Key West’s Best Restaurants, According to a Local

I recently wrote a post about my favorite restaurants in Boston. Now I’d like to shine a light on my favorite restaurants in my hometown: Key West, Florida. I hope you’ll visit these incredible eateries and love them just as much as I do.

Key West is a foodie paradise. There is no shortage of exceptional restaurants in the country’s southernmost city. You can enjoy international tapas, fresh pasta, authentic Cuban coffee, French crepes, sushi, pad thai, fish tacos, sizzling fajitas, and heavenly Key Lime pie.

Their fresh pasta is made in house daily. This is a big deal! I honestly don’t understand so-called ‘Italian restaurants’ that don’t make their own pasta. Unlike those, Mangia is the REAL DEAL. Homemade pasta EVERY DAY! On top of their excellent pasta, you can add freshly caught local seafood! Are you kidding me! Does it get any better than that!? But it does get better because *garlic bread* is served with every entree. Their garlic bread is reason enough to visit! It’s made using Cuban bread, a nod to our local Cuban influence.

My favorite dish is the pollo al quatro formaggio. It’s decadently rich and creamy. If that’s not your cup of tea, their pesto and vodka sauces are yummy, too. Another popular menu item is the customizable pastas (create your own). Guests are given the option to select their noodles, protein, and sauce of choice. I like the fusilli pasta with Alfredo sauce and Key West pink shrimp! Pictured below.

Fusilli pasta with Alfredo sauce and Key West pink shrimp

In addition to phenomenal Italian cuisine, Mangia Mangia offers outdoor seating in their lovely garden area. The garden is quiet, secluded, and beautifully adorned with twinkly lights.

The Cuban Coffee Queen now has 3 locations in Key West. My favorite is their original location by the Key West Bight. It’s pure bliss to enjoy a strong cup of Cuban coffee while looking out over the harbor.

Cuban Coffee Queen’s Margaret Street location

My favorite drink is their iced coffee. They use ice cubes made of coffee so that your drink never gets watered down. In addition to fantastic coffee, Cuban Coffee Queen serves delicious Cuban sandwiches on pressed Cuban bread. 

Iced coffee with coffee ice cubes

While this may not be the most ‘authentic’ Cuban mix on the island, it’s definitely my favorite. Cole’s Peace makes their own Cuban bread in house every morning. Then they use the highest quality ingredients to make their sandwiches. For example, their Cuban mix has romaine instead of iceberg lettuce, like all other Cuban places. Everything is just better and fresher here. Plus, every sandwich comes with a homemade side and a miniature pastry! Family owned and operated. What’s not to love?!

Cole’s Peace Cuban mix

The Banana Cafe offers an incredible brunch. They serve sweet and savory crepes, omelettes, sandwiches, and salads. My favorite brunch options are the croque monsieur and the eggs Benedict. The interior of the cafe is adorable and their rooftop seating offers great views of bustling Duval Street. If the rooftop if closed, don’t despair. The first floor window seats are great for people-watching, too.

Eggs Benedict with bacon

After hearing countless advertisements on the radio for The Breakfast Club, Too, I decided I had to go and see for myself if it lived up to the hype. And OH MY GOODNESS – it was spectacular!! I loved the veggie Benedict with spinach, avocado, and pesto hollandaise. My boyfriend enjoyed the pulled pork rosti – a bed of fried breakfast potatoes topped with pulled pork, bell peppers, onions, and melted cheese, served in a petite cast iron skillet. On top of the mouth-watering meal, their coffee was top-notch! There is an espresso bar in the restaurant that offers to-go options, as well.

I’m very impressed with The Breakfast Club, Too. It reminded me of life before the pandemic when I would go out for brunch with my friends in Boston. This restaurant feels like it belongs in Boston or New York City, but I’m glad it’s in Key West. 🙂

Although not technically a restaurant, Old Town Bakery is where it’s at! But don’t go expecting table service. They offer takeout only. There isn’t a single chair inside. Nevertheless, the bakery is a local favorite, and I finally found out why! Despite growing up in Key West, I had never made it to the popular bakery… Until now!

I loved their iced coffee. It was smooth and flavorful. I ordered the Key West chicken wrap and a slice of their famous Key lime pie. I heard about their Key lime pie having a ‘secret ingredient’ from Key West Food Tours. I was planning to taste the pie then hypothesize about what the mysterious secret ingredient could be, but the friendly counter staff were more than happy to spill the beans. “It’s a gingersnap crust!” they told me. Pairing ginger with the tart Key limes was ingenious! I savored every bite and licked my spoon.

Iced coffee at Old Town Bakery

Fun fact: Old Town Bakery uses *seaweed straws* to benefit the environment. Plastic straws are banned in Key West so most restaurants opt for paper straws as their eco-friendly alternative. I strongly prefer the seaweed because it maintained its shape and didn’t turn into mush like the paper ones do. I wish every restaurant used these. Way to go, Old Town Bakery!

Their sushi is fabulous and the presentation is stunning. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and the owners are friendly and hospitable. I love the California Roll, the Boston Roll, and the Crazy Roll.

Chico’s is in New Town (where most locals live) and has many loyal customers, myself and my sister included. Their tortilla chips are made in house daily. They are paper-thin, hot, and perfectly salty. Chico’s salsa is also made fresh in house daily. Their salsa is my favorite salsa of all time. Everyone else, just give up. No one does it like Chico’s! My favorite dishes include their chicken pipian verde, Baja fish tacos, nachos, and taco salads.

Amigos is more popular with tourists than locals because it’s located in the heart of Old Town. However, many locals (myself included) occasionally venture downtown to enjoy delicious Tex-Mex at Amigos. I like the seating at Amigos because you can sit on the ledge and face out towards the sidewalk. The people-watching never disappoints. Specifically, I like to watch people across the street try to land a quarter in the fish’s mouth at Captain Tony’s.

As for the cuisine, everything on the menu is delicious.  I love their pulled pork nachos and quesadillas, but the BEST menu item of all is their Mexican fried potatoes. OH MY GOODNESS. You will die and go to heaven when you try these bite-sized pieces of fried potato drizzled with spicy aioli then topped with a generous amount of cojita cheese and scallions. YUM!

Pulled pork nachos at Amigos

Another cool menu item is their 1/2 and 1/2 Key lime pie. You can sample 1/2 a slice of Key lime pie from Kermit’s and 1/2 a slice of Key lime pie from Key West Key Lime Pie Company. I think this is so cool because I’ve tried different Key lime pies from different places throughout my life but never two at once. Using this side-by-side comparison, one would have the rare opportunity to notice the subtle differences between the pies, and I just think that’s so awesome. Unfortunately, I’ve never ordered this, but that’s only because I always eat my weight in nachos when I come here, and then I’m way too full for pie! Next time…

Until recently, I thought that Moondog Cafe had the best burger in Key West. But then I went to Blackfin Bistro… This is definitely the best burger in Key West, possibly the world. I’m talking about their wagyu beef burger.

The wagyu beef was tender and flavorful. It’s topped with a smoked gouda fondue. Yes, delicious melted cheese is literally oozing out of the burger. This is what dreams are made of, people! Atop the fondue, there’s a yummy red onion jam (shallot marmalade) and a generous smear of Port wine mayonnaise. This scrumptious sandwich is served with truffle fries and a side salad. 10/10!

Wagyu beef burger and truffle fries at Blackfin Bistro

I recommend sampling some of their fantastic appetizers, too. I loved the tuna tartare and tempura green beans.

Yellowfin tuna tartare appetizer

Santiago’s specializes in international tapas. My two favorite menu items are 1) the dates – sweet dates filled with tart goat cheese, wrapped in salty prosciutto then broiled and 2) the saganaki! Saganaki is the most mesmerizing dish at Santiago’s. (Definitely gram worthy). It’s halloumi cheese coated with brandy and lit on fire. The cheese is dense, meaty, and flavorful. After the brandy burns off, its edges become crunchy and delicious. Mop it up with warm pita bread.

Other notable menu items include the strawberry spinach salad, beef tenderloin with bleu cheese butter, beef short ribs, Brussels sprouts, Roman meatballs, and patatas bravas. Patatas bravas is a Spanish appetizer of fried potatoes drizzled with aioli and hot (bravas) sauce. Santiago’s boasts an extensive wine menu with local and international selections. I love their red sangria. I recommend going with friends and sharing a pitcher.

Red sangria at Santiago’s Bodega

If you’re living it up at Santiago’s, you would be remiss to leave without ordering a dessert. Their bread pudding is to die for!!! The croissants are warm and buttery and the ice cream is local from Flamingo Crossing. The bread pudding is their best dessert option, in my opinion, but if that isn’t your thing, the chocolate crepes are wicked good, too.

Everyone should visit the country’s southernmost Dairy Queen. Unlike mainland Dairy Queens, this location focuses exclusively on dessert and does not serve savory fast food. Their blizzards and ice cream cones are favorites among locals and tourists alike.

Kermit’s sells whole pies or individual slices of their delicious Key lime pie. You can also purchase a frozen slice dipped in dark chocolate. I highly recommend indulging in a slice of the chocolate-dipped pie.

What’s your favorite restaurant in Key West? Where would you like to dine when you visit? Let me know in the comments below!

– Travel Alli