Looking for affordable but fabulous eateries in Key West? I’ve got ya covered with some recommendations from me, your little Foodie friend. Key West is not the most budget friendly of places but there are some real gems to be found. Of course, you can stop by a Subway or a Wendy’s and you’ll know what you are likely to get, but for food that is made with some love, creativity and attention, I prefer independent places that offer great food at great prices. It’s easy to find a gem when you have a generous budget, but great finds for $20 or less a person is a bit more challenging.
So here it is, the For Fox Sake Best of Key West Cheap Eats.
Best diner- Harpoon Harry’s 832 (832 Caroline) Nothing fancy, but friendly service and a great location for breakfast. Fuel up with an old school, greasy spoon breakfast before heading out to explore Key West. The Key Lime French Toast and a mimosa would be a great Key West welcome. Bonus here is the interesting assortment of salty peeps ( salty as in sailor, not bitter ) due to its proximity to the Schooner Wharf and Key West Bight docks.
Best coffee and Best Cuban Mix- Cuban Coffee Queen (3 locations, my favorite is at Key Lime Square on Southard) Absolutely, hands down, no contest best iced mocha I have ever had. They use coffee and cream in their ice cubes, not water. It is magic. Not too sweet, not acidic just smooth and cold with just a hint of bitterness from the chocolate. Sublime. Their Cuban Mix sandwich is one of the best I’ve had. The portions are big so splitting a sandwich with a friend is not going to leave either of you hungry. The chickens mulling about the Key Lime Square location are the cherry on top of this Conch Republic Gem.
Best Happy Hour- Honestly there are fantastic Happy Hour deals all over the town from the Bight to Duval. My favorites just happen to be right across the street from one another- The Boat House and Half Shell Raw Bar. Both are located at the entrance to Key West Bight Marina. Half Shell is the place to go if you want oysters or steamed shrimp at bargain prices. The Boat House offers 1/2 off their small plates. Mark tended to go for the lamb chops, I was a fan of the beefsteak tomatoes and skirt steak. Friendly service and perfect location if you’ve booked a sunset sail on one of the Schooners.
Best Girl’s Brunch- Sarabeth’s (530 Simonton) If you are looking for the perfect place for a girls brunch, Sarabeth’s is a solid choice. Excellent service and attention to detail from the kitchen. Casual yet spiffy ambiance that is uniquely Key West make Sarabeth’s my Best Brunch winner. We did not indulge in their pricier dinner offerings but if I were going to splash out, the quality of their brunch gives me confidence that dinner would be spectacular.
Best people watching- Caroline’s (310 Duval) Get seated at the bar along Duval and you have a prime spot for people watching on the never dull Duval. The salads and sandwiches are what to order here. They have some really good bartenders cranking out well made cocktails, such a shame they use disposable plastic barware.
Best Wine Shop/Bar- The Funky Rooster 713 Caroline Serving up espresso, teas and pastries, it’s the wine choices that earn a For Fox Sake Best of award. Interesting array of regions, both old and new world and varietals at a wide range of price points from a cheap eats certified $20 Pinot Grigio to a splurge bottle of Amarone and everything in between. Cozy and bright interior perfect that will make you feel as if you’ve stepped into the parlor of your Conch Great Aunt’s stylish parlor. There’s usually a visiting pooch or two on the porch as well. There are far more terrible ways to spend a few hours on a sunny afternoon.
Best Dive Bar- There are so many there is no way to choose one. Also, they are kinda all the same thing. Big open windows. Tile floors. Good live music. Bar snacks and burgers. Cheap drinks and beer. Capt Tony’s, The Bull, Sloppy Joe’s , Schooner Wharf or Hog’s Breath. Pick one and know you are getting THE Key West Dive bar experience in one sitting and you can skip the others.
And now what you’ve all been waiting for:
Best Key Lime Pie- Kermit’s Several locations but the real deal honest to goodness most delicious is their chocolate covered Key Lime on a stick and that is available just about everywhere! I know, they are mass producing it. I know, traditional Key Lime pie is best freshly made. I know, putting it on a stick and dipping it in chocolate is a trick for the tourists. A freaking delicious trick for the tourists!
There are a ton of fun activities to enjoy in Key West though only wandering the lovely streets of the Ruman Annex are free and none will be a certified cheap thrill (under $20).
There are museums and historic home tours a plenty. If you are traveling to Key West with kids, the Shipwreck museum and the aquarium will be much more kid inclusive than a tour of Hemingway’s house.
If you are watching the budget, my pick for a budget busting splurge if you don’t have access to a sail boat would be a sail on one of the historic schooners. Yes, it’s going to run you $60 a person and yes, you will be cheek to jowl with other tourists, but the most beautiful part of Key West is absolutely the sailing. Key West would not exist were it not for sailboats and its worth experiencing the gorgeous water and swift breezes of the Straits of Florida.
So there you have it. My best of list for Key West. Now it’s time to drop some postcards from Key West and sail on to Miami….
