Key West is one of our favorite vacation spots. It is about as different from New England as possible. Obviously the weather is drastically different. It is also very laid back and supports a very open-minded community. It offers beach, water sports, history, great bars, live music and, surprisingly, very good food.
Lodging | Restaurants | Bars | Activities
Lodging
The Banyan Resort
323 Whitehead St(305) 296-7786
www.thebanyanresort.com
The entry and courtyard areas of the Banyan Resort are quite lovely as it is, as the name implies, surrounded by banyan trees. It is conveniently located on Whitehead St just a few blocks from entertainment. The staff gave us a warm greeting which included drinks. They were friendly throughout our stay. The room was comfortable but needed to be freshened a little. Two other minor complaints were the roosters that woke us each morning and the messy seed pods that fee constantly during our stay.
Amenities: Pool; hot tub.
Casa Marina
500 Reynolds St(305) 296-3535
www.waldorfastoria3.hilton.com
Casa Marina, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, is located on the southern end of Key West. The advantage to this is that it is situated on a large section of beach which, believe it or not, is not that common here. The disadvantage is that it is a bit of a walk from most of the festivities. We tried the small spa and found it to be mediocre.
Amenities: Beach; water sports; pool; spa.
Marquesa Hotel
600 Fleming St(305) 292-19194
www.marquesa.com
The Marquesa is our favorite place to stay in Key West. It is a charming hotel just a couple of blocks from the heart of the action on Duval Street. The main building contains the office and fronts the pool and courtyard area that is surrounded by a number of the suites. The rooms are comfortable and tastefully decorated. We have found the staff to be friendly and helpful. There is a restaurant on site which used to be favorite but recently has been a little inconsistent.
Amenities: Pool; restaurant.
Pier House Resort & Spa
1 Duval St(305) 296-4600
www.pierhouse.com
The Pier House was one of the first places we stayed in Key West. It couldn’t be more conveniently located on the Front Street end of Duval. The rooms are comfortable and the staff pleasant. On site is a pool, a small beach and the best spa on the island.
Amenities: Beach (small); pool; hot tub; restaurant, gym. spa.
The Westin Key West Resort & Marina
245 Front St(305) 294-4000
www.westinkeywestresort.com
The Westin is in a great location on water just a few blocks off Duval St. It contains all of the amenities you’d expect from a Westin. Our one stay was pleasant but unremarkable.
Amenities: Pool; marina; water sports; restaurant, gym.
The Wetherstation Inn
57 Front St(305) 294-7277
www.weatherstationinn.com
We’ve stayed here a few times in the past and enjoyed ourselves. The inn is located in a charming area called the Truman Annex which is quite but very convenient to KW activities. A recent renovation has us considering a visit in the near future.
Amenities: Pool.
Restaurants
Amazing Cakes & Creations
517 Fleming St(305) 602-0603
www.amazingcakesandcreations.com
We’ve found this to be a good stop for a good-sized and delicious breakfast sandwich.
| Cuisine: | Bakery |
| Hours: | Mon-Sat 8:00 A.M. – 1:30 P.M. |
Azur
425 Grinnell St(305) 292-2987
www.azurkeywest.com
We learned about this restaurant on a recent visit thanks to a recommendation from our hotel. Our first meal at this Mediterranean restaurant was a very good one. Our server was very friendly and quite knowledgeable about the food. We thoroughly enjoyed each course. A subsequent visit was enjoyable as well.
| Cuisine: | Mediterranean |
| Hours: | Breakfast: Mon-Fri. 8-11, Sat 9-11; Lunch: Mon-Fri 11-3; Dinner: Mon-Sun 6-10; Brunch: Sun 9-3 |
| Dress: | Casual |
B.O.’s Fish Wagon
801 Caroline St(305) 294-9272
www.bosfishwagon.com
I don’t think we visit Key West without stopping at B.O.’s for lunch. The establishment looks more like a random pile of …stuff than it does a restaurant. Inside is a small counter and a handful of tables and outward looking bar top stools. The fare is fresh seafood prepared simply. Great place to have a grouper sandwich and a couple of cold beers. There’s live music on Friday nights. Only criticisms would be that is has become a bit pricey and the fries are just ok.
| Cuisine: | Seafood |
| Hours: | Daily 11:00 A.M. – 9:30 P.M. |
| Dress: | Casual |
Blue Heaven
729 Thomas St(305) 296-8666
www.blueheavenkw.com
This funky restaurant located in the Bahama Village section of Key West offers breakfast, lunch and dinner it a very relaxed atmosphere. Ideally, you’ll get to sit outside where you be joined by roosters as you eat. At night they often have live entertainment. We’ve consistently had a good experience at Blue Heaven
| Cuisine: | Floridian-Caribbean |
| Hours: | Daily 8:00 A.M. – 10:30 P.M. |
| Dress: | Casual |
Clemente’s Trolley Pizza
629 Duval St(305) 900-7035
www.clementestrolley.com
A new addition to the Key West food scene, Clemente’s was relocated from the northeast to bring brick oven pizza to the keys. We’ve only been here once but were very impressed. You order from the trolley and can either take it to go or grab one of the benches or large wire spools to dine on.
| Cuisine: | Pizza |
| Hours: | Mon – Sat: 11:00 A.M. – 11:00 P.M.; Sun: 5:00 P.M. – 11:00 P.M. |
| Dress: | Casual |
El Siboney
900 Catherine St(305) 296-4184
www.elsiboneyrestaurant.com
We had heard great things about this family owned Cuban restaurant hidden away from the bustle of Duval. On a recent visit we finally had a chance to try it for lunch. Inside there is a take-out window and a dining bar to the right. Off to the left are two dining rooms. Decor is simple but tasteful. Locals had told us that the Cuban sandwich was the best on the island so, of course, we had to try it. It was a great recommendation. We’ll definitely be back
| Cuisine: | Cuban |
| Hours: | Daily 11:00 A.M. – 9:30 P.M. |
| Dress: | Casual |
Louie’s Backyard
700 Waddell Ave(305) 294-1061
www.louiesbackyard.com
Louie’s Backyard is probably the fanciest of the restaurants we visit here. It is located on the southern end of the island with great views of the ocean. Go early and have a pre-meal cocktail at the Afterdeck Bar. If you are looking for something a little more casual you can have dinner upstairs at the Upperdeck Restaurant/Wine Bar upstairs.
| Cuisine: | Caribbean-American |
| Hours: | Daily 11:30 A.M. – 3:30 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.; The Upperdeck is open daily from 4:30 P.M. – 9:30 P.M.; Afterdeck bar is open daily from 11:30 A.M. – 1:00 A.M. |
| Dress: | Resort Casual (i.e. no bathing suits or tank tops) |
Salute! On the Beach
1000 Atlantic Blvd(305) 292-1117
www.saluteonthebeach.com
This casual beachfront restaurant is owned by the same people who own Blue Heaven. It offers Italian food prepared with Caribbean influences. We found the service to be consistently very good. On our first visit the food was just ok but on our most recent visit, everybody in our party was very happy with their selections.
| Cuisine: | Italian |
| Hours: | Lunch Daily 11:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.; Dinner Daily 5:00 P.M. – 9:30 P.M.; Bar Daily 11:00 A.M. – 10:30 P.M. |
| Dress: | Casual |
Old Town Mexican Cafe
609 Duval St(305) 296-7500
www.oldtownmexicancafe.com
Very casual Tex-Mex joint located right on Duval. There really aren’t any surprises on the menu but the food is always solid. We stop here for lunch at lease once on almost every visit. They couldn’t have been more accommodating on a recent visit when we asked them to seat a party of seventeen.
| Cuisine: | Mexican |
| Hours: | Daily 11:30 A.M. – 10:00 P.M. |
| Dress: | Casual |
Onlywood Pizzeria
613-1/2 Duval St(305) 735-4412
onlywood.restaurant
We visited this restaurant for this first time during our last visit to Key West. The restaurant is set back off of Duval St. in Key Lime Square. It offers both inside and outside seating and has a small bar. We are always a bit skeptical of highly recommended pizzerias. We were pleasantly surprised with Onlywood. The pizza was quite good with a crispy crust and the proper amount of sauce. Services is friendly and attentive. We will definitely return
| Cuisine: | Italian |
| Hours: | Daily 12:00 P.M. – 10:30 P.M. |
| Dress: | Casual |
Santiago’s Bodega
207 Petronia St #101(305) 296-7691
www.santiagosbodega.com
Located in Bahama Village, this tapas restaurant has consistently delivered tasty food in a small plate fashion.
| Cuisine: | Tapas |
| Hours: | Daily 11:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M. |
| Dress: | Casual |
Seven Fish
632 Olivia St(305) 296-2777
www.7fish.com
This small out-of-the-way restaurant is probably our favorite on the island. The fish dishes are consistently well prepared and delicious. The staff is very friendly as well. Don’t let the facade dissuade you. NOTES: We learned on a recent visit that they may be moving to a new location on Truman St.
| Cuisine: | Seafood |
| Hours: | Sun-Tue, Wed-Sat 6:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M. |
| Dress: | Casual |
Southernmost Beach Cafe
1405 Duval St(305) 295-6550
www.southernmostbeachcafe.com
A casual seafood restaurant located on the beach on the southern end of the island. Great views! On a recent visit we asked the restaurant to accommodate a very large (17) party. They had no problem with this and our server was great.
| Cuisine: | American/Seafood |
| Hours: | Daily 7:00 A.M. – 9:30 P.M. |
| Dress: | Casual |
Bars
Conch Republic
631 Greene Street(305) 294-4403
www.conchrepublicseafood.com
This is really a restaurant but we’ve only checked out the bar. It’s located near the wharves at the end of Greene Street. The bar is huge and offers a good selection of cocktails and wine. We’ve had good luck with the servers here. Happy hour is 4-7.
| Cuisine: | Seafood |
| Hours: | Daily 11:30 A.M. – Midnight |
Green Parrot Bar
601 Whitehead St(305) 294-6133
www.greenparrot.com
A local’s drinking bar located a block off Duval on Whitehead St. Definitely not a fern bar. Happy hour is 4-7. Live music.
| Cuisine: | None |
| Hours: | Daily 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 A.M. |
Irish Kevin’s
211 Duval St(305) 292-1262
www.irishkevins.com
Solid Irish bar located right on Duval St. Live entertainment throughout the day. They serve bar food from 11:30 A.M. – 9:30 P.M. daily.
| Cuisine: | Pub food |
| Hours: | Mon-Sat 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 A.M., Sun Noon – 4:00 A.M. |
Little Room Jazz Club
821 Duval St(435) 640-2619
www.facebook.com/LittleRoomJazzClub
Our friends came across the Little Room on our most recent visit. It is an attractive bar with a wood and brick decor. There is a good-sized bar and several tables in front of the small stage used for nightly band performances. The owner waited on us during our first visit. He was very nice and a bit of a character. We did stop in for music one night and found the band to be just ok. NOTES : It is cash only. They do not server dark spirits.
| Cuisine: | None |
| Hours: | Daily 11:30 A.M. – 10:00 P.M. |
The Other Side
429 Caroline St(305) 517-6358
www.theothersidekw.com
Excellent cocktail bar located on the back side of the Porch. Small bar with other tables located is surrounding rooms.
| Cuisine: | None |
| Hours: | Daily 5:00 P.M. – 2:00 A.M. |
The Porch
429 Caroline St(305) 517-6358
www.theporchkw.com
Located in the historic Porter Mansion on Caroline St this is a great choice for beer and wine served by a very friendly staff.
| Cuisine: | None |
| Hours: | Daily 11:00 A.M. – 4:00 A.M. |
Rum Bar
1117 Duval St(305) 296-2680
www.speakeasyinn.com
The Rum Bar is a cozy little place on the first floor of the Speakeasy Inn. It has a small wrap-around bar and a couple of tables. They offer a wide selection of rums and rum drinks. I especially enjoyed the Painkiller.
| Cuisine: | None |
| Hours: | Daily 11:00 A.M. – 11:00 P.M. |
Schooner Wharf Bar
202 William St(305) 292-3302
www.schoonerwharf.com
A great drinking bar located down by the marinas. No frills here. Just drinks, snacks and live music. This is where the “Dropping of the wench” takes place on New Years Eve. NOTES: They offer three happy hours: 8 A.M.- Noon, 5:00-7 P.M., and 2-4 A.M.
| Cuisine: | American/Seafood |
| Hours: | Always open |
Willie T’s
525 Duval St(305) 294-7674
www.williets.com
We usually make a stop or two to Willie T’s during our visits to Key West. Its location on Duval St. makes is a good place to grab a drink and do some people watching. There is a bar an lounge tables along with tables in the restaurant section. The provide live entertainment from 1:00 to 4:00 and again at 7:00.
| Cuisine: | Casual food with a mix of pizza, sandwiches and seafood |
| Hours: | Daily 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 A.M. |
Activities
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park
601 Howard England Way(305) 292-6713
www.fortzacharytaylor.com
This is a hidden gem located at the bottom of Truman Annex. The 87 acre park contains both the fort and probably the best beach on the island. The fort, which was built to protect the harbor and the Gulf of Mexico during the Civil War, provides tours each day at noon. The beach provides all the amenities you would need including chain and umbrella rental and a snack shack.
| Hours: | Daily: 8:00 – Sunset |
| Fee: | Walking: $2.50 /pp; Car: $4.50 for 1, $7.00 for 2, $.50 for each additional |
Wind & Wine Sunset Sail – Danger Charters
245 Front St(305) 304-7999
www.dangercharters.com/wind-wine-sunset-sail/
This is probably our favorite activity in Key West combining sailing, sunsets and wine. It is an approximately two hour cruise on a schooner at the end of the day. During the sail you are offered a nice selection of wines and cheeses.