If you’re thinking about booking a winter getaway to somewhere warm, you might want to consider visiting the Florida Keys. The best time to visit these tropical islands is between December and April when the weather is sunny and warm.
The island of Key West is one of the most popular parts of the Florida Keys to visit. Here you can see flamingos and butterflies in the Key West Butterfly Conservancy, snap a photo at the Southernmost point in the United States, or watch the sunset at Mallory Square with food and music.
But if you’re anything like us, food is one of our favorite parts of travel — and Key West has some deliciously unique food! Blending Cuban flavors, Caribbean ingredients, and fresh-caught seafood, the island serves up culinary creations you won’t find anywhere else.
Here are some of our favorite eats in Key West:
1. Key Lime Pie at Blue Heaven
Few dishes are more iconic to the Florida Keys than key lime pie. This perfectly sweet and tart pie can be found all over Key West in many different variations, from chocolate-covered on a stick to a simple slice with whipped cream. Our favorite slice was from Blue Heaven – topped with a mountain of toasted meringue, it was very unique compared to the other pies we found. We also fell in love with the lively atmosphere of the restaurant, with the colorful garden patio and live music.
2. Cuban Sandwiches at Five Brothers
Cuban heritage is deeply ingrained in the culture of the Florida Keys, from music and artwork to food and cigars. Next time you’re in Key West, you’ll have to dip your toes into Cuban cuisine, starting with Cuban sandwiches! The 5 Brothers sandwich shop serves some of the best Cuban sandwiches in Key West. Imagine crusty bread filled with generous servings of ham, roast pork, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and mustard. Grilled in a sandwich press, it’s delicious eaten with more Cuban coffee.
3. Cuban Coffee at Cuban Coffee Queen
If you’re a coffee lover like Kara and I, you need to try a cup of Cuban coffee. The key to a good cup of Cuban coffee is made from whipping sugar and a dark roast espresso to create a foam on top. At the Cuban Coffee Queen, you’ll find Cuban coffee as well as smoothies, breakfast sandwiches, and some Cuban-themed bites. To drink the coffee like a pro, dip bread in it to soak up the foam.
4. Conch Fritters at The Conch Shack
Conch (pronounced conk) is a type of shellfish that’s very popular in Florida and the Bahamas. You can find it in a variety of dishes, from burgers to chowder, but we think the best way to enjoy it is in the form of a fritter. These fritters are made by mixing chunks of conch, veggies, and spices into a batter. One secret to finding good conch fritters is by finding a place that makes its sauces from scratch (and no, tartar sauce doesn’t count), like at The Conch Shack.
5. Shrimp Tacos at Garbo’s Grill
We were sad that our favorite Key West taco place, Bad Boy Burrito, closed (although its Islamorada location remains open), but fortunately, there are some other mouthwatering taco options available here. Garbo’s Grill serves fish of the day and shrimp tacos topped with cabbage, mango, cilantro, and house-made Caribbean sauces that were featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
6. Rum at The Rum Bar
Rum gained its popularity in Key West during the Prohibition era. When fires halted cigar production in Key West, locals began smuggling rum from Cuba instead and opening clandestine rum bars. The Rum Bar rivals selections you’ll find in bigger cities, with hundreds of rums from around the world. Located inside an 1800s house, decorated with neon signs and vintage bottles, it’s a fun place to grab a late-night drink.
7. Seafood at Bagatelle
While conch is all the rage in the Florida Keys, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention all the other deliciously fresh seafood you can find there. We fell in love with Bagatelle, a seafood restaurant situated inside a historic blue house with a wraparound porch. This restaurant serves freshly caught mussels, swordfish, hogfish, and lobster mac n cheese, all of which you can enjoy on the porch while people watching over Duval Street.
If you’re ready to book your winter escape to the Florida Keys, we’d recommend checking out Daily Drop Pro to find the best flight deals there! To see our full food tour of Key West, check out the video below!