Lee

Name the ones you had a bad time in, name the ones you had a good time in. Thanks

susan

Could you be more specific? Do you want to know where you can have a good time or where you can get good food? If it's good food you're after, do you want seafood? Cuban food? Italian? Do you want cheap or pricey? Key West has LOTS of good restaurants.

Carol

Blue Heaven hands down for the best food.

Peppe's (sp) great too

Stay away from the fast food or pizza joints.

me2

True...Blue Heaven is always fabulous...sometimes a wait though. Cafe Marquesa is good, but not quite worth the money. A & J Lobster house is really good..we had lobster bisque, Seared Tuna, and BANANAS FLAMBE!
Mangoes is good too and great for people watching...very caribbean. Louie's Backyard is Way expensvie but has a great view...have drinks or lunch (even lunch cost me about $20-25). Pepes is good for alot of food at a small price.

x

Are you looking for good places to eat and what the tourist traps are? Please give more information. The town is full of all kinds of places to eat from very casual to vary fancy.

Lee

Sorry, I should have been more clear.

I was asking in general for restaraunts that had good food (whatever type), reasonable prices and good or decent service.
Also wanted to hear any stories of what or where to avoid.
Thanks

susan

For good seafood, try the Half Shell Raw Bar. It's not at all fancy - paper plates and plastic forks - but has really good fresh fish. Roughly behind the Half Shell Raw Bar is Pepe's, a favorite with locals and tourists. The Blue Heaven used to be a bordello and has a really funky Key West atmosphere. Picnic tables and chickens walking all over the place. Unfortunately I've seen some REALLY bad comments about its service recently, so I'm not sure if those were isolated incidents or if there's a problem. I'd avoid Louie's Backyard unless you just want to go for a drink or for lunch. Their seating hosts/hostesses have the worst attitute problems I've ever seen in a restaurant. I've had some good luck with Bagatelle the past few visits...it's on Duval and is a good place to people-watch, too. For fabulous (and cheap) Cuban food, El Siboney is great. For lots more information about restaurants, you might do a back search on this board. To look at menus , try keywest.com/themenu/menus.htm

xx

Avoid Margarettaville. Typical tourist trap and the food isn't great.

Dan

Just to add to all of the above recomendations to Key West Restaurants are Alonzos-Oysterbar waterfront dining, 700 Front St., El Meson De Pepe - 410 Wall St. at Mallory Square also great Cuban music, Turtle Kraals waterfront dining located at Land's End Marina, 7 Fish, 632 Oliva St, make reservations, Cafe Des Artiste French fine dining, make reservations & they are located right beside Duffy's Steak & Lobster House, 1007 Simonton St., Michaels, 532 Margaret St. for steak or duck, B's Restaurant, 1500 Bertha St. for Cuban & finally the Blond Giraffe, 629 Duval Street, for Key Lime Pie, the factory is located on Stock Island. The ones I would not go back to for some reason or another is Kelly's Bar & Grill, La Trattoria (Italian, but will go to Virgilio's cocktail lounge) & Louie's Backyard (only for drinks & sunset, maybe for lunch).

grglnswsh

Avoid - Any place that hands out coupons as you walk in. You will find may of these places along Duval Street.
Kellys - bad food, bad service
Any chain place
Sloppys - bad food
Louie's - very overrated to expensive for such snobby service. If you must go there, go there for lunch or drinks.
Shulas - WAY to pricey! It will cost you more than your stay.
Margaritaville - Tourist trap

Must see
Half Shell Raw Bar
Alonzo's Oyster Bar (oyster sampler)
Blue Heaven
Pepes
7 Fish
El Siboney (cuban)

Lee

Hey, thanks, you guys for all the recommendations and info. I really appreciate it. I'm sue I'll be able to find what I'm looking for in dining every single night.