Key West Recommendations

[jmbrightman]

Our first visit to Key West...we will be staying at the Westin on Duval St. Friday night dinner reservation is 915 Duval, Saturday dinner (Valentine's Day) is Marquesa. 7 more meals to enjoy! Recent impressions of Marquesa or 915 also welcome. Thanks in advance for your input.

[Holly Moore]

B.O.'s Fish Wagon for a lunch or two. Easy place to get hooked on.

Blue Heaven for breakfast/brunch. If you don't get there early the wait for patio seats can be fairly lengthy.

[HungryC]

On my spring trip to Key West, I enjoyed Cafe Marquesa quite a bit--a summer dining deal offered tremendous value for the quality of food & service. BO's fish wagon was tasty, too, and it was the perfect sort of chickens-pecking-open-air Key West joint. Hogfish Bar & Grillon Stock Island (just outside of town) had tasty conch ceviche and lobster bisque/chowder, as well as a cuban pork roast special that was damn good.

[jmbrightman]

B.O.'s Fish Wagon for a lunch or two.  Easy place to get hooked on.

Blue Heaven for breakfast/brunch.  If you don't get there early the wait for patio seats can be fairly lengthy.

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thanks, Holly. thanks to the pics from B.O.'s on your www.hollyeats.com Florida page, it is cemented as a lunch destination. We have heard about Blue Heaven from a few people - definitely one of our breakfasts. If shrimp and grits are on the menu, I may go twice.

[jmbrightman]

On my spring trip to Key West, I enjoyed Cafe Marquesa quite a bit--a summer dining deal offered tremendous value for the quality of food & service.  BO's fish wagon was tasty, too, and it was the perfect sort of chickens-pecking-open-air Key West joint.  Hogfish Bar & Grillon Stock Island (just outside of town) had tasty conch ceviche and lobster bisque/chowder, as well as a cuban pork roast special that was damn good.

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Hogfish Grill looks great for a leisurely lunch.

[Steve R.]

We were there last week and I enjoyed our meal at "Seven Fish", a nice corner place a couple of blocks off Duval (Elizabeth and Olivia?). Pretty assertive flavors though, so it may not be for everyone. The use of mango in my penne worked well, as did thyme in with a seafood dish. Very nice room with a decent wine list and a New England charm to it. Reasonable prices and a quiet, reserved crowd.

[Florida]

I'll second B.O.'s for lunch, though BO sold out to the tourists a long, long time ago.

Across the street from BO's is Pepe's. Good for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Pepe's is popular with the locals, especially on Sunday, which is BBQ night.

Square One on South Duval is good for dinner.

Rusty Anchor on Stock Island for lunch or dinner. Again, popular with the locals, and by locals I mean the Stock Island crowd.

5Brothers Grocery for Cuban food, especially Cuban sandwiches. This is a sandwich shop, not really a restaurant. I don't recall them being open for dinner.

Also, how are you getting to Key West? Flying or driving?

[jmbrightman]

I'll second B.O.'s for lunch, though BO sold out to the tourists a long, long time ago.

Across the street from BO's is Pepe's.  Good for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  Pepe's is popular with the locals, especially on Sunday, which is BBQ night. 

Square One on South Duval is good for dinner.

Rusty Anchor on Stock Island for lunch or dinner.  Again, popular with the locals, and by locals I mean the Stock Island crowd.

5Brothers Grocery for Cuban food, especially Cuban sandwiches. This is a sandwich shop, not really a restaurant. I don't recall them being open for dinner.

Also, how are you getting to Key West? Flying or driving?

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Flying into Miami, then driving in. we start the drive around 9:30 Friday morning.

[DTBarton]

We also really like Pepe's http://pepescafe.net/, particularly for breakfast. Sit at the bar and you can watch the bartender squeeze your fresh juice.

Try El Siboney http://www.elsiboneyrestaurant.com/index.htm for Cuban food. Some might quibble with their description of location as the heart of Old Town, they're a little off the beaten track, but worth it. Decent Cuban food in a more touristy atmosphere can be had at El Meson de Pepe http://www.elmesondepepe.com/ near Mallory Square. We had very good ceviche there a couple weeks ago

A fun happy hour is at Alonzo's oyster bar http://www.alonzosoysterbar.com/ with drinks and apps half price.

We always enjoy B.O.s, but our meal there recently was not up to previous standards. Everyone has an off day, I guess.

On your drive down, here's a few possibilities. If you like conch fritters, Alabama Jack's http://www.alabamajacks.com/ on Card Sound has the biggest and conchiest I've ever had. A fun honky tonk kind of place on a canal. You have to turn left on Card Sound road just south of Florida City to get there, just an alternate way to Key Largo versus staying on Route 1.

We had very nice fried snapper and ribs at Rib Daddy's in Key Largo http://www.ribdaddysrestaurant.com/. Again, nothing fancy, but a lot of locals and good food.

Have fun!

[HungryC]

Since you're driving, make a pit stop at Chad's deli & bakery, on Key Largo (bayside). Two-fisted deli sandwiches on homemade bread, nice baked goods, and friendly people.

[Florida]

On the way down to Key West:

Key Largo:

Denny's Latin Cafe, right off of US1.

Alabama Jack's is also good, plus is has a lot "character" though, as mentioned previously, you'll need to take Card Sound Rd to get to it.

In Marathon:

http://www.keysfisheries.com/ is worth the stop. BYOB.

On Summerland Key (south of Marathon):

Mangrove Momma's is a favorite of many, though I'll admit it can be

hit or miss. However, it's popular with tourists and keys residents alike.

[hramz3]

Any updates since 2009?

[blbst36]

Resurrecting an old thread since I will be heading down later this year.  Any other recommendations??  Thanks