Key West restaurant suggestions?

[Jim in CT]

Heading to Key West Thursday with the wife for 5 days. Haven't been in awhile, could use restaurant suggestions for breakfast, lunch, dinner. We like super-casual, laid back places where the locals go, not the tourists. Heard the Rusty Anchor on Stock Island is great. Any help is appreciated, thanks.

[JoeBass]

This is really casual...there's a permanent food truck down by the marina...best fresh fish sandwich I've ever had. The place is kooky mess but the sandwiches and cold beer are awesome. By the way, the bait shop at the marina also has cold beer for sale at a little bar. If they had pizza, I'd live there.

[FinS 32]

there is a place called teh cafe. Its really good, only thing is that they sort of of have a vegetarian menu. I was not eating meat of dairy for religous reasons while there. It was really good though even as a normaly eat enthusiast I liked it alot. They might have some meat options though.

There was a place close to key west bait and tackle I went to a few times for breakfast too, cant for the life of me remember what it was called, but they had really good breakfast sandwiches

[piemma]

There is a little restaurant off Duval called Camilla's. The food was great. It has been 5 or 6 years since we were there but I believe it's still there
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[niko]

Forget the eating - go drinking. KW is a great place to get drunk
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[bart]

Pretty funny, I was just talking to a woman about our stints down in the Keys, trading war stories. I miss that place..

Half Shell Oyster Bar is a must.

Tapias( I think that's what it's called is a must)

Smokin' Tuna is a killer new place that the locals love.

Green Parrot is a must-see place for awesome live blues/rock/reggae.

I wouldn't spend much time on Stock Island, Old Town is where it's at...

[MartinD18]

Was there three weeks ago, 4th visit in the last few years.
1.) Blue Heaven. Breakfast, lunch or dinner. GREAT food, interesting menu. Absolutely the best, most authentic and delicious Key Lime Pie too. Get there early as they don't take reservations and even for breakfast they fill up quickly.
2.) El Siboney (sp.?) - real deal Cuban food, family run place, excellent and cheap. Also fills up quickly for dinner (and very limited parking) but the turnover is fast.
3.) Schooner Wharf. Not terrific food but good and not too expensive, but great people watching and some very good music at night.

There are dozens of mediocre but filling places on Duval and surrounding streets.

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by MartinD18

Was there three weeks ago, 4th visit in the last few years.
1.) Blue Heaven. Breakfast, lunch or dinner. GREAT food, interesting menu. Absolutely the best, most authentic and delicious Key Lime Pie too. Get there early as they don't take reservations and even for breakfast they fill up quickly.
2.) El Siboney (sp.?) - real deal Cuban food, family run place, excellent and cheap. Also fills up quickly for dinner (and very limited parking) but the turnover is fast.
3.) Schooner Wharf. Not terrific food but good and not too expensive, but great people watching and some very good music at night.

There are dozens of mediocre but filling places on Duval and surrounding streets.

Others have recommende Blue Heaven, particularly for the Key Lime Pie. I also heard El Siboney is awesome.

[bart]

I forgot about Blue Heaven...great breakfast spot.

[fish4striper]

blue heaven is great for breakfast

flaming buoy was great for dinner, not too expensive

lattitudes out on the island was a little overrated

better than sex restaurant is great for dessert

[bart]

check out Garden of Eden while you're there

[PI guy]

One more for Blue Heaven, best Bloody Mary I've ever had....try Pepe's for dinner it's down kind of behind where the Schooner<(Tuna Nachos!!!) is. And don't forget to have your wife leave her business card(bra) at Capt. Tony's(best damn dive bar in the country)!
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[Nebe]

I couldn't agree more!!!!

Originally Posted by MartinD18

Was there three weeks ago, 4th visit in the last few years.
1.) Blue Heaven. Breakfast, lunch or dinner. GREAT food, interesting menu. Absolutely the best, most authentic and delicious Key Lime Pie too. Get there early as they don't take reservations and even for breakfast they fill up quickly.
2.) El Siboney (sp.?) - real deal Cuban food, family run place, excellent and cheap. Also fills up quickly for dinner (and very limited parking) but the turnover is fast.
3.) Schooner Wharf. Not terrific food but good and not too expensive, but great people watching and some very good music at night.

There are dozens of mediocre but filling places on Duval and surrounding streets.

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[spence]

Island House hands down.
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[Bronko]

Believe me when I tell you. A lot of the places mentioned are very good. But for me, it's Pepe's hands down. My Family has a couple places down there and i will not go to KW without hitting Pepe's. Funky spot, great local catch dishes and some real great steak and pork chop options. And you absolutely have to get one of their screw drivers in one of their frosted glasses withe the oranges squeezed directly into the grey goose.
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[ThomCat]

Sloppy Joe's! Pretty standard (but tasty) pub fare but the party atmosphere is super be it 11 AM or 11 PM. Not that I'm a big party animal on nuttin'

[NEXT2NUN]

Fogarty's on Duval is pretty good. If you travel up the Keys Lazy Days in Islamorada has happy hour every afternoon and the best mahi mahi sandwich your ever gonna get. Did I mention Happy Hour, they have sam adams toooo

[Van]

Pool side eats and drinks at Dantes.
Nice "scenary"

[Jim in CT]

Thanks to all who responded. Lookiong forward to some great eating, and hopefully fishing in the Dry Tortugas. Weather looks a bit dicey for the next 5 days, looks like it will be better up here.

[bart]

Just a heads up, the Tortugas are about a 2 hr ride so plan accordingly. Have fun...

[East Tide]

We have a family place in Truman Annex so we go every year...

As mentioned-

-Blue Heaven for Breakfast
-El Siboney for Cuban
- Schooner Wharf for afternoon boozing and a decent mahi sandwich. Drinks are ok- go with the rum runner.

Must go places. The cool thing about KW is the Touristy places aren't touristy. THe competition is so high the food is usually good.

-Bagatelles on Duval MUST ORDER THE WHOLE FRIED SNAPPER!!!

-After extensive testing Hogs Breath is back on top with the must have Mahi Sandwich and Rum Runners

-The Sloppy Joes Sloppy Joe sandwich is great, if you're in the mood. Best Pina in KW

-Nice diner go to RoofTop Cafe. Ask for the manager, Jonathan, and tell him Dave and Casey sent you. Tell him you know me from fishing. He'll treat you right. Best location (not on the water, on a roof) and fine food.

- New place on Summerland Key called The Wharf. Hands down the best food we have had on the keys and reasonable.

- Touristy, but you have to get frozen drinks from Fat TUesdays on Duval. Wasted away again....

- I like the outdoor seating at Kelly (McGinnis) place. Food is good. WHole fried snapper is good, but not as good as Bagatelles.

-Santiagos Bodega- GREAT tapas. off the beaten path. Local spot. Not expensive but spiffier than most spots. Can wear shorts and flips, as you can everywhere else.

You also have to check out the Cat man at Mallory square for sunset- very cool.

You can fish from shore at Fort Zachary or right by the coast guard boats on the road to fort zachary (off the big concrete structure). I've hooked a tarpon from there, caught some nice jack crevalles and spanish macks. Most people bottom fish but if the wind is right the fish school up and chase bait there.

Kevin Grubb with mullet man charters at Bahia Honda will put you on multiple tarpon. Great guy as well. tarpontrips.com About $200 less than KW rates and gurantees fish.

other mentionables as far as food goes are Croissants de France for breakfast, southernmost beach cafe for a nice lunch on the beach (few beaches in KW)

PM me with more questions. We LOVE KW!!!

[bart]

Santiago's was the place I was thinking of when I mentioned Tapias. Thanks East Tide. Great food...

[rexhamer]

My wife and I just got back and we can second the good reviews for Blue Heaven, el Siboney and Pepe's. One place not mentioned yet is Hogfish Bar & Grill on Stock Island. They cooked up our mangrove snapper and it was delicious. Definitely a funky, laid-back atmosphere also.

[Poncho]

Hog fish in stock island is awsome
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[Uncle Rob]

I lived there for 9&1/2 years. the rusty anchor is the best buy for you and the family. If you'd travel a little north on over seas HWY. Mangroves Mama's. it's the best, ask for Verny she great!! Tell her Rob & Casey sent you.