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Key West in May/what to wear

My husband and I are going to Key West mid-May. We would like to go to some nice restaurants (thinking of Marquesa). How casual/dressy are most places? Thanks.

Your husband won't need a sports coat at all. In fact, he'd look out of place in one. The dressiest thing you'll need is nice pants, or if you prefer - a sundress. One of the endearing things about Key West is that you can walk into the most expensive place there in shorts and find lots of company. In the nicest places - and I include the Marquesa - you'd probably be uncomfortable in a t-shirt and tennis shoes, but that's pretty much where the line is drawn.

Thanks. That's the information I needed. He usually does bring a sport coat, but I had a feeling it wouldn't be needed in Key West. So khaki pants and a nice shirt for him and a casual dress for me sounds like the way to go.

Hi MaryKate - You didn't ask for suggestions but I can't help myself! We really enjoyed Alice's at La-Te-Da on Duval. It's a very nice place with some exotic selections (ostrich and venison were on the menu the nights we were there). Everything we had there was delicious. Also, we liked Louie's Backyard on the Atlantic side - but you must have dinner reservations. Have fun!

MaryKate, Here are my recomendations for dining in Key West. We have been going to Key West for several years now & we do enjoy there food there. Stay away from the restaurant chains! Hope this helps! Breakfast: Rick's Blue Heaven - The place is neat -superb lobster Benedict -http://www.blueheavenkw.com/ Martins - Sundays only for brunch - great Benedict's Harpoon Harry's - Local hangout Banana Cafe - Great Crepes Pepe's Cafe & Steakhouse - Excellent, but expect to wait - our favorite The Deli - Cheap, but good Camilles - Nice place - http://www.camilleskeywest.com/ Lunch: Alonzo's Oyster Bar - Try the lobster sandwich - http://www.alonzos-oysterbar.com/ Mangoes - Great people watching place The Deli - Cheap, but good Half Shell Raw Bar - Locals favorite Turtle Kraals - Locals favorite - superb fried lobster sandwich - http://www.turtlekraals.com/ Banana Cafe - Good salads & crepes B's Restaurant - Cuban, locals favorite B.O.'s Fish Wagon - Great grouper sandwich Rusty Anchor - Stock Island 7 Fish - Locals favorite - our pick Louie's Backyard - a favorite for lunch only - www.louiesbackyard.com Dinner: Cafe Des Artiste - Reservations - fine dining, very pricey, but worth it Cafe Marquesa - Reservations - fine dining - http://www.marquesa.com/ A & B Lobster House - Fine dining, worth the $$$ - http://www.ab-lobsterhouse.com/ Alonzo's Oyster Bar - outside for sunset - white claim chile - http://www.alonzos-oysterbar.com/ Antonia's - Italian - capellini & lasagna - http://www.antoniaskeywest.com/ Mangia Mangia - Great cheap Italian - http://www.mangia-mangia.com/ Ambrosia - Sushi Michaels - Superb steaks Alice's at La Te Da - Great place Mangoes - Great specials & pizza - http://www.mangoeskeywest.com/ Rick's Blue Heaven - Yellowtail & save room for Banana Foster desert - http://www.blueheavenkw.com/ El Siboney - Cuban - Paella for 2, make reservations 3 hours in advance to order - our favorite Martins - Great specials Pepe's Cafe & Steakhouse - Porkchops or steaks - expect to wait - our favorite Rusty Anchor - Stock Island - seafood specials Square One Restaurant - Located in Duval Square -http://www.squareonerestaurant.com/ Meteor - Barbecue - located beside Green Parrot Bar Rooftop Cafe - Key Lime pie & after dinner drinks - very romantic CoCo Palms - Jamaica man Turtle Kraals - Great sunset - great menu - our pick -http://www.turtlekraals.com/ New York Pizza & Deli - Located in Duval Square Take-out or Order for Delivery Damn Good Food To-Go - Damn Good Food To-Go, Key West Florida Romeo's Downtown Deli - Great Cuban Sandwiches - Free Delivery - Just off Duval St. on Southard St.

Ron, I'm curious as to why you list Louie's Backyard for "lunch only"? We went for our "special" dinner (anniversary) out while there, that being the most highly recommended of all the restaurants at the time (2 years ago). We were sorely disappointed, primarily with the wait staff, both level of service and attitude, and although food was good, it wasn't anything to rave about. Is this why you've excluded it from your dinner list and is lunch better, both food and service? By the way, disappointed as I was with that experience, I could never imagine going in there in shorts in the evening! Another night we did Blue Heaven and that meal was as delightful as Louie's was disappointing, and in all the same categories. It was a memorable evening...so much so that we later named a sailboat we bought for it. Certainly wish that had been our anniversary dinner, rather than Louie's!!

For whatever's it worth, I've never been satisfied at Louie's. The wait staff (as mentioned) was horrible with a capital H, each of the three times I've been there. And the food, frankly, didn't make up for it. I think the place has gotten a big head. I've always prefered the smaller, more intimate, more casual places anyway. To answer the original question, shorts, shorts, and shorts. Pretty much all you'll need, and all you'll want to wear.

Olive - I'm sorry you were misled about Louie's Backyard. Having been warned that it was a tourist trap we steered clear of it for our first several trips to Key West, but finally decided to try lunch there and were favorably impressed with the food. On subsequent visits we've had both good and mediocre meals, but keep going back because the view and atmosphere are so pleasant. Although I've heard from locals that the wait staff can be haughty, we've been lucky in that department, too. The only people we've encountered who needed an attitude adjustment were those who were in charge of seating. I certainly agree that Blue Heaven is great fun and is much more a "Key West experience" though. As for dress, I think the time of year might influence clothing as much as the restaurant itself. During the hotter months, many - if not most - wear shorts to restaurants that're considered "fine dining." The only thing that prevents me from doing it is my age!

Well, as usual, I'm late in responding to your question, but Susan, J T Kirk & the other posters have the same viewpoints as I do, except the lunch at Louie's is much less in price & taste a lot better. Don't know why exactly, but it is the reason we have learned in visiting them. We perfer there lunch over dinner because there are a lot of other restaurants we have tried & like, therefore, dinner is much better at other places then Louie's. But, you can't beat the view, that's for sure.

Thanks for all your help, especially the restaurant listings. We love seafood and don't have too many options for it where we live. One more question. When I looked at Key West info on the web a few weeks ago, I saw info on a restaurant that had seating on a balcony (I think overlooking Duval). The writer liked the place, but *duh* I din't write it down and now I can't find where I saw it. Does anyone know of it, or could this be one of several places? Thanks again.

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Marykate - You're probably thinking of the A&B Lobster House, which is on Front Street next to the Galleon Resort. They have fine dining upstairs and a balcony that overlooks a marina. Also overlooking the Gulf are restaurants at the Hyatt, the Pier House, the Ocean Key House and the Hilton. In my opinion the far superior (and most costly) is the A&B. If you'd like me to send you a link to The Menu, which has menus from many restaurants in Key West, please send me an email and I'll forward it.

There are a couple of restaurants which have balconies overlooking Duval (Crabbie Dickie's comes to mind). Of course, several restaurants are ON Duval. As a rule, I steer clear of restaurant on, or overlooking, Duval. they're just too busy and loud. Kelly's is an exception. A&B, on Front St, is a great restaurant. The upstairs section is pricier, but has a better view and is a little more "dress up."

I'm afraid I didn't pay close enough attention to your last restaurant question. In Key West I just connect balconys with waterfront views! There's a restaurant on Duval with balcony dining called Bagatelle, but the food isn't very consistent. We've been there a number of times and sometimes it's wonderful and sometimes it's horrible!!

You should also consider dinner at Latitudes, the restaurant that Hilton operates at the Sunset Key resort. Make a reservation earlier in the day by phone and they'll tell you what time the motor launch leaves to shuttle you over from the docks by the Hilton (near the end of Duval Street). It's an open air restaurant (covered roof) on a private island facing the gulf. Good food and a fantastic setting - truly memorable and romantic. if i'ts windy or cold they'll roll down clear plastic that blocks the outside air but still allows an unobstructed view. IMHO, best to go when the walls will be open to enjoy the breeze and the salt air. there may be better food in KW but the setign is unrivaled.

I think you may be talking about The Rooftop Cafe. Best place to go to after diner & have some of the best key lime pie & after diner drinks as well as a romantic setting & veiw of Duval St.

Just to add my 2 cents- My husband and I had a wonderful dinner at The American Bar (also called something like the Martini Bar)on their terrace- Its just across the street from Pier House- Wonderful service, great food, romantic atmosphere, quiet piano in the background... To top it off, they were having some kind of a problem with a valve on Duval, so when high tide plus full moon hit the street filled with seawater about 2 feet high- Hubby had to (gallantly!) carry me across the streetto dry land!