Restaurants in Key Largo and Key West
 

Does anyone have any suggestions for neat family restaurants in Key Largo and Key West? We like casual atmospheres with a local flair. We appreciate any feedback.

For a highly unusual dining experience try Blue Heaven in Key West. "Dining" is outside on picnic tables with chickens walking around all over the place! At night the chickens are roosting, but they're sure evident in the morning and afternoon. This is a very "in" place in Key West so you may have to wait for a while. But I think the kids would be fascinated by the chickens...I sure was!

We were in Key Largo & Key West July 98, Key Largo, we <BR>We dined at a japanese restaurant which was excellent but casual. The best sushi and sashimi we have ever had. The captain from our snorkeling boat told us about. Can't recall the name but it is in front of some cottages/motel. Any of the locals should know. Our Key West dining was mostly for adults. We did eat at Blue Heaven too, chickens & cats around.

I also recommend Blue Heaven for the laid back and unique ambience not to mention the excellent food but please note that if "family" means moderately priced then you should look elsewhere. It's very good but not moderate in price. Many folks in this forum have high regard for the Half Shell Raw Bar at Key West Bight. It's casual, on the water and moderately priced. I was very unimpressed with the conch dishes I had there (chowder, salad and fritters) but those who've eaten other selections from its menu give it high praise. Two other restaurants that are often spoken highly of in this forum (both in KW and I think both are moderate in price)are Siboney's and Mangia Mangia. The former is Cuban and the latter is fresh pasta oriented.

I was in Key West in Nov. '97 and really liked a restaurant that I think was called Mango's, on the main drag, Duval St. I wouldn't say it was a restaurant designed with kids in mind, but they did have great pizzas (kids always seem to like those) and an interesting menu with a good variety of seafood and other things. It wasn't necessarily inexpensive; I would say it was moderate. The setting was nice, with outdoor dining. <BR> <BR>There was another restaurant I liked that was owned by the actress Kelly McGillis (the one from "Witness" and "Top Gun") but I can't remember the name of the place -- just that they had the best coconut shrimp I've ever eaten. It was a pretty casual place. Ask around. <BR> <BR>Another vote for Blue Heaven -- definitely fits your requirements of "casual with local flair!" <BR> <BR>There was also a good restaurant in the hotel that was on the beach at the southernmost point of the island. I can't remember the name of it but they had good dinner specials and an outdoor deck just off the beach, which looked out on the water, and great Key Lime pie! <BR> <BR>I hope you take a boat trip out to the coral reefs -- the glass-bottom ones are interesting too for those who don't snorkel. The trolley tours of the island where you can get on and off the trolley at places of interest is a good way to see the island. Also, make sure you tour the Hemingway House -- the kids tend to love the 6-toed cats. <BR> <BR>Have a great time.

Haven't been back since 93 or so, but Louie's Backyard was the best-kept secret...on the water, very romantic, great food!

Every place in Key West is casual. We ate at Kelly's one nite, and it was fabulous. As a matter of fact, Kelly McGillis seated us at our table that nite!

Definately try El Siboney--Cuban (NOT spicy)-large portions, decent prices It's on Margaret St. closer to the Atlantic side. Mangia, Mangia, about 3 blocks up on Margaret from the Half Shell Raw bar (I am unimpressed by that place-too expensive & last time we ate off paper plates); Another, newer one is the Conch Farm, near the Galleon resort. Perry's has pretty good food, and is a little cheaper. Last time we looked at Louie's Backyard menu, it was extremely expensive. I took our 2 daughters there 15 years ago and the meal was $75 & no drinks. We have been going down there for 22 years, since Pat moved there after college. check out www.keywest.com for more info and maps. Have fun.