The best restaurants in Key West

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What is it? It seems like only yesterday Santiago’s Bodega was the new kid in town—but what feels like only yesterday was actually 20 years ago. Slightly off the beaten path in Bahama Village, it’s situated inside an intimate, romantic dining room with a wraparound patio. It’s long cemented itself as a modern classic in Key West with a menu of Spanish tapas-inspired small plates that have remained much the same since day one. 

Why we love it: Over all those years, the quality has never lagged and locals return time and again for a parade of crave-worthy dishes, like French green beans with gruyere and prosciutto, brandy flambéed haloumi saganaki, seared beef tenderloin with bleu cheese butter, croquettas with prosciutto and provolone and spanakopita. 

Time Out tip: The housemade red and white sangria is always a hit or opt for a bottle from their excellent global wine list. And don’t sleep on the bread pudding for dessert.

Address: 207 Petronia Street, Key West, FL, 33040

Opening hours: Daily 11am–10pm

Expect to pay: Depending on how many dishes you order and the number of people in your party, you can expect to pay about $100+ per head, including wine.

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What is it? Café Marquesa is one of Key West’s most sophisticated dining experiences. Set on the corner of Fleming Street inside the Marquesa hotel, a charming, family-owned guesthouse inside a restored seafoam Victorian-style conch cottage, the restaurant specializes in elegant local seafood with a New Orleans twist. With a softly lit dining room and big picture windows overlooking the tree-lined street, there’s a bit of a see-and-be-seen nature here, but it’s far from flashy. Café Marquesa still subscribes to Key West’s come-as-you-are ethos, while drawing a more grown-up crowd.

Why we love it: Elegant preparations of freshly caught seafood. Café Marquesa’s menu changes seasonally and you can expect to find grouper, yellowtail, mahi-mahi, and triple tail. I recently enjoyed their miso-glazed black grouper with wasabi mashed potatoes, bok choy, dashi mushrooms and toasted sesame seeds. For the NOLA-inspired dining experience, start with the decadent she crab soup with lump blue crab and sherry and end with lighter-than-air beignets dusted with powdered sugar and served with fresh berries and crème anglaise

Time Out tip: For the martini drinkers, Marquesa makes the best in town and their small bar is a convivial spot to strike up a conversation with an interesting character.

Address: 600 Fleming St, Key West, FL 33040

Opening hours: Daily 5:30–9:30pm

Expect to pay: About $150+ each for entrée, starters, dessert and drinks.

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What is it? A fine-dining restaurant on Sunset Key, a private island just offshore, home to a resort and private homes, accessible only by ferry. Latitudes is Key West’s ultimate special occasion restaurant. With both an elegant dining room and expansive patio, it’s prime for a romantic dinner or a big celebration. The cuisine is Florida-inspired seafood executed beautifully.

Why we love it: There’s a sense of adventure and fun the moment you step aboard the ferry, whisking you off to Sunset Key. But the novelty is not the only draw—the food and service are consistently excellent, making Latitudes a true barefoot luxury experience. The menu changes seasonally and highlights the bounty of the seas in dishes, like Florida spiny lobster risotto or seared grouper with chorizo, green apple jicama slaw. You’ll also find wagyu skirt steak and braised short rib for those with a more carnivorous appetite.

Time Out tip: Time your reservation to the sunset and book a table on the patio for unparalleled sunset views as boats sail across the horizon.

Address: 245 Front St, Key West, FL 33040

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 7am–3pm, 5-10pm; Fri, Sat 7am–3pm, 5–11pm

Expect to pay: About $150+ each for an entrée, starters, dessert and drinks.

What is it? There’s perhaps no restaurant that captures Key West’s bohemian subtropical spirit more than Blue Heaven. Set on a spacious patio shaded by palm fronds and ship sails with mix-and-match pastel-painted furniture, Key West’s famous roosters peck at your feet, while live musicians play mellow reggae tunes that perfectly match the laidback vibe.

Why we love it: The setting is heavenly, and so is the food. It’s hearty and wholesome with a little bit of a hippie healthy vibe. At breakfast or brunch, it’s hard to choose between a fancy lobster, shrimp or beef tenderloin eggs Benedict or “Richard’s Very Good” from scratch banana pancakes. (On a recent visit, I learned from the bartender that Bud Light is added to the batter, making them that much more perfect.) At dinner, the menu is Caribbean-inflected with dishes like jerk chicken and pan-blackened Caribbean BBQ shrimp deglazed with Red Stripe, as well as vegetarian options like black bean soup, all served with homemade cornbread. Their famous key lime pie is made with mile-high merengue and it would be silly to pass up. 

Time Out tip: Blue Heaven does not take reservations, and it’s not uncommon for wait times to be upwards of an hour. If you’re rolling solo or with a small party, the bar is first-come, first-served and pretty easy to slink into. Breakfast and brunch are especially popular, while dinner can sometimes have shorter waits and also offers limited reservations if you can snag ‘em.

Address: 729 Thomas Street, Key West, FL, 33040

Opening hours: Daily 8am–2:30pm, 5–10pm

Expect to pay: Dishes are hearty, and the menu lends itself to an entrée plus a shared dessert, so you could expect to pay $50 to $85+ per head, depending on how many Bloody Marys you throw back. 

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What is it? A quintessential Key West dining experience since 1971, Louie’s Backyard is slightly off the beaten path on the southern side of the island inside a pink historic revival mansion. It’s all about the tiered back patio here, cascading towards the Atlantic Ocean with views due south and a sophisticated menu highlighting fresh seafood—often with Southern comfort, Bahamian or French flare. Jimmy Buffett famously frequented Louie’s back in the early days, and there’s something of his laidback, louche spirit here. 

Why we love it: The views can’t be beat and the food is excellent. Starters are creative and ambitious, from conch chowder with bird pepper hot sauce to crabcakes with charred jalapeno aioli and seared foie gras with peach preserves and blueberry brandy sauce. Entrees range from grilled swordfish with fried risotto to double lamb chops and dry-rubbed New York strip with herbed gorgonzola butter. I tend to gravitate towards the Gulf shrimp and grits, perfect at brunch or dinner.

Time Out tip: For a little less formality, the Afterdeck bar at the edge of the dining area is as good as it gets for drinks on the water, and upstairs inside the restaurant, the Café at Louie’s Backyard is a small plates concept where locals retreat for a delicious meal without the tourist fuss.

Address: 700 Waddell Ave, Key West, FL 33040

Opening hours: Daily 11:30am–2:30 p.m, 5-9:30pm

Expect to pay: $125+ per person when it’s all said and done.

What is it? The most exciting new restaurant to open in Key West in recent years, The Docks came on the scene in 2022 from a group of longtime local chefs and fishermen. Situated on the docks of a working waterfront in Stock Island, where shrimp boats glide in and out, it serves creative spins on raw bar and fresh seafood. Everything is sourced locally in partnership with sustainably-minded onsite Keys Fresh Seafood Market. It’s well worth the 20-minute pilgrimage across Cow Key Channel to neighboring Stock Island, which is considered a holdout of old Key West.

Why we love it: Locals love supporting locals, especially when they build something really cool—and The Docks is really cool. The waterfront setting strikes the perfect balance between salty and picturesque, and the menu is modern, creative and delicious. The raw bar runs the gamut from oysters to Royal Red peel ‘n eat shrimp, drunken scallops and ceviche, while yummy shared plates include lobster Rangoon, tuna carpaccio pizza and figs in a blanket with brie, honey and sage. There’s a snapper Philly doused in provolone sauce, fresh catch fish and chips, grilled swordfish with pickled vegetables and grilled skirt steak with salsa verde, not to mention fun daily specials. They’ve also got one of the more creative and well-executed cocktail menus in town.

Time Out tip: This crew’s got more up their sleeves—Fish Wife, a brand-new concept, is in the works and set to open any day now. We can’t wait to try!

Address: 6840 Front Street, Stock Island, FL 33040

Opening hours: Daily noon–9:30pm

Expect to pay: Anywhere from about $40 to $80+, depending on what kind of meal you’re trying to have.

What is it? A plush, clubby steakhouse set inside a wood-paneled dining room with mid-century and nautical nods that transport you to Havana. Prime is a local favorite for its decadent steakhouse menu with a modern spin. Situated on an elevated perch overlooking the Key West Bight, there’s also outdoor waterfront seating.

Why we love it: Prime takes its chops seriously with gorgeous preparations of bone-in ribeye, porterhouse and New York strip. The surf and turf is a great way to go, pairing a 10-ounce filet mignon with an 8-ounce spiny Florida lobster tail. The sesame-crusted tuna tataki makes for a nice balance to start, while escargot and jumbo shrimp cocktail are also on offer. There’s also daily pasta and fresh catch specials, as well as pork chops, veal chops and chicken.

Time Out tip: The sides are what really tip the scales at Prime, especially the must-order truffled macaroni and smoked gouda. Pair it all that with a cold, crisp martini and you’re set. 

Address: 951 Caroline St, Key West, FL 33040

Opening hours: Daily 5:30–10pm

Expect to pay: Easily $150+ with steaks, sides, starters, drinks and dessert.

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What is it? A fish shack on Caroline Street, composed mostly of old crab traps and fishing buoys, B.O.’s Fish Wagon is a Key West institution. Roll in salty or sweaty and prepare to order the Platonic ideal of a fish sandwich. The choice between grilled or fried is a matter of taste, but I go for fried every time. You can also opt for a seafood platter served with your choice of sides, including black beans and rice, hand-cut fries, and salad. They’ve also got fried cracked conch, conch fritters, soft shell crab, a burger, and slaw or chili dogs.

Why we love it: The fried fish sandwich served on pillowy Cuban bread with key lime aioli, lettuce, tomatoes and onion is hot, fresh, delectable and best enjoyed with a cold bottle of Kalik. The ramshackle setting near the bight adds to the charm.

Time Out tip: B.O.’s scrawls its daily catch at market price on a board. Go for the grouper whenever it’s available. While it’s usually the pricier option, it’s juicy and flavorful and what they do best. 

Address: 801 Caroline St, Key West, FL 33040

Opening hours: Daily 7am–9pm

Expect to pay: $20 to $50+, depending on how much you order.

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What is it? Bad Boy started as a humble hole in the wall on Simonton Street in 2007 that swiftly developed a cult local following for its fresh, fast-casual Mexican cooking. Over the course of nearly 20 years, it’s bounced around town to different locations, changed ownership, opened an outpost in Islamorada and went on hiatus in Key West. Today, it’s back and better than ever, owned and operated once again by the original husband-and-wife duo, in the form of Bad Boy Taqueria & Tequila. Located on the Stock Island waterfront near the grounds of the Perry hotel, it’s a full-fledged restaurant with indoor-outdoor seating designed by a local artist.

Why we love it: We already loved chef Chris Otten’s build-your-own burritos, filled with rice, beans, cheddar, sour cream, shaved cabbage and cilantro, and your choice of protein, from wagyu to tofu, Key West pinks to fresh caught fish, plus a selection of housemade salsas. Now, the talented chef has more space to flex with an expanded menu that includes duck confit nachos from his days at the long-shuttered, but locally beloved 2 Cents. There’s also tacos, salads, fajitas and a full bar with tequila-forward cocktails. There’s a freshness to Otten’s cooking with thoughtfully sourced ingredients that’s always made a meal here feel more wholesome than indulgent. Perry hotel guests can order Bad Boy to enjoy poolside.

Time Out tip: After your meal, take a digestive stroll along the marina.

Address: 7025 Shrimp Road, Stock Island, FL 33040

Opening hours: Daily 11am–9pm

Expect to pay: $15 to $50+ per head, depending on how much you order.

What is it? A slightly off-the-beaten-path, family-owned restaurant in Old Town (there’s a second location on Stock Island) where locals have turned for hearty, authentic Cuban food since 1984. Situated inside an unassuming brick building with a tin roof, the wood-paneled dining room with glass-topped laminated tablecloths is warm and unfussy.

Why we love it: El Siboney’s wide-ranging menu includes everything from ropa vieja to vaca frita, garlic shrimp, butterflied yellowtail and so much more, all served with yellow rice, brothy black beans and sweet plantains for a serious feast. There’s also croquetas, empanadas, conch fritters and tostones, as well as your classic Cuban mix sandwich.

Time Out tip: Rent bikes to El Siboney and take it as your opportunity to explore the charming residential streets of Old Town with its pastel conch cottages and white gingerbread front porches punctuated by palm trees and riots of bougainvillea.

Address: 900 Catharine St, Key West, FL 33040

Opening hours: Daily 11am–9:30pm 

Expect to pay: About $20 to $50