Reader Recommendations: What to See/Where to Eat in Key West?
I’ll be soon doing a quick winter getaway which includes one night in Key West. Its my first time there, so I would love recommendations on the best place to grab dinner or breakfast and what places should top my siteseeing list, other than time on the beach and water.
For food I tend towards local spots and culinary adventures, but preferably not fine dining. And of course I’ll be digging into Trip Advisor and other websites, but with only a half day there insights on what to prioritze is welcome.
Full Disclosure: I may receive affiliate credit from links in this post or on this site which will help fund my travels. Thank you for your support!
El Siboney Restaurant – BYOB well you wait in the parking lot of a table, great Cuban food for cheap.
Sunset cruise with drinks included.
Turtle Kraals had good happy hour with $0.50 oysters and lower priced drinks
Kelly’s Caribbean Bar Grill & Brewery has a good story behind (Historic home of Pan Am Airlines) it with good happy hour wings in a few flavors.
B.O.’s Fish Wagon. Delicious and inexpensive. Fun atmosphere. Loved it so much I went back twice on my trip to KW last year.
Turtle Kraals is great, yes the happy hour is good and they feature great cuban-styled food
Look for Conch Fritters, like hush puppies, but made with conch meat, there are several places that serve them, including a food-type trailer on Duval that I am most familiar with
Rum Barrell restaurant has all kinds of rum from all over the world, great if you like drinking dessert or a night cap
You can get a really good meal for dinner at Cafe Marquesa but it’s pricey.
We love eating brunch (I think only on the weekends) at Louie’s Backyard. We went this year for dinner and weren’t as impressed.
If you are doing a sunset sail, you have to go on Danger Charters Wind and Wine sunset sail. It’s a wine tasting and sail all in one.
If you’re still awake, there is an awesome dessert restaurant called Better Than Sex. We avoided it for years because of the name and figured it was all style and no substance. We were really wrong. Great Place.
One place we always hang out at is the Tree Bar at Rick’s on Duval St. Now, Rick’s is one of the drink all you can for one price places. However, the tree bar uses only good liquors and all fresh juices. The Bloody Mary’s, Pina Coladas and anything with orange or grapefruit juice are phenomenal. Also sitting in the shade on Duval makes for some really interesting people watching.
We loved happy hour at kellys. Really cheap apps and super yummy key lime margaritas. Rent a bike. You’ll see more and it’s a great way to get around.
If you’re feeling adventurous (adventuresome?) try the Garden of Eden bar. Clothing optional place…. work on your tan during the day, dance in your birthday suit at night. No cams allowed (strictly enforced) so COULD be one of those stories to let slip many many years from now!