key largo restaurants/dolphins
 

We are headed to Key Largo at the end of July, wondered if anyone had thoughts on the best place to "swim with the dolphins", also any ideas for can't miss/cheap restaurants would be welcome. We will be staying at the Marriott. Thanks in advance.

Mrs Mac's Kitchen, about MM99.5 southbound on the right. A serious locals' hangout, with awesome onion rings and fish, though the conch fritters can be iffy.

Also, during the day, slip up to Alabama Jack's, on Card Sound Road. Great place for a beer, bar food and some ol' time Keys ambience.

They will have all kinds of brochures you can pick up and see where to swim with the dolphins. We came back Father's day weekend from all the keys..Islamorada is not far if you can go to Islamorada Fish Co. it's not only a wonderful view sitting outside but good food.........everyone's "best" dessert they state down there is "key lime pie"..i was so sick of key lime pie...there were coupons in the back of booklets that you will get at your lodging facility that you will find those freebies for that "key lime pie" and other things. If you just want to pre plan for the dolphins email me and i will dig through our books and find the specifics for you.

Both of these are favorite places to eat with us. Have fun!

HOG HEAVEN, MM 85 oceanside, Plantation Key. 4-8 p.m. Monday through Friday. 664-9669

MANDALAY RESTAURANT AND TIKI BAR, MM 97.5 oceanside, Key Largo. 4-7 p.m. daily. 852-5450

The restaurant at the Marriott had good fun. We really liked the Fish House. I disliked Mrs. Mac's - it was so dirty.

great place to swim with dolphins: Dolphins Plus in Key Largo. they have both structured swims (you are in the water with the dolphins and they run through their repetoire of tricks with their trainers while you participate), and even better, an unstructured swim: you put on your fins and snorkel mask and swim in the dolphin's enclosure, while they decide how interested in you they are. there are no tricks or trainers involved. Instead, the dolphins will swim alongside you and check you out, then swim away, then come back.....sometimes encouraging you to swim in circles with them!
A great restaurant in Key Largo is Ballyhoo's. highly recommend it.

Went to the keys end of may. Stayed in Key West for first part of trip. Then spent 3 days in Key Largo. Was slightly disappointed w/ Key Largo,(probably because we don't dive).

Went to Mandalay Rest & Tiki Bar and was unconfortable in the bar, skipped the Rest. We didn't know the Tiki Bar was beer and wine only and the bartender gave us quite an attitude about it (along with the few unsavory charactors at the bar) To be fair, this could have been because we went on a Weds and weren't too many people out. But?? Ended up leaving and going to the Holiday Inn Tiki Bar which was ok. Then went to Cafe Largo (Italian) on the bayside? for dinner. Thought the food was really good (went back twice during our stay).

Also went to Gruians (sp??) Steak House. Apparently it is a person that owns several restaurants with varios types of food (ie. Mexican, Seafood etc.) Place wasn't fancy, but we really liked our steaks and the service was very good & friendly. Was located right across street from entrance to Pennacamp State Park.

Can't help with dolphins because we didn't do that. Have fun.