|
|
|
Where to Eat
With 150 restaurants in Key West, there is no
lack of variety or finding the ambiance you desire.
Places to eat range from standard U.S. chain restaurants
(mainly along the entrance highway) to unique and
colorful local establishments that serve regional cuisine
or offer fine dining while retaining the informal
attitude that sweeps across the island. Here are a few of
the most colorful cafes, and some romantic places for
fine dining.
Bars with Food
|
|
Hog's Breath Saloon
400 Front Street
Designed to look like a surfer bar, this is one of
several pubs with the same name owned by Jimmy
Dorminy. You can eat indoors (it's hard to get a
place at the bar) or on the patio. Fish sandwiches
are big sellers here, featuring grilled lemon or
blackened seafood. Hog's Breath Beer (not brewed in
key West) is featured, and the place has a raw bar.
Bands play during the day and evening. No
reservations.
|
|
Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville Cafe
500 Duval St. (305) 292-1435
This is the Mecca for Jimmy Buffet fans, of which
there are many. Although Buffet recently sold his
Key West home, and rarely appears here, the place
is packed much of the time. With Caribbean decor,
the bar and cafe are very casual, and that carries
over to the food -- the inevitable Cheeseburgers
(In Paradise) and other comfort food -- served with
margaritas and frequent Buffet music from the sound
system. Other dishes served includes fish platters,
and fried shrimp baskets. There's a waiting list
but no reservations are taken. A Buffet souvenir
store is next door.
|
Local Landmarks
|
|
Rusty Anchor Restaurant
Stock Island, 5510 Third Ave. (305) 294-5369
This casual seafood place is a great place for
family eating. The seafood is incredibly fresh --
because it comes from the fish market in the back
of the building, and the fish comes right off the
boats. It's open for lunch and dinner, with the
seafood served broiled or fried. To satisfy
everyone, Rusty's also served burgers, steaks, and
other such dishes. Closed Sundays.
|
|
Blue Heaven
729 Thomas Street (305) 296-8666
Caribbean and vegetarian cuisine are the
specialties here, in the historic Bahama Village
section of the city. The building served a variety
of purposes over the years (bordello, ice-cream
parlor, railroad water tower), but the Hatch
brothers have turned it into a wonderful informal
cafe serving Caribbean shrimp, jerk chicken, and a
variety of seafood dishes. You can also get tofu
burgers, and several other vegetarian entrees, plus
appetizers, each day. Sunday brunch offer grits and
shrimp, plus waffles and other delights, always
draws a lineup to get in. Beer and wine served,
open seven days a week for all three meals.
|
|
Dennis Pharmacy
1229 Simonton Street (305) 294-1577
There's a pharmacy, and adjacent cafe that have
been local favorites for many years. The pharmacy
opened in 1962 in what was formerly a grocery,
complete with soda fountain. The cafe was expanded
a decade later. The U-shaped counters are still
here, augmented by a few tables. The cuisine is
basically American, with a few Caribbean touches.
It's open seven days a week, for breakfast, lunch,
and early dinner. Dishes include grilled steak and
chicken, and the seafood dishes include dolphin
sandwiches, roast pork, and meat loaf. Beer and
wine are served. Off-street parking available.
|
|
Pepe's Cafe & Steak House
806 Caroline Street (305) 294-7192
Located in an ancient building in the old
waterfront area, Pepe's has indoor and patio
dining. While they serve burgers and steak, many
people come for the seafood -- oysters done in
several ways. However, the steaks are not to be
sniffed at. You can fill your plate with a
15-ouncer, or choose a smaller steak (including
filet), or order pork chops, or even less formal
dishes such as patty melts. It's open for breakfast
until noon, serves snacks and light meals for a few
hours, and then opens for dinner at 4:30. No
reservations.
|
|
Camille's Restaurant
1202 Simonton Street (305) 296-4811
Camille's is a true treasure. This is what happens
when a husband and wife decide to open a small,
friendly restaurant, using only the freshest
ingredients. The range of food is wonderfully
varied. Camille's has moved to a larger location
and now boasts three dining rooms and two full bars
(plus a banquet rooms with bar). At breakfast,
especially on weekends, you'll live a gourmet dream
(the choice of benedicts is amazing). Dinner
entrees could include rack of lamb, stone crab
cakes, or a tender filet mignon. Beer and wine are
served. Reservations are taken for all meals. Open
daily for breakfast and lunch (from 8 a.m. to 3
p.m.) with dinner served daily from 6 p.m. to 10:30
p.m.
|
|
Louie's Backyard
700 Waddell Ave. (305) 294-1061
The restaurant's name doesn't give a hint as to the
quality of the food. This oceanside place makes
fine use of its large verandah for al fresco
dining. Inside is a finely decorated dining room.
Fresh seafood is the specialty here, at both lunch
and dinner. Lunch offers salads, and the perfect
conch chowder. Dinner costs more, with seafood and
beef entrees, and key lime desserts to top off the
meal. Louie's is open for dinner year-round, and
serves lunch daily except from Labor Day to
Columbus Day. There is also an oceanside bar, The
Afterdeck, open daily.
|
|
El Siboney
900 Catherine Street (305) 296-4184
Head here for authentic Cuban cuisine -- shredded
beef (ropa vieja), boliche (pot roast), and the
traditional roast pork with black beans and rice.
All of this is served with with hot Cuban bread,
with the same menu for lunch and dinner. While the
decor is simple, the food is superb and choosing a
combination place offers you the chance to sample a
variety of Cuban specialties. Top off the eating
experience with flan or natilla. Wine and beer are
served. Closed Sunday.
|
Cuisine & More
|
|
Kelly's Caribbean Bar & Grill
303 Whitehead Street (305) 293-8484
Kelly is actress Kelly McGillis, who owns this
restaurant and lounge, contained in the original
headquarters building of Pan American Airways.
There is Pan-Am memorabilia on the first floor,
including seats contrived out of old airplane
seats. You can eat indoors, or on the patio.
Kelly's Clipper Club Lounge offers an open-air
style atmosphere on the second floor. The cuisine
is a combination of American and Caribbean, with
upscale versions of jerk chicken, barbecued pork,
and fresh seafood dishes. Also in the building is
the Southernmost Brewery, which provides several
unique brews, including Southern Clipper (wheat)
Beer, and Key West Golden Ale. Kelly's is open for
lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Reservations
are taken for groups of more than six persons.
|
|
Bagatelle
115 Duval Street (305) 296-6609
Conch steaks, fresh tuna and snapper with a
tropical twist, and fine salads are some of the
specialties of this renowned two-story restaurant
that occupies an old Key West home. You may dine
inside, or on the balconies on both floors. You
have to reserve up to long in advance if you want a
second-floor table on the night of the Fantasy Fest
parade, or on many weekend nights for that matter.
Lunch and dinner are served daily. Dinner
reservations are recommended.
|
|
808 Duval -- A Restaurant
808 Duval Street (305) 293-0006
The rich decor of this restaurant sets the scene
for memorable dinners. With continental cuisine as
its hallmark, lunch and dinner offer classic
European dishes including lamb (try the grilled
rack), stuffed filets, and seafood. Beer and wine
are available. Reservations are accepted, and
recommended during the busy winter season.
|
|
Banana Cafe
1211 Duval Street (305) 294-7227
If crepes are to your liking, this is the place! A
raft of crepes (at least 40) are served at
breakfast and lunch. Dinner is also available, with
an expanded menu, during the winter season. Daily
specials, salads and sandwiches are also available.
You have a choice of dining indoors, on a balcony
at the front of the building, or on a side deck.
Entertainment on weekend evenings.
|
|
Cafe des Artistes
1007 Simonton Street (305) 294-7100
For more than a decade, this restaurant has been
receiving awards from the big food and wine
magazines. Chef Andrew Berman has created a
distinctive menu that includes classic French
dishes but adding his unique tropical touches. The
two dining rooms are exquisitely decorated,
providing different atmospherics. Berman creates
nightly specials, which can be served inside, or on
the outdoor patio. Open daily, for dinner only.
|
Asian
|
|
Dim Sum
613 Duval Street (305) 294-6230
This Chinese cafe is open daily for dinner,
providing a light-colored decor, a calm atmosphere,
and a fine menu which includes some of the fresh
local seafood, as well as classic Chinese dishes,
and often a fusion of Chinese with Caribbean,
sometime with a touch of Japanese. Beer and wine
are served. Parking is available, and winter
reservations are suggested.
|
|
Dynasty Chinese Restaurant
918 Duval Street (305) 294-2943
Concentrating mainly on Szechwan cuisine, Dynasty
offers a range of spicy dishes (Kung Pao Chicken,
Szechwan shrimp) and other Chinese regional dishes
-- Peking & Cantonese -- which are not so
spicy. Patio dining is available. Open for lunch
and dinner. Reservations suggested during the high
season.
|
|
Siam House
829 Simonton Street (305) 292-0302
Dinner is served in this fine Thai restaurant,
seven days a week. A buffet lunch is offered every
day except Sunday. On Sundays, a special menu is
offered, with six dishes featured, including
noodles, curries, beef, chicken, and pork. The
owner, Suriya Siripant, has decorated the
restaurant with Thai paintings, sculptures, and
other imported art.
|
|
Thai Cuisine
513 Greene Street (305) 294-9424
Another fine little (actually very very small) Thai
restaurant, this one specializes in red and green
curries, and Pad Thai -- noodles with seafood, egg,
and other ingredients -- plus other traditional
Thai dishes. scallions and bean. Beer and wine are
available. The restaurant is open daily for dinner,
and serves lunch Monday-Friday. Take-out and
delivery (in town) are also available.
|
Key West Guide
Home | The City |
Where to Stay | Where
to Eat
Nightlife | What
to See & Do
|
|
