Florida Keys Part 8: Best Restaurants in Key West
- The Anonymous Hungry Hippopotamus
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Key West’s food scene is exactly what you’d expect from an island at the crossroads of the Caribbean, the Gulf, and Cuba. It’s vibrant, a little eccentric, and focused on the ocean. In Key West, fresh seafood dominates menus as it does throughout the Keys, but what makes this island special is the blend of influences including Caribbean spice, Cuban tradition, and Southern comfort.
Blue Heaven
Blue Heaven
Few places capture the spirit of Key West like Blue Heaven. Tucked into Bahama Village, this open-air restaurant feels more like a tropical backyard than a dining room. Here you'll find roaming chickens, colorful art, shaded tables beneath palms, an outdoor bar and ...
... live music. Founded in the early 1990s, Blue Heaven has become one of the island’s staples, known for Caribbean-influenced dishes like jerk chicken, shrimp and grits, and fresh local seafood.
I came in the morning, so I ordered their breakfast special featuring their famous grits ...
... and more famous pancakes. Be prepared for a wait and make the most of it by settling in and enjoying the live music and a tropical drink.
Bagatelle
Bagatelle
Located in a beautifully restored 1889 house on Duval Street, Bagatelle offers a more refined, but still distinctly island-style dining experience. Its name comes from the French word for something playful or light, and that philosophy carries through in both the atmosphere and the menu.
The restaurant blends French culinary influence with fresh Florida Keys seafood, resulting in dishes that feel both elegant and relaxed. It’s particularly known for its brunch and balcony dining, where you can watch Duval Street unfold below.
Knowing this in advance, I came mid-morning, sat on the balcony and ordered a BHLT that was served with fries.
The "H" stands for hogfish, which was caught fresh in the local waters. It was grilled with Cajun seasoning. The rest of the sandwich followed the standard BLT formula: crispy bacon, lettuce and tomato on a lightly toasted bun. The hogfish was incredibly tender and moist and full of flavor. I'm excited to return to Bagatelle on future visits and try their other specialities.
The Conch Shack
For something more casual and more quintessentially “Key West,” head right across the street to The Conch Shack. This spot focuses on one of the island’s signature ingredients: conch.
The vibe is relaxed and unpretentious, with outdoor seating and a menu that leans into the island’s street-food culture. I ordered the conch fritters that had a nice kick.
If you prefer to tone down the heat, they come with an aioli dipping sauce that mitigates some of the spice.
Mangia Mangia
Finally, there's Mangia Mangia. This restaurant stands out because it brings something unexpected to the island: serious, homemade Italian cuisine with a Key West twist, served in an old Caribbean-style house.
Family-owned since 1989, it has become a beloved local institution known for making all of its pasta fresh daily. I ordered a penne with broccoli rabe, sausage, pine nuts and parmesan cheese and enjoyed it while sitting outside on the charming garden patio.
Mangia Mangia proves that even in a seafood-centric destination like Key West, there’s room for a standout pasta spot, especially one that blends Italian tradition with local ingredients.
Up next is my recommendation for the best place to get the most iconic Florida Keys dessert, Key lime pie.
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