Key West
At the southernmost end of the USA, things get a little relaxed and devil may care. Cruise ships disgorge folks who can buy t -shirts 4 for a dollar; writers and artists and street hucksters and just plain old nutsy locals all co-exist with a live and let live attitude. Along with this general air of ”what, me worry?” is a famous spot for sunset watching, another for a photo op of ”southernmost spot in the USA”. Because of its outlaws and jet setters and famous gay population, it’d be best not to expect a normal beach vacation scene, starting with the fact that beaches are in short supply and mostly manmade, though very nice. Beaches will be secondary to your eating out and walking around this extraordinary town. Enjoy this like you would going to the circus, because that’s much of what Key West is, set in emerald waters below a beautiful blue sky, far, far away from Kansas.
Fort Taylor Beach, in the Zachary Taylor State Historic Site, is the locals’ favorite for sunsets, although a bit bumpy to swim there because of a rock reef. Smathers Beach has the widest space at Atlantic Avenue, along a half-mile or so of sifted sands, with free parking on A1A. It’s known for its excellent snorkeling. Duval Street, Old Town’s main street, has live theatre, singing, whistling, drinking, art galleries, eateries, boutiques, and some mighty bad behavior in the town known as One Human Family. The carnival starts around Mallory Square every day at sunset. You just have to see it to believe it!
Breakfast:
Blue Heaven: $$ AMAZING breakfast menu with lots of lobster options, roosters crowing around the place and an overall funky atmosphere. It’s a must! They also have a very good lunch and dinner menu, but their breakfasts are thing. Sit in the garden if you can.
729 Thomas St, (305) 296-8666
Sarabeth’s: $$ Nice cozy little place. Great coffee, lemon ricotta pancakes, and apricot bread pudding. Really good food in an outdoor setting and you can get fried chicken on Sundays! It’s got a sister restaurant in NYC, but this is the cool one.
530 Simonton Street at Southard, (305) 293-8181
Pepe’s Cafe: $$ Outrageous Key Lime pie. Oldest restaurant in KW (1909!). Great omelettes, crab cakes, great breakfasts in a front porch kind of atmosphere.
806 Caroline Street, (305) 294-7192
Bakery:
Coffee & Tea House of Key West: Great coffee, cozy hangout on the main drag full of locals
1218 Duval Street, (305) 295-0788
Cole’s Peace Artisan Breads: Wonderful bakery with all sorts of good breads. They provide a lot of the local restaurants and serve great sandwiches.
1111 Eaton St, (305) 292-0703
Seafood:
Seven Fish: $$$ Quiet little place with great fish and cool sushi. Off the beaten path and worth the money in a romantic setting
632 Olivia St, (305) 296-2777
Cafe Sole: $$$ Back porch ambiance with French chefs. a hidden gem with some of the best seafood you will ever have. Local hog snapper is a specialty.
1029 Southard St, (305) 294-0230
B O’s Fish Wagon: $$ Lunch wagon shack with great fried fish, conch fritters etc. Come and get it!
801 Caroline St, (305) 294-9272
Half Shell Raw Bar: $$ Shack on the marine loaded with great oysters and crawling with pelicans. A MUST for down home oyster heads.
231 Margaret St, (305) 294-7496
Louie’s Backyard: $$$ Incredible waterfront location with some of the best food on the island.
700 Waddell Ave, (305) 294-1061
Pizza:
The Upper Crust Pizzeria: Nice thin crust pies with a real good sauce and draught beer.
611 Duval St, (305) 293-8890
Italian:
Antonia’s Restaurant: $$$ Great Italian dishes with wonderful service in a local landmark with a great wine list. Sit in the front room with its nice cozy, warm setting and enjoy a great meal.
615 Duval St, (305) 294-6565
Mangia-Mangia Pasta Cafe: $$ Wonderful fresh pasta in big portions with a sauce with some real character to it. Not your standard by any means and worth making a reservation
900 Southard St, (305) 294-2469
Barbecue:
Daddy Bones BBQ: $+ Good BBQ tucked in a mall.
2502 N Roosevelt Blvd, (305) 295-7427
Turtle Kraals: $$ It might not look the part, but this place has good BBQ. Plus they have turtle races!
231 Margaret Street, (305) 294-2640
General Goodness:
Michaels: $$$ Just in case you need a good steak, this is it with beef flown in from Chicago.
532 Margaret St, (305) 295-1300
Square One Restaurant: $$ Local favorite and very friendly staff with good parking ( a rarity). Good family place with lots of typical dishes with a Caribbean zing to it.
1075 Duval St Ste C12, (305) 296-4300
The Cafe: Best vegetarian place in town, which might not be saying much, but it really is exceptional. Everything on the menu is good and it’s a real nice funky place.
509 Southard St, (305) 296-5515
Ice Cream!
Flamingo Crossing: Real good homemade ice cream and a lot of it. No skimpy cones here.
1107 Duval St, (305) 296-6124
Market:
Eaton Street Seafood Market: $$$ It ain’t cheap, but this is the best seafood going and the folks are fabulous.
930 Eaton St#C, (305) 295-3474
Watercolor by Peter Bailey