Florida Keys Part 9: Best Key Lime Pie
- The Anonymous Hungry Hippopotamus
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
There are desserts that remind you of a place and then there's Key lime pie, which feels inseparable from the Florida Keys themselves. It’s more than just something you order after dinner; it’s a ritual, a benchmark, and for many travelers, a quiet obsession to find the best slice in all of the Keys.
I was one such traveler. I'm excited to share the benefits of my conscientious research with you so you know where to go to find the best slice of Key lime pie in the Keys. But first, what is Key lime pie?
It's actually deceptively simple, made solely of Key lime juice, egg yolks, and sweetened condensed milk poured into a graham cracker crust. The magic is in the use of Key limes, which were a major crop in the Keys in the 19th century, but are native to Southeast Asia. The juice from these limes is more acidic, floral and aromatic than that from other lime varieties.
The filling of a Key lime pie is unique and is not achieved through heavy baking, but through a kind of culinary alchemy wherein the acid from the Key lime juice reacts with the egg yolks and condensed milk, creating that signature silky, custard-like texture.
Midway Cafe and Bakery (Islamorada)
I started my quest for the best slice of Key lime pie at Midway Cafe in Islamorada. It was here that I found my second favorite slice of Key lime pie on the islands.
Midway made a traditional Key lime pie, which means that it was made with a meringue topping as opposed to whipped cream.
The meringue was light and airy with toasted peaks and swirls that were pleasing both to the eye and the tastebuds.
The pie had a nice, dense crust to balance all the creamy textures, lots of Key lime flavor, perfect meringue and was served with optional whipped cream for those that prefer it instead of, or in addition to, a traditional meringue topping.
Key Lime Pie Lady (Islamorada)
The next slice of pie I tried was by the Key Lime Pie Lady. Her pie is sold out of the Trading Post Grocery Store.
The pie is known for being rich and dense, which it was. I found the lime flavor a bit overpowering though.
That said, the crust was buttery and crumbly and well executed. Nevertheless, this was my least favorite of the pies I tried.
Pierre's Islamorada
The final Key lime pie I had in Islamorada was at Pierre's, where I had an amazing meal that concluded with this dessert.
Pierre's took a more elevated, fine dining approach to their pie, which fit perfectly with the restaurant's upscale, French-Caribbean influence. The pie was good, but I wouldn't recommend it if you are looking for a traditional version of this dessert.
Key Lime Pie Company (Key West)
From Islamorada, we head to Key West where you will find the Key Lime Pie Company.
This place leans heavily into creativity and variety. Here, you can order a pie on a stick, one dipped in chocolate, a pie in a cup, ... you get the idea.
I tried the standard pie, which they served with a dollop of whipped cream. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't particularly memorable either.
The Blonde Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory (Tavernier)
The opposite is true of the final place on my list, The Key Lime Pie Factory (The Blonde Giraffe) near Key Largo. Of all the places I visited, they served up my favorite Key lime pie in the Florida Keys, or anywhere for that matter.
The place itself is quite adorable.
After ordering, you can head out to their patio, known as the "Serenity Garden" where there is plenty of seating in a tropical, tranquil environment, complete with classical music.
In addition to your pie, you can also purchase a love lock that you can personalize and affix to the fence, to mark your visit.
The garden, love locks and ambiance are all lovely, but the real reason to come is for the pie. I ordered a slice of the traditional, which was amazing. The filling was smooth, sweet, tart and silky and the meringue topping brought it all together, creating that essential balance.
What really made this pie stand out was the smallest detail, a tiny sprinkling of zested lime. The zest intensified the citrus aroma, and added the faintest bitterness which deepened the pie's flavor, making it taste brighter and more dimensional.
The Key Lime Pie Factory also offers a version of Key lime pie that omits the meringue and adds chocolate and whipped cream.
I tried a bite of a friend's and though it was tasty, I much preferred the traditional version.
There you have it. Whether you agree that The Key Lime Pie Factory and Midway Cafe have the first and second best Key lime pie in the Keys or not, I hope you'll take a trip to these gorgeous islands and create your own list of favorites while making other cherished memories. Everyone should experience the beauty of the Florida Keys at least once.
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