RESTAURANTS
A & B Lobster (D)
One of Kay’s favorites and always consistant. Upscale, but not necessarily dressey.
Downstairs is Alonzo’s very informal and “Happy Hour” appetizers.
Abbondanza (L/D)
1208 Simonton Street
(305)292 1199
Good Italian restaurant. You get a lot for your money. Best to call for reservations. There are coupons in the office for a free glass of wine or piece of Key Lime Pie!
Banana Café (B/L)
1211 Duval Street
(305)294 7227
Fabulous quaint little place to eat. Call to see if reservations are needed.
Blue Heaven (B/L/D)
729 Thomas Street
(305) 296 8666
What a funky place. There are roosters, chickens and their chicks, cats and dogs walking all around the unique tables where you eat. What a riot. The food is very good. Don't let the area scare you but keep your "street smarts". FABULOUS banana pancakes and gourmet dinners. They are closed for about a month the end of Sept. to mid October.
BO's Fish Wagon (L & sometimes D if 80 isn't out fishing)
Corner of Caroline & William Streets
(305)294 9272
This place has great fish sandwiches & hot dogs that are served on Cuban bread. They deep fry the hot dogs. The French fries are just like beach fries.
Camille’s (B)
Great breakfast specials and regular breakfasts, also. They offer lunch and dinner, also.
Carmine’s (L/D)
Upper Duval Street, new to Key West. Great food, service, prices. The bread is to die for.
Carriage Trade Garden (L/D)
529 Eaton Street
(305) 296 2749
This eatery is down the alley behind the building. Sometimes a menu is posted. It is whatever they decide to cook and that's what you are served. A really neat find. Strange hours. Call ahead to see if they are serving lunch it depends on what kind of mood they are in I think and get there around 11:45 a.m.
Chico's Cantina (L/D)
5230 U.S. Highway 1, Stock Island
(305)296 4714
Stock Island is located next to Key West. Don't think this is a long ride from Key West it is only about three or four minutes from the Key West Airport. It is really a wonderful little place to eat. The portabella mushrooms are great! They have great specials!
China Garden (D)
531 Fleming Street
(305)296 6177
This Oriental restaurant was wonderful. They have the best peanut chicken I have ever had. Everyone's meal was excellent and from what I hear they are consistent.
Dennis Pharmacy (B/L/D) NOW CLOSED, SORRY
1229 Simonton Street
(305)294 1890
Yes this is a pharmacy that includes an eating area. The food is cheap and very good. So far, I like their Cuban Mix sandwich the best in Key West. They cook both the pork and the ham themselves for the Cuban Mix sandwich. Be sure to ask for this sandwich "All the Way". Their soups are wonderful also.
El Siboney Restaurant (B/L/D)
900 Catherine Street (corner of Margaret)
(305)296 4184
This restaurant was delicious. It specializes in paella and Spanish foods. I loved their pork item #1 and also their flan. They have homemade Sangria. Totally enjoyed this little place and it is really inexpensive. It's usually cold there .... even on a hot evening .... take a sweater. They are closed for about a month in August. Cash ONLY!
Flamingo Crossing
1107 Duval Street
(305)296 6124
Excellent ice cream homemade on the property with many tropical flavors you must try it!
Grand Café Key West (L/D)
314 Duval St.
(305) 292-4740
Always a wonderful meal! They have a great chef to prepare the fresh fish and delicious entrees and also it’s a great spot to have an elegant meal while watching people on Duval St. Also a good place to go with the kids for they do have pizza. There is a coupon in office for a free bottle of wine with the purchase of 2 entrees.
Half Shell Raw Bar (L/D)
Land's End Village (where Margaret meets the Gulf)
(305)294 7496
Great conch chowder (spicy). Good Key Lime Pie. Oysters are great (remember though that they are not like Chesapeake Bay oysters), stone crab claws and also catch of the day. I really do like their Greek Salad and Fish & Chips. Check out the T shirts.
Kelly's Caribbean Bar & Grill (L/D)
Whitehead & Caroline Streets
(305) 293 8484
Owned by actress Kelly McGillis (TOP GUN) & her husband Fred Tillman. Key lime pie & brewery are great. Very reasonable/great atmosphere which includes Pan Am museum. I only have something small to eat at the bar ... usually their fresh brewed "Key West Gold" beer and munchies. Fred is there a lot and quite frequently Kelly too. Don't be surprised if Kelly isn't hostessing, clearing tables or taking orders Food not good consistently better to stop for margaritas and appetizers.
La Trattoria Venezia (D) Also, see Virgilio’s below.
524 Duval Street
(305)296 1075
Italian and French food. Very good. A little more dressy. Best to call for reservations. Recommend highly.
Latitudes (L/D)
Sunset Key
1 888 477 Sun (Ask for Concierge)
You travel by a boat from Hilton Hotel (no charge) to this restaurant. Nice to have lunch or dinner on an island. Also, if you wear your swim attire over and bring your beach bag, there is a wonderful beach there is relax on after your meal.
Little Palm Island (L/D)
Little Torch Key MM 28 1/2
(305)872 2524
If you want to do something really neat drive here and take a ferry to Little Palm Island. Take your credit cards. It is very nice and something to do that is really different. Very elegant little island. It also has lodging which is considered an exclusive get away for the Rich & Famous. Reservations a must....
Louie's Back Yard (L/D)
700 Waddell Lane
(305) 294 1061 (reservations may be needed)
Faces Atlantic Ocean! More formal but can go casual in evening. Very good food. Written up in tons of gourmet magazines. If there were a celebrity in town they would go here for an elegant meal. One Valentine's Day several years ago Richard Dreyfuss was there. Another time Kurt Russell, nanny and kids. I enjoy seeing celebrities during their off time and "critique" how they look. Indoor and outdoor dining. Or just have a drink at their Afterdeck Bar & enjoy the view. Right next to the Dog Beach and your dogs are welcome to hang with you on the outside deck area.
Mango's (L/D) UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT ?????
700 Duval Street
(305)292 4606
The food is very good/atmosphere is wonderful/very pretty bar area/inside or outside dining. The pizza is really wonderful. I enjoy sitting at the bar for drinks and pizza. I also love their tomato and mozzarella salad.
Mangrove Mama's (L/D)
U.S. Highway 1, MM 20, Sugarloaf Key (not far from Key West/must go by car)
(305)745 3030
A really neat place if you can get there. Good food. Quaint/funky.
Martin's (Sunday Brunch/L?/D)
416 Appelrouth Lane (between Duval and Whitehead)
(305) 296 1183
I love the quaintness of this restaurant and the food is wonderful. Try to stop there for Sunday Brunch. Basically German.
Paradise Café(B/L)
1000 Eaton Street
(305) 296 5001
This place is great for homemade soups and sandwiches. Get there early so they don't run out of the soup. The Cuban Mix Sandwich is a specialty. It is very good. You will have to
try both Paradise's and Dennis' to decide which one is better.
Pepe's (B/L/D)
806 Caroline Street
(305) 294 7192 (opens at 6:30 a.m.)
Don't let the outside fool you it's worth the wait. When you arrive give them your name and wait in the outside bar area. Try their fresh mimosas/sea breeze's, etc. that are made fresh squeezed grapefruit & oranges. Each night they have specials. On Thursdays it is Thanksgiving Night with roast turkey and all the fixings. If you order mashed potatoes, do tell them to put turkey gravy on them rather than beef gravy. They put turkey gravy on the turkey though. Sunday night is barbecue night. They have chicken, pork loin, and pork ribs. Thursday and Sunday are our favorite nights here. Their breakfast is the best in Key West
Fresh squeezed orange juice and also great lunches. I love the French toast w/sliced
bananas & walnuts when available. Their soups are the best!!! Please go there. They
have the best Key Lime Pie, Coconut Cream Pie, Brownie Pie w/ice cream, etc. Their
blackened fish sandwich w/blue cheese dressing, lettuce & tomato for lunch is incredibly
good. Monday night is meatloaf night & it is great. Indoor/outdoor dining. A MUST
PT'S (L/D)
920 Caroline Street
(305) 296 4245
This is a local’s hangout. Inside and dark atmosphere. They have great specials. Somewhat
like Pepe's. Old fashioned home cooked meals. Actually I like their turkey dinner on
Thursday nights better than Pepe's. There is a pool table to keep you amused while you're
waiting for your dinner.
Rooftop Café (B?/L/D)
310 Front Street
(305) 294 2042
I enjoy this restaurant. It is on a second floor and there is indoor and outdoor dining. At night it is very pretty with all the little white lights. As you are eating you have look at the people and shops. I love their pasta w/pomodoro sauce. It is spicy. Their key lime pie w/meringue top is made with a secret recipe.
Rusty Anchor (L/D)
5th Avenue, Stock Island (corner of Old Shrimp Road)
(305)294 5369
Just a few minutes from the center of Key West. Fresh fish daily. A local favorite.
Salsa Loca (L/D)
918 Duval Street
(305)292-1865
Very authentic Mexican food, indoor and outdoor dining. This is everyone’s favorite! It’s a great local’s hangout but visitors to the island are always welcome. You can eat for under $10 a plate and the pitchers of margaritas and sangria always hit the right spot! If you’ve brought your pooch on vacation with you, pets are welcome to dine with you on the outside patio.
Sandy's Café (B/L)
1026 White Street
(305)295 0159
They only have a walk up window that you order from with a few chairs outside. It backs up to a laundromat. They have the best Cuban Mix Sandwich. Ask for it "all the way."
Square One (B/L/D)
1075 Duval Street, Duval Square
(305)296 4300
Very fine dining. Reservations would be good. Casual to dressy appropriate. Great for a special occasion. Their baked garlic appetizer is great if they still have it. Indoor and outdoor dining. Go on a night when the piano player is there. He is wonderful. I will give him a $5.00 tip in the glass bowl and ask him to play Phantom and he will play about eight or so songs. It's wonderful. Also, I have gone there and just sat at the bar for drinks and appetizers.
Turtle Kraals (L/D)
Land's End Village (where Margaret meets the Gulf)
Neat bar. I really like the fish and chips. Good desserts. Some nights they have blues music.
Virgilio's (D)
Applerouth Lane
Very nice martini bar. Inside and outside seating. You can eat at the bar areas only. They are affiliated with LaTrattoria Venezia. In fact, if you walk through LaTratt you will go in the back way of Virgilio's. The main entrance is on Applerouth Lane and they open at 8 p.m.
Music starts around 9 or 10 p.m. each night. Saturday nights are the best they have
Caribbean Band and they do start at 10 p.m. A great place!!!
Waterfront Market (opens 8 a.m.)
201 William Street
(305) 296 0778
Great place for deli sandwiches, fruits & vegetables. Go there and have them do a picnic
lunch. They also have a bakery with fresh muffins, croissants, breads, etc. each morning.
Everything is delicious here. I great place to pick up gourmet foods for dinner or whatever
occasion. A great place!
THINGS TO DO
The Audubon House Whitehead & Green Streets (305) 294 2116
Built in the early 1800's for Capt. John H. Geiger, a skilled pilot and master wrecker. The house is typical of Key West architecture of the period when John James Audubon visited Key West to study & sketch birds of Florida Keys.
Beaches The beaches in the upper keys or on the main land are better than in Key West. "THE" beach in Key West is Smather's. That is where all the spring breakers go. Some swim there I don't. I just relax on the beach. The concessions by the road are pretty good. Another beach is Higgs. You can swim at Fort Zachary Taylor, which is through the Naval Base area on Southard St. This is the place to go into the water right off shore. See a map for the location of these beaches. Be sure to check that it is safe to go into the water.
If you have a boat ~ make an effort to go to Snipes Point. It is located on the Gulf side/about 8 miles east/north/east of Key West and is situated along the mangroves. It's wonderful!
Captain Tony's Saloon 428 Greene Street (305) 294 1838
Go in for a drink & buy a T shirt. Old bar where pirates would come ashore and trade their sunken treasure finds.
City Cemetery Olivia and Francis Streets.
It’s a different cemetery with the vaults above ground like in New Orleans. Read some of the humorous head stones. One reads "I Told You I Was Sick.” Call the Original Ghost Tours of Key West for a walking tour of the cemetery at 305-294-9255.
The Hemingway House 907 Whitehead Street (305) 294 1575 Owned by Ernest Hemingway from 1931 1961.
Hemingway wrote 75% of his works while residing in Key West. You’ll still find his famous 6 toed cats roaming about. It is a registered national historical landmark.
Hog's Breath Saloon (open all day) 400 Front Street (305) 296 4222
This is a very popular bar in Key West. Stop in, have a drink & buy a T shirt.
Kennedy Studios 133 or 511 Duval Street (305) 294 5850/294 8564
You will enjoy browsing of Key West just the right size to take home. Lots of very small pictures available.
Key West Citizen
Local newspaper that is distributed every day. What a riot to read at times!! Check out the police report section & the Citizen’s Voice column & you will see.
The Little White House 111 Front Street, Truman Annex (305) 294 9911
Located on the Truman Annex grounds, which was originally part of the Submarine Naval Base. President Truman's favorite vacation spot during his presidency. It has been renovated and includes an interesting tour.
Mel Fisher's Maritime Exhibit 200 Greene Street (305) 294 2633
View Spain's Atocha and Santa Margarita artifacts & treasures. See the movie first. Very interesting but drab inside.
Schooner Wharf Bar (open all day & night) 202 William Street (305) 292 9520
Funky bar frequented by locals. Sits directly on the water.
Shipwreck Historeum #1 Whitehead Street at Mallory Square (305) 292 8990. Wrecker's museum. Very interesting.
Sloppy Joe's Go in and have a drink. Buy T shirts. If Pat Dailey happens to be playing try to see him. He's great!! He only sings in the evening and is normally there during Fantasy Fest (October) and again in February and March. Always check times & dates. An open mind is a must! Pat is a bar room singer. Be sure to go at least an hour before he starts and get a seat up front. It's worth the wait. There is entertainment all day long with other entertainers. Sloppy Joe's now has Sloppy Foods to enjoy while you are there. Pretty good too!
Tattoos (Stock Island only) Goldies US Highway I
(I had my tattoo done here. I used Khristian) Paradise US Highway I These are the two most popular tattoo parlors around.
Sunset at Mallory Square
This dock is located on the Gulf. Everyone stands around with weird entertainers and people selling their goods while waiting for the sunset. Be sure to listen to the TV and find out what time sunset is & go about an hour earlier. Be sure to buy popcorn at one of the vendors’ there and also fresh squeezed limeade or lemonade while waiting for the sunset. Take a camera! The cruise ships dock in that area, but normally they must move out just before sunset so they don't block the view.
Clothing
Key West is really casual. It's either shorts and fish head or regular T shirts for casual, or shorts and a polo shirt or long pants and a polo for casual dressy for the guys. No jacket or tie is necessary. Ladies dress casual with the dressiest being a sundress or a dress slack outfit for finer dining. If you are only in Key West for a week's vacation, do go to either The Grand, Marquesa Cafe, or Square One for one special dress up dinner.
My favorite place to buy clothes, etc. is either Fast Buck Freddie's, 500 Duval St. which is a must if you are in Key West, or Assortment on Fleming Street (for men). Also, just for women I love The White House and Black Market which is located on Duval Street. For really neat cards, etc. stop by In Touch, Inc. at 715 Duval Street. Fast Buck Freddie's is also just a fabulous place to see for unique gift items, etc. There is also a Hallmark shop at the Overseas Market that is incredible. My favorite bookstore is Borders Express, 2212 N. Roosevelt Boulevard, 305 294 5419. There are many more stores in Key West, so have fun exploring.
Drug Stores
CVS in Old Town, 530 Truman Avenue
-CVS, 2790 N. Roosevelt Blvd., Overseas Market
-Walgreen’s, 2805 N. Roosevelt Blvd and Mallory Square
-Walgreen’s, 500 block of Duval St.
Grocery Stores
-Fausto's 1105 White Street and 522 Fleming Street
-Waterfront Market 201 William Street
-Winn Dixie Overseas Market
-Publix Searstown Shopping Plaza
-Albertsons – Key Plaza
Movie Theaters
-Regal Cinema Key West 6 (305) 294 0000
3338 N. Roosevelt Boulevard, Searstown Shopping Plaza, next to Publix
Spas
Caribbean Spa (305) 296 4600, Ext. 1000 Pier House Resort One Duval Street Massages, loofah, sauna, seam & whirlpool.
Keep in mind that Key West changes all the time, and I try to update this info as I go along. Excuse any typos regarding the phone numbers. You might have to let your fingers do the walking through the yellow pages. There are many other places to eat, visit, etc. The ones listed are the favorites or have been recommended highly.
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