaurant situated in a quiet Old Town neighborhood away from the hustle and bustle of Duval Street. It is located in a red brick, one-story building with several statutes of American Indians included in the décor throughout the dining room. Brightly colored tablecloths cover the dining tables. There is no outdoor dining available.

El Siboney offers some of the best tasting Cuban food on the island. It has earned an award for "Best Cuban restaurant in Key West" for over ten years. Local seafood is served grilled, stuffed, or breaded -- Cuban style. Popular Cuban dishes are the savory black beans, a sensationsal paella, and ropa vieja (shredded beef and roast pork). All dishes are served with Cuban bread, plus a choice of salad or plantains, rice or fries. El Siboney is open for both lunch and dinner. The prices are sure to please the budget conscious.

  Salsa Loca - Mexican Cuisine
      918 Duval St

Salsa Loca is a Mexican restaurant located on busy Duval Street. The restaurant looks like a store front that is brightly decorated with colorful yellow walls and strings of red chili pepper lights. Salsa Loca offers outdoor dining on a patio located at the rear of the restaurant. The menu includes Mexican favorites, such as, enchilada dishes, fajitas, chilaquiles (tortilla chips in red sauce), specialty tacos and burritos -- all filled with amazing flavors. Salsa Loca is well-known throughout the island for its delicious, affordable Mexican cuisine. Dining here is reasonable and a good value for the money.

  Mangia Mangia Pasta Café - Italian Cuisine
      900 Southard Street

Mangia Mangia Pasta Cafe is a family-run, Old Town Italian restaurant that is situated on a quiet, tree-lined street. "Mangia Mangia" in Italian means "Eat! Eat!," so that is exactly why many tourists and locals go there to eat and enjoy the generous portions of the superbly prepared pasta dishes. This Italian eatery takes pride in its fresh pasta that is made by hand -- mixed, rolled and cut -- daily. The menu includes a variety of pasta dishes that can be matched with a choice of seven tasty sauces, including an especially tasty marinara sauces. A summer favorite is linguini with clams. House specialties include fresh sea scallops, rigatoni with jumbo shrimp, fresh seafood sautéed with garlic, shallots, white wine over pasta, and a delicious vegetarian dish consisting of asparagus, tomatoes, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese.

Mangia Mangai has the largest selection of wines in Key West -- a special treat for wine connoisseurs. With wine vintages dating back to the 1950's, Mangia Mangia has a wine list that allows diners to choose from over 350 selections. Menu items are reasonably priced.

  Goldman’s Bagel Deli - New York Style Deli
      2796 N. Roosevelt Blvd

Goldman's Bagel Deli is a small, quaint, family-owned deli. Locals and tourists enjoy the New York style deli food -- bagels, soups, salads, and sandwiches. Goldman’s sandwich motto: "We bake the bread and cook the meat." This ensures diners that the deli sandwiches are made from the freshest ingredients. Generous "piled high" sandwiches are appetizing, prepared on a choice of fresh bread or bagel, and served with a pickle and homemade potato salad or coleslaw. Deli sandwiches on the menu include hot corn beef, hot pastrami, roast beef, chopped liver, black forest ham, turkey, and veggie. Dining is available for all meals -- breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is something on the menu to fit any budget.

  Sarabeth’s - Brunch
      530 Simonton Street

Sarabeth's is a successful restaurant originally from New York City. It is a popular breakfast and brunch hot spot. David Case, the owner, expanded his business and opened a restaurant in Key West. Sarabeth's is located in a historic white building surrounded by a white picket fence. The indoor dining room is cozy and intimate with a homey feel. Outdoor dining is available on a small patio.

Even though Sarabeth's is open for all meals, it is the perfect place for brunch. The fluffy omelets, pumpkin waffles, lemon ricotta pancakes, or almond-crusted French toast are mouthwatering. For a refreshing beverage, the Four Flowers juice is a big hit. Similar to a fruit smoothie, it is a delightful blend of pineapple, banana, and orange pomegranate juice. For a really special seafood treat, Sarabeth’s offers the Goldie Lox, which is smoked salmon with scrambled eggs. Prices are moderate.

The above listed Key West Restaurants should be on your list of places to go with your family and friends. You won't be disappointed.

~ Bon Appétit

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