Hi there everyone! We would like to have a dinner or two on Islamorada and watch a sunset. Any suggestions? Also, does anyone know about Founders Park on Islamorada? Is it crowded and does it have any good fishing? Thanks!

Islamorada Fish Company. For a drink and a great sunset, the Lorelei.

Second the choice of Islamorada Fish Company. They also have a second restaurant in Dania Beach just off of Griffin Road. Very close to the Fort Lauderdale airport.

We were just in Founders Park 2 weeks ago. It has a wonderful swimming pool, diving pool, lagoon beach, tennis courts, skateboard park, playgrounds, and playfields. In general, it isn't too crowded - although the pool probably fills up on summertime weekends. It is on the Bay side of the island, and there is a small fishing jetty (http://www.islandbase.com/photos/founders/jetty1692.jpg) that you can cast from. I saw a few guys out there, but it did not appear as though they were having any success on the morning walked by.

The Islamorada Fish Company is a good, albeit touristy, restaurant. It can get REAL crowded, real quick, though.

I like Papa Joe's for seafood, although I haven't been there in over a year. I hope it hasn't changed.

Jack, Papa Joe's changed ownership several years ago when the original owner died. It used to be great but hasn't been in about 5 years. It used to be one of the best if not the best restaurant in the upper keys.

The Lorelei...George Bush Sr. ate there when he was bonefishing. You can sit outside at their Chickee bar and watch the sunset.

From my trip report of last year:
Morada Bay - Islamorada - MM 81.5 - dinner - The best! It was our anniversary dinner, and I couldn't have been happier with our choice of this
restaurant. It is bayside, and has a beautiful beach to watch the sunset.
We'd had drizzly weather all day, and
the rain stopped just enough for the sun to peek behind the clouds as it set
into the bay. The place has the atmosphere of an old beach house, and we
had a table on the edge of the brick patio next to the beach. I think they
put additional tables on the beach when weather permits, but not that night.
They have Adirondack chairs on the beach, and I think it would be great to
stop there for a sunset cocktail even if you weren't planning on having
dinner there. The food was wonderful - We had the house salad (split), lamb
chops, and seafood cioppino. The lamb chops were perfect! Add a good bottle of shiraz, a split desert, and we had a perfect dinner. No reservations.

I have found the food at Islamorada Fish Company to be inconsistent. Some times it is good, other times not so good. I like Lorelei's and Manny & Isa's. Stay away from Whale Harbor Inn. Whatever happened to the Coral Grill? I heard they were going to reopen. Anyone have any info?

The Coral Grill has reopened, featuring a buffet just like the old days. But I have not eaten there yet or gotten a report from someone who has. It is under new ownership/management, so there is reason to assume things might not be the same there. Of course, Fishinmom wants a sunset and the Coral Grill has NO view. I second the thumbs down on Whale Harbor "famous" seafood buffet-Yuk.

Ditto the Morada Bay recommendation. Also, you can have drinks and watch the sunset from the Zane Grey Lounge at the World Wide Sportsman (next door to Morada Bay and Islamorada Fish).
Check the cost before heading to Founder's Park. Depending on the time of year, it can be expensive for non-Islamoradians (your condo/hotel may have resident passes). There are no concessions there other than ice cream and soda. My husband has fished the jetty at Founders Park. Not a lot of luck but there was a giant bird (heron?) that hung around waiting for fish. You can rent kayaks at the park and explore the mangrove islands.

Thumbs way up for Morada Bay and way down for Islamorada Fish Co. and Whale Harbor.

I second Zane Greys. In regards to Islamorada Fish Company, I've only had lunch there and how hard is it to screw up a fish sanwich?

I also agree that Morada Bay is a wonderful spot to sit have a drink and watch the sunset. The food is very good too.

For a slightly more upscale atmosphere, right next door to Morada Bay is Pierre's. Also has that old planatation house feel and was quite wonderful when we were there last year. In fact that is where I had my first mojito and have been hooked ever since.
KathyH

Don't miss Cheeca Lodge & Spa while you
are in Islamorada. It is a lovely resort with two great restaurants,the Atlantic's Edge for fine dining and the Ocean Terrace Grill for casual fare. Both have great ocean views. No sunset, but a 525 foot pier into the Atlantic that is perfect for an after dinner stroll and star gazing.

Thanks for all the info, everyone. We will use it soon!