A Guide To 8 Famous Key West Restaurants – Must-Visit Spots!

Key West, Florida, is without a doubt one of the places one MUST visit when checking out the Florida Keys. This is where most of the action has been taking place for the last 500 hundred years and is still going strong. It is popular among travelers because it has the highest average temperature in the United States, it never gets frost, and because the third-largest coral reef in the world is off the coast of Key West.

But the key west called the Conch Republic is also with a long and exciting history that includes: being the place where Ponce De Leon landed, being a popular place among pirates, getting independence from the US, and once home to Ernest Hemingway, among others.

A few restaurants have been around for a long time and have become part of Key West’s history. They became legendary for locals and a must-visit for anyone visiting this eccentric place.

You can indeed taste anything, literally, including seafood, fruit-filled artisanal doughnuts, and plates of tender pulled pork topped with Southern-style slaw. Here are 5 awesome key-west restaurants you’ve got to try when you’re in town!

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5 Key West Famous Restaurants

Of course, the food and ambiance in these three places are perfect, but there is what makes it a must-visit in Key West.

1. Margaritaville Restaurant Key West

This is now a popular chain of restaurants owned by Jimmy Buffett. Up to this date, there are around twenty-five of the “Margaritaville” restaurants that are spread all over the world. It is a fun café where you can find good food and a lot of Jimmy Buffett merchandise.

However, nothing beats visiting the original. The reason? It is a place where you can really feel the spirit that gave birth to this whole chain of restaurants. Plus, you get to learn the history of the place and hear stories from its earlier days. We are never truly tired of Jimmy Buffet and his music.

2. Sloppy Joe’s

The official record says that Sloppy Joe’s opened in 1933, but in reality, it had been around for a long time during the prohibition. (It is said that in Key West, the prohibition wasn’t taken seriously.) The place was one of Hemingway’s favorites. He trusted the owner so much that he left a lot of his personal things stored in a room next door from this bar. After Hemingway’s death, some of that stuff started being displayed on the walls.

Fun fact: Sloppy Joe’s original location is where Captain Tony’s Saloon is located now. After a dispute with the landlord of 428 Greene Street over a $1 rent increase, the owner decided to move the entire bar in the middle of the night.

3. Captain Tony Key West

This bar/restaurant is famous for its history and décor. It was first opened in 1851 and became a favorite for famous people like Ernest Hemingway, Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams, Shel Silverstein, and Jimmy Buffet.

Within the property, you will find what is called “the hanging tree”, a place where pirates used to be hung for their crimes; even a woman who murdered her husband was hung there. Some say that her spirit still haunts the saloon.

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Key West is a perfect place for a fun beach vacation. There are tons of fun places to visit, like the above-mentioned restaurants as well as a varied array of hotels that visitors can choose from. There are tons of fun and historical facts waiting for you on every corner.

4. Latitude

If you want to enjoy a fine dining experience with a stunning view, head to Latitude, located at the Sunset Key Cottages resort. At Latitude, romance isn’t just in the air; it’s part of the setting. This fine dining haven is accessible solely by boat, making every visit an adventure. The menu, known for its ebb and flow with the seasons, showcases an array of key west seafood delights. You could go for a grilled lobster tail that just melts in your mouth, or try the seared grouper with a delicious coconut cracked conch salad. It obviously gives you an experience that is more than just a meal.

5. Glazed Donuts

In 2012, Glazed Donut started as Key West’s best-kept secret, but the secret’s out, and the word is delicious. Megan and Jonathan Pidgeon, the visionary husband-and-wife team, take doughnut-making from ordinary to extraordinary. You can try here the premium Key lime pie doughnut that Is top kissed by torched meringue or savor the fruity bliss of a peach-blessed dossant and pineapple upside down brulée. It’s a gourmet twist on comfort food that’s too good to miss.

6. Blue Heaven

Blue Heaven, nestled in historic Bahama Village, transports diners straight to Caribbean paradise with its eclectic menu and artsy, open-air ambiance. It is a legendary spot for brunch, with a laid-back and quirky atmosphere.

The kitchen here offers such a variety of flavors, from Atlantic sea scallops provençal to Jamaican jerk chicken. It’s a real feast for the senses! And let me tell you about their Sunday brunch – you can try lobster and grits or Key West shrimp benedict. It’s definitely worth waking up early for! Plus, with the whimsical art and lush greenery around, every meal feels like a little celebration.

7. Little Pearl

Little Pearl is Key West’s answer to a chic, intimate dining encounter. More than just a wine bar, this seafood-centric eatery surprises with its culinary creativity. Their tasting menu is a collection of carefully crafted dishes. Little Pearl has a modern and elegant decor, with a small dining room and a patio. I absolutely recommend trying out their delicious delights, such as Japanese baby back ribs with Daikon slaw. Every time you come by, it’s not just about grabbing a bite, it’s like diving into a world of delicious flavors and cool new ideas.

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8. Half Shell Raw Bar

For a rustic and authentic Key West experience, check out the Half Shell Raw Bar. There is no fancy decor here, just colorful picnic tables on a pier overlooking Key West Bight. It’s an ideal spot to grab a beer with something fishy.

Stepping into Half Shell Raw Bar is like taking a step back in time to when it was a bustling shrimp warehouse. This laid-back waterfront spot, established in 1972, honors its heritage by serving the freshest seafood delights. Their menu, a love letter to oceanic bounty, offers everything from oysters and clams on the half shell to the savory delights of oysters Rockefeller and mussels in garlic.

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Last Updated on June 26, 2025