Restaurants Overview

Talented young chefs have settled in Key West, contributing to the area's image as one of the nation's points of culinary interest. Of course, fruity rum-based drinks and near non-stop live music do not a culinary paradise make, but the island's tropical climate and proximity to Cuba (90 miles) played unmistakable roles in the formation of Key West cuisine.

Florida citrus, fresh seafood, and tropical fruits figure prominently on local menus, as do black beans, yucca, and other Cuban and Caribbean staples. Also, the many Cuban-style cafés are both affordable alternatives and antidotes to the slew of mediocre tourist traps and "bar food" emporiums that line Duval Street. Be sure to visit one of these little cafés, even if it's just to take a break and have a cup of oh-so-strong Cuban coffee.

Seafood is the order of the day in Florida, and Key West is certainly no exception. Florida lobster, stone crab, shrimp, fish -- you name it: if it swims, crawls, or grows in the ocean, chances are it's on a menu somewhere in town. Crab and lobster season usually runs from August to March, but emergency harvesting restrictions and bad weather can affect availability. Whatever you desire, if your first choice is not available, the best advice is to get whatever else is fresh that day. And if you are from a part of the world where deep-fried seafood is the norm, try your fresh catch broiled or grilled for a change. You just might be surprised at how much of the flavor you've been missing.

So much has been made of key lime pie that it seems few people know the real McCoy from the chain restaurant version anymore. Authentic key lime pie is made from authentic key limes (about the size of a large egg with a remarkably tart pulp), and the traditional version of the pie is easy to identify: It has a yellow (not green!) custard in a graham-cracker crust and tastes like nothing else.

Some restaurants close for a two- to four-week vacation during the slow season -- between mid-September and mid-November -- although the number of those that do is dropping every year. Call ahead to make sure, but don't worry if you find a restaurant closed. In Key West another restaurant -- or bar -- is always just around the corner.