Guide to the Florida Keys

I recently returned from an amazing trip touring the Florida Keys with my close foodie friends, Lena of @EastCoastFeastCoast, Sami of @TheNaughtyFork and Justin of @DcFoodPorn. From Key Largo to Marathon, FLA the four of us had the chance to experience all that the Florida Keys has to offer. It was my first time visiting the Florida Keys, and I was blown away by all of the delicious food including fresh fish, tangy key lime pie and (very) strong drinks. If the Florida Keys is yet to be on your travel radar, consider changing your mind after reading my official #TastetheKeys Travel Guide for The Florida Keys.

Where to Stay in The Florida Keys:

24 North Hotel

Located at the point of entry into Key West, 24 North Hotel’s property offers beautiful pool- and ocean-view rooms with premium features as well as in-room amenities. Not only is the 24 North Hotel convenient to the heart of Key West, but it is also easily accessible via the Hotel’s shuttle bus that will take you to the Old Town and across the island. 24 North Hotel also offers an on-property Starbucks and a poolside restaurant, Toasted Coconut (amazing food) that serves a vibrant menu in a relaxed atmosphere.

Location: 3820 North Roosevelt Blvd.

Key West, FL 33040

305-320-0940

Dolphin Point Villas

Dolphin Point Villas is located in Key Largo and offers a getaway designed for those who prefer an authentic Florida Keys experience. This beautiful villa has 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, fully equipped kitchen and TV, which really made us feel like we were staying in the comfort of our own home.

Location: 101910 Overseas Hwy, MM 101

Key Largo, FL 330337

305-451-0315

Where to Eat in The Florida Keys:

First Flight Island Brewery

First Flight Island Brewery is located in the heart of downtown Key West and offers delicious food and drinks. My personal favorite items were the Brisket Mac N’ Cheese and the Fried PB & Jelly Sandwich dessert! (Fun Fact: First Flight Island Brewery is best known for being the birthplace of Pan American World Airways, since Pan-Am’s first tickets were sold out of the restaurant building in 1927).

Location: 301 Whitehead St.

Key West, FL 33040

305-293-8484

Bistro 245 at Margaritaville Resort Key West

Bistro 245 offers an extensive array of breakfast menu items that range from fresh and healthy to rich and extremely decadent. The views at Bistro 245 are nothing short of breathtaking. Located off the pier in downtown Key West, Bistro 245 is the place you want to eat at when looking for a casual dining experience. The Lobster Benedict and the Caribbean French Toast are two dishes that I highly recommend ordering.

Location: 245 Front St.

Key West, FL 33040

305-294-4000

Bistro 245

Turtle Kraals

Turtle Kraals is a delicious Cuban-inspired restaurant that offers delicious Caribbean Ceviche and many other delicious food items. Turtle Kraals menu has a ton of options offering something for everyone. Also, the views are spectacular and every Friday they have turtle races! Make sure to order one of their famous drinks served in a bucket.

Location: 231 Margaret Street

Key West, FL 33040

305-294-2640

Fisherman’s Cafe

The Keys is known for fresh catch and Conch is a very popular dish in the Keys. It is safe to say that I enjoyed a lot of Conch Salad, but my personal favorite was from Fisherman’s Cafe. Whether you’re looking to indulge in a hearty cheeseburger, lobster tacos, mac n’ cheese or a light and fresh Conch Salad, Fisherman’s Cafe prepares timeless favorites with fresh ingredients that will leave you feeling very satisfied

Location: 205 Elizabeth Street

Key West, FL 33040

305-900-6878

Blue Heaven

Blue Heaven is an authentic Key West favorite and an iconic landmark known for their Key Lime Pie. The Key Lime Pie from Blue Heaven is one of the best I have ever tasted! This place is an absolute must-try when you’re visiting the Keys. Also, the merengue is bigger than the pie!

Location: 729 Thomas St.

Key West, FL 33040

305-296-8666

Marker 88

Marker 88 is an easygoing beachfront bar & grill in Islamorada! Aside from the breathtaking sunset views, Marker 88 offers gourmet and local seafood & cocktails. I recommend trying the yellowtail snapper or mahi–mahi, as the fish is extremely fresh and well prepared.

Location: 88000 Overseas Hwy.

Islamorada, FL 33036

305-852-9315

DJ’s Clam Shack

I never knew it was possible to enjoy fresh Maine Lobster Rolls in the Keys! DJ’s Clam Shack is a lively counter located on Duval (main street in Key West) that offers everything fresh from Conch fritters to Clams. The Lobster Roll at DJ’s Clam Shack was even featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and is also served with crispy fries on the side!

Location: 629 Duval St.

Key West, FL 33040

305-294-010

Cuban Coffee Queen

Cuban Coffee Queen is a counter-serve coffee stand which offers traditional Cuban eats, sandwiches & smoothies to-go. This Cuban stand serves authentic and delicious dishes, like their Cuban Queen Mix Sandwich filled with Fresh Marinated Mojo Pork, Ham, Roasted Turkey Breast, American cheese, Bacon, Mayo, Mustard, Lettuce, tomatoes and onions on pressed Cuban Bread. However my favorite was the Cuban Bagel topped with cream cheese on pressed Cuban bread with honey and everything bagel mix on top.

Location: 284 Margaret St.

Key West, FL 33040

305-292-4747

Morada Bay Beach Cafe

There’s no better way to enjoy dinner then while sitting on the beautiful beaches of Islamorada. If you’re looking for a casual yet chic outdoor dining experience, Morada Bay Beach Cafe is definitely a go-to. This Caribbean-style American restaurants offers fresh seafood and tapas and is well-lit by nighttime torches. Morada Bay Beach Cafe also offers *strong* drinks, which are served in mason jars and lit up with glow sticks.

Location: 81600 Overseas Highway

Islamorada, FL 33036

305-664-0604

Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar

Located in the newly built Perry Hotel Key West, Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar was one of my favorite restaurants we visited while in the Keys. I absolutely loved their beautiful seafood tower (which was unlike any I have seen before) and their gigantic Lobster BLT sandwich. It’s safe to say that everything that we ate at Matt’s was extremely fresh and tasty. The restaurant also backs onto the hotel’s pool and marina, which is a beautiful view.

Location: 7001 Shrimp Road

Stock Island, FL 33040

305-294-3939

OTHER PLACES TO EAT WHILE IN THE KEYS:

Restaurants

Amigos Key West (Great authentic Mexican food- available for Late Nights)
Bo’s Fish Wagon (very fresh fish, well known for their conch fritters)

Snacks

Glazed Donuts (Key Lime Donut is a must try)
River Street Sweets (Known for their pralines and candy)

Bars

Sloppy Joes (most popular bar in Key West)
Irish Kevin’s
Willie T’s (This bar is completely filled with $1 bills and has live music every night)
The Bull & Whistle Bar
The Green Room
The Rum Bar

Things to do while in The Keys:

Danger Charters Sunset Sail

Our very first night in Key West we had the chance to watch the Sunset while sailing with Danger Charters. This 2 hour excursion was filled with great music, wine and tasty snacks; all while enjoying the Key’s beautiful views. Although it got a bit chilly once the sun set, Danger Charters provided everyone with blankets and endless wine!

Location: 245 Front St., MargaritavilleMarina

Key West, FL 33040

305-304-7999

Key Lime Pie Lesson with Kermit at Kermit’s Key Lime Pie Shoppe

It was a very cool experience to make our own Key Lime Pies with the well-known Kermit of Key West! Kermit is best known for his Key Lime Pie (of course) and products including, candy, oils, seasonings, juice, salad dressings, cookies, dog snacks, and more! We even got to try Kermit’s Key Lime Pie on a stick (which is smothered in milk chocolate).

Location: 200 Elizabeth St.

Key West, FL 33040

305-296-0806

Rum & Reggae Snorkel Sunset Combo with Fury

There’s a first time for everything and this includes snorkeling while in the Keys! We actually went snorkeling on one of the choppiest / coldest days of the year, but that didn’t stop us from diving right into the Key’s beautiful waters. The Florida Keys is home to the third largest reef in the world, and we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see those views. This experience was definitely unforgettable and I highly recommend this excursion to when traveling to Key West!

Location: 631 Greene St.

Key West, FL 33040

Tour of the Turtle Hospital

We had the chance to visit the Turtle Hospital on our way to Key Largo from Key West. I really enjoyed our experience there, as it was great to learn how the Hospital nurses injured/ sick turtles back to good health and is able to return them to the wild. Not only was the tour extremely educational, but we also had a chance to visit the resident turtles and view their current conditions. It was definitely a great learning experience and I am happy that we were able to see the positive impact that the Hospital is having on the sea turtles.

Location: 2396 Overseas Highway

Marathon, FL 33050

305-743-2552

Expedition Fishing

I have NEVER gone fishing before and was very excited to be taken out by Expedition Fishing for my first deep-sea fishing experience! Not only was the boat beautiful and the service was outstanding, but also the boat’s crew; Captain Jeff made sure that we each caught our own fish (which we successfully did). We all caught King Mackerel and had a great time!

Location: 79851 Overseas Hwy

Islamorada, FL

305-393-8710

OTHER THINGS TO DO WHILE IN THE KEYS:

Touring the Florida Keys was an awesome experience and I can’t wait to get back there soon! Check out my Instagram to see the #FoodieFour in action. Don’t forget to comment your Florida Keys recommendations below!